On top all of the other damage to our house (that still isn’t being fixed yet), last week our living room television broke. This is the first time we’ve had to take the upcoming end of analog broadcasting into consideration. Since there’s no point in buying a new set that won’t even operate in a couple of years, we bought a new digital television yesterday. And since you can’t even find a digital television that isn’t also high definition, it was an HDTV.
The salesman looked at me like I had two heads when I told him I didn’t have cable or satellite, and that I intended to hook this expensive machine to a pair of rabbit ears. However I knew that as long as I can get a descent over-the-air signal, the pictures should be crystal clear – including full HD when available. And I was right. Beautiful, crisp, clear high definition television broadcasts – for free. Just in time for the new NFL season. 
I do still wish I had ESPN, CNN, and Comedy Central programming, but I have been pleasantly surprised at just how many additional channels I’m now receiving digitally over the air. Other than a few 24-hour local weather signals, one of the local PBS affiliates broadcasts five completely different alternate channels simultaneously.
