How to Get Free Local TV Channels After You Cancel Cable

You Can Still Watch Local News and Sports Without Cable

Worried about losing your local channels when you switch from cable to Starry internet? You don't have to. A simple TV antenna can give you local channels like ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX completely free. No monthly bills. No contracts. Just plug it in and watch.

Many people don't realize that local TV stations broadcast their signals for free over the airwaves. Cable companies charge you to access these same free signals. With a TV antenna, you get them directly from the source.

Today's Antennas Are Nothing Like Your Old Rabbit Ears

Remember those metal antennas with the extending rods that you had to adjust constantly? Modern digital antennas are completely different. They're flat, sleek, and much more reliable. Most look like a thin piece of plastic that you can hide behind your TV or stick to a window.

The picture quality is actually better than cable. Cable companies compress their signals to save space. Free over-the-air signals come directly from the TV station without compression. That means sharper pictures and clearer sound.

What Channels Can You Get?

Most homes can receive 5 to 15 local channels with a basic antenna. In cities, you might get even more. Here's what you can typically watch:

Local Networks:

• ABC (local and national news, sports, shows like The Bachelor)
• CBS (60 Minutes, local news, football games)
• NBC (Today Show, Sunday Night Football, local weather)
• FOX (local news, baseball, football)
• PBS (news, documentaries, children's shows)

Plus Additional Channels:

• Weather channels
• Classic TV shows and movies
• Local community programming
• Spanish-language channels (in many areas)

You can check exactly what channels are available in your area at antennaweb.org. Just enter your address and it will show you every channel you can receive.

Which Antenna Should You Buy?

You have two main choices: indoor antennas or outdoor antennas.

Indoor Antennas (Most Popular)

Best for: People who live within 30 miles of TV towers Cost: $20-50 Setup: Plug into your TV and find the best spot

Indoor antennas work well for most people. They're easy to set up and you can move them around to find the best signal. Place them:

• Near a window
• As high as possible (on top of a bookshelf or mounted on the wall)
• Away from other electronics that might cause interference

Outdoor Antennas

Best for: People who live far from TV towers or have trouble with indoor reception Cost: $50-150 (plus installation) Setup: Mounted on your roof or side of your house

Outdoor antennas get better reception because they're higher up and away from interference. You might need help installing one, but they work well in rural areas or if you have trouble with indoor antennas.

Setting Up Your Antenna is Simple

1. Connect the antenna to your TV's antenna input (usually labeled "ANT" or "Cable In")
2. Go to your TV's menu and select "Channel Scan" or "Auto-Tune"
3. Let your TV find all available channels (this takes 5-10 minutes)
4. Move the antenna if needed to improve the signal
5. Rescan for channels once a month to find new stations

Most modern TVs have a built-in tuner, so you just plug in the antenna and scan for channels. If you have an older TV, you might need a separate tuner box, but these cost less than $30.

You'll Save Money Every Month

Here's how the numbers work out:

With Cable:

• Cable TV + Internet: $120-150 per month
• Annual cost: $1,440-1,800

With Starry Internet + Antenna:

• Starry Internet: $50 per month
• Antenna: $30 one-time cost
• Annual cost: $630

You save $800-1,200 every year.

Real Customers Share Their Experience

"I was worried about losing my local news, but my antenna gets better picture quality than cable ever did. I watch the morning news, evening news, and my Sunday football games just like before." - Dorothy, age 67, Boston

"Setup took 20 minutes. I plugged it in, let the TV scan for channels, and now I get 12 local channels for free. My cable bill used to be $140 a month. Now it's zero for local TV." - Frank, age 72, New York

What About Bad Weather?

Modern digital antennas work well in most weather conditions. Unlike the old days when snow or rain made the picture fuzzy, digital signals either work or they don't. Most of the time, you'll get a perfect picture even during storms.

If you lose signal during severe weather, it's usually temporary. The signal comes back as soon as the storm passes.

Getting Help

If you're not comfortable setting up an antenna yourself, ask a family member or friend to help. Many electronics stores also offer installation services.

You can also visit a Starry store where our team can answer questions about combining antenna TV with our internet service.

The Bottom Line

You don't have to give up local TV when you switch to Starry internet. A simple antenna gives you local channels for free, forever. Combined with Starry's fast internet, you can watch local TV and add streaming services for any other shows you want.

Ready to start saving?

• Buy an indoor antenna for $20-50
• Set it up in 20 minutes
• Enjoy free local TV for years to come

Questions about Starry internet? Call us at 1-888-STARRY-1 or visit our website.