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When I was trying out a bunch of live TV streaming services, I eventually landed on an indoor antenna I picked up from Best Buy for cheap thanks to a bunch of gift certificates. I used it for a little while before realizing I had practically no use for it. Any channel that it picked up would be available on a live TV service where I could use a DVR and get better quality without having an eyesore on my wall.
I don't have anything against people who use indoor antennas, and I passed this one on to my dad, who also used it for a little while before taking it down. As it turns out, I actually do need one of these if I want to watch my local sports teams. Living in Detroit, I haven't had access to any of my local sports broadcasts since YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and every other live stream dropped the networks years ago.
I could sign up for the FanDuel Sports Network and pay $20 a month, but that never appealed to me. Now that that company is on the way out, the Pistons are going to local TV. I was happy to hear that, but that happiness waned when I realized I still didn't have access to myTV20, the channel that will broadcast the games. Yep, you guessed it, I need an antenna.
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The antenna comes calling again
This shouldn't be a thing
TV antenna
I tried the antenna life already and decided it wasn't for me, so I really don't want to go back to it if I don't have to. Unfortunately, I don't know if there's going to be a way around that unless every local channel I don't get offers an app of some sort. Antennas aren't too expensive, and since I live in the city, picking up a station's signal is no problem at all. However, I'd just like to subscribe to a live TV service that has all the channels I want in the first place. Strangely, an actual cable network is my best solution to that, but there's no way I'm bringing boxes back into my house.
My only option now is to hold out hope that the Pistons can find a way onto YouTube TV, or I can just pick up an antenna again. The good news is that this is the only thing I'd use the antenna for, so it's not like I'd need to lament the loss of a DVR or struggle with flipping through channels, because I only want one. Then again, it feels weird that I have to go out and slap an ugly square on my wall just to get a single channel, but I don't see a better solution as somebody who wants to save as much money as possible.
Live TV services should just offer me the channels that I want, but in this world where every penny has to be squeezed out of you, I don't think it's going to happen. I don't want to sound like I hate indoor antennas, because that's far from the case. If I were really looking to cut costs, an antenna could certainly work. I can get quite a few channels from one, but that's largely because I live in a city. If you live in a rural area, you won't have the same luck unless you buy one with a long range, and even then it's hit or miss.
It's these sports networks that are really the bane of my existence, and I swear it's one of the things keeping cable afloat. The rights for sports are so spread out now that you need access to a variety of channels and streaming services to keep up with everything. I simply don't have the desire to do that, but I would like to watch my local teams on a free channel if I can. I guess it is time to get that antenna back out.
Don't count on the antenna to solve all your problems
They have limitations
Best Buy Essentials antenna
You might think that you can simply cut the cord and go to an antenna, but it's not as simple as that. An antenna gives you access to the channels, but you'll find a bunch of them are channels you'd never want to watch in the first place. You can figure out what these channels are beforehand using a site like RabbitEars.Info. If you see a bunch of stations you don't have any interest in, then you can save yourself the trouble of setting up an antenna.
I find that antennas gain the most value when you're trying to pick up local stations. You can pair an antenna with a streaming service like Netflix or HBO Max and cover a lot of bases that way. Everyone's trying to keep costs down, and an indoor antenna is just a one-time buy that does just that. You can also get a DVR for your antenna if you'd like, but it'll cost you a little extra.