While I agree with the plan, it is irrelevant to the original question.
If the asker had cable or satellite, they wouldn't need to buy a new digital tuner.

I too prefer to pay Netflix instead of cable/satellite for the rare quality TV show.

However, I do like to have access to free over the air TV for the occasional sports championship, favorite band appearance on late night TV, or just letting the kids watch some PBS. So I can understand why the poster is still interested in how to continue getting free TV.