We haven't had cable/satellite for more than 6 months of the last 10 years (When satellite was new they pushed it by giving trial offers, cable did this too). At the end of every free period I had to ask myself: Is this really improving the quality of my life? Would I be a happier person if I had easy access to this and was paying for it? Answer: no.

Broadcast TV: It's free, largely HD, in a dozen different languages, and there are a ton of PBS stations showing BBC stuff.

Netflix streaming: Oh so many things to watch, at exactly the time you feel like it, for about $10/month. I'm slowly working my way through 30-rock.

Internets: Things like sidereel.com are good for all those HBO/Showtime/Etc shows if you have to have it now, albeit at a lower quality.

What GD said. We got rid of all but the most basic cable some time ago, and then our TV went on the fritz. We haven't gotten around to replacing it, but we got the itch to watch some Giants games, so I signed up for MLB.com video for a month, went to watch a game and got hit with an "Ah, you suck, your home market's blacked out; go watch the Nationals play the Royals" message.

So we ponder on and listen to the radio--or the MLB.com audio feed which gives better reception.

I wonder, if Chris went ahead and did this, how long it would take me to notice?

Not owning a TV set, I've been limited to online content for a few years now. I'm happier and more productive by a considerable measure since. Others mileage will vary, but if someone showed up at my door with a free 48 inch HDTV and full satellite service, I don't know if I'd accept.

Yeah, a 48 inch tv is waaay too small.

Okay for the bedroom

We dumped cable 3 months ago. Haven't missed it yet.

about 90 minutes into the process of dumping cable. the online chat/help was the first responder while I sat on hold, but they could only add services and not subtract them. Meanwhile finally got a live person at about the 50 minute mark. We reviewed the bundles, all of which are more expensive that what I have now though they include more features I don't care about. Finally settled on something, but the guy was having "system issues" so he got my cell number and said he'd call back.

I understand why they do this, but I still hate it.

Whenever I need to change services or stop service with cable I find it easier to just go to the local office. At least with Comcast that has always been pretty painless.

I have Verizon FiOS - so I want everything else, just not the TV - anyway, no call back so I'll try again tomorrow...