The Fight for Free Over-the-Air TV from Lon.TV

In a recent video from Lon Seidman on his YouTube channel Lon.TV, he explains the latest developments in the ongoing battle over ATSC 3.0, also known as NextGen TV. The video highlights how broadcasters are contradicting their previous statements in a new filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in their push to encrypt the public airwaves.

[YouTube]

Seidman's video is a very good summary of the core issue facing cord-cutters and over-the-air television fans. He explains that broadcasters are now asking the FCC to mandate a full transition to ATSC 3.0, despite having previously advocated for a voluntary, market-driven approach. This change in position comes as the industry is struggling with low consumer adoption, which Seidman and others argue is a direct result of the Digital Rights Management (DRM) being used. The DRM makes it difficult for companies to create devices that can receive and record the signals, limiting consumer choice and innovation. As someone who relies on an outdoor antenna to get my local channels, I find this particularly concerning. The idea of losing the ability to watch or record the signals from stations I've received for years, just because I don't buy a brand new, expensive TV with a certified tuner, is a major threat to a fundamental part of cord-cutting.

The move by broadcasters to control and encrypt a public resource is a dangerous precedent that could force millions of consumers to buy new equipment to watch the free television they've always enjoyed. The battle is ongoing, with Lon Seidman and others, like Tyler the Antenna Man, actively advocating to the FCC on behalf of consumers. My Streaming Life has always been about taking control of my entertainment and saving money, and this push by broadcasters feels like a direct threat to that philosophy.