Sutro Tower. That big red-and-white trident in the fog. It's not just an iconic piece of the skyline — it's a free content delivery system beaming dozens of HD channels directly to your television, no subscription required.

All you need is an HD antenna. We're talking $15-20 at any electronics store. Plug it in, run a channel scan, and suddenly you've got all the local network stations, three PBS channels, NHK (great Japanese programming, by the way), and a handful of other channels you didn't know existed. One SF resident who cut the cord a decade ago says his antenna — missing its rabbit ears and held together by sheer willpower — is "still going strong" after ten years. That's roughly $0.17 per month of service. Try getting that ROI from your Peacock subscription.

Here's the kicker that most people don't realize: the picture quality from an over-the-air signal is actually better than what you get through cable. Cable companies compress their signals to cram more channels through the pipe. An antenna pulls the uncompressed broadcast straight from the tower. Your TV is literally capable of more than your cable box lets it show you.

Now, there's a small catch — NBC's signal reportedly comes from the South Bay, which can require some antenna repositioning depending on where you live. But for the vast majority of channels, Sutro Tower has you covered if you're anywhere in San Francisco proper.

We spend a lot of time in this city talking about the cost of living and how everything is engineered to extract maximum dollars from residents. Meanwhile, a 47-story tower is broadcasting free, high-definition television to anyone willing to spend less than the price of a burrito. No login screens. No password sharing crackdowns. No ads asking if you want to upgrade to the premium tier.

Sometimes the best fiscal decision is the dumbest piece of technology in the room.