Quitting Cable - Page 2

Brendan · 06-04-2011, 12:19 PM

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.

Strangler Lewis · 06-04-2011, 04:34 PM

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.

Not Afraid · 06-05-2011, 12:13 PM

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

flippyshark · 06-05-2011, 01:20 PM

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.

CoasterMatt · 06-05-2011, 03:24 PM

Yeah, a 48 inch tv is waaay too small.

Morrigoon · 06-05-2011, 09:30 PM

Okay for the bedroom

DreadPirateRoberts · 06-06-2011, 11:01 AM

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

€uroMeinke · 06-10-2011, 08:23 PM

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.

Alex · 06-10-2011, 10:35 PM

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.

€uroMeinke · 06-10-2011, 11:15 PM

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

06-04-2011, 12:19 PM	#11
Brendan Frood Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Brea Posts: 15	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.
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06-04-2011, 04:34 PM	#12
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	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. __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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06-05-2011, 12:13 PM	#13
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	I wonder, if Chris went ahead and did this, how long it would take me to notice?
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06-05-2011, 01:20 PM	#14
flippyshark Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,852	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.
	Submit to Quotes

06-05-2011, 03:24 PM	#15
CoasterMatt BRAAAAAAAINS! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: One Step Beyond... Posts: 8,802	Yeah, a 48 inch tv is waaay too small. __________________ Do you like my photography? Visit photosbymatt.tumblr.com to purchase prints!
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06-05-2011, 09:30 PM	#16
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	Okay for the bedroom __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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06-06-2011, 11:01 AM	#17
DreadPirateRoberts Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,483	We dumped cable 3 months ago. Haven't missed it yet.
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06-10-2011, 08:23 PM	#18
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	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. __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
	Submit to Quotes

06-10-2011, 10:35 PM	#19
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	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.
	Submit to Quotes

06-10-2011, 11:15 PM	#20
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	I have Verizon FiOS - so I want everything else, just not the TV - anyway, no call back so I'll try again tomorrow... __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
	Submit to Quotes