Rabbit ears make comeback in digital TV era

People are rediscovering the convenience -- and economics -- of the old-fashioned TV antenna. In the wake of the transition to digital television, some viewers are finding they can get nearly three times as many channels as they once could with an antenna. And rather than the erratic, fuzzy reception of yesteryear, today's rabbit ears are capable of delivering a surprisingly clear high-definition picture. Best of all, it's free. In these penny-pinching times, watching TV over the airwaves is becoming an increasingly attractive option for many households, particularly among the Los Angeles region's minority communities. Although the number of households with antennas in the U.S. fell slightly in the last year, nearly 20,000 Asian American homes in the region began using rabbit ears, and 8,000 African Americans switched to over-the-air TV, according to the media research firm Nielsen Co. Nearly a quarter of Latino households with televisions, or about 440,000 homes, already tune in with an antenna -- the most of any demographic group in the area. About 11% of U.S. households -- or about 13 million homes -- watch over-the-air broadcasts. But watching TV over the airwaves has begun to appeal to a broader audience. (12/25)