We know that there are ways to stream TV to the iPhone using the existing 3G or other internet connection. Recently however, a new standard agreed upon by the Advanced Television Standards Committee (ATSC) could mean that future iPhone models would be able to directly receive DTV signals without the aid of an outside data stream.
The ability to watch mobile TV has already been a huge success in several East Asian countries such as Korea and Japan. Here in the US, Verizon and AT&T handsets are also able to watch TV although those are on a subscription based model. This new standard could basically turn the iPhone into a mobile HDTV equipped with antenna and tuner among other things.
It remains to be seen if Apple would be receptive to the idea. Check out the full article for the technical mumbo jumbo.
-Derek
[Source: iPhonehacks]
October 19, 2009
Apple News