How to Use an Indoor TV Antenna to Get Free Local Channels

Before cable and streaming services, everyone watched TV with an antenna. The signal was free then, and it still is today. Over-the-air (OTA) broadcasts from your local ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Fox, and dozens of smaller channels transmit in full HD — often at a higher picture quality than the same channels delivered through cable, because cable companies compress the signal to save bandwidth.

An indoor TV antenna is a small, flat device about the size of a sheet of paper that plugs directly into the antenna port on the back of your TV. No subscription, no monthly fee, and no account to set up. You pay once for the antenna (usually $20 to $50 at any electronics or big-box store) and then receive free broadcasts indefinitely.

The channels you receive depend on your location. Cities usually get 20 to 50 channels including all the major networks plus Spanish-language networks, home shopping channels, news channels, and classic TV rerun channels. Rural areas farther from broadcast towers receive fewer channels, though a more powerful "amplified" antenna can extend your range.

To check which channels you can expect to receive before buying, visit antennaweb.org and enter your address. The site shows a list of available channels and the signal strength you can expect at your location, which helps you choose the right antenna.

Modern flat antennas are much thinner and less intrusive than the old "rabbit ears" antennas from decades ago. They can be placed on a table near the TV, stuck to a window, or mounted on a wall. Window placement is often best because glass doesn't block the RF signal.

One important note: a TV antenna works with any TV that has a built-in digital tuner, which includes virtually all TVs made after 2007. You do not need a special "smart" TV or any internet connection.