How to Get Free HD TV Channels Without Cable 

How many thought this was a joke at first

Very good PSA. I've been using one of these antennas for about 2 years and I'm very happy. The cable bill just wasn't worth it for me so I cut the cord and have been using Netflix/Hulu since. I did miss Jeapordy, for example, so I picked up an antenna for around $40 and I can watch Jeapordy, the news, a few classic TV and movie stations and even a few major entertainment networks. Well worth the asking price for one.

Antenna does work and some are very reasonble in price, I found one that works for 60 mile range. I get 33 channels and good reception unless there is bad weather. But I am not paying Cox big bucks just to watch TV. So in the end I save and still get intertained.

Theo get yourself a job with Comcast you will make regional manager Within 6 months you have two brains for the job you're a good technician keep up the good work

This Joe I use a paper clip and I get crystal clear HD picture and sound. I hooked up a stranded copper wire to it and I can get stations up to 75 miles away and our transmitting towers are 35 away. Last night I got 35 channels and in my area can get 19 channels over the air. Some channels broadcast in full HD(1080i)and some are you in HD (720p)and also some in standard definition (480i). I tried a HD antenna and it was a joke. Didn't bring in all the channels. I get premium channels by watching them on my smart TV. I got a Roku TV and it's great.

This is very real. The portion about the UHF and VHF I do believe is incorrect is those are both for analog signals. If you noticed in the video when the TV was programming the TV only found digital signal. Federal law in the US required all broadcast TV to go digital many years back. Also his comments about only programming worth watching is Big Network is wrong. You can get and it showed in the video PBS stations there are also the big shopping Networks for people such as my parents and even a free broadcast only childrens network called Qubo plus many others. This is a real and free alternative to cable.

I have used this for awhile, It's good, sometimes the signal is quite clear. Can be quite iffy depending where you are. I am right in the middle of Atlanta and get quite a few, but buildings, whatnot can interfere. It is worth the investment though. I cut cable awhile ago, you can watch current shows with this, so...cool.

Yep, it works, as I've been doing this for about 10 years using an old piece of flat TV cable. But now .., is there any way to get a sports channel, such as Sports Net ?? Now THAT would be super. Nice clear videos though .... tks for that.

called freview in UK I get 120 channels and about 6 proper hd ones

A couple of questions, Joe (I'm 76 yrs old, so be nice). I don't watch anything live, I record everything on TiVo ($12/mo). I'm confused about a few things. 1. Are you saying that if you have NO cable, but have a Smart TV with an antennae, you can still subscribe to (and receive) programming from sources such as NetFlix or AmazonPrime? 2. Can these "streaming" programs be recorded to a DVR (or TiVo) for viewing at a later time? 3. My internet comes in with my cable. What do you have for internet service? 4. I noticed that PBS was a channel which came in with poor reception, but it's one channel I definitely watch more than anything else. How could I find out if it is better in my area? 5. I looked a one of the maps you suggested and it gave me only ABC and CBS, which wouldn't be enough (two towers, in opposite directions). I know I have trouble getting NPR (radio) here - north carolina mountains

I am ashamed that I am old enough to remember when tv station broadcast would end at night..lolol I haven't used an antenna for tv in a really long time.. but I am so tired of cable having lived through the beginnings of "ON" tv back in the old day to all the cable upstarts to now the streaming wars.. I have cut my cable out and was curious as to the current tech out there for free over the air tv, as i will be streaming content I would still like to have local programming and news access so thanks for the informative vid..

Over-the-air television works only in densely populated areas where media companies and government broadcasters are willing to setup transmitters. Where I live there are about 110, 000 people in an area where the next closest relatively populated area is about a three-and-a-half hour drive away. I used to get four over-the-air channels. This is now down to three and all three have threatened to turn off their transmitters during the past year. Thus I am stuck purchasing a basic cable package to stay in tune with society. There is no AM radio here either, just FM. Thus I am purchasing Sirius Satellite. When you live in society, you assume that everybody else lives there too, but they don't.

There are LIVE streaming services. Google is even rolling out that service in select cities. Sling is the obvious one, but there are some other options. Sling doesn't work well with chromecast though, and I have no idea why. I think it is also affected by how popular the show is. TWD premiere was really bad. But it was better a few episodes in, but on my phone it had no problems.

Joe: "Any tv antenna that maybe cost 30 bucks" Me: *yep that sounds free*

Honestly expected this to be a part 2 to your previous videos XD

Thanks for posting. I’m ordering an antenna right now.

TL;DR I bought a $30 antenna that I'm gonna return after I upload this video cause there's crap to watch in their selection anyway.

Yes, we do watch Spanish channels!!!

Hi ThioJoe! How did you get the tv guide to pop up? How would i even look to see if my TV even offers it? Thank you

I had no idea that you moved, also heres a fun video idea, RU-vid Tv vs Over the air (or what ever this is called) is youtube tv worth it now that we know about this

Which antenna do you recommend? 15 miles range or so. Thank you

Thanks so much! I grew up watching free tv. We had one of those ugly antennas on the roof and got all the major networks plus a sci fi type channel and pbs. It's all anyone ever needed! When we did get cable the remote was WIRED so we ran it up over the curtain rod that ran perpendicular to and right of the tv! Those were the days...😉

lol, all the people in the comments who think that this is like one of his older fake videos

Is there a under 5$ antenna? I live 7 meter from my nearest broadcast station

Can you do a video on the programs and apps you use on your computer .Was watching your popups and flashing taskbar ...Thank you

in mexico there is some HD channels (XX.1) via antena

You should explain how streaming services work the same way, how you explained how free cable works

Before these videos stopped being fake. I saw my.mom watching a Theo Joe video. XD she thought it was real.

I still think it's a joke, that people should be unaware that TV is broadcast over the air. It's the way it started before cable and internet and what about Satellite there is not only paid for but free, well at least in most of Europe. Here in the UK cable is in the minority of places in fact I have never seen it but have read about it, I believe that is how Virgin media got started they took over a failing cable company in the 80's.

cable companies hate him..

Damn. This title really sounds like your old videos... EDIT: Whoo! Joe "hearted" (dunno what it's called) my comment. Cool.

CAN YOU PLEASE MAKE A VIDEO ON HOW TO TURN MY BICYCLE INTO A FERRARI

I know how RU-vid TV! Wait that's not free...

I'v watched tv via antenna, my whole life.

Tyvm for this “for real” video. U duped me once so I stayed away from ur videos. But u r brilliant when ur not being silly. Second chances,right, bud?

One day in middle school our cable went out and my father built one of these antennas out of a 2x4, some old metal coathangers, and some wire. Worked incredibly well.

I almost thought you had reverted back to your former life. So glad you didn't. Now if you could only come up with a way to get Internet service over the air and not have it be a joke. Thank you. Being a newbie as far as technical data is concerned, I appreciate and have learned a good deal from your real and honestly informative videos.

This is not directed to ThioJoe at all. First, the public has to ignore "Free Digital TV." Television has always and will always be free. TV switched from analog to digital in 2010, so ALL TVs receive the digital signal. As for antennas, they all...new and old...receive the digital signal. And finally, the signal from the TV tower to your home weakens after X amount of miles. This is due to the fact that the world is round. I may be wrong, but I think the signal begins to drift off at 50 miles. One more thing you need to know, which is very important is tall buildings and trees, and metal roofs.

Tons more info: Joe I would add that there is a third option besides inside or outside antennas. If you have an open attic, you can place your antenna up there to receive substantially longer range signals. Place the antenna (preferably one made for the outside) as close to the wall facing the channels you want and point it in that direction as well (noting that the best antennas are directional). Then run a coax wire to it from your tv / booster. Since your attic is open most of the coax wires should be exposed anyway for easy access. This is a great way to get way better range without mounting outside. You can expect to get close to the range you would for outside mounting as long as the antenna is not facing metal or heavy insulation as it only has to pass minimal thin sheets of wood. Aim the antenna toward the direction of the major city and through the thinnest ceiling or wall thickness. IE don't point it as a main support beam. In addition, if you can avoid pointing it at any major tress that will also help. The clearest path you can make in the first hundred feet the better it will operate. The issue with many indoor antennas is they have to battle the signals from wiring in your walls before they even can access the feeds. Attic mounts negate this issue and also the higher an antenna is the better it works. Indoor antennas are often not directional as well which means they search in all directions poorly. Outside models usually point in a specific direction (usually toward the largest city near you where the channels are located). In all cases directional is longer range. UHF/VHF: I should also point out that your 2-13 channel information is now outdated. As of the digital conversion channel numbers do not dictate feed types. A channel at 4 and a channel at 47 can now operate the same method. Hope that helps.

You. Saved. My. MONEY. So I wanted to change my internet provider because is eating us like 80€/month because my mom wants the freaking tivo shit (really bad, they could've gave her a better one). But with this, and a tv recorder, I can Switch to another Internet provider that will just cost us 36€/month, yeah, it will be not cheap to buy at first air athenna and recorder, but by time it will be cheaper, and Ill be happy with my Internet provider.

it's fucked up how I got the 65 inch 4k lg TV in the living room and in the rooms they are 43 inches but they from 2016-17 they don't have an antenna connector or VGA and I want VGA for my older laptop

Forgive an old English teacher for correcting you, but the word is not "broadcasted," it is "broadcast."

I am reminded of the 'Fox Viewing Positions' gag from Married With Children where the Bundy family had to form a weird circle including their old rabbit ear antennae to watch Fox.

When I seen the title, I thought "Is it a joke? Oh no he stopped doing some, but it could to be one, maybe yes, maybe no." 😐😂

This is true. my digital tv shows a lot better than most of the cable channels.

Good, informative video. Gets right to the point. I've been a cord cutter/shaved for some time now. I've learned a lot. I use combinations of streaming services and digital antennas. Even big sports fans have options as far as out of market, live and DVR options. A couple streaming services that weren't mentioned and get you the in between cable channels are Sling TV (my preference) and PlayStation vue. So these, in addition to your network channels, which you can get with an antenna, get you channels like ESPN, TNT, Nat geo, History, TBS, etc.

Another Trick that the cable and Dish networks do is to upstream channels with the picture split into 4 quadrants (meaning that the picture is actually 4 pictures all being broadcast at the same time - they split the audio into four separate channels also) so the picture that ultimately ends up on your TV (even if it started out as HD ) has been quartered and compressed. I found some of these channels to have video quality that was barely above VHS standards. (definitely not HD and not even DVD quality)

It shocks me how many people don't know about the free over the air tv broadcasts in the US. I haven't paid for cable for at least 10 years. ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and PBS are all free over the air, plus some other crappy channels. ABC and CBS are in HD where I live too.

No UHF at 3 GHz, UHF only goes up to 900 MHz. Kodi works real good to get movies and movie channels. Some of them you still need to visit the web site and start an account. I haven't found local channels on the internet. I've found the main station like in New York on the internet and you can look though the files and find just about everything they have made online. Found Alf reruns, oh wow. Nothings free.

Thank you for all the information you shared 🌹🙏

I have the new samsung s8+ and i mirror my phone to my smart tv, so I watch free mobile tv like pluto tv and kokotime. Could I hear you preach on more stuff like that! Thanks Joe love listing to you!

THE TRICK , IN GETTING , THE BEST OVER THE AIR FREE , TV 📺 ( GET A GOOD ( POWERFUL , ANTENNA ) !!!!!!!! . .AND TEST IT AT THE SHOP .? . IF , ITS CLEAR HD WITH OVER 40- 50 CHANNELS . ( BINGO ) .!!!!!!!!!! . 👍💖🤣😂🤣......( DON’T GET THE CHEAP ONES ) .....

I knew about OTA all along ThioJoe and now you make me feel like a dinosaur XD

good info. I wish I could get CNN, MSNBC and the like as stand alone product, but they don't seem to be available yet. But I do believe eventually cable will be a memory and stream will be, well, mainstream.

In Australia, we only use outdoor antennas to receive free to air TV in High Definition. An outdoor antenna will do a much better job than an indoor antenna. And with streaming services like Netflix it nicely supplements the free to air TV. I can already tune into American radio stations via the internet and some American live TV content is also available. I think it will be a matter of time before everything is streamed making an antenna obsolete.

It’s Better To Watch Antenna Verizon Fios And Roku And More Except The Cable Networks Like Directv And Dish Networks

Good job! You answered all the questions I had about a FS TV w/no cable hookup. Gonna give the antenna a try. Hope it works in this somewhat "mountainous" area of NE PA. Thanks!

My parents have never used cable. We’ve always used Air. I remember watching pbs kids. Nostalgia

Thio: I Realised I Dont Watch Tv So I Cancelled My TV Subscription *Reality* Thio: RU-vid Took Away My Ad Revenue And I Cant Afford To Pay For Cable

Good stuff Theo.....Keepum comming..... I remember when everything you watched on TV was in Black and White ... WoW .. Many moon's ago.. Thanks

Well... That is a first-world problems. My country is still using analog and in transition to digital. While transitioning, lots of TV channel offer streaming via Internet, make watching TV can be done everywhere

Cable tv first started as a way to improve or extend tv reception in areas where reception was poor or non existant due to the limited number of transmitters when tv first started up. All they did was rebroadcast existing stations. As the transmitter network grew cable networks then started to add additional channels you could not receive over the air with an aerial /antenna to give you a reason to be happy to pay for cable in order to receive these extra stations.

Duh, I have been doing that since the 80's. Television was invented in 1927, using antennas the whole time

holy shit this is actually not a joke video

I'm confused, how can this be a secret to simple scan for channels on a TV, that's how we do it here in Australia!?

I have one of those square antennas but I need an adapter for it. 50 bucks at Walmart

We tried an antenna (different from yours) and ended up sending it back..and fighting for refund! (Thank you PayPal for helping us with that!!!) We are surrounded by mountains and live in a valley... no where near Los Angeles or other large cities. So this idea is not for us. :(

Is it valid in India?

Very informative. I currently have 2 without really good results. Thank you.

Hiii

Thio Joe, thank you so much, I grew up in the city, but when we moved to the suburbs we needed cable to see tv, but you're one of the few who let's people know that you can get the local channels FREE on an antenna, specialized channels you need cable.

37 Cable company employees disliked this video so far...

I'm in Southern California and I get starttv which has great shows 24 hours a day. I also get CBS NBC KTLA and Court TV all on my cheap indoor antenna.

wait... I thought you were done making troll/joke videos.....

I have tried the over-the-air antenna a few years back. It seems to be very sensitive to building locations and obstructions. I live in an apartment and I can only put my antenna inside the apartment or in the balcony. If neither of them are facing the right way, some channels will come in, and others won't. This will change around completely if you're on the opposite side of the building! What apartment buildings need to do is include a default antenna on the very top of the building, and then route cables through to each apartment building to let them access the free channels. The cabling is already done for the cable companies, so maybe they could attach a cable to the antenna as a default source.

ThioJoe good stuff man Amazing video thank you is good to know.

I've been doing this for a few years now, Since i only ever watch T.V when i'm laying in bed, But i get it 100% free since i just use the antenna that's connected to the roof of my house. We get around 10 channels that are worth watching everything else is just boring or channels in other languages.

I live about 178 miles from the nearest TV station and with my antenna set up I have I pick up 75 Channel for free I do have a video of it on my page

In the netherlands those channels will be recieved via ethernet...

I see that this video was done a year ago. We just cut the cord on cable. I have a question in regards to Smart TV. It does not have an output for an antenna, so I can’t use a regular antenna for local channels. I do have a Kodi and a amazon fire stick. What would I need to get to watch over the air or live local channels?

When i thought this was a reupload of a old video

Just use an hdmi cord from your computer and download kodi from the windows store and make a second display the TV so you can still work on things and watch TV on TV then get exodus and you can get TV shows too with other addons

Who Would Watch HDTV When You Can Watch ThioJoe

Yeah I thought you went back to troll videos. Apparently you didn't watch enough TV to know there's free TV being aired. Now as soon as we can get free ESPN, Tennis and a handful of other channels I'll consider this. Even now RU-vid TV, Sony Vue, etc don't hold a candle to cable...perhaps soon.

IT WORKED

If you live far away from the nearest tower, you gonna need a better antenna. Like the kind that takes up the place on your roof.

Does this work in... Huh I have to change it up a little BANGLADESH?!

What’s the name of it?

OTA signals do't work where I live. I pay $11/mo for Netflix tho. (cancelled my Hulu account as I never used it)

Thank you! One of the most informative videos I've seen on digital antennas! One point you could add would be advice on swapping out the cable that comes with the antenna for RG6 and advising folks to only buy the antennas that don't have a fixed cable so the cable can be swapped. The one you showed was a fixed cable attached to the flat antenna.

In some regions you can have paid HD TV channels thru antenna. They are decoded using CAM module (Conditional-access module). The CAM is inserted into the TV set so everything is neat and tidy, no external box requiring power and signal cables.

This has gotta be a joke vid. Who doesn't know about local stations?! :P

Just to note some additional info or any inaccuracies: 1. Unlike analog, digital signals tend to be an all or nothing proposition. Where someone may get analog reception might not get digital reception. 2. Literally no station has used UHF channels 70 through 83 in decades. Those frequencies were reassigned to Land Mobile Radio System in 1983. 3. UHF channels 52 through 69 were sold to cellphone companies in 2009, around the same time the digital television transition happened. 4. In 2011, UHF channel 51 was removed to prevent interference in the 700 MHz band. 5. In 2019, UHF channels 38 through 50 were sold to cellphone companies for use with cellular services. The current UHF channel map is now only channels 14 through 36. 6. There was never a channel 1 in the VHF map, or a channel 37 in the UHF map, to prevent interference with radio astronomy. Channel 1 was removed from service in the US in 1948 shortly before the FCC initiated freeze on new applications for a few years, and Channel 37 was never used in most parts of the world in ITU region 2, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.

In Germany is it standart

HOW TO WATCH MOVIES ON YOUR PHONE: 1. GET YOUR PHONE AND OPEN THE CAMERA 2. OPEN THE TV AND PUT IT TO A MOVIE CHANNEL 3. PUT YOUR PHONE IN FRONT OF THE TV 4. DONE!!

Notification squad..where u at?

Im in Australia cable is only in capitals as far as im aware we have our original roof mounted antenna we only get digital since they phased out analog we also have austar/foxtell paytv tho i find it repeditive on the channels i watch they show how much effect they put in them when some still have channel add,s from pre y2k

Thought it was a joke at first, lol.

What is 'cable'? Do you need a satellite dish? In the UK you can choose from multiple separate providers for your internet, phone and tv services (although phone line+net is now usually bundled and not worth splitting). I was suspect after seeing the date of this video, as the switch from analogue channels to digital channels was in 2002. Before then, there were only five channels (BBC1,BBC2,ITV,CH4,CH5). The 'analogue to digital' conversion boxes were in all tv and tech stores from around 2002. Everyone bought one to receive the new digital channels. Modern tvs don't need this conversion box today of course, given that they can all scan for digital broadcasts, picked up either from your standard analogue brown RF cable (coaxial?) connected to the rooftop-loft aerial, or to the aerial above that tv (you'll usually receive get a poor reception with the latter). The boxes are really only required now if you have an old CRT screen tv. The analogue channels were removed completely around 2012. These 'freeview' digital channels over analogue are standard digital tv which everyone now has access to. Not a lot of channels, around 70 TV channels, 15 HD TV channels, and 30 radio stations. As it updates, channels change, new ones are added, and more 'online only' channels have appeared on the service, which require a smart(er) tv. More channels seem to have longer adverts, or advert breaks every 15 minutes. The few BBC channels are still the ones without ads. As with other European countries, the only thing paid for is that tv licence, around £150 annually. I don't know how that compares to cable if the majority subscribe, but if you can receive more channels without cable using a box, then you're likely on to a good thing. If you want a lot more channels in the UK of course, you'll need to subscribe to satellite tv or try another digital service, or add an online service such as Netflix to boost what you've got. The most popular broadcaster of satellite tv (Sky) has stopped including satellite dishes with their new subscription packages as of this year, so the focus seems to be on tv via fibre in future. Soon to be hogging up all that bandwidth :)

U deserve way more subscribers