Exciting news for Apple TV users: the fourth-generation Tablo is now compatible! This is a game changer, allowing you to enjoy watching free over-the-air (OTA) broadcast channels on one of the best streaming devices available today.
The arrival of this compatibility has been highly anticipated. The fourth-generation Tablo has been on the market for nearly a year and has already provided a seamless experience on other leading platforms such as Roku and Amazon Fire TV. Simply connect an antenna to the Tablo, open the app, and watch or record free broadcast channels across multiple devices. Depending on whether you opt for the two- or four-channel version, you can use it on up to four devices simultaneously. Additionally, you can access several free ad-supported channels, making it nearly impossible to escape the FAST channel phenomenon in 2024.
Tablo has long been one of the top choices for streaming OTA channels over a home network. It has also stood out for its ease of use when it comes to recording those channels. The latest model, which launched in fall 2023, enhances the user experience in almost every aspect. As discussed in our comprehensive Tablo review, the hardware has been upgraded significantly, and the on-screen guide is among the best. You can even extend the internal storage capacity by connecting an external hard drive. Best of all, there are no hidden subscription fees. Tablo has clearly outperformed alternatives like HDHomeRun, which struggles with user experience and diminishing support over the years.
What was previously missing from the mix was support for Apple TV. That has now changed. For use with the Apple TV, you’ll need to have the fourth-generation Tablo as well as the appropriate app available on the Apple TV App Store—just be sure to download the dark blue version that works with this latest model.
One notable feature still absent is support for ATSC 3.0, or NextGen TV, which offers benefits like higher resolution and bidirectional data transfer. The adoption of this standard has been slow, largely due to patent issues and a lack of urgency from Tablo to enter this complicated arena.
In any case, this development is fantastic news for Apple TV owners who are looking for a way to access local channels without cost.
