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I just recently installed an antenna in our attic after we cancelled our cable TV, and I've been very pleased with the results. Here in the Atlanta area, we're

I just recently installed an antenna in our attic after we cancelled our cable TV, and I've been very pleased with the results. Here in the Atlanta area, we're getting almost 60 TV channels, plus about 10 audio-only simulcase of several local radio stations. There's even a channel that displays a program guide, like the ones you find on the cable or satellite services. People's lack of awareness of over-the-air television has been surprising to me. We had houseguests last week, a retired couple in their 60's. This is in the age range that I would expect to be familiar with broadcast TV, having grown up with it as the predominant, "default" option. And yet, I was still asked, "so you don't get CNN?" [Edit: text formatting]

ghaff 11y ago
I suspect that, for many people, getting cable (or satellite) has just become sort of the default. Of course, many do watch sports which often (though not always) run on non-network channels. Also, not everyone is able to get TV OTA or is in a position to install an attic/rooftop antenna. I personally can't get anything OTA. I regularly toy with cutting back to a very basic bundle but haven't seriously pursued yet.
- Lx1oG-AWb6h_ZG0 11y ago
  That's a bit misleading. Most NFL games are only available on network channels, not ESPN/Fox Sports/Univision. I'd hardly call that minor.
  - ghaff 11y ago
    Well, that's just one sport. In New England at least (and I assume this situation exists in other places as well), a lot of the local sports are primarily just on cable--NESN in the case of New England. I don't watch much in the way of sports in any case, but a lot of people buy cable and satellite sports packages. I actually agree with the basic point up-thread though. I do think a lot of people probably pay for their monthly cable package without a whole lot of thought about how much value they're getting and what alternatives there might be.
- PretzelFisch 11y ago
  This depends on what you're after. HBO, Showtime, comedy central, espn the simple solution has been cable or satellite.

ghaff 11y ago

I suspect that, for many people, getting cable (or satellite) has just become sort of the default. Of course, many do watch sports which often (though not always) run on non-network channels. Also, not everyone is able to get TV OTA or is in a position to install an attic/rooftop antenna. I personally can't get anything OTA. I regularly toy with cutting back to a very basic bundle but haven't seriously pursued yet.

Lx1oG-AWb6h_ZG0 11y ago
That's a bit misleading. Most NFL games are only available on network channels, not ESPN/Fox Sports/Univision. I'd hardly call that minor.
- ghaff 11y ago
  Well, that's just one sport. In New England at least (and I assume this situation exists in other places as well), a lot of the local sports are primarily just on cable--NESN in the case of New England. I don't watch much in the way of sports in any case, but a lot of people buy cable and satellite sports packages. I actually agree with the basic point up-thread though. I do think a lot of people probably pay for their monthly cable package without a whole lot of thought about how much value they're getting and what alternatives there might be.
PretzelFisch 11y ago
This depends on what you're after. HBO, Showtime, comedy central, espn the simple solution has been cable or satellite.