In April 2026, Nielson found streaming had risen to roughly 47.6% of US viewing habits, over double the combined total of broadcast and cable viewers. Analog television, once the norm, persisted until the FCC mandated a full transition to digital in 2009.

Analog TV transmitted video and audio via Very High Frequency and Ultra High Frequency channels, captured at 30 fps and converted to composite signals. Sound was sent separately, and viewers relied on antennas or coaxial cables to receive the broadcast.

Digital TV replaces continuous signals with binary packets, enabling sharper images, HD quality—over ten times the resolution of NTSC analog—and multicasting. Digital compression (MPEG‑2, H.265) reduces bandwidth and interference, while ATSC 3.0 adds internet protocols for 4K resolution and expanded channels.

The transition took longer than expected: in 1996 Congress authorized extra digital channels, and by 2009 all full‑power stations were required to switch. 97.5% of households were ready by the FCC deadline.