The latest Tablo news along with tips to maximize your free TV experience. 

Old School Vs. New School: Antenna TV Then & Now

OLD NEW SCHOOL OTA ANTENNA TV

Was your last experience with Over-the-Air antenna TV watching Leave It to Beaver or Bonanza on a tiny black and white screen set into a giant hunk of wood? If so, you might be surprised by how much has changed with antenna TV!

Tablo Antenna TV Then & Now

Keep reading for our top ‘then and now’ comparisons of free Over-the-Air television.

 THEN: Giant Outdoor TV Antenna VS. NOW: Smaller Indoor TV Antenna:

Tablo Antenna Then & Now
In the early days of antenna TV, channels were broadcast on the VHF (very high frequency) spectrum. While VHF broadcasts can be recieved from further away, they require a larger antenna element to pick up which is why most older TV antennas were either large pointy-looking rooftop models or telescoping ‘rabbit ears’.

Although those older-style antennas still work, most channels are now broadcast on the UHF spectrum which doesn’t reach quite as far but is easier to receive with smaller antenna elements, even through some obstructions like buildings. That’s why many cord cutters can use a smaller indoor TV antenna and still get great reception.

 THEN: Fuzzy TV Picture VS. NOW: Full HD TV Picture:

Tablo Antenna Picture Then & Now
Back in the day, antenna TV was analog and if your reception wasn’t perfect even the largest ball of tinfoil applied to the antenna couldn’t prevent a snowy picture.

Today, that’s a thing of the past as Over-the-Air television is now digital. All the major networks are broadcast in full HD quality so if your antenna is receiving the signal, the picture will come in crisp and clear. It’s only at the hairy edge of possible reception that viewers can potentially experience macro blocking, pixelation, or audio dropouts. Improving the position or power of your antenna can often resolve this.

 THEN: Three Network Channels VS. NOW: Dozens of Network & Specialty Channels:

Tablo Then VS Now Channels
Once upon a time, you were lucky to get three channels with a TV antenna: ABC, CBS and NBC.

Today you can expect to receive those three channels as well as FOX, the CW, PBS and dozens of other specialty subchannels showcasing your favorite dramas and sitcoms from decades past, westerns, movies, vintage game shows, news, sports and much more.

 THEN: Gather Round the Television Set VS. NOW: Watch TV Anywhere:

Tablo TV Anywhere Then Vs. Now
Once upon a time, folks were lucky to have a single television with a tiny screen built into a cabinet so heavy that moving it would require some serious muscle. Fights over what to watch and who got the best seat on the living room couch were common.

Today cord cutters can use distribution amplifiers or network-connected tuners to deliver broadcast signals from a single antenna to all the TVs in their home. Some tuners, like Tablo, will even send programs over your home network or the internet to smartphones, tablets and computers so you can watch your show in bed, in the backyard, or in line at the DMV.

 THEN: Watch When It’s On or Else VS. NOW: Watch On Your Schedule:

Tablo Then & Now Recording
Until the VCR caught on in the late 70s, there was no way to see a program if you weren’t at home to enjoy it when it aired. Programming those VCRs wasn’t easy either. When Over-the-Air TV switched to digital and consumers moved on to DVD and Blu-Ray players, that convenience evaporated again.

But today there are modern DVRs designed specifically for today’s antenna TV broadcasts with simple-to-use interfaces and the luxury of features like one-touch series recording. That way you can easily catch up on your show the next day, wait and binge an entire season, or watch your favorite episode again and again without the risk of wearing out the VCR tape.

THEN: Expensive Recording Technology  VS. NOW: Budget-Friendly DVRs:

Tablo storage-included sale
When Zenith introduced a dual-tuner VCR in 1977 the price tag was $1,300 which would be $6,000+ in 2022 dollars.

Thankfully cord cutters today can get a modern, storage-included, network-connected Tablo Over-the-Air DVR for less than the price of two months of cable.

For a limited time, that price tag is even less thanks to this sale which runs through August 10th:

The Tablo DUAL 128GB is a great option that lets you record and stream up to two antenna TV channels at once and record up to 80 hours of HDTV, right out of the box.

And the Tablo QUAD 1TB lets you catch all your favorite broadcast TV shows with four tuners and enough storage on the included SATA hard drive to record and stream entire seasons worth of shows!

Even better, the Tablo web store offers FREE shipping all day, every day! No minimum purchase required.

Plus, all Tablo OTA DVRs are covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee and 1-year warranty.

Have questions before you buy? Don’t hesitate to touch base with our cord cutting experts via Facebook, Twitter, or email.

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How to restart your phone/tablet

Sometimes, just restarting your smartphone or tablet can clear up issues with apps. The links below will provide detailed instructions on how to force close your Tablo app. 

Apple iPhone

Android smartphones 

Most Android smartphones and tablets can be restarted by holding the POWER button and then selecting RESTART or POWER OFF and RESTART from the POWER OPTIONS menu.

NOTE: Newer Samsung devices require you to hold the POWER/SIDE button and VOLUME DOWN to make the POWER OPTIONS menu appear. On the Google Pixel 6, hold the POWER and VOLUME UP buttons.

How to force close your Tablo app?

Sometimes, just restarting the app can fix things. The links below will provide detailed instructions on how to force close your Tablo app. 

Apple iPhone/iPad

Android smartphones/tablets 

Need help with the final steps?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.  Follow the steps in the video below for a full walkthrough of the remaining parts of the Tablo setup process.

Tablo Logo White

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Getting your channels...

You can get channels for free!
Over-the-Air Channels
i
Streaming Channels
i
Tablo gives you more!
  • Pause, Record, Replay
  • Enjoy your shows whenever it’s convenient for you.
  • 50+ hours of built-in storage
  • Expandable via USB for up to 8TB of additional space.
  • Your Local Channels
  • Watch Free OTA channels – news, sports, live events, and more.
Tablo gives you more!
  • Popular Streaming Channels
  • Far more than a standard antenna can deliver.
  • Subscription-Free Entertainment
  • Get premium content without paying for costly streaming services.
  • Pause, Record, Replay
  • Enjoy your shows whenever it’s convenient for you.
  • 50+ hours of built-in storage
  • Expandable via USB for up to 8TB of additional space.

This is an estimate only. Actual broadcast TV channels received may vary based on TV antenna location, reception, topography, and other obstructions. Streaming channels require an internet connection. View the Channel Details Report for specifics of each channel and to help determine what antenna is needed. 

Reception alert:  Based upon the location you entered, you may not get many of the major networks.  As a result, Tablo may not be the best fit for you.  Please enter your full address above for best accuracy. 

Major Local Broadcast Channels

Major networks you know that have live sports, major events, local news and more. 

Entertainment and Lifestyle Channels

Sports Channels

News Channels

Movie Channels

Family and Kid Channels

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Additional TV Broadcast Networks

Internet Streaming TV Channels

Internet-based free streaming channels .

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