Free Local Broadcast TV Provides Americans with a Window into Their World

New video captures consumer excitement during “TV Liberation Tour” stops
Robert C. Kenny | August 5, 2015

Since 2010, more than 15,000 Americans have received a free digital TV antenna from Antennas Direct as part of its local broadcast “TV Liberation Tours” throughout the country.  Antennas Direct, in partnership with local TV broadcasters, TVfreedom.org, the National Association of Broadcasters and LG Electronics, USA, remains committed to helping consumers access their local TV stations in high-definition via a state-of-the-art digital broadcast TV antenna installed on their television sets.  The new video below, developed by Antennas Direct and TVfreedom.org, captures the spirit and excitement of more than 1,300 consumers who’ve received a free antenna at recent tour stops in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, CA.  The antennas, once installed, give viewers access to dozens of local broadcast TV stations, weather updates, and local and primetime entertainment programming and live sports, including in-language digital broadcast streams.

Free broadcast TV provides more than 60 million Americans with essential connectivity to local news, weather updates and emergency information – a window into their world like no other – so that they can stay informed about what’s going on in their communities.

A renewed regulatory focus on what’s causing consumers monthly pay-TV bills to skyrocket, coupled with the deceptive business practices pay-TV companies are notorious for, has added to consumers’ intense and growing dissatisfaction with the cost and quality of pay-TV service.  This has led to many consumers seeking competitive alternatives to traditional pay-TV service, including their penchant for personalized media mixes built on their access to free local TV in combination with an emerging array of online video services that include access to live television programming (commonly referred to as over-the-top (OTT) services).

You may view the video here.

Kenny is director of public affairs for TVfreedom.org, a coalition of local broadcasters, community advocates, network TV affiliate associations and others advocating for preserving the retransmission consent regime. He is a former press secretary at the FCC.