ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Digital terrestrial television

Digital terrestrial television (DTT) refers to a way of watching TV shows or programs that are broadcast over the airwaves without being connected to cable or satellite TV services. Think of it as watching TV the way your grandparents might have, where the signal travels through the air and gets picked up by an antenna on top of your house.

But instead of relying on old-fashioned analog signals, digital terrestrial television uses high-tech equipment to compress, transmit, and receive digital information. This makes it possible to squeeze more TV channels into the available frequency bands, and to provide better picture and sound quality than analog TV.

To receive digital terrestrial television, you'll need a special antenna that can pick up digital signals, as well as a digital TV set or a set-top box that can decode those signals and display the TV programs on your screen. With DTT, you can access a variety of free channels that are broadcast in your area, and you won't need to pay for a TV subscription.

DTT is popular in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and South America. It's especially useful for people who live in rural or remote areas where cable or satellite TV services may not be available or are too expensive. But even if you live in an urban area with lots of cable and satellite options, DTT can be a great way to supplement your TV viewing with additional channels and diverse programming choices.