Your Favorite Shows On Over-The-Air HDTV

November 18, 2007 – 12:58 pm, posted by hdtvlabs

All the major networks want to keep their viewers watching and get onboard the newest technology. That is why major stations like ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX are now broadcasting digital signals. Want to see if you can get your favorite shows on your High Definition TV? Here’s a short guide to who broadcasts what.

OTA broadcast towers are up all over the place and most local affiliates of major stations use them. You should be able to get OTA digital broadcasts on your HDTV, unless you live in one of the following areas:

-Extremely remote places like deserts or wide open plains, far from civilization.

-Way up in the mountains surrounded by tall peaks.

-Right downtown in a major city where tall buildings will block the signal.

Most places in the US you can get OTA broadcasts with no problem. You just need an antenna, and if you check out www.antennaweb.org, you can type in your zip code and address and it will tell you exactly what kind to buy. I’d recommend unchecking the boxes saying that you want to get special offers, unless you DO want to get special offers. Then, go to your local electronics shop and buy the one you need, or special order it if it’s not on the shelves.

So, what can you watch with your digital TV?

ABC

ABC has most of its prime time shows, movies and sports on its digital broadcasts. It also broadcasts the popular daytime shows “The View” and “Good Morning America” digitally.

ABC was one of the first channels to broadcast in High Definition, starting with a showing of “101 Dalmations” in November, 1998. They plan to add more and more of their shows to their digital line-up in the next few years as more people at home are using High Definition.

CBS

Most of the prime time lineup is broadcast digitally on CBS, and some specials like the Super Bowl. Sports fans like to get the highest resolution possible for their games.

But, CBS doesn’t broadcast digitally everywhere. Only certain local stations carry CBS’s digital signal.

NBC

NBC shows most of its prime-time line-up and most popular shows digitally. Also, some special features like feature films and made-for-TV-movies are on the digital signal.

Like CBS, not every NBC affiliate broadcasts digitally. Currently, only about 70 local stations carry the digital signal, but more are constantly being added. Check the NBC website to see if there’s a station near you.

Fox

Fox was the latecomer, starting its HDTV broadcasts in 2004. Before this time, Fox was broadcasting digitally, using a different format that was not HDTV compatible. Now, they’re digital signals are.

Like the others, Fox broadcasts most of its prime-time programming as well as sports and other special events. However, they broadcast at 720p instead of the higher resolution 1080i.