Everyone says we’re about to head into a recession. I don’t know if it’s true. You should probably check with an economist about that. But I do know that just about everything costs more now. And I’ll tell you what’s leading the charge: streaming apps. Just taking one for example: Apple TV+ was free for about a year for most folks with Apple devices. After that it was $4.99 a month. They’ve recently raised the price a whopping 40% and they’re not the only one. We’re seeing price increases on Disney+, Hulu, and of course Netflix. It won’t be long before Amazon ups the price of Prime again, too. We all thought streaming TV was the key to keeping costs under control, but most of us now pay more for streaming apps than we ever paid for cable.
That’s a tough pill to swallow if you’re looking at paying more for necessities like gas and food. That’s why advertiser-supported streaming is the hot new thing. It helps you manage costs. Unfortunately, most ad-supported streaming apps don’t give you the stuff you really want to watch.
The top rated programs
You know, for all the talk about streaming apps and the number of people who tune in, you’d think that more people streamed than anything else. It’s just not true. Maybe someday, but today the majority of people watch plain old TV. And, they watch broadcast network shows. They watch local news and sports, entertainment and game programming. That’s what brings the people to their screens in 2022, just like it did in 2002, 1982, and 1962. That might change by 2042, but that’s not something you have to worry about today.
Here’s the crazy thing: whether you get your local channels from cable or from a streaming app, you’re paying for them. And you don’t have to! Local broadcasts were designed to be free and they always have been. Pay-TV companies and streaming apps charge you for the privilege of watching free TV using their delivery system. That may be find when times are good, but when they aren’t, people need better alternatives.
True cord-cutting means one thing
A lot of people use the term “cord-cutting” to mean streaming. Really if you cancel cable and go to streaming, you’re just trading one cord for another. Real cord-cutting, true cord-cutting, means getting your entertainment from a TV antenna. It’s the best way to save money because there’s nothing to buy once you put in that antenna.
A typical antenna purchase will run you under $100 for the antenna itself, mounting equipment, and cable. Your TV is already equipped to take the signal from the antenna, nothing else to buy. Even the most expensive antenna purchases will run about $200. That means you can pay for it just by cutting out cable and apps for two months. After that, it’s pure profit.
Have you seen what’s on antenna TV lately?
Of course you get the major networks. That’s where all the popular shows are. But there’s more. Most cities and towns let you 25 channels or more. Some cities have over 100 channels now. It’s all free. What’s on those channels? Classic TV, movies, shopping, educational and religious programming… a lot of the same stuff you’re paying to stream now. It’s all because digital broadcasting is so efficient that you can fit up to 10 channels in the space that it used to take for one. And it’s only going to get better.
There’s a plan on the horizon to add even more channels and even more content. It’s still a ways away, but if this “Next Gen TV” comes to pass it will add 4K, on-demand content, and more to your free TV experience. And here’s the best part: you won’t need a new antenna to get it.
Here’s how you save money.
It’s easy. Just shop for an antenna at Solid Signal. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, don’t worry. There are a lot of choices of different sizes and shapes. You can get all the free advice you need just by calling us at 888-233-7563. We’ll look at your location and recommend the best antenna for you.
Once you get your antenna, it connects straight to the TV — no box required. Then, there are a few steps required to scan for channels. These vary from TV to TV but usually it starts by pressing your TV’s MENU button and looking for something like Off-Air setup. Scanning is automatic and once it’s done, you’re ready to watch TV!
How can this all be free?
They don’t tell you this anymore, but TV is supposed to be free! Just like radio, television broadcasts on public airwaves. Broadcasters actually pay the government for the right to do it. They broadcast their signals out for free, and of course their costs are covered by ads.
Stop throwing money away
Like I said, it’s easy to spend a lot on streaming when times are great. If you’re looking to save money right now, though, stop paying for expensive apps and start watching the great free stuff available to you over the air. And most of all, let Solid Signal help. Call us at 888-233-7563 or fill out the form below.
