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Here Is Another One: How Long Until Network TV Is Extinct?

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February 10, 2026, 12:28 AM
oldbill123
Here Is Another One: How Long Until Network TV Is Extinct?
Picture on network OTA channels are superior
February 10, 2026, 01:04 AM
egregore
quote:
How Long Until Network TV Is Extinct?

It has lost its monopoly, but will continue to exist for a long time.
February 10, 2026, 08:47 AM
Glynn863
I live in a suburb of a metro area, so I have an OTA antenna on every TV, for local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Fox), mainly viewing local news. But I can also get MeTV, Story (like old History Channel), Antenna, CW, and a few other OTA networks. Plus we have a Roku on every TV as well for streaming.

The OTA channels still do the monthly Emergency Broadcast System test, which doesn't appear on streaming. So with that, local OTA may be necessary by statute or law at the moment.
February 10, 2026, 09:09 AM
RogueJSK
quote:
Originally posted by oldbill123:
Picture on network OTA channels are superior


Superior to what? To how it used to be on bunny ears? Sure.

Superior to the standard definition off-brand OTA signals like MeTV or local access? Okay.

But it's not superior to streaming...

Network OTA digital signals are broadcast at 720p or 1080i.

Streaming comes in at 1080p or 2160p (4K). Either of which are better than the OTA resolutions, provided your TV is capable of displaying those resolutions. Plus they support enhanced HDR content like HDR10/Dolby Vision, again if your TV is modern enough to handle that.
February 10, 2026, 04:48 PM
smschulz
quote:
My kids are 11, 8 and 5 and they don't watch ANY network TV. Not one bit. Everything they watch is via a streaming platform or YouTube.


You can get network TV other than over-the-air including streaming.
Network TV channels are just another source of content.
If the issue is how it's delivered then that is another story.
Who knows maybe in the Contiuum future maybe it comes via cell towers or some other method not yet invented but there will most always be some form of "free" communication delivery of content if not under some public access reason,
As far as the content aka programs ~ they are no different than channels streaming, in fact all pretty much have their own channels too.
However, it is true that those that just watch OTA TV is diminishing.
It won't ever go away (free tv) but the method over time will change.