SDTV produces a digital picture approximately equal in quality to today's TV, and CD-quality sound. Three of the networks offered to provide no more than five hours per week. The NAB opposed any mandatory minimum HDTV requirements. Indeed, to receive the benefits of HDTV, consumers will have to spend thousands of dollars - the improvement in picture quality over SDTV is only perceptible to the untrained eye on a television set 42 inches or larger. Many Broadcasters Do Not Want to Convert to Digital Broadcasters do not universally agree that they should transition to digital television.
Many smaller broadcasters are perfectly content with their analog systems.
And even some larger broadcasters have expressed skepticism about the need for the digital spectrum. They oppose setting a firm date for returning their current analog spectrum. Broadcasters cannot afford to let advertisers abandon them. Payments made to private parties do not compensate the public.