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Yes, they make such things - an HDTV set that's meant to be mounted and watched in your backyard. They never used to need something like this in the days when we had portables, but you can hardly lug a huge 85" set onto your deck.
So now they're making them specifically for that purpose.
I've actually seen this in my own neighbourhood. A resident whose property backs onto a medium-sized park near my house has one under a canopy in his backyard. I don't think I've ever seen it turned on when I've been walking there, but it remains on the wall near his patio. I found it so strange, I couldn't stop staring at it. (Maybe it's my area, but another guy has a TV set mounted to the wall inside his garage.)
I've watched TV outside, too, but on my portable laptop. There's no way I'd go to this trouble and expense just to see a show in the nature.
So what do these things look like, how much do they cost and can you actually see them in the great outdoors when the sun is shining? Here's a review.
Outdoor TV review, tested in direct sun and storms
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Expensive. Usually if I’m outside, I’m not there to watch TV, but if I need to, my iPad works for me.
Although, I can see these outdoor TVs being used on bar/restaurant patios. Still, they’re expensive.
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A chap I knew had one for several years on his backyard deck. He enjoyed posting pics of his parties where he and other friends watched hockey games from their hot tub. When bad weather came, he wrapped up the TV in special covers and in the case of a major storm, he and his wife would hoist it inside. Several local beverage houses in our area have similar TVs for their outdoor patios, and they keep them in place year round with no apparent problems.
I agree, however, that streaming coverage is probably the better option for long-term viewing.
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If you're leaving your TV outside when not in use, aren't you just asking for it to get stolen??
I do like the bar/restaurant patio idea though...
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My friend had his locked to the mount with a strong chain and that, coupled with motion sensitive lighting in his backyard, meant any thief would have to work pretty hard to get it loose, much less get it out of the backyard. That said, it’s not something everyone needs or wants for their backyard, but whatever floats your boat.
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My parents antenna wire was long enough that they could bring their kitchen tv out on their backyard deck to watch while they ate dinner on warm summer evenings.
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The model that was reviewed will set you back $7699 here in the Great White North.