ATSC 3.0 is better than you think, but it's failing for 4 ridiculous reasons

Published Sep 24, 2026, 8:15 AM EDT Steve has been editing and writing content for almost two decades, including product reviews, tech news, how-to guides, and even lifestyle and health topics. He’s served as chief editor for publications like Tech Junkie and Alphr, and has written and edited content for many other tech-related sites. His expertise in Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, and Linux simplifies the gadget and computer world for others, enabling them to shop, connect, learn, tweak, and optimize devices and software to suit their needs. When he’s not writing or editing content, he enjoys repairing and optimizing devices (and game consoles), watching movies, golfing, and spending time with the family. There are many people who still value and embrace local TV broadcasting—I'm one of them, even though I love streaming services. I'd love all the amazing benefits ATSC 3.0 provides in my area, but I also like the nostalgia of turning on the TV, seeing what is on, and choosing what I want to watch for free. The biggest use I get from local TV is my local sports games and news without paying $65 to $100 a month to view them on Hulu or YouTube, or another streaming service. You can also subscribe to “network” streaming services (Peacock for NBC, Paramount+ or CBS.com for CBS, FOX One for FOX), but that becomes several monthly payments just to get your local channels, and you can’t get all of them. ATSC 3.0, also known as NextGen TV, makes a huge leap in over-the-air broadcasts for major networks and local channels, featuring higher resolutions (4K/UHD), improved audio (Dolby Atmos, MPEG-H surround sound), DRM protection, custom TV channel audio configurations, improved emergency alerts, higher-distance reception, on-demand functionality, geo-targeted advertising, software updates, live TV interaction (polls, quizzes, votes, like, unlike, etc.), AI recommendations, and even streaming-like services. The list could go on. The biggest problem with embracing and executing NextGen TV is that progress is stalled due to many factors tied to the FTC, manufacturers, networks, and even the consumer base. The technology is already available and in use but faces many challenges and obstacles that have held it back since its nationwide broadcast debut in 2020. Manufacturers hesitate to upgrade tuners to ATSC 3.0 due to low consumer demand They don’t want the expense Credit: Patrick Campanale / How-To Geek It’s not that consumers don’t want ATSC 3.0 benefits; it’s that they don’t know what the technology has to offer them. It’s also not like a manufactured iPhone or HDTV, where it gets promoted and advertised to consumers, making them well aware of it. The lack of knowledge or even awareness leads to little demand, so manufacturers often skip upgrading, although some brands like Sony and TCL offer ATSC 3.0 tuners on higher-priced models. With the uncontrolled usage of DRM protection by local stations (more on this later), that also adds another expense to become Google Widevine DRM certified. Broadcasters face FCC simulcast limits that don’t leave bandwidth for ATSC 3.0 Local broadcasters only get so much bandwidth to utilize Credit: Adam Davidson / How-To Geek The FCC has put ATSC 3.0 technology pushes on the back burner, mostly because of obstacles with manufacturer support, network simulcasting caps, and DRM challenges. Even if a network station includes a NextGen TV broadcast, it is often limited in resolution since it must support ATSC 1.0, but every broadcaster has its own methods of managing the bandwidth. A proposed Fifth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) released in 2025 for the new ATSC 3.0 standard discussed several changes, including reducing simulcast requirements for ATSC 1.0 to permit the use of MPEG-4. This move would allow broadcasting networks and their local stations to use their limited bandwidth to simulcast both 1.0 and 3.0 ATSC signals. Currently, simulcast regulations limit broadcasters’ capabilities to upgrade to new features, including 1080p (ATSC 1.0 goes up to 1080i only), 4K, HDR, and even digital interactivity and controls. Broadcasters cannot showcase ATSC 3.0's advanced features (4K, HDR, interactivity, Dolby Atmos) because FCC simulcasting requirements consume most regulated bandwidth, and broadcasters still have to abide by simulcast regulations. Compatibility with old TVs and tuners limits the initiative’s progress Most TVs and tuners have ATSC 1.0 Credit: Patrick Campanale / How-To Geek Now that digital TV has been around for a while, it is safe to say old tuner technology doesn’t work with new tuners. Since manufacturers aren't currently required by the FTC to upgrade to NextGen TV tuners, they don’t see the demand or financial benefits of doing so — most omit it and stick to ATSC 1.0 tuners. If ATSC 3.0 were to become a standard, it would fail unless manufacturers and the FTC come to agreements on compatibility, financial costs, and technical aspects. Since most consumers have ATSC 1.0 tuners, it stalls progress for newer technology and the benefits it creates, such as the previously mentioned functionalities and interactivity, 4K, Dolby Atmos, and even 1080p — since ATSC 1.0 only goes up to 1080i. DRM gets in the way Many networks opt to use DRM protection on their broadcasts now Credit: Steve Larner/How-To Geek Since the FTC’s current status allows stations and networks to choose whether to adopt NextGen TV and how to use it, most are adding DRM encryption (Google’s Widevine DRM) to ATSC 3.0 broadcasts, but most devices don't support it. What that means to you is that you cannot record live TV, nor can you access it on a NextGen TV tuner that isn’t DRM-certified. You simply get a blank screen on those channels, just like DRM-protected streaming. This goes back to the manufacturer problem, where many sell tuners without DRM certification. It also applies to your TV, and I know in my location, nobody sells DRM-certified TVs, so I would end up with a “viewer-blocked” screen. Besides, DRM TVs are hard to find because it’s costly to make, so tuner boxes win that race. It also means you need to be careful when shopping for a NextGen TV/DRM tuner, since many out there don't have DRM certification. Consumer streaming options take the cake from ATSC 3.0 Streaming services are offering 4K and Dolby Atmos, and even local channels for some ATSC 3.0, or even digital broadcasting in general, seems to have faded with the growing popularity of streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, YouTube, and more. You could almost say that delays and challenges with ATSC 3.0 have allowed streaming providers to capitalize on its features, such as 4K, Dolby Atmos, and even streaming your local channels. Despite many consumers’ desire to watch TV for free using a digital tuner and gaining advanced controls and features via an antenna, streaming providers have convinced people to make the leap by offering free streaming tiers. Many avid digital antenna fans still exist, but most have moved to on-demand services. Those who miss the nostalgia often use an app that simulates antenna TV or cable, such as Coax on Plex, which uses your library to emulate the live TV experience and includes a guide to select channels. But that is not the same thing as the real over-the-air experience that is always free and available nationwide. ATSC has so much to offer, but decisions have held it back ATSC 3.0 is a functional and fabulous piece of technology, boasting 4K, UHD, Dolby Atmos, interactions with channels, and much more, but it is also hard to obtain for most consumers unless they want to spend top dollar for a hard-to-find TV or a $100+ digital ATSC 3.0 tuner that actually has DRM certification. The FTC hasn’t come up with decisions or solutions to proposed manufacturer requirements, nor has it decided on how to handle DRM or bandwidth management for broadcasting stations.