What Channels Can You Get With Free Broadcast Television
Many people ask what channels can I get when I don’t have cable or a satellite dish. There are many free broadcast television channels available. It all depends on where you live. Broadcast television is sent over powerful antennas that are broadcast to your home. Then you’re over the air antenna and the TV tuner transcodes the signal. In this post, I will share some resources you can use to find what is on and available in your area.
What Channels Can You Get
The first option is to use our station locator tool to see what channels are available in your area.
Major Channels and Substations
Most people will be able to receive all of the major networks.
- ABC
- NBC
- CBS
- FOX
- PBS
- CW
- UPN
There are also a host of substations that are available.
- PBS World
- PBS Create
- PBS Kids
- Decades
- MeTV
- Escape
- Court TV
- This TV
- Retro TV
- Comet
- Bounce
- Cozi TV
- ION
- QVC
- HSN
- Laff
- TBD
- Grit
- My TV
- Comet
- Charge
- DayStar
- Get TV
- Qubo
- Buzzr
- LATN
- Heroes & Icons
*All of these subchannels are identified with a decimal point. Like channels 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, and so on. Receiving all of these channels will depend on your antenna placement and how far away you are from the broadcast towers.
Rescan Your Television Channels
Once you have your’re over the air antenna setup it is time to find some stations. Since I have made the switch to broadcast television many new channels have become available. More channels are scheduled in the future. So it is always a good idea to hit the rescan option on your television from time to time. This will allow your TV to update the new channels. To find your channel scan options, check the menu on your television. It may take a few minutes to rescan the channels.
How to Rescan Your Television
Online Tools and Resources for Broadcast Television
Trying to find what is on TV can be made easy with some of these websites and apps.
Titian TV
Titian TV is one of the best. It allows you to enter your zip code and will give you the available channels in your area. You can also see what is on television. Here is an example of all the channels that I receive in my area which are quite a few. Click the image to view listings.
Yahoo TV Listings
Yahoo Zap2it also has a nice TV listings feature that allows you to view broadcast listings in your area. Just click on change my location and enter your zip code. Then select broadcast (antenna) at the bottom of the box.
TV Guide
Looking for a great app for your smartphone to check listings for broadcast television? TV Guide has a good one. It is easy to install. Just type in your zip code and the broadcast area. There are no accounts to create.
TV Guide App
Apple App Store \ Google Play Store
TV Listings by TV24
TV Listings is another good app for your phone. It is easy to navigate, setup, and has a very clean interface. Just enter your zip code and select broadcast television. It will give the channel listings in your area.
TV Listings App
Apple App Store \ Google Play Store
Need help choosing an antenna. Click on our guide below:
Conclusion
Finding out what is on broadcast television can be made easy with some of these resources. Knowing you are watching TV for free is priceless. If you have any suggestions feel free to comment.
Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Find the right antenna for you! Click to enter your zip code and see how you can watch HDTV for free!
So I live in area 43331 and have dish what channels should be free for me
I did a quick search and it looks like you can get about 30 channels with a 60 mile range antenna. These would include all the major prime time channels, like ABC, NBC, CBS FOX, PBS and more. You can use our station locator tool. Just type in your zip code and it will tell you what channels are available in your area. Then scroll down the page to find the proper antenna. Here is a link to our station locator page: https://www.overtheairdigitaltv.com/tv-station-locator-tool/
in the Miami-Ft Lauderdale market, I can channel scan and get 90 channels approx.