Antennas are only an option if you live where you can pick up the signals. Some of us can't pick up over the air transmissions, even with antennas, due to distance or terrain or both.
The history of the transition from analog to digital OTA TV is very interesting. Anyone who cares to can Goggle up lots of info.
When TV stations, following FCC mandated timelines, shut down their high powered analog transmitters and huge, elevated to the clouds, antennas, they often replaced them with much lower powered transmitters and smaller, lower antennas. They envisioned few viewers watching OTA and therefore tried to avoid buying costly, high powered transmitters and paying rent on skyscrappers for antenna space. Most also moved frequency from VHF to UHF (if they were on VHF to begin with) and the path loss over UHF can be greater than VHF.
Therefore, even here in an urban area, it's more difficult to receive TV sigs than before the transition. Although, if you can receive a digital signal at a minimum level, the quality is great!
Here in the Chicago suburbs, I could easily receive all broadcasting analog TV signals with a set-top indoor antenna. Now, with digital, things are a bit fussier. Most of the stations come in OK, but several require repositioning the antenna. And a couple don't come in at all on my indoor antenna regardless of fidgeting, aiming, etc.
I'm planning an outdoor antenna installation this spring just to end the constant tweaking and fiddling with the indoor antenna. I'll also be rewiring some of the house with better quality coax to lower losses. I'll be getting all the major networks, 3 PBS stations (one of these is the reason for the outdoor antenna) and a number of independents.
But I'll still have the "sports" issue. Here in Chicago, only Da Bears are on OTA regularly (except Mon PM games). Cubs, Sox, Blackhawks, Bulls, Fire, Wolves and most college games are on cable. Smart move by the cable operators. I'm not a sports junkie by any means. But I admit, just going without cold turkey is not an appealing thought.