Our experience except when boondocking and then you'd need a
12v TV, is that usually there's either cable or broadcast TV. When it comes from a translator in a more remote area, often the reception is poor. I doubt a rabbit ears would work well inside.
Radio (which is
12v.) can often pickup something and we look for PBS stations because we are into the news. When we have cable, we also look for news channels. We have rarely seen newspapers (except sometimes some very local ones in which we have no interest) at campgrounds unlike motels which often have USA Today. TV and radio is the only source of what's going on.
Whatever you do, leave the wires as you may be using them in the future for satellite connections for internet or radio or TV. You can't know what you (or the next owner) will want in a few years. If you can't use the old wires for that, if you're very lucky you may be able to use them to fish through newer wires, although from what I understand that's very difficult.
I think the day of non truckers using CB is long gone. Walkie talkies are now easily available.
Sorry to hear about your leaks and hope you get them solved soon.
Gene