We have digital rabbit ears and can pick up quite a few local stations. Given our location, many are in French which sucks.

We also have our tv connected to the Internet, so we watch pretty much any show we want, when we want.

All of my TV's are new and digital. I do not own an analog TV. What I am saying is that I don't have cable TV, so I bought 2 antenna boxes to get the 3 networks so I can watch weather and dangerous situations if they occur. When the change takes place those boxes won't work. None of us without a server will not be able to watch any TV period. If you have Cox cable for TV you will have to buy a box @ $1.99, I don't know how other servers will handle it. It would cost me almost $40 a month to watch basic TV with the 3 networks and about 15 other stations that are not worth watching just to get the weather. Call your servers and have them explain it. Most people are alright with this because they have servers for TV.

Sorry but I'm still confused...but it's getting clearer. When you say "server" (which makes me think of a computer server and since you mentioned in the Internet...) I think you mean "provider" (one who provides a service) as in a cable television provider (e.g., Cox, Comcast).

Years back you typically did not need a "cable box" to receive basic cable but in now many cable companies require a box to get anything and a box for every television in your home. Of course, the cable companies want to charge you [monthly] for the box, creating greater revenue and profits for them (those boxes are very cheap to make). Several televisions, several boxes, basic cable subscription, taxes, fees, and you're up to $40 per month pretty easily. Certainly I can understand that companies want to (and should) make a profit. I best I can tell you is to contact your local Federal elected representatives and the Federal Communications Commission to express your concerns.

None of that precludes receiving over-the-air (OTA) signals from local broadcast stations. As I said, the number of stations and the quality of the signal is dependent on your distance from their transmitters. You'll need some kind of antenna which can range from a table top to roof mounted and wires to get the signal from the antenna to the television. It pretty much the same thing as it was many years ago when most people didn't have cable television.

ChannelMaster is one company (I'm not endorsing them) that manufacturers antennas and gives some guidance on how to select an antenna based on your geographical location. You can look at that information here.

To answer your other question; yes, some apps on a smartphone will inform you about severe weather. Two that I can think of are the Weather Channel app, and The Red Cross app "Tornado".

Mike is right, at least as I understand the situation. CABLE PROVIDERS are getting rid of analog channels on their CABLE systems, so if you have cable, you will have to have a cable box with each TV in your house (regardless of whether it's a new digital TV or an old one) in order to watch cable. It used to be that you could just plug the cable into your TV and get basic service on any TV in the house, but they're making it so you need to rent a cable box for each TV now. Our cable co. (Mediacom) is doing the same thing. I assume the cable guy is using the term 'server' interchangeably with what most people call a 'cable box'.

Over the air broadcasts have not changed as far as I know.

Okay, okay the term should be PROVIDER. I don't think Cox would be renting the box to us, if they said it cost $1.99. It doesn't matter to me since I don't have cable TV. I posted this subject because I thought others here might know of a way around not getting the basic stations.

I've never used Cox but I would suspect they meant $1.99 per month, per box. It's pretty common for reps. to gloss over the details. Makes the price much more palatable.

If you want to watch TV:

1. Buy an antenna, install it, and receive whatever over-the-air television channels are available in your area. Reception is going to be a function of your proximity to local transmitters and the type of antenna you purchase. You're limited for the most part to the major networks and PBS. The antenna and associated wiring is a one time cost, receiving the channels is free.

2. Pay a cable, phone, or satellite provider.

3. Stream over the Internet. You're limited to whatever content the local channels want to stream, which may be limited. You can also subscribe to services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, etc. for additional content.

Mike the problem is there will be no TV with an antenna. I have been using an antenna and they won't work after the change. I have been intending to call a local TV station for an answer to all of this. They will know if there is a way around it. If there is anyone in this forum with an antenna and if I am right, they are in for a shock. I was told by one of the managers of Cox, they will no longer work. He said TV would no longer be available without a provider.

emma, I have no idea what you are thinking. Mike is correct. He is talking about your TV and your antenna. Cox or any other cable would be out of the picture (so to speak). I use a cheezy little antenna. Fortunately, I am only 30 to 40 miles from many local channels so I get all regular networks plus others. Now, actually, I also still have DirecTV and I only use the local antenna when a storm has blocked out the Directv signal. I switch the connection between the antenna and the directv cable.

My antenna is a little 'bow tie' antenna that probably cost $3.98 but it could be a round one like you may have had back in the 60's for the UHF channels. If you were farther out, you might need a fancy antenna.

I might suggest checking with the FCC (800-CALL-FCC) but I think the end of broadcast television just might make the evening news and more than a few technology websites.

The guy at Cox is either confused or you aren't understanding what he's saying.

• Now it is possible that Cox is switching to an all digital network which might mean you would need one of their converter boxes, even to receive basic channels (regardless of the kind of television). As an aside, the FCC has no authority over how cable companies transmit the signal (it can be analog, digital, or a combination of both). Most cable companies have or are moving to an all digital network because it's more "efficient." Put simply they can shove more information (programming, Internet, streaming data) down the wire that goes to your house.

• The Cox guy is perhaps confused, misinformed, or just outright lying in an effort to gain your business. That seems unlikely but always possible.

Yes you would need one of their converter boxes but you can't get that without basic TV at the cost of $40 a month. About the government thing I was a little doubtful there.

'Yes you would need one of their converter boxes but......'

NO you don't. That is the whole point. You don't need cable TV or the internet via cable or phone or whatever. You need what you or your parents needed before there was cable or computers. Back then you needed a TV and it came with an antenna. If you were far away from the transmitters, then you or your parents had to move the antenna just right or get an expensive one and put it on the roof, perhaps with a tall pole.

If you are Way out in the boonies, then you might be out of luck. But, then you probably wouldn't have cable either as it doesn't get laid into the boonies very often or at all.

emma, if you doubt what we're saying, please do contact a local TV station and ask them about it.

With so many people going to cable and now to the web, I don' t know how over the air TV will look in a few years, but that's an entirely different question. As of now I have heard of no plan or schedule to end free OTA broadcasting.

Just to be clear, FREE, OVER THE AIR BROADCASTS OF INDIVIDUAL TELEVISION STATIONS IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE. Each station broadcasts their own signal out to the world to be picked up by anyone with an antenna that is close enough. Here in San Diego, most of the stations actually have their antennae on the hill in TJ. So, if you point your house Antenna south, you can get about 5 channels in TRUE UNCOMPRESSED HD. It's actually a better picture than you can get any other way. I do believe they are phasing out the analog signal for over the air. Hence the channels you will see will be 6-1, 6-2, 9-1, 10-2,10,3 etc. BUT, you need a digital tuner, either outboard or in a modern TV, to get them.

This website can give you a general idea of what 'over the air' TV signals can be received in your area and from what direction so you can aim your antenna. Type in where you are and your antenna height. It doesn't factor in hills, trees and signal blocking structures but gives a good starting place and help you decide if you need a higher antenna.

OTA TV Reception

" the problem is there will be no TV with an antenna.."

emma, no matter how many times you repeat this mistaken mantra, it is not correct. The vast majority of staions that were analog went over to digital OVER THE AIR years ago. There are still a few stations that continue to broadcast OVER THE AIR in analog format.

You talked about having newer digital TV's and using a "box" with them. If you have a digital TV there is no box required to watch digital signals picked up on your antenna. And they are NOT going anywhere unless the market place drives the individual broadcasters to that point.

You've had many knowledgeable responses in this thread, and you seemingly don't believe anyone. What's with that? Motive? In 3 1/2 years you have more than 4000 posts, many seem to fit the pattern of this thread. You weigh in with something and continually repeat variations of the same theme, even when numerous knowledgeable responders correct you. As Judge Judy says, maybe you need to put on your listener's ears. lol

No one has mentioned yet that the digital TV menu "scan for stations" function via the remote control needs to be used. I'm not sure a TV set will display the broadcast unless stations are scanned for first. Perhaps some TVs do this function automatically upon first power-up.

Useful and helpful.

No one has posted to this thread for quite a while. I just want the op to know that I have received my local TV outlets over the air with just a good antenna for each TV set in the house. I receive up to 16 local channels because the same channels that receive CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and PBS also have sub channels where they broadcast programs. Some are in Spanish, but almost all are in English. I am using an antenna that I got at Costco. They cost about $60 when I got them. Each has an amplifier that must be plugged into an electric outlet to boost the signal strength. I know I will be able to continue watching them for the foreseeable future. Of course all of our TVs are able to watch both analog and digital stations.

I wish I would have found this page sooner. As far as I know Emma is right. I have written to the FCC via email and talked three times or so to Cox, who I have my internet with, and they say I have to get basic cable and an extra box to get local channels. This is what they told me, I don't know if it is because I once had cable or because I have internet with them but they are scrambling the signal. This house had Cox when it was first built in 2006, in fact I guess the HOA included basic in the monthly fee. I ordered Cox cable when I moved in and had it for a few years before I decided to cut the cord. To my amazement I still got Cox cable up to channel 69. That happened for a year or so, then when I got a new modem from Cox I had no cable and bought an antenna. We all know about the boxes from years ago and that was for people who had real old TV's and no cable. I was quoted $8.50 per box per TV if you want any reception on, if you want HD. All my TV's are newer than 2007. I am already paying them $75.00 for internet. I have 4 TV's.

I don't understand why you are glad to find this site since you think it tells you that you can't get TV via an antenna.

Everyone on this site actually knows that emma is wrong unless you live out beyond 50 miles from any TV stations. In that case, you are probably out of luck. Otherwise, hook up your little or big antenna correctly and use your ACTUAL TV remote to find the local channels on the TV input.

Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_6_10?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=tv+antenna+100+mile+range&sprefix=tv+antenna%2Caps%2C165 Your tv must be a digital tv. They were still unloading analog tv in 2007.

Emma and Primesue;

How far are you from your local tv stations' antennas? What channels are they? If you really want to find out how to make OTA television work, you should go to the site WWW.TVFOOL.Com and enter in your location. The software at the site will calculate the signal strength for all stations, tell you how far they are from you, and what direction. It color-codes the lines in the table and tells which stations you can receive using a simple "rabbit ears" indoor antenna, a simple outdoor antenna, an amplified antenna, etc. Don't bother to purchase anything until you determine that you have some hope.

Another thing, is what channel is your station on? Broadcast television is grouped into three bands: Low Band VHF (channels 2-6). High Band VHF (channels 7-13) and UHF (channels 14 - 80). In the New York area, all channels on Low Band VHF moved their channels to UHF. Most High Band channels (7, 11, and 13) didn't move. And some of the UHF ones did and some didn't.

Why am I telling you this? Low Band VHF frequencies require very large antennas so if you don't need them don't get one.

One confusing thing is that when channels 2-6 moved, they didn't change their advertised channel number, so, for example, WCBS-2 switched from 2 to 22, WNBC went from 4 to 28, WNYW ("Fox 5") went from 5 to 44.

I live on Long Island, about 50 miles from Manhattan where most of the NYC antennas are located. I found that I need an amplified outdoor antenna on my roof. Even with this antenna, I cannot get CBS.

I hope this information is useful to you.

PS there is nothing magic about "digital antennas" (just like there is nothing special about "color antennas"). If it got a strong analog signal, then it will work. Digitial signals have a special characteristic: if the signal is strong enough you get a perfect picture. If it is weaker, then you may not get anything, or you will get dropouts. No snow, however.

Primsue,

The original poster (Emma) was asserting that over-the-air (OTA) broadcast TV was going away and everyone would have to use some kind of "provider" (cable, telephone company, satellite, etc.). Nothing could be further from the truth. OTA television is still available and will be for many years to come. The channels you receive, as they always have been since the dawn of broadcast television, are a function of your distance from the transmitter and the kind of antenna you have. Most (maybe all) television stations have switched to all digital broadcasts which means you either have to have a digital TV or use a converter box with an older analog TV. That digital converter box is not the same thing as a set top box (STB) that many television providers use.

Television providers have far more freedom to do what they want and most require some kind of STB to receive anything, regardless of the kind of TV you have. Years back, a STB was often only required to receive "upper tier" channels like Discovery, History, or the Food Network and "premium" channels like HBO or Showtime. Today the STB gives them greater control over what you receive. Maybe 10 years back I had Comcast's most basic television service and their Internet service. I also received many of the upper tier channels, even though I was only paying for basic service, because of some flaw in their system that prevent blocking of the upper tier channels when combined with Internet service. Years back, the only way to disconnect a user was to send a technician out to physically "pull the plug," whether than be on the pole or at distribution point like in an apartment building. Today if the STB, which has a unique serial number, isn't recognized by the system it just doesn't work.

In the end, how the providers choose to supply service and what equipment may be required has nothing to do with receiving OTA broadcasts.

I haven't seen any posts from you, emma (the OP) this year; are you still interested?

"Television providers have far more freedom to do what they want and most require some kind of STB to receive anything, regardless of the kind of TV you have."

Would you not feel more comfortable referring to Cable providersrather than Television providers in your post two up?

Also, why rile up emma? lol

Saltidawg,

Because there's more ways to get television service than just from the cable companies. The telephone companies like AT&T with Uverse or Verizon with FiOS plus satellite companies like Dish and DirecTV are all "providers."

Those companies will be charging soon, just wait. I checked on the Fios and it is not available in my neighborhood. I like to have cable due to the times of the shows aren't a time from some other zone. I had Sling TV for a free trial and could hardly figure out my time vs the time they had the shows on. Plus you are still paying for TV when you get those companies. I have a VOIP phone and although it doesn't work that great, it is not a monthly bill. I paid for it till 2018 for $75.00 I think.

No idea what you mean by, "Those companies will be charging soon, just wait."

Primsue wrote:

"... talked three times or so to Cox, who I have my internet with, and they say I have to get basic cable and an extra box to get local channels. This is what they told me, I don't know if it is because I once had cable or because I have internet with them but they are scrambling the signal. This house had Cox when it was first built in 2006,..."

This thread is about over the air reception, not cable. If you are confused, check the thread title again.

Sure, Cox can scramble their signal and make you rent a box. IF YOU HAVE COX CABLE.

But your local stations still broadcast over the air, for free. No Cox, no box. Cox can't scramble a TV station's over the air broadcast, since they don't own it.

"The telephone companies like AT&T with Uverse or Verizon with FiOS
plus satellite companies like Dish and DirecTV are all "providers." "

The vernacular here in the MD suburbs would include OTA stations as a "Television provider." And, of course, no set top box required.

If you asked my neighbors and I where we got out "cable television" you would get answers such as Dish, DirecTV, Cox, Verizon, Fios, and a few internet providers.

I refer to HBO, for example, as a "premium cable" channel ever tho I have Dish as a provider. Likewise for A&E, DIY, etc... all cable channels, not television channels, not satellite channels.

This was the reason for my trying to nudge you by quoting your, "Television providers have far more freedom to do what they want and most require some kind of STB to receive anything, regardless of the kind of TV you have." and suggesting maybe suggesting cable providers might be clearer than television provider.

I believe the current vernacular has expanded the usage of the work cable to not require a (coax) cable but rather allows coax, fiber, data, and just about anything except local OTA broadcast signals - which can, of course, also be received on cable. lol

YMMV

Super late to this party, but just wanted to share my quick story in hopes that it sheds some light on the misunderstandings that I see.

I'm a cord cutter. I hooked up an outdoor HDTV antenna (affixed to an old DirecTV dish to amplify the reception even more) directly to my TV. I live in the desert; weather is never an issue and it is pointed directly toward all towers. I picked up a little more than 40 OTA channels, Analog and Digital. It was perfect.

Welp, this morning... no OTA channels. Every single last one of them was either scrambled (the digital channels) or had a splash screen on them from Cox. The screen said that they (Cox) converted all channels to digital and I need to go through them to rent some mini-box in order to properly convert the digital broadcasts to play on my television.

Now, my stepfather worked in broadcast news (telecommunications) for 30 years. I have a journalism degree and have a healthy knowledge of the broadcast industry.

But this...this confounds me and I'm unclear how it's possible for a cable company to hijack and hold ransom broadcast feeds.

Exactly. It is ridiculous.

But here's how a 3rd party can hijack broadcast feeds:

Stations don't always own their own towers -- it's expensive, difficult to maintain, etc. With the DTV switch, a lot took it as an opportunity to dump them and then lease them or create partnerships.

So a station joins a community tower – in this town they're owned by Cox – and sends its feed to them. Cox takes feed, converts it and broadcasts the signal...including some of their own.

That's why I'm furious. Third parties, let alone a cable company, shouldn't be able to interfere with broadcast.

You're welcome to believe what you want; I only intend to spread some knowledge & experience I have for others who stumble upon this frustration, not get into internet spats.

Sure seems odd and likely illegal for Cox to intercept OTA signals. I might suggest notifying the FCC. Let us know what they have to say.

Thank you webuser for believing me when I say I was forced to get cable tv from Cox. I was told some how they bought the airspace and are scrambling the signal. I had an antenna and got in about 10 channels until one day nothing. Your explanation makes more sense than mine. Nobody in my family believes me either because it hasn't happened to them yet. I live in Queen Creek, AZ. The reason I was happy about finding this comment is because I investigated to try and get free TV for quite some time before I gave in and got the cable. The FCC did email me but that was a long time ago. I can't remember what they said. The TV stations, providers, and those who make TV sets are all involved. Probably the FCC also because they do have laws, I think. If you are in San Diego and expect to get free OTA TV for years you might. The cable co is doing this little by little. Now I only rented 2 boxes at $1.99 a box and only two TV's have the cable and OTA channels. True I a pretty far from the towers but I got in the stations without Fox and NBC, which I could live with. Why do we still have to watch commercials even longer and louder?

Again: primsue & webuser are simply confused about 'over the air' reception. webuser is apparently using a directv dish which means he is not getting over the air reception but rather, directv. It is no surprise that it wouldn't work without a cost. From primsue's original post, she apparently thought air tv went thru an 'old box'. Again, this suggests a cable connection. She did say that she at one time had a direct to antenna connection that stopped. She appears to be at a long distance from transmitters. I would guess that her antenna lead connector probably corroded or broke and lost 'air' reception. Distant users were the original reason for cable. $1.99/mo to boost an 'air' signal sounds like a good deal. Since she doesn't get Fox, it means that transmitter is too far for her local cable to receive and boost either, so she is really out there where a cable boost would seem useful.

With a good TV antenna, you should be able to pick up 20 channels in Queen Creek. Maybe you don't have a digital-ready TV? If so, you need a converter box to go from DTV signal to Analog signal. This will cost about $30 at Walmart.

Chas, webuser only said that he make a franken-antenna using a dish as a rear reflector with a TV antenna, not that he was getting sat service.

I have to conclude from the above posts that Cox has been able to control broadcasts in certain areas one way or another. I didn't believe it but it appears to be happening.

I suspect that some of the more obtuse posters are simply trolls. No one is that dense. Over 4000 posts in 3-4 years? Really?

@fsurfer Not sure why you’re digging up a 16 month old stale post just to insult people.

Sorry about that, it just really struck me odd. I recently ran into a couple of people like that on youtube. I was able to confirm a professional troll. If you ever get around to it, do some research about the motivations of trolls. Reddit has a whole thing about that. There was no insult, just a statement.

https://goo.gl/Lo87qt

https://goo.gl/xVu3Hw

fsurfer The OP is not a troll. She was completely confused, as were many people. That was 2015 - okay? Pretty sure she figured it out and got an antenna.

Maybe true, however, I did say my comment was in the context of being bit by a commercial troll recently, and probably overreacted. (although I didn't really make that clear)

I have no interest in wasting my time on researching, responding to, or arguing with trolls. The more time and energy you spend on them, the more they win. The best thing you can ever do is ignore them and act like they're not even there. Their lives are so pathetic that they want to bring others down to make themselves feel better. Do yourself a favor, forget about 'em, and enjoy your life.

Yes, that's the point. I learned this too late.

That said, the OP trolled here for years!

No more free broadcast TV unless you speak Spanish! :-(

Ah. Another troll and possibly a racist.

Here in the Big City - all of my Channels OTA are en Englais. Comprendo?

They have strange Station identifiers such as NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, Public Television, etc.

My mom lives in Albuquerque and there are a lot of Spanish speaking OTA stations. However, there are even more - an impressive variety, actually - of English speaking ones. We just delete whichever ones we don't want to watch from the channel program list. :-]