How does one look up schedules for TV?

Ivas · 07-04-2011, 04:43 PM

I realize that what I am about to ask is laughable to most of you, and rightfully so, I might add. Yet I need to pose the question; it must be asked.

At our apt, we do not watch commercial television, and rather little public television either. We have a fully operational digital television and receiver that captures the high definition 1080p signals DIRECTLY.

Contrary to what providers of disk and cable television would have consumers believe, broadcast programming, digital and high definition, is available "on the air" for free. When I last counted 'em, there were some seventy channels like that. Only additional services such as HBO et cetera, of which there is a whole lot these days, and for which we have no need, require their intervention.

When a young fellow from one of the cable companies came to our door a couple of years back, I asked him why would a cash strapped consumer, as are my neighbors (this is a rather poor neighborhood in a rather poor city: Fontana, CA) want to pay for cable or disk when basic TV could be had for free directly "on the air". He agreed, then he asked me not to talk about it with my neighbors since selling them cable service is how he made a living.

My question is this: How does one find a listing of regular (on the air broadcasts) programs in one's local broadcast area (for us, it would be Los Angeles)? This is without the confusion of cable and/or disk offerings. In other words, we want a schedule like the good ol' TV Guide provided: Day by day, hour by hour, channel by channel.

FenwickHockey65 · 07-04-2011, 06:12 PM

www.tvguide.com

Ivas · 07-04-2011, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

www.tvguide.com

Thank you. By applying Ockham's Razor you cut through to what was needed.

By selecting TV Guide, then choosing the area of broadcasting by zip code, and lastly the key indicator was "Antenna" to get us out of the sucking swamp of TV "providers" we arrive at the simple field of program choices we wanted in the first place.

This was NOT the case with TV Guide when I last tried it right after the daily listings disappeared from the newspaper and TV Guide following the digitalization of the national TV broadcasting system a few years back. At that time, all that was indicated assumed that viewers would all have some sort of paid provider.

In this small sense, direct reception, "on the air" of television broadcasting has acquired some recognition, not just the puzzled looks it once received.

chipzahoy · 07-05-2011, 02:54 AM

Can't we just look for it on the web?
Well I checked the site you suggested
and it actually looks pretty good. Thanks!

Nexus6 · 07-05-2011, 03:05 AM

I hate to nit pick , but it's "Over the air" not "on the air"

07-04-2011, 04:43 PM	#1
Ivas el Ruco Drives: 2010 Camaro SS (now runnin' TENS ) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Fontana, CA Posts: 7,388	How does one look up schedules for TV? I realize that what I am about to ask is laughable to most of you, and rightfully so, I might add. Yet I need to pose the question; it must be asked. At our apt, we do not watch commercial television, and rather little public television either. We have a fully operational digital television and receiver that captures the high definition 1080p signals DIRECTLY. Contrary to what providers of disk and cable television would have consumers believe, broadcast programming, digital and high definition, is available "on the air" for free. When I last counted 'em, there were some seventy channels like that. Only additional services such as HBO et cetera, of which there is a whole lot these days, and for which we have no need, require their intervention. When a young fellow from one of the cable companies came to our door a couple of years back, I asked him why would a cash strapped consumer, as are my neighbors (this is a rather poor neighborhood in a rather poor city: Fontana, CA) want to pay for cable or disk when basic TV could be had for free directly "on the air". He agreed, then he asked me not to talk about it with my neighbors since selling them cable service is how he made a living. My question is this: How does one find a listing of regular (on the air broadcasts) programs in one's local broadcast area (for us, it would be Los Angeles)? This is without the confusion of cable and/or disk offerings. In other words, we want a schedule like the good ol' TV Guide provided: Day by day, hour by hour, channel by channel.

07-04-2011, 06:12 PM	#2
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2023 Expedition Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,375 View My Garage	www.tvguide.com __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2023 Ford Expedition SSV (State-Issued)

07-05-2011, 03:05 AM	#5
Nexus6 More human than human Drives: 2010 IOM 2SS/RS Join Date: May 2008 Location: The mouth of hell Posts: 1,887 View My Garage	I hate to nit pick , but it's "Over the air" not "on the air" __________________ 1100 - 10/22/2008 3000 - 05/27/2009 3300 - 06/06/2009 3800 - 06/29/2009 4B00 - 06/29/2009 Warehouse 13 survivor Blood stains,speed kills,fast cars,cheap thrills,rich women,fine wine,i lost my sense i lost control i lost my mind.

07-05-2011, 02:54 AM	#4
chipzahoy Banned Drives: honda civic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: planet earth Posts: 2	Can't we just look for it on the web? Well I checked the site you suggested and it actually looks pretty good. Thanks!