There’s a reason why Nielsen reported a 48% increase in household cord-cutting — customers simply don’t need satellite or cable services anymore.

With popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Amazon Prime people don’t require an expensive subscription to watch their favorite shows. But some people still aren’t fully ready to let go of broadcast television.

For these people, an OTA (over the air) antenna is a much more affordable solution. In this article, we’ll go over some of the pros and cons of the OTA service, as well as antenna installation costs. Let’s get started!

What Is A Television Antenna and How Does It Work?

An antenna is a device that picks up OTA signals from a television broadcast station. These stations broadcast around frequencies of 47 to 250 MHz in the VHF band.

Besides the initial cost of the product and installation, television antennas don’t cost anything. This is because they pick up signals from public broadcasting centers. Television antennas can be found both inside and outside of the house.

When inside they are usually either on top of the television or in a separate console. Unfortunately, inside antennas don’t work in fringe areas where the broadcast is hard to pick up.

These areas require outdoor antennas attached to a high place to pick up the weak signal. Outdoor antennas are harder to set up and more expensive — but they can provide more channels and clearer signals.

What Are Some of the Pros and Cons of OTA Antennae?

Depending on where you live you should weigh the benefits and drawbacks of getting a television antenna. In this section, we’ll go over some things we love about OTA television service and some things you should keep in mind before buying the product.

Pros

The most obvious benefit of a TV antennae is no monthly cost. Some cable and satellite subscriptions can cost up to $100 a month — sometimes even more.

Antennas, on the other hand, can pick up free channels as long as they are within a signal.

A television antennae can pick up the usual broadcast signals from CBS, Fox, NBC, and PBS — but it also has access to programming not available on cable or satellite.

These signals come from local broadcasting stations that play a variety of local sports, movies and educational programming. A television antenna is also fairly easy to install — new models even remain indoors.

Cons

Unfortunately, a television antenna isn’t a viable solution for everyone. Some people may want access to premium cable content offered by companies like Showtime, HBO and Starz. Your location may also not be viable for a television antennae.

If you live in an area with lots of trees or tall brick buildings, then you may get a weak signal. Similarly, your broadcast will be limited to local channels. In more remote areas there may be very little selection.

There is also no way to opt-out of commercials when you use a television antenna. Installing a television antenna may be difficult for older individuals who aren’t comfortable with technology.

If you fall into this category, then find out more about services offered by Nu-Life TV Antenna. Companies like this offer installation services.

Antennae Installation Costs

So how much does it cost to purchase and install an OTA television antenna? The first thing you need to decide is whether or not you need an indoor or outdoor antenna.

If you go with an indoor model, then you will need to choose between either an amplified or non-amplified version. If you live within a twenty-mile radius of your local broadcast station, then you can go with a non-amplified version.

An amplified version is better for fringe areas — it can pick up stations in a fifty-mile radius, or more depending on the model. The non-amplified version is more affordable, so if you can you should try and go with these antennas.

These indoor models typically range from $20 to $100 in terms of price. Outdoor satellites, on the other hand, are more expensive. These types can range from $150 to $415 depending on how powerful the model is.

How To Choose The Right Television Antenna

As we mentioned, one of the first things you should check before you research the right antenna is your location. How close are you to your nearest broadcast station? This factor will determine whether or not you need an indoor or outdoor antenna.

It will also help you decide whether you should go with an amplified or non-amplified version. Next, you must decide whether to get a unidirectional antenna or a multi-directional antenna.

Unidirectional antennas are more precise than multi-directional models. They’re also more expensive. You aim them in one direction and they pick a clear signal from a single source. Multi-directional models seek out as many sources as they can.

This means that they aren’t as clear as unidirectional antennas. They can also pick up some unwanted noise and static interference.

Can A Television Antennae Increase The Value of Your Home?

A television antenna doesn’t only save you money, it also adds some value to your home. Consumer Reports states that digital antenna sales have been steadily increasing by 20% each year since 2017.

There’s an obvious demand for the product and a working antenna can be just the right thing to seal the sale on your property.

Homes that are closer to broadcast stations are also more valuable since they pick up a much clearer signal than houses in fringe areas.

Need More Real Estate and Home Owner Advice? Read More Advice From Bonnie Roberts Realty

We hope this article helped you figure out whether or not antennae installation costs are worth the services offered. Make sure you know what you’re doing if you decide to set up an outdoor antenna — otherwise you could seriously hurt yourself.

If you want more advice on real estate, home improvement or DIY projects, then make sure to check out the other articles on the Bonnie Roberts Realty website.