Is Digital Over the air TV free?

Question

I asked my dad to get me a digital TV for Christmas & he believes all these conspiracy theories from his brother that digital TV has monthly fees and is just a way for the government to make money. I'm really wondering if digital TV with an antenna is free. I really want to know. I want free TV in 2 years, NOT a black screen!!!!!!!

Answer 1

(This answer assumes that you live in the US)

Digital TV that you get over the air with an antenna will still be free. The only change is that after 2/17/2009 you will need either a TV with a digital (ATSC) tuner or a converter box to use with an old TV.

If you get good reception on current channels 14-69, you can use the same antenna for DTV.

Your real problem is that your dad believes these conspiracy theories. It won't be easy to change his mind.

I suggest that you educate yourself at the web sites listed below. Unfortunately, you will have a hard time finding places that tell you that over the air TV will still be free because its obvious to the people writing the web sites.

There are already digital broadcasts in the US. If you can't convince him by Christmas, the government will be starting a coupon program in jan 2008 that will let each household buy a couple of over the air converter boxes for about $20 each. If you get one of these boxes and hook it up to an old TV, he can see for himself the free digital TV channels.

Answer 2

It is free, just like any broadcast TV or radio, but some of your tax dollars will be going to pay for government programs that will help TV stations upgrade and provide vouchers for consumers to buy digital converter boxes if they still have analog TV's.

But still essentially free.

Answer 3

Are you in the UK? If so, no it is not free. You have to still pay the TV tax?

Why the government is pushing for digital, I don't know. It is a poorer reception than analog. And it uses up to 9 times more electric than analog. So what have the government have planed? Maybe it's surveillance?