The broadcast networks don’t make money from it, but they are not quite ready to give up on it. They know that streaming is the future of TV, but do not know how to use Hulu to future proof themselves. Instead of looking towards new technologies and platforms, their salvation could be something from their past: over-the-air broadcasting.
All the major networks still broadcast over the air, and it remains a severely underutilized resource. It’s the ultimate service for price conscious cord cutters because it’s completely free. There’s no subscription fee, you don’t need an internet connection, or a Roku. All that’s required to pull in HD broadcasts in 5.1 sound is a $10 pair of rabbit ear antennas.
If I were an executive at one of the networks, I’d be touting the benefits of over-the-air TV vs. cable; I’d go as far as to give away antennas to encourage people to see just how good the picture and sound quality is.
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