Ion Television is a superb network if you are a fan of shows such as Blue Bloods, Law, and Order, along with other procedural dramas. The system concentrates on syndicated programming, frequently playing unique content for 8-10 hours at one time. In our cable, along with the satellite-dominated planet, it’s easy to overlook that satellite and cable TV aren’t the only ways for watching TV. Over-the-air (OTA) TV is the earliest type of television broadcasting, utilizing strong radio signals to send the content directly into a TV.
And guess what? OTA TV is free. You do not require a cable subscription, online streaming services, or another paid service to have the OTA stations in your town. But if you are cutting the cable and ditching your own cable business, you might not be sure how to watch Ion TV without cable. Well, do not worry. You won’t need to skip out on your favorite show simply because you needed to spend less on your monthly cable bill. Throughout your reading, you will find out how to watch Ion TV without cable.
How ION TV Works
Keep in mind that Ion Media has roughly 62 OTA stations across the country it owns and operates. It also has a vast distribution system of cable and satellite providers, as well as affiliate distributors. Ion TV is consequently available to customers through some distribution methods.
What’s interesting, however, is the fact that Ion utilizes just a single broadcast signal to provide six different stations “over the air.” It does so within a process referred to as multiplexing, which essentially combines several other signals into a single one. Other networks which use this specific method does generally limit the number of stations. This truth alone is what causes Ion TV to be very different.
Where Is ION TV Available
Even though Ion TV is offered at 73 percent of United States families, you won’t locate it in every US TV marketplace. The table below reveals the TV channel, station, State, and TV marketplace that conveys Ion TV. Ion TV possesses three TV stations, Ion TV, Ion TV Plus, and Qubo (Ion’s child’s station). These stations may seem on sub-channels (e.g., 68.1, 68.2, 68.3) or even become around more than one station in your town. Because of this, some towns will detect over one Ion TV station.
We are listing the markets that are eligible for detecting Ion TV stations.
| Chicago | Philadelphia | Washington, D.C. (Hagerstown) |
| Lexington | Houston | Grand Rapids-Kalmzoo-B. Crk |
| Spokane | Indianapolis | Orlando-Daytona Bch-Melbourn |
| Syracuse | San Antonio | San Francisco-Oak-SanJose |
| Boise | Milwaukee West | Wilkes-Barre-Scranton-Hztn |
| Pittsburgh | Greensboro, H. | Norfolk-Portsmth-Newpt Nws |
| Jacksonville | Phoenix (Prescott) | Greenville-N.Bern-Washington |
| Memphis | Kansas City | Sacramento-Stkton-Modesto Portland-Auburn |
| Denver | Cedar Rapids | Birmingham (Ann and Tusc) |
| Dallas | Oklahoma City | Hartford & New Haven |
| Tulsa | Point-W. Salem | Wausau-Rhinelander |
| Dayton | Portland, OR | Cleveland-Akron (Canton) |
| Buffalo | New Orleans | Albany-Schenectady-Troy |
| Honolulu | Seattle-Tacoma | Raleigh-Durham (Fayetteville) |
| Atlanta | Salt Lake City | Tampa-St.Pete (Sarasota) |
| Detroit | Columbus, OH | Cleveland-Akron (Canton) |
| St. Louis | Columbia, SC | Miami-Ft. Lauderdale |
| Nashville | Wtrlo-IWC&Dub | Providence-New Bedford |
| Las Vegas | Roanoke-Lynchburg | Palm Beach-Ft.Pierce |
| Knoxville | Boston (Manchester) | Charleston-Huntington |
| Des Moines | Minneapolis-St.Paul |
How to Watch ION TV Without Cable
Everyone nowadays uses satellite and cable TV to see their favorite shows. However, many individuals often forget that there is a third choice, great old Over-The-Air (OTA tv), including Ion TV. It’s 100% free! That is true. No need to get a fancy satellite or cable TV bundle.
OTA is the earliest type of TV broadcasting. It operates by transmitting strong radio signals “on the air” straight to a TV. Therefore, you may get HD stations, such as Ion TV, lawfully without needing to pay a dime. The very best part? Finding all these will not cost you over $100. Here is the incremental procedure on how to watch Ion TV without cable.
Step 1: Assess Your Location
First, you’ll want to check out where you are. While Ion TV encompasses about 74% of all U.S. households, it will have some noteworthy coverage openings. These include Maryland, Toledo, Baltimore, San Diego, California, Ohio, Cincinnati. Amongst others, Antenna Web is a fantastic selection for checking your place and viewing what OTA stations you can get.
Step 2: Shop for an Antenna
Next, you will have to acquire an antenna. This is what’s going to allow you to get OTA broadcasts. And things have shifted slightly since the times of “rabbit ears.” Here is what you would want to grasp when searching for an antenna. You will find indoor and outdoor antennas available for a firm cost, generally from $20-$40. You won’t have to spend on free HD channels.
Step 3 (Optional): Locate a TV Tuner and DVR
Most modern TVs include an integrated mic, which means you don’t necessarily require a TV tuner to see your programs. You have to plug in your antenna and get started! But should you invest in a TV tuner with a built-in DVR, you can record your favorite shows to see them later and even watch TV on your cell devices. Our recommended tuner is HDHomeRun.
HDHomeRun : The HDHomeRun TV tuner attaches directly to your antenna and TV. It transmits digital OTA television content via your home WiFi network. All it requires is to plug it in and set it up; also, you’re able to get OTA TV on pretty much every app. It is possible to watch TV on your Mac or PC, Android and iOS device, Xbox One, PS3 and PS4, and several more supported platforms. HDHomeRun does include DVR functionality. However, you’ll need to purchase a $35 annual subscription to unlock it.
Step 4: Scan Channels
Follow the directions on your TV or your TV tuner to scan for channels. Your antenna will start searching for broadcast networks that you can get in your area. Following the scanning process is done, you will proceed to the next step.
Step 5: Watch Ion TV Without Cable
That is it! Once you’ve set up your OTA antenna, your TV tuner, and your DVR, you are prepared to see Ion TV without cable.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Question)
Does ION TV have an app?
Yes. Ion TV has its app for both Ios and Android platforms. The app is free to use and provides users with network and programming information, including Series, episode & cast write-ups, Nightly schedule lineup, Show photography & promo videos, Social sharing capabilities, Alerts for your favorite shows. The Ion Television app also allows you access to the ION Insiders section, where you’ll be able to access the ION Kitchen, ION@Home, and Give Hope sections.
Can I Watch ION TV on my computer?
Yes, you can watch Ion TV on your PC. But you’ll be needing a TV tuner for it. The TV tuner connects directly to your antenna and TV, also implements electronic OTA television content through your house Wi-Fi network. All you need to do is plug it in and set this up. After it’s been set up, you can use your browser to surf through their station and watch your favorite shows online.
Does AT&T have ION TV?
Yes, the renowned wireless service provider AT&T has an Ion TV station on their network. If you subscribe to their network, you get the eligibility to get the Ion TV plan. Some plans do offer free Ion TV stations. Though it depends on the location you are residing in. Not all regions provide subscriptions for Ion TV. So you better check if AT&T in your area offers an Ion TV subscription.
What happened to ION TV on dish network
In 2014, Dish eliminated the federal east coast and west coast feeds of Ion Television from its lineup. The feeds were on 216, and 217 were replaced using a state along with the significant news-press information listings. But as we are in 2021, it is again on the air on feed number 250 on the Dish network, and we are hoping this inconvenience will not occur again as their contract seems to be stronger than before.
Did ION TV go off the air?
Ion TV is amongst the most popular online TV platform that can operate without cable. But the matter of fact is, it did go off the air several times in the past on different networks or service providers. But the good thing is their support team worked on it rigorously and found out the solution. All you need to do is rescan the programs that your antenna transmits, and it should get on the air again.
