Hi,
Back in 1992, when laws were passed to allow cable regulation, it became permissible for cable stations on basic and standard tiers to charge providers for their content, which had previously been provided OTA for free.
The rate increases have now gotten completely out of control for all the cable, dish, and U-Verse providers. Now, with the move to all-digital technology and to prevent cable theft, a rented cable box will soon be required. Tuning adaptors and cable cards have gotten increasingly more unreliable. If you want, true free, you have to go OTA and get an antenna.
Satch