If you buy a HDTV, can you receive any channels free or do you have to subscribe to a provider?

Question

I am thinking about purchasing a HDTV. However, I am unclear whether this means I need to get cable or satellite in order to receive any channels at all. Will the regular broadcast channels like FOX, CBS, etc. still come through like they do on standard analog TV? Or is there a cheap alternate solution I can purchase with a HDTV to make that work without subscribing to cable? Thanks for any suggestions.

Answer 1

No, most HDTVs are fitted with a DTV reciever and a coaxial fitting at the back. You should be able to recieve at least an analogue signal. Check the back of the TV.

However, the best way to get the most out of a HDTV is a subscription to a service which offers HD channels. e.g in the UK we have Sky which offer SkyHD

Answer 2

Yes.  Free HDTV does come free "off air broadcast" as it is called.

You don't have to pay to receive HDTV programming if you live near a large city.

Go to...  www.antennaweb.org and you can find what digital signals you might be able to receive.  You will have to buy a UHF antenna, indoor or out door depending how far you live from the broadcast towers.

I can get 36 channels In Mpls, MN.  I only watch 21 or so.

Answer 3

If you buy a TV with HDTV you might get some channels in HDTV by luck but you'll have to subscribe to the cable or satellite company's service of the channels.

Hope it Helps =]

Answer 4

Collie,

You don't need cable.  We are proof of a family living without any cable TV.

We bought our HDTV late last year and we surprised to see all the additional channels we get.  (of course, we are in Chicago, so there are many options.)  I'm guessing that if you live in an larger metropolitan area, you will be surprised as well.  Our PBS station has 4 channels (not just the standard one), NBC and ABC have 24-hour weather channels.  The variety may surprise you.

Try going to Yahoo TV (http://tv.yahoo.com/) and look up  schedules and enter your zip code.  You can choose broadcast and see all the channels available.

Hope that helps.

Answer 5

You can get HDTV over air (through an antenna). What stations you get will depend on your area and the antenna that you choose (a rooftop would be best, of course).

This site should help you figure out what stations to expect in your area

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/programming/...