Short answer: an antenna gets you your local ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and more for nothing after a one-off purchase, usually in better picture quality than streaming, with no buffering and no monthly bill. IPTV, meaning TV delivered over the internet, gets you everything an antenna can't: cable networks, national sport, on-demand libraries and TV on any screen. The catch is that they aren't really rivals. Most households that cut cable end up using both, and the cheapest reliable set-up is an antenna plus one internet service, not either one alone.
At a glance
Antenna vs IPTV
| Antenna cost | One-off, roughly $20-$150 |
| Live TV streaming | Around $45-$90 a month |
| Best picture for locals | Antenna, usually |
| Cable networks (ESPN etc.) | Internet services only |
| Best overall | Both together |
What we're actually comparing
OTA stands for over-the-air: the free broadcast signals local TV stations transmit from towers. An antenna and a TV tuner, which every modern television has built in, are all you need to receive them.
IPTV means television delivered over an internet connection. In practice that covers several things: live TV streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling and Fubo; free ad-supported apps such as Pluto TV and Tubi; and network and league apps. Some sellers also use "IPTV" for cheap channel packages with no clear licensing, which is a different matter entirely and covered below. If the term is new, our explainer on what IPTV is sets out the categories.
Side by side
| Antenna (OTA) | Licensed internet TV | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | None | Free (FAST) to about $90 |
| Local networks | Yes, if in range | On most paid live services |
| Cable networks | No | Yes, on paid plans |
| Picture quality | Uncompressed-looking HD; 4K on some NextGen stations | Good, varies with bandwidth |
| Delay behind live | Near zero | Often 20-60 seconds |
| Works in a broadband outage | Yes | No |
| Every TV and phone | Needs a network tuner | Yes |
| Recording | Needs an OTA DVR | Cloud DVR usually included |
Where an antenna wins
Price. There's no subscription. An indoor flat antenna costs a few tens of dollars; a good outdoor one rarely more than $150, plus installation if you want it on the roof.
Picture. Broadcast HD arrives at a consistent, high bit rate. Streaming services recompress local feeds, and on a big screen the antenna picture often looks cleaner, particularly for fast sport.
No delay. Streams commonly run half a minute or more behind the broadcast. If you follow a game on your phone or listen to local radio commentary, the antenna keeps you in sync.
Resilience. When the broadband goes down, or in a storm when you most want local news, the antenna keeps working.
More channels than people expect. Beyond the main networks, stations broadcast subchannels: classic TV, film, weather, Spanish-language and shopping channels, often 50 or more in large cities.
Where internet TV wins
Cable networks. ESPN, TNT, CNN, HGTV, Bravo and the rest have never been broadcast free. You need a paid service.
Reach. If you're far from transmitters, in a valley or in a building that blocks signals, streaming may be the only way to get local networks at all.
Every screen. Streaming apps work on phones, tablets, laptops and every TV in the house without extra wiring.
Cloud DVR and on demand. Most live services include recording and let you catch up on shows you missed.
National sport. A large and growing share of live sport now sits on cable networks and streaming platforms rather than broadcast.
What it costs over a year
Prices as of mid-2026, before taxes and add-ons; check current rates before signing up.
| Set-up | First-year cost (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Indoor antenna only | $30-$60 once |
| Antenna + free FAST apps | Same |
| Antenna + Sling (from about $46/month) | About $600 |
| YouTube TV base plan (about $83/month) | About $1,000 |
| Hulu + Live TV (about $90/month) | About $1,080 |
The pairing of an antenna with a cheaper streaming package, one without locals, is the classic cord-cutter saving. Sling's lower tiers, for example, carry few local channels in most markets, which is exactly the gap the antenna fills.
Will an antenna work at your address?
This is the question that decides everything, and it takes a couple of minutes to answer.
Check a signal map. The FCC's DTV reception maps list stations you should receive at your address, with signal strength and direction. Put in your address before you buy anything.
Distance and terrain matter most. Within roughly 25 miles of the towers with a clear line of sight, an indoor antenna often works. Beyond that, or behind hills, go outdoor or attic-mounted.
Placement beats price. A high window facing the towers usually does more than an expensive antenna in a poor spot. Rescan channels on the TV after every move.
Be sceptical of "300-mile" claims. Range is limited by the curvature of the earth and terrain, not the box it comes in.
The ATSC 3.0 complication
US broadcasters are gradually moving to a new standard, ATSC 3.0, marketed as NextGen TV. It can carry 4K HDR, better audio and more robust reception. It also brings encryption: many NextGen stations protect their signal with DRM, which some tuners and network devices can't decode.
For now, stations still broadcast the current standard alongside it, so an ordinary TV and antenna keep working. But the FCC is considering rules that would let stations end that simulcast over time. If you're buying a new TV or tuner in the next year or two, it's worth reading our guide to ATSC 3.0 NextGen TV first.
How to combine the two
Antenna into the TV. The simplest route: plug in, run a channel scan, and your locals appear in the TV's input list or live-TV guide.
Antenna into a network tuner. Devices such as SiliconDust's HDHomeRun take the antenna signal and share it over your home network, so the channels show up in apps on phones, streaming boxes and other TVs, often with DVR.
Streaming for the rest. Add one paid service for the cable networks you really watch, and free apps for background viewing. Rotate paid services seasonally rather than paying for all of them year-round.
A word on cheap "IPTV" packages. Services offering thousands of channels, including premium sport, for a few dollars a month generally don't have the rights to them. They can disappear overnight with your money, and our guide on what's legal in the US explains the risks. The antenna is the legitimately free option.
Quick answers
Is an antenna better than streaming? For local channels, usually yes: free, better picture, no delay. For cable networks and multi-screen viewing, streaming is the only option.
Can I get local channels on IPTV instead of an antenna? Yes. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and DirecTV Stream carry locals in most markets, at a monthly cost.
Do I need a special TV for an antenna? No. Any TV with a digital tuner works, which includes every set sold in the US in the last 15 years or so.
Why is my streamed game behind my neighbour's? Streaming adds processing and buffering delay, often 20 to 60 seconds. Broadcast via antenna is near real time.
Can I watch antenna TV on my phone? Yes, with a network tuner such as an HDHomeRun, which streams antenna channels around your home.
Will ATSC 3.0 make my antenna obsolete? No. The antenna itself works with both standards. It's the tuner that may need upgrading eventually.
What's the cheapest way to cut cable? An antenna plus free ad-supported apps costs nothing monthly. Add a single paid service only for what you can't get otherwise.
Streaming prices change frequently, channel availability varies by market, and the ATSC 3.0 transition rules are still being decided by the FCC. Prices are approximate US figures before tax. Checked September 2026.