What Channels Can I Get With an Antenna? (Free Local + Classic TV)

If you’re tired of cable bills and want free TV again, a TV antenna can help. A good antenna can give you free local channels with an antenna (like ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and PBS). In many areas, it can also give you classic TV on free subchannels (like MeTV and Antenna TV).

This guide applies to any TV antenna:

• Indoor antennas (by a window or wall)
• Attic antennas (higher up, but still indoors)
• Outdoor antennas (best range for weak signals)

If you are asking what channels can I get with an antenna in my area, the answer is: It depends on where you live. Two homes in the same town can get different channels, so the steps below will help you check your exact lineup.

If you haven’t scanned for channels yet (or you’re not sure your TV is set to “Antenna/Air”), this quick setup walkthrough will make sure you’re doing the scan the right way.

If you’re not sure whether an indoor antenna will be enough where you live, these two guides help you pick the right level of antenna without wasting money on trial-and-error returns:

• Best Indoor TV Antennas for Rural Areas
• Best Outdoor TV Antenna for Rural Areas

If you already have an antenna and just want channels, start here first:
How to Set Up an Indoor TV Antenna in 5 Easy Steps

What channels can I get with an antenna in my Area? (Check by ZIP code)

Before you check your ZIP code, it helps to know one simple thing: the channels you get depend on both your location and where you place the antenna.

This guide covers all TV antennas, not just indoor ones. Most people start with an indoor antenna, but if signals are weak, an attic or outdoor antenna can pull in more channels.

Use this quick guide to pick the right starting point:

If you’re not sure which one you need, don’t overthink it. Start with the easiest option you can try today (usually indoor), run a channel scan, and then move up only if you’re missing channels.

Now let’s find out what channels you can get in your area:

Step 1: Check your ZIP code online

Use one of these tools:

• AntennaWeb
• FCC DTV Reception Maps
• RabbitEars Signal Search Map

Keep it simple. Look for two things:

• Distance (how far the towers are)
• Direction (which way the towers are)

Step 2: Run a channel scan on your TV (the real test)

Your TV will not “find” channels until you scan.

Basic steps (the words may vary by TV brand):

• Press Home or Menu
• Go to Settings
• Look for Channels or Broadcast
• Choose Antenna / Air / Over-the-air
• Choose Channel Scan / Auto Program

Step 3: Compare your scan to the tool

If the tool shows a channel but your TV did not find it, don’t panic. Use the placement fixes below and scan again.

Move and Rescan: The 3 Best Antenna Placements (window, higher, different wall)

If your scan misses channels, don’t give up yet. Indoor antennas are sensitive, and small moves can make a big difference. Try these three spots and scan after each move.

1) Try a window first

Put the antenna on or near a window that faces the TV towers. Windows usually block less signal than interior walls.
Then run a new Channel Scan / Auto Program.

2) Go higher (this helps a lot)

Move the antenna higher up:

• on a taller shelf
• higher on the wall
• upstairs if you can

Higher placement often pulls in more over-the-air TV channels.
Then scan again.

3) Try a different wall (even in the same room)

Some walls have more signal-blockers than others (brick, metal, wiring, appliances). Move the antenna to a different wall, even a few feet away.
Then scan again.

Quick tip: After each scan, check for the channels you care about most:

• ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS
• MeTV, Antenna TV, Cozi, H&I (and other classic TV subchannels)

If one placement gets those reliably, keep it there.

Three common mistakes (and the quick fix)

Mistake 1: Your TV is set to “Cable,” not “Antenna/Air”

If your TV is set to Cable, your scan may find zero channels or the wrong ones.

Quick fix:

• Go to Settings
• Find Channels (or Broadcast)
• Choose Antenna / Air / Over-the-Air
• Run Channel Scan / Auto Program again

Mistake 2: You didn’t rescan after moving the antenna

Many people move the antenna and expect new channels to appear automatically. They won’t.

Quick fix: Every time you move the antenna, run a new scan.

Mistake 3: The coax cable is loose (or on the wrong port)

A slightly loose cable can cause weak signals, missing channels, or channels that cut in and out.

Quick fix:

• Tighten the coax cable finger-tight on both ends:
  • the back of the TV (often labeled ANT IN, ANT, or CABLE/ANT)
  • the antenna’s coax connector
• Make sure the cable is connected to the antenna input, not HDMI
• Run Channel Scan / Auto Program one more time

If your scan still misses channels after you tighten the coax and rescan, these indoor antenna picks are a good next step before you jump all the way to outdoor.

What Channels Does an Antenna Typically Get?

A TV antenna picks up over the air TV channels that local stations broadcast from towers near you. Most people can get some local channels antenna stations (depending on location).

TV antenna channels list: the free local channels most people can get

Many people want a simple tv antenna channels list. Here is the clearest way to think about it.

The most-wanted main channels

• ABC
• CBS
• NBC
• FOX
• PBS

You may also get channels like The CW or MyNetworkTV (varies by city).

Antenna subchannels list: where classic TV channels usually show up

Classic TV often lives on subchannels. Subchannels look like this:

• 4.1 (main channel)
• 4.2 (extra channel or subchannel)
• 4.3 (extra channel or subchannel)

These extra channels are where you often find:

• Classic TV networks
• Old sitcoms and westerns
• Old movies
• Reruns and specialty channels

✅If you want a reliable backup when your area doesn’t carry a specific classic channel, these free streaming options can fill the gaps (and they work on the same TV you’re using for your antenna).

How to Find MeTV, Antenna TV, Cozi, and H&I (If They’re in Your Area)

Here is the easiest way to find classic channels:

Step 1: Scan first

Run a channel scan, then scroll your channel list and look for:
MeTV, Antenna TV, Cozi, H&I, Catchy Comedy, Rewind TV, BUZZR, Movies!, Grit, GetTV, Laff.

Step 2: If you don’t see them, check online by ZIP code

Use one of these tools and search your results for the channel names above:

• AntennaWeb (ZIP code lookup)
• FCC DTV Maps
• RabbitEars Signal Search Map

Step 3: Use a “find my channel” tool (optional)

Some networks have a ‘Find Your Channel’ tool by ZIP code.

If you don’t see a classic channel you want, it doesn’t necessarily mean your antenna failed. It may simply not broadcast in your market.

Over-the-air TV channels vary by location (here’s why)

If your neighbor down the street gets 60 channels and you get 18, that can be normal.

Your channel list changes based on:

• How far you are from the towers
• Hills and mountains
• Tall buildings
• Thick trees
• Which side of the house your antenna is on
• Whether your antenna is blocked by walls or metal

That is why “100-mile” and “300-mile” range claims on antenna boxes are often misleading.

What channels are free with an antenna (and what you will NOT get)

A TV antenna is for free over-the-air TV channels. It will not give you cable-only channels like ESPN or CNN.

If you want cable-only sports/news channels, you usually need:

• a streaming service subscription, or
• a cable/satellite plan

But for free local channels plus many classic TV subchannels, an antenna can be an excellent cable replacement.

Should I try an attic antenna? (Often yes)

If your indoor antenna is not getting enough channels, the attic is a smart next step.

An attic antenna is still an antenna. It just sits inside your attic instead of in a room.

Why attic antennas can work better than indoor antennas

• The antenna is higher up
• There are fewer walls in the way
• You can often point it more directly at the TV towers

This can help you get more over-the-air TV channels and more stable reception.

When an attic antenna may NOT help

An attic antenna may work poorly if your attic has:

• A metal roof
• Radiant barrier foil (shiny foil insulation)
• Lots of metal ductwork or HVAC equipment

Metal can block signals.

How to try the attic (simple steps)

1. Put the antenna in the attic as high as you safely can.
2. Aim it toward the towers using AntennaWeb or FCC maps.
3. Run a channel scan on your TV.
4. If channels are missing, move the antenna a few feet and scan again.

Attic vs outdoor: Quick rule

• If towers are fairly close and signals are moderate, attic can be enough.
• If you are far out (often 50–60+ miles) or blocked by hills/trees, outdoor is usually better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrap Up

A TV antenna is one of the simplest ways to beat cable and get free TV again. In many areas, you can watch free local channels with an antenna (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS) plus extra subchannels that often carry classic shows.

To get the best results, don’t guess. First, use a ZIP-code tool, then run a channel scan on your TV.

If your scan misses channels, move the antenna (window, higher, different wall) and rescan. And if indoor reception is weak, an attic or outdoor antenna can be the next step.

Once you’re hooked up to receive classic channels like MeTV, etc., be sure to check out these can’t-miss episodes on that iconic 70s detective show, Columbo.

Finally if your area is missing certain subchannels, you can still watch free classics through streaming options like Pluto TV and Tubi.