Updated October 17, 2023
Today is the start of a new era for Tablo.
Over the last year or so, the team at Tablo HQ has been hard at work developing a new network-connected Tablo device as well as re-inventing the Tablo app experience to create a subscription-free, all-in-one solution for watching and recording free TV.
As you can imagine, we’re super excited to share the details with you, along with our new brand, logo and website.
We are also incredibly grateful to the loyal customer base we’ve built over the last nine years and have some exciting news for you as well.
But first, let us introduce you to the new 4th Generation Tablo and the new Tablo app experience!
Table of contents
- Meet the 4th generation Tablo device
- See the fully redesigned Tablo app experience
- No subscriptions, no fees
- Expanded channel selection with free streaming TV
- Free apps, firmware and even better technical support
- 4th generation Tablo pricing & availability
- What current Tablo customers can expect
- A peek behind the curtain – Our acquisition by Scripps
- FAQs
Meet the 4th generation Tablo device
The latest version of Tablo hardware has been totally redesigned inside and out, with a sleek new form factor that is flexible enough to mount on your wall or sit on a table.
Inside Tablo are two powerful ATSC 1.0 tuners which deliver full quality MPEG2 video and an optional in-line amplifier to help lock in over-the-air channels from your TV antenna. There’s also 50+ hours of onboard DVR recording storage which can be expanded by connecting a USB hard drive (up to 8TB).
Like all Tablo models, the new 4th generation device can connect to your home network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet to deliver live and recorded antenna TV to smart TVs as well as streaming and mobile devices throughout your home.
And for the first time ever, Tablo will also use its internet connection to pull in a selection of 40+ free streaming channels (also known as FAST channels), which can be streamed and recorded in the new Tablo app interface.
See the fully redesigned Tablo app experience
All of Tablo’s compatible apps have been fully redesigned from the ground up to make it even easier to discover, watch and record your favorite over-the-air and free streaming channels.
There’s a new home page that will help you jump straight into programs airing now on your favorite channels, as well as your recent recordings.
You can also browse and set recordings for upcoming sports, premieres and series in popular genres like dramas and comedies.
The live TV grid guide is now blazing fast and offers a full 14 days of data, for both over-the-air and free streaming channels with no subscription required. You can even change the live TV grid view to show just your favorite channels, with additional filtering options coming soon.
Features like one-touch series recording and advanced recording options like keep x and start early/stop late are also included with the device purchase.
Apps for the following supported platforms are available now:
- Roku
- Amazon Fire TV
- Android TV
- Google TV
- Android mobile
- iOS mobile
The following apps/platforms will also be supported in the coming months:
- Apple TV
- Samsung TIZEN smart TVs (model year 2020+)
- LG webOS smart TVs (model year 2020+)
- Vizio SmartCast smart TVs
No subscriptions, no fees
As mentioned, the new 4th generation Tablo does not require a subscription and does not have any ongoing fees or contracts.
Access to TV guide data and all Tablo features are included in the purchase price of the device, so you can pay once and enjoy fee-free TV for years to come.
Expanded channel selection with free streaming TV
In addition to the awesome free programming you can receive with a TV antenna including networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and more, the new 4th generation Tablo also pulls in a selection of 40+ free streaming channels.
These include channels like Bloomberg TV, Docurama, Gusto, Outside TV, PAC-12, Tastemade, Comedy Dynamics, World Poker Tour and many more.
Just like the over-the-air channels from your antenna, you can watch these free ad- supported TV (FAST) channels live and record them to enjoy on your own schedule with Tablo.
See a full list of free streaming channels available with Tablo here, or a list of all channels available with an antenna and online in your area here.
NOTE – Free streaming channels are only available to residents of the United States.
Free apps, firmware and even better technical support
As always, Tablo apps are free to download and use. Future app and device firmware updates are also free.
And if you need a hand during setup, or a have a question about your Tablo you can contact our helpful support team via email, phone and now also live chat!
We’ve also extended our support hours to serve you better. You can reach us from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 a.m. ET (or 5:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. PT), every day including holidays.
4th generation Tablo pricing & availability
The latest Tablo device is available today at TabloTV.com and BestBuy.com.
There are two options for consumers to choose from:
- The Tablo Total System which includes a 35-mile indoor TV antenna is available for just $109.95 US for a limited time, (regularly $129.95)
- Or the Tablo device only for $99.95 US
What current Tablo customers can expect
The new Tablo Apps do not currently support legacy Tablo hardware, but later this year*, a firmware update will be available for legacy network-connected Tablo hardware models** to make them compatible with the new Tablo app experience.
This means that today, nothing changes for current customers and no action is required.
Later this year, when the legacy network-connected Tablo devices receive the firmware update, these customers will then have the choice to download the new Tablo apps or stay on the legacy Tablo apps.
If these customers choose to switch to the new Tablo apps, they will be able to enjoy all the benefits, including access to 14 days of TV guide data, advanced recording features and 40+ free streaming TV channels at no cost.***
If current customers choose to continue to use the legacy Tablo apps, again, nothing will change and they will continue to pay for the monthly or annual TV Guide Data Service (and Premium Service, where applicable) to maintain access to all subscription-based features.
*We intend to update legacy network-connected Tablo devices to work with the new Tablo app experience. We expect this to roll out in 2024.
**A firmware update for legacy TV-connected Tablo hardware models to make them compatible with the new Tablo app experience will be available in 2024.
***Existing Tablo customers should be aware of some notable differences in features and functionality between the new Tablo apps and legacy Tablo apps before considering making the switch. Additional information for current Tablo customers is available on the Tablo Support Portal.
Legacy network-connected Tablo device models include:
- Original 2-Tuner Tablo OTA DVR
- Original 4-Tuner Tablo OTA DVR
- Tablo DUAL LITE OTA DVR
- Tablo DUAL 64GB OTA DVR
- Tablo DUAL 128GB OTA DVR
- Tablo QUAD OTA DVR
- Tablo QUAD 1TB OTA DVR
Legacy TV-connected Tablo device models include:
- Tablo DUAL HDMI OTA DVR
- Tablo QUAD HDMI OTA DVR
A peek behind the curtain – Our acquisition by Scripps
Scripps acquired Nuvyyo, Inc. in January 2022. The acquisition was part of Scripps’ ongoing efforts to increase over-the-air TV adoption and enhance the free TV viewing experience.
The Scripps and Nuvyyo teams worked together to enhance the Tablo device and apps to best serve consumers.
FAQs
Have questions about the 4th Generation Tablo before you buy or anything else we’ve announced today?
We’ve answered A LOT of FAQs below, but if your question isn’t covered there, don’t hesitate to reach out via Facebook or Twitter or directly to our support team.
We’re always happy to help!
The Tablo Total System comes with everything you need to start watching TV for free today including the Tablo device with onboard storage, 35-mile TV antenna, power supply, Ethernet cable and free Tablo apps for every screen. Already have a TV antenna? Choose the ‘no antenna’ option to save even more.
Most Americans can access major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS and the CW for free and in high-definition with a simple TV antenna. Many additional 'subchannels' are also often available with unique content like throwback sitcoms, sci-fi favorites and westerns. See what antenna TV channels you can watch and record with Tablo in your area.
Whether you’re into cooking, true crime, travel, or sports, there’s a free ad-supported streaming channel on Tablo for you. See a list of the 40+ free streaming channels you can watch and record with Tablo.
Tablo connects your TV antenna to your home router using Wi-Fi or Ethernet to stream live and recorded programming to all your internet-connected devices. This allows you to position your TV antenna wherever it gets the best signal.
No. 4th generation Tablo devices don’t need their own remote because you control Tablo using your existing streaming device or smart TV remote once the Tablo app has been downloaded.
Once you’ve completed initial setup of your Tablo device, you simply need to search for and download the Tablo app from the app store of your streaming device or smart TV. The app will then find Tablo on your home network and connect to it. For device specific instructions head to the Tablo Support Portal.
Yes. You do need internet access to use Tablo. Like many modern gadgets, Tablo is a network-connected device, designed to have consistent high-speed internet access and will not function without it.
4th generation Tablo devices come with up to 50 hours of onboard HD storage. However, you can choose to connect a portable USB hard drive (USB 2.0 or 3.0) between 1TB and 8TB in size for up to 1000 hours of additional storage capacity.
No. Tablo is designed to stream and record broadcast TV from antennas as well as included free TV streaming channels. It does not support viewing or recording from streaming services like Netflix for Sling, or cable or satellite channels like ESPN or HGTV.
To set up your Tablo you'll need an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet.
The 4th generation Tablo is compatible with recent streaming devices (sticks and boxes) and Smart TVs from Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, as well as smartphones and tablets running iOS and Android. Apps and support for Apple TV, as well as smart TVs running Samsung TIZEN, LG webOS and Vizio SmartCast is coming soon.
Yes! While we don't have a specific ETA for this product to share at this time, we know that some TV lovers need the flexibility of a 4-tuner Tablo device.
The 4th generation Tablo is our latest whole-home network-connected device which enhances the free TV experience for consumers who use an antenna to watch broadcast television. The 4th generation Tablo offers a suite of fully revamped apps, onboard storage and the ability to watch and record additional free streaming channels on top of antenna TV content, all without any subscriptions or fees. While legacy Tablo models are still available, the newest Tablo apps and free streaming channels are not yet compatible and access to advanced features still requires a TV Guide Data Service subscription.
No. The tuners in the 4th generation Tablo support the ATSC 1.0 broadcast standard used by all mainstream commercial broadcasts today and the Tablo device takes full advantage of it like never before. While ATSC 3.0 broadcasts are available in some markets, ATSC 1.0 broadcasts will continue through at least June 2027.
We are still working on the Tablo ATSC 3.0 QUAD HDMI DVR and understand that early adopters of ATSC 3.0 are still eager for a compatible Tablo solution. There is no ETA for this product right now, but significant progress is being made to ensure the device will be fully certified and compliant with all ATSC 3.0 requirements.
Currently, yes. Legacy Tablo models still require a TV Guide Data Service subscription for access to advanced features via legacy Tablo apps. However, a future upgrade to legacy Tablo firmware is planned to enable those devices to connect to the new Tablo app experience, which does not require a subscription.
No. There are no subscriptions, contracts, or hidden fees with the 4th generation Tablo whatsoever. Programming from your TV antenna as well as the 40+ included internet-based streaming channels are absolutely free and there is no cost to enjoy Tablo apps, features, or guide data.
For a small monthly fee, our TV Guide Data Service subscription provides the beautiful cover art, episode and series synopses and metadata that makes it easy for you to browse content and set recordings on your legacy model Tablo through our various apps. A subscription also enables some of Tablo's cooler features like Tablo Connect for out-of-home streaming. Learn more and get pricing on the Tablo Support Portal.
No. An active TV Guide Data Service subscription will always be required to use advanced features on legacy Tablo models using legacy Tablo apps. However, a future upgrade to legacy Tablo models is planned to enable those devices to connect to the latest Tablo app experience which does not require a subscription. At that time, legacy Tablo owners using the latest Tablo app experience can choose to cancel their subscription.