When you say, “Thank you,” it’s important to really mean it.

So we mean it, when we thank the executives at Time Warner Cable. They, once again, are raising prices to rebroadcast free, over-the-air content. Thanks to their backward practices, we just keep getting more and more customers. It’s truly so generous of them.Rather than use lofty language as praise for cable’s growing irrelevance, we decided to show a tangible sign of our appreciation. We delivered a cake right to their front door in New York.

Our own president took it upon himself to pen some grateful, heartfelt prose.

—

From the Desk of Richard Schneider, President of Antennas Direct.

Dear Time Warner Cable,

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to you and your executives. You truly are an inspiration.

We at Antennas Direct are only a humble concern. So we do not have the marketing budget that you and the other big cable companies have. So on behalf of me and our employees, we want to applaud your 6.4 percent rate increase for your cable subscribers. It is decisions such as those that drive new customers to our site and flood our retail partners in search of some relief from your tyrannical rule.

So thank you. Sincerely. Just when we thought we would need to pour more into an advertising campaign, you help to convert your customers into cord cutters at a rate that is astounding.

Stay the course –

Richard Schneider, president, Antennas Direct

PS – I truly hope you enjoyed the cake. Vanilla whipped frosting? It doesn’t get any sweeter.

—

Stay the course, Time Warner executives. Please do not deviate from your dastardly ways. You help to show more television viewers that there is a better way.

At Antennas Direct, it is our mission to help make this holiday season merry for you and your family. Our HDTV antennas offer superior high-definition picture quality—minus the monthly fees, making it the perfect holiday gift for anyone in your life!

Instead of hooking up that new flat panel to your cable box, why not experience HD in its truest form?

If you aren’t sure which one of our HDTV antennas to select, here is a basic rundown of our most popular antenna bundles.

#1 ClearStream 2V Bundle – $195.96: The C2V, our most popular antenna, has the power to pick up signals from more than 50 miles, allowing it to hold up well in bad weather. This bundle comes equipped with:
• Coax Cable
• Pre-Amp Kit
• ClearStream J-Mount

#2 DB8e Bundle – $277.56: For those that live in challenging environments, the DB8e multi-directional antenna is the ideal choice. Its superior signal range, which extends over 70 miles, is powerful enough to not only pick up a transmitter from a great distance, but offers the flexibility to turn in a 360-degree loop to target towers from multiple directions. This bundle comes equipped with:
• Coax Cable
• Pre-Amp Kit
• ClearStream J-Mount

#3 ClearStream 1 Bundle – $147.96: For those in search of an indoor antenna, look no further than CS1. Its tapered loop design receives core UHF channels with a range of more than 35 miles. Additionally, it has a wide 70-degree beam width, making it much easier to receive reception from widely spaced stations.
This bundle comes equipped with:
• Coax Cable
• Pre-Amp Kit
• ClearStream J-Mount

This holiday season treat yourself to an HDTV antenna from Antennas Direct. You deserve it.

For too long, too many families have been without access to their favorite game shows and sitcoms. We believe access to free television is our right as citizens of this great nation. After all, we produce the best television in the world. Comedies like “Seinfeld,” dramas like “Law and Order” and cop shows like “Miami Vice,” are the cornerstone of our identity as Americans.

Antennas Direct Launches Affordable Television Act

But for many of us, these shows are anything but nostalgia. The memory of their presence is painful. Because many Americans – over 80 percent of us – believe we must pay for television.
No more. The Affordable Television Act (ATA) allows TV viewers to experience the ease and quality of free, over-the-air television.

Here’s how the program works:
1. Have you been canceled by your Healthcare provider? If so, find your letter that alerted you of the cancellation.
2. Log on to www.antennasdirect.com/affordable_antenna_act.html (a site that will not go away – unlike other affordable acts)
3. Fill out the appropriate form and provide proof of your canceled Healthcare Insurance.
4. Enjoy free, over-the-air, high definition television.

ATA, also referred to as AntennaCare, will provide an antenna for just $4.99 ground shipping to the first 1,000 valid requests. Each antenna comes with a lifetime guarantee (a better promise than you will get from anyone in healthcare).

“Access to television programming is a right that all American families should have,” says Richard Schneider, president of Antennas Direct. “We have stood on the frontlines and seen too many families go without the sitcoms and game shows for months and sometimes years. AntennaCare ensures that all Americans will have the programming that holds our families and the fabric of this nation together.”

It was 5 AM on an unseasonably cool October morning when the saviors of over-the-air television rolled into the Lucas County Fairgrounds in Toledo, Ohio. It was still dark and the headlights passed over a crowd huddled near the entrance. Some had been there since 2 AM. They smiled and waved at the Antennas Direct bus as it passed by. Finally, they thought, a chance for free television.

The Antennas Direct touring bus roared past them and settled in a nearby field to prepare for its latest stop along its giveaway tour. By partnering with local broadcasters, the touring bus is a chance to preach the gospel of over-the-air television (something that 80% of Americans still are not aware of).

The local NBC affiliate WNWO was already there and had staffed the giveaway. The president of Antennas Direct, Richard Schneider conducted live interviews with WNWO’s Ashley Moser while hundreds of antennas from St. Louis were made ready for a new Toledo home.

“When we do these giveaways, it is less about Antennas Direct and more about the good news: you can receive over-the-air television in HD absolutely free with an antenna,” says Schneider. “We are thrilled that local broadcasters like WNWO care enough about their viewers to let them know about over-the-air. That is what it’s about.”

Soon a large crowd had gathered. More than 600 vehicles had gathered in the lot as the giveaway started. As viewers received antennas, there were some tears and countless “God bless you’s.” With the rising cost of paid TV, many Toledo residents (and others across the country) have cut television from their budget. So, for some, this meant an evening’s entertainment with their family for the first time in a long time.

At the end of the day, over 300 people were able to receive free television. And countless others were made aware of the good news.
If you would like the Antennas Direct bus to visit your neighborhood or if you are a local broadcaster who wants to spread the good news of OTA, please contact Jeremy Nulik – Jeremy@kolbeco.net.

Recently, our 91XG UHF antenna was featured in the Magnolia Reporter, a daily newspaper in Columbia County, Arkansas. In the past, most residents of Columbia County were forced to purchase either cable or satellite due to the county’s great distance to the Shreveport TV transmitting towers.

 
One resident in particular, Joey Baker, was looking at installing a satellite dish at his family farm. Once again, given the less than stellar history of OTA in the county Baker felt like satellite TV was his only viable option.

Upon further research, he discovered that the 91XG UHF HDTV antenna from Antennas Direct might save him from going the pay-TV route.
He mounted the 91XG UHF antenna on a 20-foot pole, and quickly found that he could pick up several stations in high-definition…for free!

Additionally, most of the stations have subsidiary channels, giving Baker more than 15 total channels.

 
So, for a one-time payment of $60, Baker and his family now enjoy top-notch programming whenever they want. And the best part: no monthly fee!

 
At Antennas Direct, it is our mission to help viewers liberate themselves from the shackles of pay-TV. Through our innovative spirit and our groundbreaking HDTV antennas, we have helped millions of Americans discover the world of over-the-air television—regardless of their geographic location.

 
If you are looking to join the over-the-air movement—we can help! At Antennas Direct, we carry a wide variety of both indoor and outdoor HDTV antennas. To find out which one is right for you, head on over to antennapoint.com, punch in your zip code, and bask in the glory of free HDTV!

The cable television big shots are at it again – another carriage dispute is dominating the headlines and unfairly punishing their viewers. The current standoff between Time Warner Cable and CBS has meant viewers in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and 13 other states have been without some of their favorite programming for some time now.

What typically happens is this:
Cable and satellite companies began to charge customers for high-definition television (that is free over-the-air). The broadcasters then asked for a cut of the money that was being made on what is actually free. In an effort to negotiate a better rate, the cable company (in this case, Time Warner) blacks out the network television station.

It’s big names and big egos. In the end, no one wins.

And the biggest victim is you – American families who pop corn, pour sodas and watch your favorite mini-series like Under the Dome together. If you are one of the victims of this blackout, then know that you have been wronged.

The good news: it does not have to be this way. You don’t have to wait for the big shots to play their games. There is a way to get the programming you want to see without the monthly fee…all you need is an HD antenna.

Also, the picture and sound quality from an antenna far surpasses the compressed signal from your paid provider. So when you have your friends over to watch the Cowboys game (since it is blacked out on their TV), you will have a better image than ever.

The even better news: you don’t have to pay full price for a high quality HD antenna. We at Antennas Direct feel for the victims of this blackout. So, here’s what we want you to do:

1. Go to www.antennasdirect.com
2. Find the right antenna (use www.antennapoint.com)
3. Enter promo code “CBS20″ – which saves you 20%.
4. Enjoy over-the-air HD television (without the added big shot egos.)

Now the only drama you will be watching is CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – not the local headlines.

Over the last 10 years, we have completely transformed the way people think about television antennas. The days of the tin foil rabbit ears and behemoth-size roof antennas are long gone. Because the beamwidth and gain of our HDTV antennas are so much greater, they can be installed in a variety of different places in the home.

Recently, we received a wonderful email regarding our ClearStream 2V outdoor antenna and its unparalleled power. After a year of using a Radio Shack antenna, the Cincinnati resident decided it was time for something a little more powerful.

While the roof might be one of the more common spots to mount one of our outdoor antennas, you can—depending on the environment—install it either indoors or right outside a window.
As you can see, he installed the antenna on the patio rail of his condo.

It actually points at an adjacent building, but he still receives crystal clear reception! Also, the ClearStream 2V pulls in an additional 20 channels, making his viewing experience all the merrier!

Big thanks to Mike Kelley for sharing these great pictures with us! We are so happy that you love your antenna!

Looking to upgrade your current television antenna? We are here to help! At Antennas Direct, we carry a wide variety of both indoor and outdoor HDTV antennas. To find out which one is right for you, head on over to antennapoint.com!

A few months back, we compiled a list of the Top 10 things you could buy if you cancel cable. As OTA viewership and sales of Musk cologne continue to rise, we can only think our blog post must be to blame.

Without further ado, here is part 2:

#1 A Case of Crystal Pepsi: Because drinking brown water is just plain disgusting.

 
#2 Calf Implants: Chicks dig guys with bulging calves. It is true! Just ask Johnny Drama.

 
#3 Dating Tips from Joey Buttafuoco: Let’s be honest, does this look like a guy who struggles in the dating department? Soak up his machismo, fellas. Soak. It. Up.

 
#4 Novelty Urns: Why bury MeMa six feet under, when you can preserve her remains in something that resembles a bowling pin.

 
#5 Tom Selleck’s Mustache: While Musk cologne might be the most powerful aphrodisiac known to man, Selleck’s feathered ‘stache is a close second. The majestic mane also serves as a great soup strainer.

 
#6 A Jetpack: We don’t know about you, but using an automobile as your primary mode of transportation is so 2002.

 
#7 A PalmPilot: Because we are not giving into Apple, dammit! We are not mindless fanboys!

 
#8 Bryan Adams’ Autograph: Now you can relive the summer of ’69 everyday.

 
#9 Bacon Salt: Because everything—including tilapia —should taste like bacon.

 
#10 A Lifetime Supply of Topps Baseball Card Gum: Don’t knock 22-year-old gum until you’ve tried 22-year-old gum.

Just remember: all of this could be yours if—and only if—you cancel your cable subscription. If you don’t, no big deal… more bacon salt for us.

To view our complete lineup of HDTV antennas, please visit www.antennasdirect.com.

Shout out to Tammy at De Ja Vue Designs! We are so happy that we were able to help you and your family cut the cord!

Unplugged

As many of Y’all know…not so long ago I had surgery on my neck to fix what was gonna most likely paralyze me from the neck down.  Today I’m not talking about my neck…but what happened while I was recovering. Something Y’all probably don’t know, this year was a rough one in terms of insurance for our family.  Without getting into too much detail, for reasons beyond our control, our insurance got switched twice…meaning we had three very large deductibles to meet.  This is NOT the time you want to have emergency surgery..or lots of procedures…and on and on.  Long story short…we had to meet over  $16,000 in deductibles along, and that doesn’t include co-pay.  I’m not trying to whine about my deductibles either.  My point?  Things have been rough this year…so all that down time got me thinking REALLY hard about finances.

One of the areas that I looked at really hard…TV.   I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said “We pay $100 a month and there is absolutely NOTHING to watch.”  The normal things I wound up watching were the networks, and their regular shows.  Yeah I could just watch them online, but I couldn’t get local news.  So…I stuck it out a little longer…thinking.  Then one evening I was given an alternative from Antennas Direct.  And…I was given the opportunity to tell Y’all about it.

I was given a really cool box that came in the mail.  This box said HDTV antenna.  I sorta rolled my eyes…cause I’ve seen antenna TV before.  In fact, a week prior to my “BOX” arriving, my mom got an antenna of her own.  One that she bought somewhere else.  They said they were better than before…but they weren’t…they were that same fuzzy screen that I remembered from before.  So, you can imagine, I wasn’t thrilled with the thought of losing my satellite antenna…but I had to do something.  It was just ridiculous to spend that kind of money every month.  So, we bit the bullet and we took the whole whopping twenty minutes it took to hang the antenna up outside…no lie!

What did I expect? I expected three Fuzzy…unclear crappy half tuned channels.   What did I get? SEVENTEEN…yes, you heard that right…seventeen perfectly crisp and clear channels.  I didn’t even know we had that many channels near our home.  I couldn’t believe it!  It was completely insane!  FREE TV as good…if not better than satellite!

The picture was moving…not blurry!  I mean look at the writing at the bottom!

Different channel! Can you believe this?

I have no idea what this show is…but it sure looks good! lol

So…what do I have now? Free TV.  I completely unplugged that satellite and for the price of LESS than one month of paid TV…you can have free TV too!  Would I recommend it?  Dang right!  I’m loving that extra money every month…and you can too.

Go check them out!  See which HDTV antenna from Antennas Direct is right for you.  If you aren’t sure…they can help you.  They sure did me!  Did I get paid to say any of this? NOPE…I did get an antenna…but No money!  These opinions are my own…no one else.  Me and my family truly feel like we made the right decision.  And now….my mom is gonna get one of these for herself!

By the way….Antennas Direct has a Facebook page! and a Twitter Page too!

Do you pay way too much for TV that you don’t watch half of?  Why not go Free every month?  Let me know what you decide…Do you want to unplug?

by Wayne Friedman, Jul 9, 2013, 10:34 AM