the idea was, originally, you wouldn't...

you don't have commercials on all cable though. Like hbo or starz.

I'm talking broadcast. which is completely free. cable's another deal. UHF/VHF is all around us, and if you get good enough reception where you live with some rabbit ears or a roof antenna, then just use that. save yourself $40 a month.

But you won't get as many channels. even if you get "Family" Basic cable (all broadcast+USA, Discovery, MTV etc.) which all have advertising, it'll cost you because the cable company provides a better service than broadcase, and because those cable channels charge the cable company to carry them. you pay the price, because you want quality reception, and you want more choice of channels.

prices are def. overinflated though.