Mook...
You pretty much describe my tv experience in western Mass in the 50's/60's, and actually up to now.
We had an attic level (ie 2 1/2 story) exterior siding mounted pole, with rotor, holding vhf/uhf antennae. We routinely received the 4 major networks, ABC, CBS, NBC and DuMont. The signals were in the 30/60 mile range, with an occasional +/-100 mile signal from New Haven, CT. Oddly, we couldn't get Boston, MA only 90+ miles away.
Then, in the 60's came CATV (Community Area TeleVision), the primordial cable you cite. We didn't subscribe, but those who did got the same channels we did, plus the Boston, MA channels and the regulated requirement that Local Access channels were to be provided.
Ground, for better or worse, consisted of an 1/8th inch wire from antenna mast to an exterior water bibcock (I think, I'm writing this from memory).
In any event, this set up supports digital tv, according to my sister who still lives there.