What to Do When Your TV Stopped Picking up Channels

What do you like to do to relax? If you’re like many Americans, you may enjoy kicking off your shoes and settling down in front of the TV to decompress.

Watching TV can be a great way to relax, however, if your television signal is intermittent, it can cause the opposite effect. If your TV has issues picking up channels, you know exactly what we’re talking about. The frustration caused by a fuzzy signal can be infuriating!

Getting a clear signal is possible, however. You don’t have to watch TV on your computer unless you want to. So stop missing all of your favorite TV programs just because your TV is struggling to pick up channels. Read on to learn more about how you can fix it if your TV stopped picking up channels.

Has Your TV Stopped Picking Up Channels? You Have New Options

Television antennas are considered a bit “old school” by today’s tech standards. If you’re still using one, it may be high time for you to finally make the switch.

There are lots of pay-TV subscriptions you can choose from, many of these don’t require a contract that is typical of the traditional cable provider. If you’re on a budget, however, utilizing the traditional antenna instead of pay-TV subscriptions will definitely help you save money.

More and more people are turning away from monthly cable provider subscriptions. These subscriptions can be costly and may require a long term commitment. For years, many American families would ‘bite the bullet’ and cough up an expensive payment to cable providers. Now that new tech advances have brought more competition into the market, cable companies are struggling to maintain their market share.

A New Kind of TV Antenna

Digital antennas are a great example of how tech advances have raised the bar on what you can expect from your television. Traditional television antennas are on their way out and digital antennas have replaced them as the best choice for your TV.

These digital antennas allow users to choose over-the-air TV and OTT (over-the-top) media services as an alternative to monthly pay-TV subscriptions.

The use of digital antennas has become more appealing to customers due to the rise of online video subscription services. These streaming services can complement the free local “over-the-air” TV stations that your digital antenna will give you. This can provide you with a lot more viewing options, at a much lower price.

Broadband access may be another alternative for consumers. On the other side, it will provide you with the chance to watch a variety of different shows, however, it is unlikely to include ‘network’ channels. Network channels are the traditional broadcast networks such as ABC, FOX, NBC, and CBS.

Without a digital antenna, you may be able to watch the latest binge-worthy show on Netflix, but you’ll still miss out on network television events like the SuperBowl or the Oscars.

If you want to have the option of watching all of these network channels while still cutting the cost of your monthly TV subscription, installing a digital antenna may be the right choice for you.

Buying the Best Antenna for Your Television

There are two main things that you should consider before buying a new digital antenna for your TV. If you’re in the market for a new antenna, consider looking for one that offers the best reception quality. If you’re installing it yourself, you may also want to consider purchasing a digital antenna that is easy to install.

So how do you know what to expect from a digital antenna’s reception quality?  There are several factors that can affect the quality of reception you receive from your antenna.

The first determining fact is your television’s distance from a broadcast tower. Distance, as well as any obstructions along the way, may affect the quality of your reception.

Fortunately, HDTV indoor antennas are already available in the market. These models have been designed to ensure that they can provide good quality indoor reception.

This will enable you to enjoy your favorite network broadcast channels in high definitions. These digital antennas come in various shapes, sizes, and prices. Shopping for a new HDTV antenna means that you can expect to have lots of options to choose from.

Installing Your New Antenna

Once you’ve purchased your new antenna, you’ll have to decide how you’re going to install it. Methods of installation vary depending on what unit you’ve purchased.

If you’ve purchased an indoor digital antenna, you won’t have to worry about climbing up on the roof to install it. Studies show that indoor antennas work better and even last longer than antennas installed on your roof.

Additionally, your indoor antenna won’t be exposed to rain and sunlight. This level of exposure to the elements can cause your antenna to rust over time. Wires may also get frayed as the sun’s heat causes its covering to become brittle. 

Most digital antennae are easy to install, however, if you decide to opt for professional help we suggest calling a TV wall mount installation pro. They can not only help you with getting your signal clear, they can also mount your TV like a pro.

Getting More From Your TV

So, your TV stopped picking up channels? Think of it as a good thing! 

Now you know so much more about the options available to you. Your digital antenna can save you money and help you to enjoy more entertainment choices.

Think of it as a little leisure time upgrade. Looking for more life hacks? Visit more of our blog for more great tips and tricks.