Do OTA channels (via cable) require a cable subscription?

Question

I have a Comcast cable TV subscription to my TV equipped with a digital tuner. If I cancel the subscription, will I still be able to receive free digital OTA channels? I'm trying to figure out if I need to buy an antenna for OTA channels. Thanks!

Answer 1

Yes, you would need to purchase an antenna.  Cable companies are required to pay local stations to rebroadcast their channels, so they are not going to simply give them to you for free.  

Answer 2

Hi,

OTA means OTA - once you cancel cable - they'll be cut as well.

If you remember hooking up your (physical) cable and receiving OTA channels before you had the signal turned on from Comcast, it's likely that the copper cable was behaving like an antenna and receiving the VHF signals.  

Answer 3

is the digital tuner an OTA digital tuner?

Answer 4

>I'm trying to figure out if I need to buy an antenna for OTA channels.

Yes you will need to buy a TV antenna for OTA channels.  Comcast rebroadcasts the OTA channels on their system and they will be cut off along with the rest of your cable service when you cancel.

If you are in an area where you can't get good OTA reception, you might do some digging and see if Comcast offers OTA only cable service in your area. Typically cable companies do not advertise this service because they want you to pay more. In the last town I lived in this was only $11/Mo.