What is TV 3.0? Understand the revolution coming to Brazil

A TV 3.0 is arriving in Brazil with the promise of transforming the way we watch television, offering immersive sound, ultra-definition images, on-demand content and interactivity similar to that of streaming platforms. But, along with the advances, questions also arise: will it be necessary to change the television? A new government decree is being drafted to regulate the implementation of the new technology, and it may make it necessary to use converters — even on current smart televisions. Understand what changes, what remains and how the transition will be made in the coming years.

Decree details

This Wednesday (27/08), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed the Decree No. 12.595 / 2025, which officially establishes the TV 3.0 in Brazil. The new generation of free-to-air television will operate seamlessly with the internet, offering improved image and sound quality, interactive features, and new possibilities for accessing digital services. The announcement is considered a historic milestone, as it places the country at the forefront of global broadcasting and prepares broadcast television to compete on equal terms with streaming platforms.

The implementation will follow a schedule divided into stages. The year of 2025 will be dedicated to preparation, including the adaptation of broadcasters and the start of production of compatible televisions and converters. Already in first half of 2026, TV 3.0 broadcasts will begin in major Brazilian capitals, gradually expanding to other regions. The process of full coverage should take up to 15 years, following the natural renewal of devices in Brazilian homes. The government emphasizes that television will remain free but will be integrated with digital services.

The chosen technological standard is ATSC 3.0, already used in the United States and other countries. It ensures compatibility with advanced features, such as broadcasts in 4K and 8K resolution, immersive sound, mobile reception on cell phones and tablets, real-time interactivity and content personalization. In addition to enabling a superior audiovisual experience, the adoption of this standard paves the way for international technical cooperation and export of Brazilian equipment, strengthening the national industry.

One of the central points of the decree is the commitment to social inclusion. To prevent low-income families from being excluded, the government plans to free distribution of adapters and converters to beneficiaries of the Single Registry, a measure similar to that adopted during the analog signal shutdown. Furthermore, TV 3.0 was designed with a focus on accessibility: there will be configurable subtitles in position, color, and size; audio description for the visually impaired; a real-time Libras interpreter; and even additional video and audio streams for different audiences.

The DTV+ will be the center of the TV 3.0 experience. This is an initial catalog of apps that will be available on all compatible TVs. Among them, public apps like Gov.br, TV Brasil, TV Câmara, TV Senado and TV JustiçaThe goal is for viewers to not only watch traditional programming, but also directly access government digital services and interact with content of public interest, strengthening television's role as an instrument of citizenship.

From an economic point of view, the expectation is stimulus to the national technology industry, generating jobs and encouraging audiovisual production. Modernization will allow the entry of new broadcasters, increasing competition and making the sector more democratic. The Ministry of Communications estimates initial investments of R$ 7,5 million in the transition process, which should also affect sectors such as the electronics, software and telecommunications industries.

The decree is the result of years of studies and debates conducted by the Brazilian Digital Terrestrial Television System Forum (SBTVD), which brings together representatives of broadcasters, universities, manufacturers and research centers.

"Television will remain free, as Brazilians already know it, but with an internet connection. Brazil has approximately 80 million households, and more than 75 million of them have a television signal. On the other hand, 75 million homes have internet access. We will integrate digital with TV so that we can evolve in providing services to citizens. Broadcast television is a meeting point for the Brazilian people and needs to evolve to remain popular and democratic.

Frederico Siqueira Jr., Minister of Communications.

How does TV 3.0 work?

A TV 3.0, also called DTV+ (Digital Television Plus), is the next generation of open television in Brazil and represents a significant leap forward compared to the current digital standard. The nomenclature “DTV+" is used to highlight the advances in the digital TV system implemented in the country since 2007, which has already replaced the analog signal. The new technology was designed to integrate the resources of traditional television with the typical functionalities of streaming platforms, such as content recommendations, interactivity and on-demand access.

The functioning of TV 3.0 involves a combination of terrestrial signal transmission — that is, free and open, as is already done today — with support for internet connection. This means that the basic signal will continue to be available to everyone, regardless of network access, but additional features such as choosing cameras at live events, purchasing products directly from the screen or accessing on-demand content will depend on an online connection. Reception will be done by devices compatible with the new standard, which can be televisions manufactured with the technology already built in or current models adapted with specific converters.

4K, 8K and HDR10+ on broadcast TV

The technology brings a major change to the image quality of broadcast television by offering broadcasts in resolutions much higher than current ones, with support for 4K and even 8K. While conventional digital TV offers Full HD (1080p) resolution in some cases, 4K multiplies this quality four times, providing much sharper, more detailed and realistic images. 8K represents an even greater evolution, with a resolution approximately 16 times higher than Full HD, which allows for an extremely immersive visual experience, especially on larger screens.

In addition to high resolution, technology HDR10 + significantly improves image quality by increasing the contrast and color range displayed on the screen. This means that dark scenes become deeper and bright scenes more vibrant, resulting in images that are closer to reality. The combination of 4K or 8K with HDR10+ on broadcast TV represents a significant technological leap, raising the visual standard of free programming to levels similar to those of the best streaming platforms, without the need for subscriptions or paid packages.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound

Na TV 3.0, the audio also gets an upgrade with support for immersive sound technologies like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Unlike traditional stereo sound, which distributes audio across two channels (left and right), these technologies create a three-dimensional experience, where sounds seem to come from all directions, including above. This provides a much more realistic and immersive sensation, similar to that experienced in modern movie theaters.

However, to fully enjoy this sound quality, it will be necessary to use compatible audio systems, such as home theaters or soundbars that support these technologies, since the speakers built into most current televisions cannot reproduce this immersive effect.

Channels as applications

One of the great differentials of DTV+ is the transformation of television channels into true interactive applications. Instead of browsing through traditional channel numbers, viewers access each channel through interfaces similar to those of streaming apps. This allows for more intuitive navigation, with personalized menus, direct access to specific programming, and integration with digital resources such as social networks and online shopping.

In addition to facilitating access to content, the structure of channels as apps also allows for constant updates and the inclusion of exclusive features for each broadcaster. For example, viewers can access live news, participate in voting on programs, choose camera angles at sporting events or even interact with programming in a personalized way. This approach increases audience engagement and can be done through your smartphone.

Content on demand

A TV 3.0 significantly expands access to on-demand content, bringing broadcast television closer to the features that are now standard in streaming services. Viewers will be able to choose when and what to watch, without being tied to traditional linear programming. This feature is possible thanks to the integration between the broadcast signal and support for an internet connection, which allows you to download or stream selected content directly to your TV. In addition, broadcasters may offer exclusive or complementary content packages, increasing the variety and personalization of the television experience.

Interactivity and online shopping

Technology also opens up space for broadcasters to take advantage of the possibilities of interactivity between viewers and content, bringing a new level of engagement to broadcast television. Through intuitive interfaces, the audience will be able to participate in votes, check specific information and interact directly with programs and commercials. This interactivity transforms the passive way of watching TV into an active experience, where the user has greater control over what they see and how they participate.

This difference opens the door to integration with e-commerce, allowing online purchases directly from the TV. Viewers can, for example, click on products shown in soap operas, talk shows or commercials and be redirected to a secure platform to complete the purchase, without leaving the screen. For broadcasters and brands, this is a new opportunity to monetize and personalize advertising content, while for the public it is a gain in practicality.

Do I need to change my TV to use TV 3.0?

Current TVs will continue to receive the traditional broadcast signal, which will remain active during the long transition period between systems. This means that even after the arrival of TV 3.0, the consumer will be able to watch their programs normally on the TV they already have, without needing to immediately replace the device.

However, to take advantage of the advanced features of the TV 3.0 — such as high resolution, immersive sound, interactivity and on-demand content — it will be necessary to use an adapter compatible with the new technological standard. This converter, connected to the TV via USB or HDMI, will work as a receiver that decodes the TV signal TV 3.0 and allows you to access its features. These adapters are currently in the development phase and should start being sold in Brazil from 2026, with a price of around R$400.

Currently, the industry does not yet produce televisions with the receiver of TV 3.0 integrated, which means that, in the short term, the only way to access the new technology will be through compatible adapters.

Globo already has its TV station 3.0

A TV Globo inaugurated its pilot station TV 3.0 our Globo Studios, in Rio de Janeiro, as part of a pioneering project to test and develop the technology of the new generation of open television in Brazil. This station has an experimental and scientific nature, allowing broadcasters, manufacturers and developers to use the signal to adjust equipment and software in real conditions.

In this initial phase, the signal from the pilot station Globe is broadcast to a restricted group of homes in selected neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro, which allows detailed monitoring of transmission quality, signal reception and user experience, as a test base. The operation also serves to validate advanced features such as multiple windows, interactivity and ambient audio selection, testing the behavior of these features in different domestic environments.

In addition to benefiting the industry and broadcasters, the pilot station of Globe has a strategic role in preparing for large-scale events, such as the 2026 World Cup, when the expectation is that the DTV+ be available to viewers in the metropolitan regions of Rio and São Paulo.

Below, see a report made by G1, clarifying how the broadcaster opened its station with resources from TV 3.0:

See the video

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Sources: ATSC e GOV.

Text proofread by: Daniel Coutinho in 03 / 07 / 2025