Why most TVs don't need a converter box
The FCC explained that "by June 12, 2009, federal law requires that all full-power television broadcast stations stop broadcasting in analog format" (FCC consumer facts, archived). Smaller low-power and translator stations followed later: the FCC set 11:59 p.m. local time on July 13, 2021 as the deadline for them to end all analog operations (FCC DA 20-724).
Since 2007, new TVs have had digital tuners built in. The FCC said that as of March 1, 2007, all television receivers shipped in interstate commerce or imported into the United States must contain a digital tuner. For a digital TV, the FCC said "the only additional equipment required to view over-the-air digital programming with a DTV is a regular antenna."
How to tell if your TV has a digital tuner
Look for a label or manual entry that says "Integrated Digital Tuner" or "Digital Tuner Built-In." The FCC said those sets receive digital broadcasts directly. It warned that sets labeled "Digital Monitor," "HDTV Monitor," "Digital Ready" or "HDTV Ready" may not have a tuner and may need a separate tuner box.
If your TV has a coaxial antenna input and its menu offers a channel scan for antenna (sometimes called Air), it has a tuner. Our setup guide by TV brand shows where that scan lives.
Who still needs a converter box
Only people watching on an analog TV. The FCC said that with an analog set, "you will have to purchase a digital-to-analog set-top converter box" to watch over-the-air TV. The box receives the digital signal and passes a picture the old TV can show.
How to connect a converter box
The FCC's converter box troubleshooting guide describes the hookup (FCC troubleshooting guide, archived):
- Connect the antenna cable to the converter box's antenna input.
- Connect the box's output to the antenna input on the TV.
- Tune the TV to channel 3, which is where the box's picture appears.
- Run the box's channel scan. The FCC said "the channel scan will search for digital broadcast channels that are available in your area."
- Change channels with the converter box remote, not the TV.
The FCC also told viewers to "perform a channel scan periodically." Our guide on when to rescan covers when that matters.
Is there still a coupon program?
No. NTIA ran the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, and "between January 1, 2008, and July 31, 2009, all U.S. households were eligible to request up to two coupons." The last day to apply was July 31, 2009 (NTIA, archived; NTIA press release).
NextGen TV upgrade boxes are a different thing
NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) is the newer broadcast standard. It "lacks backward compatibility with the existing ATSC 1.0 standard," so the digital tuner in most TVs and the old converter boxes can't decode it (TV Technology). Watch NEXTGEN TV says you need NEXTGEN TV electronics built into a new TV set, plus an antenna, to receive it (Watch NEXTGEN TV FAQ).
For a TV without it, an upgrade receiver sits between the antenna and the TV. Unlike the old boxes, these connect to the TV over HDMI, and some plug in by USB (Watch NEXTGEN TV receivers). In 60 of the 60 cities we cover, at least one station broadcasts in NextGen TV. You don't need an upgrade box to keep watching for now: stations that switch to NextGen must keep airing at least their main channel in today's format, as our NextGen guide explains. Our NextGen TV guide also covers the proposals to end that rule.