Over-the-air television, or OTA, was the first type of television available. Originally, all TVs received audio and visual media through analog signals via basic, set-top antennas. Broadcasters aired programs over UHF, which stands for Ultra High-Frequency bands, ranging from 378 to 870 MHz, and VHF, or Very High-Frequency bands ranging from 49 to 216 MHz. These bands are similar to AM and FM in radio.

At the 1939 World’s Fair in New York, David Sarnoff, president of RCA, unveiled the first commercial publicly accessible television broadcast. By 1948, 350,000 U.S. homes had television sets, which were all OTA TVs. A lot has changed since then — including the introduction of cable TV and the development of digital television signals — but one thing remains the same: OTA is still widely available and free.

In this era of constant, on-demand content, why would you want to bother with over-the-air television? There are actually several good reasons.

First and foremost, OTA is free. According to the 2021 U.S. Cable & Internet Market Size and Household Spending Report by bill pay service doxo, the average U.S. household spends $116 a month on cable and internet. With the internet, you can stream TV shows and movies, but platforms like Netflix, Hulu and Sling have fees, as well.

According to NoCable.org, more than 90% of U.S. households are within range of free over-the-air television. So if you have a television and an adequate antenna, you could be able to watch a few basic local networks or even dozens of HD channels available in your area.

If you don’t have cable, you could stream movies or live and on-demand shows but also catch up on local news, sports, weather and other free programming. You might be surprised to find a new favorite that isn’t available on streaming platforms.

The quality of over-the-air HDTV (high-definition television) is often better than cable, as well. This is because broadcast networks signals are uncompressed, while cable and satellite providers compress their signals.

If you have considered using OTA, you can find out what is likely available in your area. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a webpage with DTV reception maps to check for the signals available based on your location. Enter your address, city or zip code, and the map will list all stations in your area.

Along with call signs and channel numbers, the map will supply data on the strength of each channel. For example, green is a strong signal; yellow is a moderate signal; brown is a weak signal, and red is no signal.

You can click on each call sign to learn more about the specific station. Also, most networks have websites where you can find the programming schedule.

To begin watching OTA TV, you will need an antenna. The best type of antenna for you will depend on your location. Outdoor antennas are usually more powerful and tend to have better, more reliable reception than indoor antennas. They are usually mounted on the roof, side of the house or in the attic. An indoor antenna can have great reception, as well. The quality of the reception hinges on the distance from the transmission tower and obstacles between the antenna and the tower that can cause interference.

After checking out the DTV reception map for your area, you will have a better idea of the strong signals are available near you. Next, consider whether there are large obstacles, such as mountains and valleys, large trees, tall buildings, power lines or cell towers. Severe weather can be a factor as well.

Fortunately, indoor antennas can be quite affordable, so if you want to try this method first, you can do so without investing a great deal of money. Most are flat, so they can be installed by attaching to a window, preferably facing the direction of a broadcast antenna, and the higher, the better.

If you’re not sure where a nearby transmitter is located, resources such as AntennasDirect.com can help. When you enter your address, you will be provided with a map showing TV transmitters in your area. The radius patterns on the map show the distance of coverage between your location and the broadcast towers. This could also help you figure out whether there are obstacles between you and the transmitter.

Choosing the right outdoor antenna also requires consideration. Antenna Web, a site managed by the Consumer Electronics Association, can help you decide on the right one. Entering your location will offer station results as well as outdoor antenna recommendations. The color-coded table shows the antenna type recommended for receiving each station, from yellow for a small, multi-directional antenna to violet, denoting a large directional with a preamp.

If you want to keep up with local channels without paying for costly cable or an expensive streaming service, OTA TV is the way to go. It can also be an excellent way to supplement your streaming with entertaining, live programs.