Cutting the Cord with an Antenna

Money-saving 2025 edition

Viewers of YouTube TV have been missing their Disney+, ABC and ESPN for several weeks, as YouTube and Disney have been fighting over yet another big media fight over money issues. You’ve seen it before, and you know how it ends. The consumers ends up paying more for TV programming.

Disney+, which cost $7 in 2019 when it launched is now twice as expensive, at $13.99. YouTubeTV, which was just $35 when it started in 2017 as a streaming alternative for folks who still wanted cable networks, but didn’t want to pay for cable, is now $83 monthly.

And the costs just continue going up and up and up.

That’s why people like me have been advocating for years that we cut the cord. I started with our cable bill, which was in the $150 range, and opted just for internet services, so I could watch streaming TV via many free options, or the pay services like Netflix and HBO Max.

Then I had services like YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV, so I could get the news channels, but their prices got to the point where it wasn’t economically feasible for me to continue.

In other words, I’m cheap. But it’s more than that. I just don’t want to pay for stuff I don’t use—and I watch very little broadcast TV or the major cable news channels. So no need for YouTubeTV.

So what to do if you’re ready to cut the cord?

Buy an antenna

This is your first decision, and it’s really easy. The old antennas of years past, the ones with rabbit ears or the models that needed to be installed on the roof are relics. The new antennas are very affordable, easy to install, come with a digital tuner to get you a better image, and come with dozens of free channels in addition to the regular broadcast TV local offerings.

What kind to buy? I like the Mohu Leaf, which sells for $50. You simply hang it near a window,, plug in the tuner to the TV and power outlet, and you’re in business. This is the unit I own, and it’s been great, picking up all the local signals and then some. In Los Angeles, besides the networks and independent stations, there are some 60 additional channels, mostly showing old movies and TV shows, as well as additional PBS stations and Court TV.

Cable remotes

The first thing you’ll notice when you cut that cord is that you no longer have to use two remotes, one for the cable box and one for the TV. With an antenna plugged directly into the back of the TV, all you need is that one remote to turn on the TV, change channels and adjust the volume.

What services should I get?

Unless you have a smart TV with built-in streaming apps, you’ll need a streaming device, like an Amazon FireTV Stick or Roku device, which sell for as low as $20 to $30. (Look for Black Friday sales, where they are heavily disscounted.) Apple also sells a device that’s considerably more expensive, around $125 to $150.

With these tools, hundreds of available streaming networks are suddenly available, from the well-known (Netflix, Amazon Prime) to the freebies with ads (Tubi, Pluto, Roku Network) and dozens of free news networks, like CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox and Scripps News.

If you feel the need to still watch cable shows and networks like CNN, MSNOW, HGTV, Comedy Central and the like, you can subscribe via streaming, with cable like options like YouTubeTV and Hulu with LiveTV, but unfortunately, they now cost almost as much as cable, starting around $85. Sling TV, which has fewer channels, starts at $45.

At our home, we had the streamers before to watch the major news channels, but that changed a while back. We cut those too. The network alternatives are fine, and less prone to making you outraged and upset. (And obviously I’m a Scripps News fan.)

We subscribe to Netflix, even though I don’t know why, as I rarely watch anything on it. (Well, I did rather enjoy the new Eddie Murphy documentary.) I’ve had HBO Max and Hulu this year, but no longer, and the wife keeps up her PBS with a subscription (donation?) to the PBS Passport app.

Cutting back on cable was already hard, because you were under contract. In streaming, you can watch Netflix for say a month, when there’s something you want to see, watch it, cancel, switch to Peacock, cancel and go back to Netflix.

Here’s how I do it: I subscribe and then cancel immediately. This gives me the change to binge the show I want to see. I’m billed for the entire month, and with this method, I won’t forget to unsubscribe.

DVR?

If I cut the cord, I won’t be able to tape shows, you might ask. True, but in streaming, most shows are available on demand anyway. But if you’re the sort of person who wants to tape episodes of “American Idol,” or “Matlock,” there is a DVR for you. A company called Tablo sells an over-the-air DVR for $99 and with it, you can record anything shows on broadcast TV. The beauty is no pesky subscription price. You buy it, it’s yours to use. I own a Tablo, and it’s been great. (Disclosure: the company is owned by the E.W. Scripps firm, which as you know shows PhotowalksTV on Scripps News on Sundays.)

What about Sports?

That’s the tough one. You can now subscribe to ESPN directly for $30 monthly. The antenna will get you local National Football League games on the broadcast networks, and if you need more NFL for out of town games, you can pay between $275 to $400 a season for it with Sunday Ticket, which is available via streaming, via YouTube TV.

The streamer FuboTV is targeted to sports fans, and carries many major sporting events along with many of your favorite cable networks. It starts at $55 monthly. Both Major League Baseball and the NBA have smart TV apps that let you watch all the games for $100 to $150 a year. The NFL+ app ($6.99 monthly) however will only let you watch games via its app on tablets and phones.

iPhone Aurora’s

I think we’ve gotten over the “iPhone is great, but how does it compare to a `real"‘ camera'“ thing by now, right?

This week, photographer Barb Pechous documented the Northern Lights in South Dakota with the camera that was by her side—her Canon was at home, but the iPhone was at the ready. I’d say she did a fine job with her phone. Congrats Barb!

No extra-ordinary skies for me in California this week, I just had to settle for this cute Malibu sunset.

That iPhone Sock

I’m sure you heard about Apple’s latest low-tech innovation: a fancy Japanese sock to hold onto your iPhone as you walk down the street. And it starts at just $149.

Here’s Apple: “Born out of the idea of creating an additional pocket, while also being playful and versatile, iPhone Pocket is available in a short strap length (in eight colors), and a long strap length (in three colors), suitable for a variety of wearing styles - handholding, tying onto bags, or wearing directly on your body.”

The short version is 15 inches; if you want more for your money, Apple will sell you a 31 inch baby for $229.

As silly as this sounds, remember that Apple sells many accessories for insane prices. Would you pay $129 for an water bottle that connects via USB to Apple’s Health app? Did you even know such a thing existed?

What would be even sillier is if we actually purchased this stuff.

On Photowalks this weekend: Venice Beach

Join us as we take a visit to the wildest one mile stretch of beach in Los Angeles on Sunday’s edition of Photowalks, airing at 10 a.m. ET on Scripps News. With street performers, vendors, the best skaters and people watching in the area and all those great murals, Venice gives us so much to photograph. I hope you’ll tune in. Replays will also be on our PhotowalksTV YouTube channel Sunday.

ICYMI: Jimmy Kimmel’s great TV moment

Did you watch Jimmy Kimmel’s emotional tribute to his late best friend, the band-leader Cleto Escobedo? If you missed it, it was one of the great moments in TV history that we’ll be talking about for years to come. If you didn’t love Kimmel (forget politics for a moment) before, you will now.

We spent some quality time on the PCH this week for an upcoming three-part series on one of the greatest road trips in the world. (Dramatic cliffs, stunning views that go on and on, and all those cool small California beach towns!) I look forward to sharing them with you next month.

Meanwhile, as always, thanks for taking the time to watch, listen and read.

Jeff