Generally speaking without a cable-card, QAM TVs will get the local channels HD and SD, sub-channels and access channels. Everything else is a "bonus".
In the Cincinnati area TWC has the following digital channels available on a QAM TV without a cable-card on the $12 tier:
5.1 Local NBC HD
5.2 Local NBC Weather Plus
9.1 Local ABC HD
---9.2 is not available though the same content is on an analog channel
12.1 Local CBS HD
12.3 Local CW
19.1 Local Fox HD
19.2 The Tube (Music Videos)
48.1 PBS HD (not the same as the SD channel)
48.2 PBS Create (Disgital SD)
48.3 PBS Kids Go! (Digital sub-SD)
54.1 KET1 / Local PBS (Digital SD)
54.2 KET2 (Kentucky Learning Netork)
54.3 KET3
54.5 Ky House of Reps (part-time)
54.6 Ky Senate (Part-time)
81.1, 81.2, 81.3, 81.6, 81.7 (Local access channels)
81.5 EWTN (SD)
81.6 TBN (SD)
931 Local PBS (same content as local analog pbs channel 48)
932 CET Teach (PBS-The Ohio Channel)
969 TNT HD
970 Discovery HD
The analog side has about the same stuff on it for the lifeline-basic service.
2 - Leased access.
3 - local Fox
4 - Educational access
5 - CSPAN
6 - Local NBC
7 - Local ABC
8 - Local PBS (48)
9 - CSPAN 2
10 - HSN
11 - Local MyTV/Indy station
12 - Weather (Same as OTA 9.2)
13 - local CBS
14 - Local PBS (Oxford)
15 - Public Access 1
16 - Local PBS (Dayton, OH)
17 - EWTN
18 - TBN
19 - QVC
20 - Local CW
21 - Local PBS (Covington/KET1)
22 - Public Access 2
23 - Government Access
24 - Metro Access
25 - E! Entertainment TV (not technically part of the tier but it is comes through)
However a "Basic" sevice (a level higher) has a ton more channels similar to Dish AT200 without the music channels in both channel selection and price!
With a cable-card, you can get anything available on cable (digital only) except for the program guide, PPV and interactive channels.
See ya
Tony