Cord cutters should get a digital antenna if they havent already
Source: Mashable Tech
Where to buy digital antennas online
Are you a cord‑cutter who has freed yourself from the shackles of monthly fees for channels you’ve never watched? It’s a great feeling, but do yourself a favor if you haven’t already: get yourself a digital antenna.
It’s been more than a decade since I last had cable. Streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, and others have filled my TV screen and filled any void that cable left behind. Many people have felt the same.
According to a Nielsen report earlier this year, streaming platforms broke records just months ago, with streaming making up a new high of 47.5 % of TV viewing in December. That’s more than cable and broadcast TV combined.
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However, networks still have a secret weapon that streaming platforms are only beginning to discover: live TV, namely sports.
That same Nielsen report found that Christmas Day was the “most‑streamed ever,” with more than 55 billion viewing minutes, led by NFL games on Netflix and Prime. Some live sports are still mainly a network or cable‑TV thing. Other sports are simulcast on network TV and a streaming channel, meaning cord‑cutters could skip paying for a streaming platform altogether if they’re only interested in one sport.
Here’s a great example: The Winter Olympics on NBC. The NBC‑owned Peacock streaming service is showing all the games as well as the same highlight shows that are broadcast on NBC. But if you’re only interested in those primetime highlight shows, NBC has been airing them on its network every single night. All you need is a digital antenna to view it—no Peacock subscription necessary.
The same thing was true for Super Bowl LX earlier this month. The live game was aired on NBC, free with a digital antenna, or on Peacock, which requires a subscription.
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Furthermore, some network channels paywall streaming content with cable providers. For example, when trying to watch the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) championship game last year, many found that while it was airing on CBS for free, a paid subscription beyond the regular Paramount+ plan was required. A digital antenna would have allowed access to that free CBS network feed.
I went years without a digital antenna. Streaming provided access to all the shows and movies I was interested in—until TV realized it had the upper hand with live sports. Streaming companies are now picking up live events (e.g., Netflix’s weekly WWE Raw, Apple TV+’s MLB games), but many live sports remain free with a digital antenna.
So, what should you get?
There are many digital‑antenna options. Prices range from $20 or lower, especially during sales. I have tried a few from Mohu and ClearStream.
- The Mohu Lead Amplified digital antenna and the ClearStream Flex Amplified worked perfectly for my needs and are priced under $50 each.
Digital antennas integrate seamlessly with Smart‑TV menus after a quick setup, so your choice shouldn’t be based on the user interface. Choose based on range and hardware design. Some stand vertically, others lie flat. A common design lets you mount it high on a wall or window for the best reception.
Both options above provide around 50 miles of range. There are slightly more expensive models that extend that range, such as the Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro.
Digital Antenna Range
The digital antenna can reach up to 65 miles in range, as detailed in the article on Mashable: Cord‑cutters: Digital antenna live TV sports.
Why It’s a Big Money Saver
- The cost of a single digital antenna is a one‑time fee for the hardware.
- That one‑time cost is roughly equivalent to 2–3 months of the monthly subscription fees charged by the major streaming providers.
Additional Benefits
- You’ll never miss a free network TV live event again.