Analog TV in 2024

I grew up in a time when analog TV was still the predominant way to receive TV stations. My father was part of its demise as he helped build the infrastructure for Dish Network satellite broadcasting. In my household, we were always on the forefront of new technologies, and rarely did I feel nostalgic for outdated ways of life until I was in my mid-20s.

In Japan and Korea, analog TV still travels through the airwaves. We observed this phenomenon in the early 2000s with video game attachments for the PSP and DS that allowed the consoles to function as analog TV receivers. I discovered a YouTube video demonstrating that these technologies still function on their respective game consoles even in the current decade.

As someone who still holds onto a 15+ year-old analog TV, I was interested in seeing what channels exist in the air where I currently live. With an old Sharp semi-flat screen TV and a couple of old-school coaxial cables connected at the ANT ports as a makeshift antenna, I can watch the following channels:

• D05.01 - WRAL CH.5
• D05.02 - COZI TV
• D05.03 - startTV
• D05.04 - ion/MYSTERY
• D11.01 - NO SIGNAL
• D11.02 - NO SIGNAL
• D11.03 - NO SIGNAL
• D28.01 - NO SIGNAL
• D28.02 - NO SIGNAL
• D28.03 - NO SIGNAL
• D34.01 - WRAL Weather Channel

Although my computer, phone, and modern TV have access to unlimited content, there is a novelty in having access to five channels, and with the price of free, it feels like accessing a secret collection. The channels are playing classic TV reruns, and it seems there are more commercials than programs, but like the radio, the randomness of what is playing is what gives it charm.

This morning, I turned on the TV to see what the local news had to say: an overnight shooting, a stolen car, and a hit and run leaving a pregnant woman injured, along with a law that will stop discrimination of hairstyles in schools... It's not exactly the most cheerful content, something the internet lets me avoid. COZI TV didn't exactly feel cozy either; some 1970s boxing film was on. So I turned it off.

I wonder whose lives still rely on analog broadcasting? Those in old folks' homes or hospitals? People who can't afford Netflix or digital TV? It's interesting that any company would pay to continue broadcasting on such old tech, but someone is watching and companies are willing to pay for advertising for their eyes.

At least there's comfort in knowing that out in the invisible air, TV still hangs out if I ever need it.

D34.01 - WRAL Weather Channel

03/11/2024 | 7:46pm Local weather:

• Garner, NC 60F
• Smithfield, NC 57F
• Raleigh, NC 60F
• Chapel Hill, NC 57F
• Durham, NC 57F
• Apex, NC 59F
• Wilson, NC 59F

Clear weather, sunny. Decent traffic reports.