The new ATSC 3.0 tuner standard, also known as 'NextGen TV', continues to struggle for widespread adoption, with most new TV models still lacking built-in support.
ATSC 3.0 was designed to deliver 'next-generation' over-the-air television, including 4K, HDR, Dolby Atmos audio and interactive features. It is intended to replace the ageing ATSC 1.0 standard in North America and other regions that rely on ATSC rather than DVB tuner standards.
The first TVs with ATSC 3.0 tuners launched in 2020 from LG, Samsung and Sony, but momentum has since slowed or even reversed.
ATSC 3.0 in 2026
In 2026, ATSC 3.0 support remains limited across TV brands, even though ATSC 1.0 is universally supported. Without broad, built-in tuner support, ATSC 3.0 is unlikely to take off.
For example, in 2024 LG ditched ATSC 3.0 in new TV models over a patent dispute. Samsung does not include ATSC 3.0 in its OLED TVs, although select "QLED" models continue to offer support.
Hisense includes ATSC 3.0 in many of its upper mid-range and high-end TVs, but not across the entire range. TCL limits support to select models, and Panasonic has only recently begun adding ATSC 3.0 tuners to its US models.
Most smaller TV brands omit ATSC 3.0 entirely. RCA is a notable exception, though support is still restricted to a handful of models. Vizio TVs models do not support it.
You can track which TVs include ATSC 3.0 support in FlatpanelsHD's TV Database.
ATSC 3.0 versus streaming
While a growing number of broadcasters transmit ATSC 3.0 channels in the US, limited hardware support makes it difficult for next-generation over-the-air TV to compete with streaming services, which are integrated as apps into virtually every TV sold today.
Consumers can connect an external ATSC 3.0 set-top box, but many are unlikely to do so when streaming apps are readily available out of the box. According to PCWorld, the industry is working to introduce a sub-$60 ATSC 3.0 set-top box later in 2026 in an effort to lower the barrier to entry.
Nine years after launch, ATSC 3.0 is in a tough spot. US broadcasters are currently required to simulcast in both ATSC 1.0 and 3.0 until July 2027, marking the first potential step toward phasing out ATSC 1.0. However, the deadline could be extended due the slow adoption curve.
