If I didn't have an antenna

I watch local channels with an antenna. Tablo is my DVR of choice, and it allows me to watch local channels on any device on my network. Actually, I own the antenna at my mother's house, and I use Tablo Connect to watch from that antenna on the TVs at my house.

But what if I didn't have an antenna? How would I get local channels then?

Well, there are a few options I have. One is to simply not watch them. That's the cheapest way.

Another depends on what it is I want to watch. If I want to watch NBC, ABC, or Fox network TV shows, then I can use Hulu for $8/month and watch the content the next day. If I want CBS, I have to subscribe to Paramount Plus for $6/month for next day viewing. If all I want is NBC, Peacock TV for $6/month gets next day viewing.

If I want local content, or live content, I can get local and live CBS by subscribing to Paramount Plus for $12/month, and local and live NBC by subscribing to Peacock TV for $12/month. There are no cheap options for live/local ABC or Fox.

If I want all four of the major networks, I have to subscribe to a service that carries them. The cheapest is YouTube TV at $73/month, or Hulu+Live TV at $77/month and includes the Disney Bundle.

There are other live streaming services, such as Fubo and DirecTV streaming, but they cost even more.

Without an antenna, it costs a lot to get live local channels. With an antenna, I get 35 over the air channels (actually, 41, but there is some duplication of content) for no monthly charge.

My Streaming Life includes an antenna. That $73/month can be spent on other stuff.