Happy Friday Cord Cutters!
Hope you're all staying healthy and safe.
This week we're talking about additional delays in the transition to the new ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard.
Also: Q&A on TV antenna amplifiers, short cuts, must-see OTA TV, and more.
As always, if you know of someone who might need some insight or help with cutting the cord on cable or satellite, please forward our newsletter, or use the handy share buttons at the top of this email.
OK... now let's get to it!
NEWS: ATSC 3.0 Broadcast Transition Still in Flux
Future plans for just about everything are in flux at the moment, and the transition to the new ATSC 3.0 Over-the-Air broadcast standard is no exception.
During our last major blog update about this topic, we talked about how existing delays with the FCC's channel repack might push back the adoption of ATSC 3.0. But now experts are saying that COVID-19 is adding to the backlog, pushing back some of the earliest planned deployments of the new standard.
Beyond implementation hurdles, there's still debate over the nitty-gritty details of the regulations for ATSC 3.0. The FCC is currently seeking comments on whether to allow multiple broadcast transmission sites spread across a coverage area. While this could improve OTA reception within urban and suburban locations, it could also cause signal overlap and therefore interference in outlying areas.
And with an overall surge in antenna TV viewing — especially for local news — due to the pandemic, broadcasters may be even more reluctant to make any changes. Overall, this means a longer than anticipated time line for the eventual ATSC 3.0 transition.
Q&A: What's the Best Way to Boost my Antenna Signal?
Send us your most pressing cord cutting questions via email so we can answer them in an upcoming issue.
Have a question about cord cutting that you'd like answered? Send us a note and you may see your question in an upcoming issue of Cord Cutting This Week!
SHORT CUTS: How To Watch Local News, Twitter Giveaway, & More
Most weeks there's more news than we can cram into this email. Thankfully 'short cuts' delivers the cord-cutting news and deals we didn't have room for, including:
WHAT'S ON: Must-See OTA TV
As always, there's lots great TV coming to you FREE with an antenna this week including:
- Country fans will want to catch the special ACM Presents: Our Country - April 5th @ 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS
- Catch the historical drama miniseries World on Fire on Masterpiece - April 5th @ 9:00 p.m. on PBS
- Watch the special Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Secrets & Surprises - April 6th @ 10:00 p.m. ET on ABC
- Canadians can enjoy the season 4 premiere of Cardinal - April 6th at 10:00 p.m. ET on CTV
- Check out the new miniseries The Gene: An Intimate History - April 7th @ 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS
- After the series finale, Canadians can catch the special Best Wishes, Warmest Regards: A Schitt's Creek Farewell - April 7th @ 8:30 p.m. on CBC
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire returns with celebrity guests playing for charity - April 8th @ 10:00 p.m. ET on ABC/CTV
- Before the two-part series finale of Modern Family, tune in to the special A Modern Farewell - April 8th @ 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC
Don't forget to regularly check the TV SHOWS > PREMIERING on your Tablo app to find and set new and old favorites to record!
CANADIAN CORNER: Rent First-Run Movies from Cineplex
Cineplex movie theaters in Canada will be closed for the next little while.
But that doesn't mean you can re-create the experience at home by renting some first-run films including hits like Parasite, Jumanji The Next Level, and Bad Boys for Life for as little as $4.99 from the Cineplex site.
Then all you'll have to do is pour a metric ton of butter on to some popcorn and spill some pop on the floor and you'll be set!
We hope you enjoyed this edition of Cord Cutting This Week!
If you know someone who may be interested in cutting the cord on cable or satellite, please feel free to forward this newsletter to them or use the handy share buttons at the top of this email. Make sure to ask them to sign up as well!
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Stay tuned!
The Tablo Team
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