So signed up. Can't seem to get anything local for news weather etc? Normal?

I do not want to pay additional. Other apps for sports more local sources?
Will i need to sign up create an acct. For every free service?
Talk about a hassele.

"Premium" streaming providers rarely package local channels, except through an extra-cost package. I guess they just assume you are getting these in another way. Seems to me you have a couple of options (none of which will be perfect):

• your local cable provider ($$$)
  
• an over-the-air antenna setup ($)
  
• your local TV stations' websites

The OTA antenna can be supplemented with something like Tablo for time-shifting, but is subject to the same old uncertainties of classical broadcast TV, somewhat ameliorated by the now standard digital signals that also allow multiple sub-channels per "station." Signal quality will depend on your physical orientation vis-a-vis you local transmission towers. If you have an old TV antenna still up, recabling/cleaning connections/etc. can do wonders.

Your local cable provider may have a low-tier plan that has only a few channels including the local broadcast channels.

Thanks architect, In this location I tried an over the air antenna and got nothing. I started asking around and people looked at me like I was from Uranus
Not a single soul had any idea about it? I thought everywhere was supposed to be able to access it?

YouTube TV does local channels. Whatever package we had with xfinity did not stream local channels for us.

My grandparents lived in rural southern Michigan; at least it was in the 1970s. They could get Detroit and Toledo stations 80 and 90 miles away with their big outdoor antenna on a 100' tower. Of course you had to turn a knob on a box and wait for the antenna to rotate and point at the transmitting tower for the station you wanted to watch. The basics of distance, height, line of sight, curvature of Earth, antenna type and size have not changed.

my subscription comes with Peacock premium which is ok. Found Roku free and it is better. Let me know if anything else free is worth while. I do not have an Amazon account. Don't really want to pay for a subscription like youtube tv. Thanks guys.

I was suggesting switching paid services to get what you were looking for. I didn't realize you were getting xfininty for free.

I don't know about where you are, but we can go to our local stations' websites and stream their news casts at the same times they broadcast those news casts. If your TV has a browser app, maybe you can do the same without using a computer. Otherwise, use your computers HDMI output and hook and HDMI cable to one of your TV's HDMI inputs.

As far as local channels OTA, you have said you do receive them, just not well. For years, you've been given the same solid advice from multiple people on how to fix that. You've even given it yourself.

I'm sorry that there's no free lunch.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
My distances far exceed your dad's but the indoor antenna's have not worked at all for me. A smallish GE or RCA antenna. It looks like a small version of the big antenna's from yesteryear. You can get from Walmart and they work well. They are about $50. You can mount outside or in the attic. I have even mounted one, sort of near the TV and it worked. We can get fox, abc, nbc, cbs So some sports. Overall you can get somewhere in the neighbor hood of 25+- channels. Our local system is sketchy. Sometimes we get the fox channels sometimes not. Right now I am not getting nbc at all and cbs is iffy. Reception varies which sucks. If reception was more consistent having ota tv isn't too bad. Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
As it turned out guys. The antenna was able to be placed inside the home behind the tv and got a great signal and I only needed a 6' cable.
Problem solved.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
So looking at various property listings I see external TV antenna towers. Usually mounted next to a building. Where can I buy.
My application is for a tv antenna. I do not want to pole mount or do I want a bunch or attachment points on the building. I am thinking something like 25-30' or so. These seemed to be common in the 30's, 40's and 50's

You want local news and weather? Put up an antenna.

This is all you may need:



Mohu Leaf Antennas

This is a different location. I have put up a tv antenna and can not receive over the air here. No one seems to. No antenna's anywhere. I have asked a few people and the look at me like I am the man from the moon.

I am not receiving xfinity for free. I am paying for it. I receive peacock premium as part of my internet package. I can also stream the free roku app.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:

I am not receiving xfinity for free. I am paying for it. I receive peacock premium as part of my internet package. I can also stream the free roku app.

So you have a Roku stick or Roku TV and can watch stuff with the Roku TV app and the Peacock app, I am assuming?

You should also have access to the Xfinity Stream app which should give you local channels:

Streaming Devices (Roku)

Install: Search for "Xfinity Stream" in your TV’s app store
Launch: Open the app and select Sign In.
Activate: A 6-digit code will appear on the screen.
Authorize: On a computer or phone, go to xfinity.com/activate and enter the code.
Finish: Name your device to complete the setup.

I understand your issue. My wife would like for me to get rid of DirecTV because of the expense, but I know where the channels are (especially the local channels) and I can get them just by, imagine this, changing the channel. And I don't have to look for a certain program at a certain time slot. We have tried the OTA antennas and they don't work where we live. Plus I can unhook one of my receivers and take it with me when I go to my hunting camp.