I had purchased an AVerMedia USB TV tuner for my laptop back in '08 to do exactly as you planned in our Roadtrek (http://www.avermedia-usa.com/AVerTV/product/ProductList.aspx?IID=3)
Really didn't use it much - just found it a hassle to hook it up every time to catch the news, etc. Still have it - it works quite well, just not convenient. Ended up replacing the CRT TV (thus freeing up cabinet space...) with a 19" LCD TV. BTW - weren't you travelling to AK with a cat in '08, too? IIRC, you had a microwave problem, right? We visited at a rest area in the Yukon! ST
