Do you have cable?

anyonefortennis · #1 05-03-2011, 04:25 PM

My intro rate with TWC is up so my bill went up quite a bit. Considering canceling cable but I will miss comedy central, ESPN, etc.

Also considering satellite. Can anyone share experiences with dish and direct tv? Pricing changes, contracts, etc.

MatticusMania · #2 05-03-2011, 04:29 PM

My parents have Direct TV, but I dont know what they pay per month.

I have cable, but I can't say much more, google might be following me.

hover · #3 05-03-2011, 04:30 PM

I turned off cable. It was turning into a progressively more expensive ripoff. There are other avenues for content that are better and much cheaper. Hulu. Netflix. Boxee. look them up.

Think about it. Think of the shows you actually watch "religiously". Now take that number, and divide it into your monthly bill, assign a dollar amount to each show, and ask yourself if it's really worth that much to watch that show right then and there. It certainly was not for me for the two or three shows I watched regularly... 25 bucks a month, per show? I'll wait and watch it on Hulu, thanks.

MatticusMania · #4 05-03-2011, 04:35 PM

I have only 1 or 2 shows I really like to watch, and I dont necessarily need cable to watch them. My fiancee has many. The cost per show is pretty damn good (I mean, you don't beat $0).

TJ55 · #5 05-03-2011, 04:35 PM

I have thought many times about cancelling mine but I cannot do with out the ESPN family and other sports on TV.

Fat.Mike · #6 05-03-2011, 04:39 PM

Been without cable for a year now. Conclusion? Your standards go down. You will watch more PBS. And after time, you most likely will not miss it. (all IMO) However, when you are at a house with cable, it is awesome. No Reruns if you missed it the first time!

PS. also a netflix, hulu user.

TheSuzie · #7 05-03-2011, 04:52 PM

No cable since about 1996 when I got it for a few months while recovering from back surgery. All that stuff is way too expensive.

tastybasslines · #8 05-03-2011, 05:09 PM

This makes sense.

However, I just cannot do without ESPN and sports. If I could, that would be it.

for now, my bill is about 100 a month, with HBO, $9 for the cable box rental, and internet access.

I would love to find some other solution, but no sports.

I have watched some sports on Justin.tv - Streaming live video broadcasts for everyone before, which is pretty cool.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

I turned off cable. It was turning into a progressively more expensive ripoff. There are other avenues for content that are better and much cheaper. Hulu. Netflix. Boxee. look them up.

Think about it. Think of the shows you actually watch "religiously". Now take that number, and divide it into your monthly bill, assign a dollar amount to each show, and ask yourself if it's really worth that much to watch that show right then and there. It certainly was not for me for the two or three shows I watched regularly... 25 bucks a month, per show? I'll wait and watch it on Hulu, thanks.

Pilgrim · #9 05-03-2011, 05:12 PM

went satellite with DirecTV about 1996, and still with it. not cheap, but good service. be aware that heavy rains will cut the feed...no avoiding it because the drops block the signal.

blendermassacre · #10 05-03-2011, 05:15 PM

avid netflix / hulu / youtube user here. I don't even own a TV, and don't miss it for a second. I read a lot more and practice bass A LOT more.

tastybasslines · #11 05-03-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

I turned off cable. It was turning into a progressively more expensive ripoff. There are other avenues for content that are better and much cheaper. Hulu. Netflix. Boxee. look them up.

Think about it. Think of the shows you actually watch "religiously". Now take that number, and divide it into your monthly bill, assign a dollar amount to each show, and ask yourself if it's really worth that much to watch that show right then and there. It certainly was not for me for the two or three shows I watched regularly... 25 bucks a month, per show? I'll wait and watch it on Hulu, thanks.

can you get like True Blood and HBO shows on Hulu?

Corporate Boy · #12 05-03-2011, 05:19 PM

I currently don't have cable, but if you do be sure to remember when your promo deal expires. This is the discuount you get for the next 6 months. If you call them up and say it is too expensive without the promo, they will usually extend it for another 6 months. If they don't, switch to a competing company, who offers a promo. Mention their deal, somewhere along the cancellation process they will offer you a competing. They always do, but you have to be persstant. If not switch to the competitor. This works with Comcast.

I usually can watch most commedy central stuff online somewhere. Southpark, Daily Show, etc. Hulu and Netflix has most movies. If you are patient, they will eventually make their rounds to where you can see them. I love the HBO series, which I can get via DVD through Netflix for $10 a month. What kills me is sports. I only really care about NFL. I can pick up the local stations without cable, but ESPN is not there. I guess I will be social and hang out at a bar on monday nights.

fdeck · #13 05-03-2011, 05:23 PM

Never had cable. My upright bass has a lower cost of ownership, and is more entertaining.

warwick.hoy · #14 05-03-2011, 05:24 PM

I don't have cable and haven't for going on two years. With the exception of a few channels; cable is a wasteland. The only thing that sucks about not having it is I get blacked out of Hockey Games that are telecast on Versus even though I pay ~$150 for a seasons worth of NHL Gamecenter Live (legal good quality computer streaming). It's a monopoly blackout thing,...I despise it but I don't wanna get on my soapbox.

My biggest thing with cable is,...you essentially pay for something that is on 24/7/365. I feel like unless you are watching it 12 hours a day,...you really aren't getting your money's worth out of it. That's just IMO.

I have Netflix streaming to my Wii. It's cheap,...goes onto my (old and not Digital) TV,...I can watch the TV shows that interest me (for the most part) when I want, there are no commercials. It's well worth the 12 bucks a month.

A.Diva · #15 05-03-2011, 05:29 PM

Nope. And don't miss it or the $145/month expenditure.

The stuff I really enjoy is either on Netflix or iTunes.

I did keep the 6MB internet though. $35/month

Must have my interwebz!!!!

Ursus Tyrannus · #16 05-03-2011, 05:30 PM

Been without cable 4 years this summer. No altruistic "TV is bad for you" reasons, I just couldn't afford it. I was only watching one show regularly anyway. Funny thing is, when I go over my friends house and the TV is on I don't miss the shows, but I really miss commercials.

jkramer5 · #17 05-03-2011, 05:31 PM

Yep, every once 3-4 years I switch providers to check out the new tech an get a intro rate.

hover · #18 05-03-2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tastybasslines

can you get like True Blood and HBO shows on Hulu?

No. But that is because HBO is an additional pay service on top of cable. Which is why I've always been a supporter of per-channel pricing options for cable, exclusive of tiers nonsense... which is something they simply will not do on cable. I do NOT need 13 shopping networks, or 5 religious networks, or a t.v.guide channel. or the "music" stations. But still had to pay for them. F that noise. I would only buy 3-4 channelsif given the option...

tastybasslines · #19 05-03-2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corporate Boy

I currently don't have cable, but if you do be sure to remember when your promo deal expires. This is the discuount you get for the next 6 months. If you call them up and say it is too expensive without the promo, they will usually extend it for another 6 months. If they don't, switch to a competing company, who offers a promo. Mention their deal, somewhere along the cancellation process they will offer you a competing. They always do, but you have to be persstant. If not switch to the competitor. This works with Comcast.

I usually can watch most commedy central stuff online somewhere. Southpark, Daily Show, etc. Hulu and Netflix has most movies. If you are patient, they will eventually make their rounds to where you can see them. I love the HBO series, which I can get via DVD through Netflix for $10 a month. What kills me is sports. I only really care about NFL. I can pick up the local stations without cable, but ESPN is not there. I guess I will be social and hang out at a bar on monday nights.

GREAT idea. I only get HBO for the series. I can wait and get them via my DVD.

I also can connect my computer to my TV via HDMI and stream right to my TV. It's true, I just don't watch alot of TV, except for sports.

I have my order in for cable yesterday for my new place, they are coming to install on Saturday. I really only need internet I guess! I game lot too so TV is less of a priority.

Maybe I should drop cable...

MJ5150 · #20 05-03-2011, 06:10 PM

I'm a sports junkie, have to have cable. But I do have an appointment on my calendar to call Comcast every six months so they will keep extending the promo rate we got a couple years ago. With Comcast, if you have a friend with an awesome deal, you can call in and give them your friends name, and as long as you get the exact same package and the services are available in your hood, you can get the same price.

I have friends who only subscribe to cable during the playoffs of their favorite sport.

-Mike