My basic cable TV+ internet bill (no phone) is $150/month. I am looking into dumping cable TV altogether. Once upon a time I had satellite to get FSTV (and the Voom channel's Monster's HD). But then Dish dropped VOOM meaning no more Monsters HD. Daily loss of signal meant I was paying to NOT watch anything. I went to Cable TV. But, I can get Democracy Now on my laptop. Cable keeps going up without any corresponding increase in service. So... Who needs cable TV? Here is the kicker, though. I have been streaming lots of content from Netflix through my Mac and XBox 360. I keep getting messages that my movie/program is being interrupted bc my speed has dropped. With what I pay for Internet service I should have this issue. It is appalling to live in the US and have third rate internet service, for which, BTW, we pay through the n0se! My next expense is a Roku box with Hulu. It's amazing that so many people have already dumped their satellite or cable TV service. I thought I was alone until I looked into Roku and found out otherwise. I am pretty sick of being bled dry with little or nothing to show for it. I will miss PBS and hope I can get that and History Channel, Discovery ID and Science via Hulu.
Maria J. - 13 years ago
There wasn't an option for what I've *already* done, i.e. dramatically downgraded our cable. Like others here, we maintain cable for our internet use. I'd say I turn on TV programming 5 or 6 times a year. We used to watch SOPRANOS on HBO, then CURB YOUR E., but lost interest in the rest of it. Previously, it was old POIROT & SHERLOCK HOLMES episodes on A&E, but they're long gone. The last time we watched actual current programming was around 9/11! Netflix streaming is all we need for entertainment-- but we need something for the internet connetion.
john - 13 years ago
clarification needed... never went back to cable TELEVISION. i use cable as my high-speed internet access only. But i subscribe to the highest speed, unlimited connection so the cable company's not complaining about my lack of tv channels.
john - 13 years ago
Subscriber of netflix since it started back in 97. Never went back to cable. Seriously.
What i can't get off netflix i supplement now with redbox.
No need to file-share, that drives cinema prices up.
Melanie - 13 years ago
I hate the fishbowl. We watch whatever they drop in. I usually resent my options since I live in America and expect better than stale "bread." I hate cable.
I wanted to drop cable, but if I do that my bill is only affected by $5. Yep. Dumping cable and keeping the internet/phone part of comcast reduces my bill by only $5. Don't get me started on how much the internet price goes up if I drop the phone as well. O.o
Mel - 13 years ago
I'm not thinking of dropping cable because I already have the cheapest plan. I supplement it with iTunes subscriptions and Netflix streaming.
Since my plan costs less than $20/month instead of $100/month, I find it's affordable enough. Even when an entire season on iTunes runs $30+, I still save a ton of money.
My basic cable TV+ internet bill (no phone) is $150/month. I am looking into dumping cable TV altogether. Once upon a time I had satellite to get FSTV (and the Voom channel's Monster's HD). But then Dish dropped VOOM meaning no more Monsters HD. Daily loss of signal meant I was paying to NOT watch anything. I went to Cable TV. But, I can get Democracy Now on my laptop. Cable keeps going up without any corresponding increase in service. So... Who needs cable TV? Here is the kicker, though. I have been streaming lots of content from Netflix through my Mac and XBox 360. I keep getting messages that my movie/program is being interrupted bc my speed has dropped. With what I pay for Internet service I should have this issue. It is appalling to live in the US and have third rate internet service, for which, BTW, we pay through the n0se! My next expense is a Roku box with Hulu. It's amazing that so many people have already dumped their satellite or cable TV service. I thought I was alone until I looked into Roku and found out otherwise. I am pretty sick of being bled dry with little or nothing to show for it. I will miss PBS and hope I can get that and History Channel, Discovery ID and Science via Hulu.
There wasn't an option for what I've *already* done, i.e. dramatically downgraded our cable. Like others here, we maintain cable for our internet use. I'd say I turn on TV programming 5 or 6 times a year. We used to watch SOPRANOS on HBO, then CURB YOUR E., but lost interest in the rest of it. Previously, it was old POIROT & SHERLOCK HOLMES episodes on A&E, but they're long gone. The last time we watched actual current programming was around 9/11! Netflix streaming is all we need for entertainment-- but we need something for the internet connetion.
clarification needed... never went back to cable TELEVISION. i use cable as my high-speed internet access only. But i subscribe to the highest speed, unlimited connection so the cable company's not complaining about my lack of tv channels.
Subscriber of netflix since it started back in 97. Never went back to cable. Seriously.
What i can't get off netflix i supplement now with redbox.
No need to file-share, that drives cinema prices up.
I hate the fishbowl. We watch whatever they drop in. I usually resent my options since I live in America and expect better than stale "bread." I hate cable.
I wanted to drop cable, but if I do that my bill is only affected by $5. Yep. Dumping cable and keeping the internet/phone part of comcast reduces my bill by only $5. Don't get me started on how much the internet price goes up if I drop the phone as well. O.o
I'm not thinking of dropping cable because I already have the cheapest plan. I supplement it with iTunes subscriptions and Netflix streaming.
Since my plan costs less than $20/month instead of $100/month, I find it's affordable enough. Even when an entire season on iTunes runs $30+, I still save a ton of money.
I do kind of miss Food Network, though.