NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) Converter Boxes: Will a $60 Box Arrive, and Do You Need One?
Updated
No $60 converter box is available yet, and Pearl TV has not announced a shipping date. Pearl TV, the group of major TV station owners behind NextGen TV, said on October 19, 2026 that it has lined up lower licensing, testing and security costs to support converter boxes with a suggested price of $60 or less, and that manufacturers expect to unveil new models in early 2027. An unveiling is not a shipping date. Full-power stations continue to provide today's ATSC 1.0 broadcasts during the transition, so most antenna viewers do not need to buy anything now.
What NextGen TV is
NextGen TV is the consumer name for ATSC 3.0, the newer broadcast standard. It can carry 4K and HDR picture, better sound, richer emergency alerts targeted to your area, and features that mix broadcast with internet content. It goes out over the same airwaves as today's channels, so a standard antenna picks it up. What you need is a NextGen TV tuner, either built into a newer TV or in a converter box.
What the planned $60 box will and won't do
- Connects to any TV with an HDMI port
- Receives both today's broadcasts and NextGen TV, with 4K HDR support
- Supports NextGen TV's advanced emergency alerts
- Has one tuner and no built-in DVR, which keeps the price down
Pearl TV is also working with the Consumer Technology Association so qualifying boxes are easy to spot in stores. The group estimates the U.S. has about 23 million over-the-air households, and at least 15 million of them will want a simple box rather than a new TV.
Thinking about cutting cable?
An antenna covers local channels. See which internet plans serve your address for streaming the rest.
Should you buy a box now or wait?
- Wait if you are happy with your current picture. No nationwide ATSC 1.0 shutoff date has been set, so current full-power broadcasts remain available during the transition.
- Consider a NextGen TV if you are already shopping for a new set. Many recent models have the tuner built in.
- Check before you pay a premium for an early box. Some NextGen broadcasts use content protection that not every device or recording setup handles well.
Your antenna still matters
Antenna reception still depends on local signal strength and placement. Try a higher location or a window, and rescan after moving the antenna. If you want to record shows, our guide to recording TV without a DVR covers options that work with an antenna.
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