Q. I saw a commercial that said you can watch channels in 4K with a TV antenna. Is that true? What shows are in 4K on an antenna? Do the networks like CBS have 4K with an antenna? — Jerry, Reston, Virginia.
Jerry, I have seen those same commercials advertising products that claim you can watch 4K programming if you install a TV antenna. But the reality is that you can not watch 4K with an antenna, or any device that delivers over-the-air (OTA) signals.
While you can get high-def signals using a TV antenna, you will not be able to watch a 4K broadcast that way. Unfortunately, Fox, ABC, CBS and NBC, nor their local affiliates, transmit 4K feeds.
The only way to watch 4K programming from the networks is via a specialty channel on a pay TV provider, such as DIRECTV, Dish or Comcast, or a streaming app such as Fox Sports. Using those formats, the networks occasionally broadcast a sporting event in 4K, such as this year’s Super Bowl.
Why don’t the networks offer 4K broadcasts over-the-air?
Money. The networks, and their affiliates, spent a small fortune roughly 15 years to upgrade their local stations to High-Definition. However, it was worth it because so many consumers had purchased HDTVs, and were demanding shows in the format.
But there’s been no evidence of a similar call for 4K programming. While a rapidly growing number of Americans own 4K sets, it seems that most of them are content to watch high-def shows and movies on them.
There could be many reasons for this, but the difference in picture quality between 4K and HD is relatively small compared to the difference between HD and standard-definition. Viewers really, really wanted HD because it was so much better than SD.
Final note: As a few readers have pointed out, some local stations this year are expected to roll out a new broadcast standard called ATSC 3.0 which will support 4K programming. However, like most new TV technologies, you will need new equipment to take advantage, such as a new ATSC 3.0 compatible tuner or a new TV with a 3.0 tuner inside. (Your current antenna should be compatible so long as you get the new tuner.)
Plus, it’s unclear how much programming will be available in 4K, or when 4K will be available. In the initial test markets for 3.0, stations are still doing simulcasts of existing 720p HD or 1080i HD broadcasts, suggesting there’s little urgency to go to 4K. Broadcasts seem more interested in other 3.0 features such as emergency alerts and multiple channel feeds.
Jerry, hope that helps. Happy viewing, and stay safe!
Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvpredictions.com. Please include your first name and hometown in your message.
— Phillip Swann
IT’S CALLED ATSC 3; NEXT GEN TV
Sorry, no one is doing it.
That is incorrect. ATSC 3.0 is being tested in select cities. It’s coming. You will need a new set with the appropriate tuner or a converter box. Those will come also. So, technically it’s not yet available but it’s out there.
In Los Angeles Fox has an ATSC 3.0 channel 111.1 (KTTV NX) as well as the ATSC 1.0 (KTTV-DT), Isn’t this 111.1 channel the same as the Fox App 4K? Maybe even without a delay.
Any indoor or outdoor antenna will receive HD broadcast signals. Of course it depends on the reception. The same applies to 4K if it ever happens.
For international readers: this is relevant for North America. In the countries where DVB-T2 is used, 4K broadcast is already possible (for example in the Czech Republic we’ve got NASA UHD in terrestrial). But of course not many stations will broadcast in 4K because of the cost reasons described in the article (the NASA UHD broadcasting here is also more of a technology demo that will go away eventually).