The Number of UHD 4k Television Broadcast Drops

The number of UHD 4k broadcast TV stations is still very small. At the end of 2022 there were 113 UHD stations in the US.  In the first month of 2023 five UHD stations either changed to HD broadcasting or went off the air. That leaves 108 UHD broadcast stations. One station is planning to go to UHD in May. Apparently the public is not as interested in UHD TV as experts predicted. 

Ultra High Definition Channels August 2021

The number of 4k TV (Ultra High Definition or UHD) over air-the-air broadcast is growing, but still small.  As of August 2021 there were;

•   40  Cities,
•   26  States,
  
•   64  Stations,
• 205  TV Channels,

with a UHD broadcast. 

The number of UHD broadcast is small compared to over 500 market cities, over 7500  stations, and tens of thousands TV channels. 

City's that have UHD available and the number of TV channels;  

TV Ch’s    CITY, STATE
    7           Albuquerque, NM
    1           Astoria, OR
  11           Atlanta, GA
    5           Austin, TX
    5           Baltimore, MD         
    1           Bend, OR
    5           Buffalo, NY
    5           Charlotte, NC  
    1           Chicago, IL
    5           Columbus, OH
    3           Dallas, TX
    8           Denver, CO
    6           Detroit, MI
    6           Grand Rapids, MI
    4           Greenville, NC
    3           Indianapolis, IN
    9           Kanas City, MO
    4           Las Vegas, NV  
    1           Los Angeles, CA
    2           Medford, OR
    6           Mobile, AL
    6           Nashville, TN
    5           Norfolk, VA
    5           Oklahoma City, OK
    6           Orlando, FL
  11           Phoenix, AZ
    3           Pittsburgh, PA
  11           Portland, OR  
    9           Raleigh, NC
    5           Sacramento, CA
    4           Salt Lake City, UT
    3           San Antonio, TX
    2           San Franciso, CA
    4           Santa Barbara, CA
    7           Seattle, WA
    2           Springfield, MA  
    3           Syracuse, NY
  11           Tallahassee, FL
    5           Tampa, FL
    5           Washington, DC. 

See TV Broadcast Tower Locator for UHD availability in your ares.  

What's the difference between a digital and an analog antenna?

Nothing. There is no difference between a digital antenna and an analog antenna, except the name. Digital and analog TV signals use the same carrier frequencies, carrier modulation (digital or analog signal) does not effect antenna reception.

Antenna Installation Video

RELEASED TODAY:  A Guide to TV Antenna Installation is a short (4 min) but detailed step by step video guide to outside television antenna installations. Antenna's must be properly grounded for best reception and safety. This video illustrates all the major points you do not want to overlook. Check out;

• A Guide to TV Antenna Installation Youtube Video.
• TV Antenna Installation webpage.

Some Broadcast Channels Changing over the next 39 months, What You Need to Do.

Over the next 3+ years, probably longer, some stations will change their broadcast Radio Frequency (RF) channel, and their broadcast tower location may change. The (virtual) channel displayed on your TV will stay the same, but most viewers will only have to rescan their TV's for the new RF channel. 

In some cases the antenna angle may have to be adjusted if the broadcast tower changes locations. In a few instances a new antenna will be required if the antenna does not receive the new channel frequency band. 

Stations that are moving, changing signals or ceasing to broadcast must notify consumers with daily on-air announcements for at least 30 days prior to any change. During that time, stations will continue to operate on their current channels. Consumer Guide, FAQs: TV Spectrum Auction, 4/13/2017)

When a TV Station Changes Broadcast (RF) Channel; 

• A station must notify consumers with daily on-air announcements for at least 30 days prior to any change.
• The displayed TV channel will not change, but you must re-scan all TV's for the new RF broadcast channel.
• You may have to adjust your antenna pointing angle if the broadcast tower changes locations.
• You will need a new antenna if a station changes to a frequency band (usually to VHF) your current antenna does receive. 

A Broadcast (RF) channel may or may not be the same as the TV (displayed) channel.

FCC SPECTRUM AUCTION

The FCC had an auction where TV station owners could sell spectrum to wireless services. Only 175 stations sold any spectrum, less than 2% of the approximate 8000 U.S. stations. Only 145 stations will go off-the-air, 30 stations plan to move to the VHF band. About 1000 stations, that did not sell any spectrum, will be forced to change UHF channels within the next 39 months.

--  Full list of stations that sold spectrum.

Stations	Percent	Status
145	1.8%	Will go off-air
13	0.2%	Will move to VHF-Hi
17	0.2%	Will move to VHF-Lo
1000	12.5%	Will change UHF channels

Court Rules on Internet Steaming OTA Broadcast

This month the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that provisions that apply to cable and satellite operators, do NOT apply to internet streaming services. Streaming services can be denied re-broadcasting Over-the-Air (OTA) channels if an agreement can't be reached.

The main issue seems to be cable and satellite systems have fixed coverage areas, limiting potential viewership. Streaming services cover virtually the entire planet, with unlimited potential viewership.

The public is (still) allowed to receive and stream OTA broadcast over their personal network.