ATSC 3.0 and NextGen TV: what it is and whether you need it

If you watch local channels with an antenna, you may have seen the name NextGen TV on TV boxes. It is the consumer brand for ATSC 3.0, the newest broadcast TV standard in the United States. Here is what it is, what it offers and what to check before treating it as a buying factor.

What ATSC 3.0 is

ATSC, the Advanced Television Systems Committee, calls ATSC 3.0 a brand-new over-the-air broadcast system, rebuilt from scratch to make watching TV better. Its aims are better picture and sound, more efficient compression, dependable reception on fixed and portable devices, and more options for accessibility, personalization and interaction. The standard is a suite of more than 20 documents and recommended practices.

ATSC also says the system is built on the same internet protocol backbone as popular streaming platforms, designed to bring together over-the-air content and online content. It also offers advanced emergency alerting and information.

What viewers get

The NextGen TV site is the industry's consumer-facing page. It lists the following:

• Free viewing. It is a free, over-the-air service for people with an antenna in most major markets. You need a NextGen TV and an antenna.
• Better picture and sound. The site says it delivers HDR and 1080p video, with 4K upgrades when available, and cinema-quality audio.
• Interactive features. These include an advanced program guide, program restart, personalized recommendations, enhanced emergency and breaking news information and localized content from your broadcaster.
• Automatic upgrades. The site says a NextGen TV adapts as new features arrive.

Note the wording about 4K: the site refers to 1080p with 4K when available. Which stations offer which format varies.

Coverage

ATSC's deployments page says US broadcasters have reached more than 76 percent of US households. It points to WatchNextGenTV.com for which cities and stations have service and for the launch schedule, and to AntennaWeb.org and RabbitEars.info for stations and coverage areas. Because the map shows markets where at least one station broadcasts the new standard, your own channels may not all be available. Check your address before you decide that NextGen TV matters for your purchase.

What equipment you need

The NextGen TV site says certified products are designed to receive and display the new broadcasts correctly. It lists TV makers with certified receivers: Hisense, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony and TCL. It also mentions certified upgrade accessories, meaning separate receivers that add NextGen TV to a home television. The site tells shoppers to watch for the certification logo on packaging and in stores.

The site also explains that local stations are beginning to secure their signals, to prevent theft of content or harm to receiving equipment, and that certified products include that security verification. If you have concerns about whether your device can receive these signals, it recommends contacting the manufacturer.

How it affects a TV purchase

For most buyers, the practical points are:

1. If you use streaming and cable only, NextGen TV does not matter.
2. If you rely on an antenna, find out which of your local channels broadcast in ATSC 3.0 and whether the TVs you are considering carry the certification logo. Confirm on the spec sheet or with the maker that the exact model includes the tuner.
3. If your TV lacks the feature, a certified upgrade receiver is an alternative to replacing the TV.

Tuner support differs from brand to brand and can differ by model and region, so use the finder and the TV's spec sheet to check, and see TV model numbers explained for why the same name can mean different features.