Cutting the Cord

High price of cable or satellite TV got you down? Not a fan of their customer service? Looking for a cheaper way to access your favorite TV shows and sporting events? Never fear…cord cutting is getting easier every day, and you don’t have to be a computer geek to pull it off. I’m not going to explain the details of what ‘s involved, there are plenty of sites that do that. Here are a few links: WSJ How To,  WSJ MarketWatch, WSJ Q&A, Digital Trends, Reddit, and Gizmodo. And for those unsure of the difference between a streaming box, (e.g. Apple TV or Roku) and a Chromecast stick, see dealnews.

The availability of Over The Air (OTA) TV reception using good old rabbit ears or an outdoor antenna may also be an option. Modern TV antennas don’t look like your grandfather’s TV antenna and they are designed to receive digital TV signals. Many of those born after 1980 have never known anything besides cable or satellite TV so the idea of an antenna sounds pretty old-school. But for access to HD TV for only a small upfront investment and no monthly bills, it may be just what you’re looking for. The picture is of an outdoor antenna designed for digital TV reception. And if all you need is ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, FOX, Telemundo, and CW (along with their subchannels), and are willing to put up with the usual TV ads, you’re all set.

To be fair, there are a number of half-truths swirling around the free-TV ether. Lifehacker has assembled the most common myths that you should take into account before you pull out the scissors.