Antennas, unlike cable or streaming services, will only pick up local channels. If you want to see content from the likes of ESPN, AMC, FX, Disney Channel, and more, an antenna probably isn't for you. We recommend getting Sling TV ($35/month) for streaming access to more networks, as it's cheaper than most cable services. Antenna reception can also be limited by external factors in your area. This means things like the amount of trees outside your home or nearby buildings could impact your viewing. The location of broadcast towers in your area, weather, and your room's shape and design can also impact your reception. In other words, the performance you get from an antenna can be rather finicky compared to cable and streaming.  Unlike most cable boxes, an antenna on its own won't let you record and store shows, though some external DVRs can be bought separately to record TV broadcasts from an antenna. Depending on your TV, you also might not get any kind of on-screen guide for navigation. This means, you have to manually go through each channel. With that said, some smart TVs now include guide integration for antenna playback.