A typical American household pays nearly twice as much for their cable as they do for life insurance. If that’s enough to give you a heart attack, don’t let it. You can free yourself from the clutches of Big Cable’s nefarious hidden fees and bogus charges.
Instead of, on average, spending $1,200 a year for cable, check out these free digital TV alternatives.
Bringing Back the Tube-TV
That dusty, old box in grandma’s garage is actually the grandfather to the sleek, 65″ you have hung from the wall.
It’s antiquated, yes. Its picture quality isn’t 4K. But it does have something your TV likely does not: an antenna jack.
Check the backside of it. The port will look like a cable port, but it’s actually for those bunny-ear antennas you see in the cartoons.
It’s not likely that you’ll find an antenna lying about, but it’s a worthwhile investment to pick one up.
Free Digital TV With Your Big Screen
Perhaps a 60-pound tube television isn’t the best solution for a modern problem. There are antennas that are compatible with HDMI technology. These offer optimal picture quality.
HDMI antennas pick up local broadcast television. They’re not aesthetically pleasing, but they get the job done. For the best signal, they should be plastered to the inside of a window.
Get Creative
Necessity is the mother of invention, right? And TV is practically a necessity.
For those readers that might be on a budget, there are alternatives to purchasing antennae. Though the benefits and cost-savings are insurmountable, there still is a barrier to entry.
Get around that barrier with creativity. Antennas are nothing more than conductive wires that extend into the air to receive electromagnetic signals.
Sound complicated? It’s not. Create a makeshift antenna out of copper clothes hangers or unused conduit leads.
Outdoor Dishes
Perhaps your local broadcasting is lacking. This is typical for residential areas that stray further from a metropolitan.
If you happen to live in the middle of multiple central business districts, you’ll benefit the most from this.
A long-range satellite can pick up broadcasting frequencies from each direction. Most might shy away from dishes with a cost prejudice. However, most dishes can be installed by yourself for less than what you pay for cable per month.
If you’re not the handiest, try this source for installation.
Online TV
The web is the place to go for free stuff. There are many TV solutions online that offer free or heavily discounted services.
Live television subscriptions, like SlingTV, cost money. But, they offer trials. If you’re completely strapped for money, you can make a legion of new accounts.
Streaming services like Hulu and Netflix offer trials, as well. For students, Hulu (along with HBO) offer free, commercial-sponsored streaming.
Go Ahead, Ditch Cable
Paying so much for cable these days doesn’t make sense. There are alternatives, like free digital TV.
It’s accessible through local broadcasting, which can be transmitted through antenna or satellite dish. With the broad accessibility of the internet, there are also free online television solutions like subscription trials or student discounts.
Check out our other articles if you’d like to save more than that $1,200 per year!
I have a bundle deal so I have TV and internet together. I could try some of your suggestions and see how much cheaper my bill would be then.
This is a lot of good suggestions here. My niece does this on the supscriptions an she keeps a log so she know what is what on trials I live in a senior building and they have a deal for local cable I pay $18 for basic cable which is about 25 or so channels. Now if only internet was cheaper 🙂