81% of Over-the-Air Viewers Would Purchase a NEXTGEN TV Converter Box to Preserve Access to Free Local Television
A new national study of over-the-air television viewers finds strong interest in an affordable NEXTGEN TV converter box, with 81% of respondents saying they would purchase a converter box to maintain access to their free local broadcast TV stations.
The new research, conducted in January 2026 by Magid among 600 adults ages 25–64 who use an antenna on at least one television in their home and at least two hours per week, highlights an important shift in today’s media landscape: the antenna audience is not only loyal — it is evolving and growing with a new generation of multi-platform viewers.
While all respondents to the survey watch local channels via antenna, nearly two-thirds also subscribe to streaming services, and many use cable or virtual platforms as well. Rather than replacing local broadcast channels, these services are complementing it. The result is a rising segment of what Pearl TV calls “Omni-Viewers” — consumers who intentionally combine free local broadcasting with digital and subscription platforms.
“This research confirms that over-the-air viewers are diverse, modern and highly engaged,” said Anne Schelle, Managing Director of Pearl TV. “Local broadcasting is not being replaced — it’s being integrated into broader viewing habits. A converter option ensures these growing audiences can continue receiving trusted local news, sports and emergency information as broadcast technology evolves.” [Pearl TV]
SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY – Official Trailer Drops
After the record-breaking global success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man: Brand New Day marks an entirely new chapter for Peter Parker and Spider-Man. Four years have passed since the events of No Way Home, and Peter is now an adult living entirely alone, having voluntarily erased himself from the lives and memories of those he loves. Crime-fighting in a New York that no longer knows his name, he’s devoted himself entirely to protecting his city — a full-time Spider-Man — but as the demands on him intensify, the pressure sparks a surprising physical evolution that threatens his existence, even as a strange new pattern of crimes gives rise to one of the most powerful threats he has ever faced.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the cast includes Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon and Jon Bernthal.
Digg’s beta has been shut down
In this episode of Diggnation, Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht discuss the difficult decision to shut down the Digg beta and lay off its engineering team. Kevin explains that the platform faced two major challenges: a lack of product-market fit for the nostalgic social media model and a relentless wave of AI-powered “parasitic” SEO attacks. These automated attacks exploited Digg’s legacy Google authority to boost spam content, eroding trust faster than the team could manage.
Looking ahead, Kevin announced he is leaving his role at True Ventures to return to Digg full-time. He plans to rebuild the platform with a much smaller, “AI-augmented” team that can iterate rapidly. By moving away from the nostalgia-focused design, the next version of Digg aims to explore new “agentic” computing models where AI tools work on behalf of users to find and verify content.
Cubs’ Marquee Sports Network now available on Hulu + Live TV
Almost 5½ years after a short-lived distribution agreement, the Cubs’ Marquee Sports Network is back on Hulu + Live TV.
The regional sports network announced Wednesday that it’s now available on the streaming service in the Cubs’ market at no additional fee, and that its direct-to-consumer service is available for purchase on Prime Video. The distribution deals come almost a week before the Cubs open the season March 26 against the Nationals at Wrigley Field.
🚨 Cubs baseball just got even easier to watch!
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 18, 2026
Marquee is now available for @hulu + Live TV subscribers and on @PrimeVideo with a subscription.
🔗 https://t.co/VSRv7jVh7K pic.twitter.com/yENCcFMDAn
Hulu last carried Marquee in 2020. Marquee launched Feb. 22, 2020, five days after announcing its initial carriage agreement with Hulu. But the day before the Cubs’ first spring-training game, Hulu decided not to carry Marquee until the start of the regular season. That October, Hulu dropped Marquee, along with Cubs broadcast partner Sinclair’s other RSNs at the time.
In-market Cubs fans also can now subscribe to Marquee’s DTC service through Prime Video, giving them access to the same content available to subscribers to Hulu + Live TV and other platforms where Marquee is available. [Chicago Sun Times]
