Cord Cutting Guides, News, and Reviews
Cable TV has gotten progressively more expensive over the years. But those thinking about cutting the cord are still looking at a variety of costs, from having to pay for streaming content to shelling out monthly payments for a solid internet connection. So what is the solution for those who don’t want to pay for cable and internet, or who find themselves on a tight budget but still want to enjoy some of their favorite TV events? A digital antenna might be just the answer you’re looking for.
Yes, TV antennas are still a thing. In fact, they’re better than ever. Modern indoor antennas offer HD channels for free. If you’re interested in learning more about antennas and what channels you’ll be able to watch for free, we’ve got you covered.
Over-the-air (OTA) TV is a great way to catch your local channels without spending the big bucks for cable. OTA TV offers high-definition television broadcasts from your local television stations. All you need to start is a TV and a digital antenna. If you’re looking to get rid of cable and have no interest in paying for streaming services, OTA TV is the way to go. Which brings us to the question: What can you actually watch with just an antenna?
Depending on your location and reception, you should be able to get some or all of the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX) as well as nationally televised sports and news. You can visit the Federal Communications Commission's DTV Reception Map website to get exact details on the coverage in your area. There, you can type in your address and get a comprehensive list of all the channels in your area as well as their signal strength. If you live in an area with poor reception, you may not get any channels at all, in which case you can at least celebrate the fact that all you spent on this wonderful experience was a few bucks for the antenna (indoor TV antennas sell for as low as $10).
So you’ve decided to give OTA TV a try. But without access to technical support, how do you go about installing an indoor antenna? (There is also the option of getting an outdoor antenna, typically installed on the roof of a house. If you opt for that, we strongly recommend getting the help of a professional. We have an entire page devoted to the types of TV antennas available, which you can look at for more detailed information.) Here are the general steps to install an antenna:
If you’re having trouble pulling in channels, there are a few things to consider before giving up altogether.
For more information on getting a better antenna signal, take a look at our How to Get Clear TV Antenna Reception page. If none of those fixes work, there’s a possibility that you live too far away from a broadcast tower, in which case your foray into the OTA universe probably has to come to an end.
If you’re still wondering whether to give OTA TV a chance, let’s run through the pros and cons.
If you don’t watch a ton of TV and you’re mostly interested in local coverage and prime time TV, then getting free TV with the help of an antenna might be a good first step on your cord-cutting journey.
If after reading all this you’re still not digging the idea of purchasing an antenna, another way for getting content without having cable or internet is offline viewing. Streaming services require an internet connection, but that doesn’t mean that they require you to have one all the time. Many services provide the option of downloading their content for offline viewing.
For example, you can sign up for Netflix and download TV shows and movies at a time when you have access to the internet — like during non-peak hours, when data might be cheaper, or when you’re at the coffee shop or library, where Wi-Fi is free. You can then watch your downloads later without an internet connection. The shows and movies available for offline viewing will have a download icon (usually an arrow).
For those who want to get local channels without paying for them, OTA TV is a great way to go. And with the sleek antenna designs, you’re not going to feel like you’re sitting in your grandparents’ house and watching grandpa fiddle with the rabbit ears to clear the static from the screen. You can even use an OTA DVR to record live TV if you so desire.
On the other hand, if you like having control over your content and access to multiple shows and a wide range of channels, an antenna is most likely not going to satisfy your needs. Take a look at our reviews for streaming services like Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV to decide if those might be better suited for you.
If you’re still flirting with the idea of cutting the cord but you’re afraid of missing out on news, sports, and prime time TV, giving OTA TV a try won’t cost you anything beyond the price of an antenna. We also recommend checking out our essential antenna tips for cord-cutters and how to choose the best TV antenna for your needs.
