Cable, internet, antenna.... ugh

[AMB444]

Ok anyone just give up on keeping cable, internet or antenna and just opt to have the TV off?

Anyone like me that doesn't really like what is on TV anymore and just go without?

Not sure what I'm trying to ask here. :undecided: I just don't want to pay a lot for cable and am considering just having that darned TV OFF!

If anyone has any suggestions for cheap TV viewing feel free to add... :popcorn:

I'm not well versed on all this new fangled stuff like Roku, fire stick, smart TV, etc.

Getting a good antenna might be the way to go but from what I've read here you have to get a "booster" or "amp"? I'm so confused... :laugh:

[Tom52]

If you already have and plan to continue keeping internet, I would recommend getting a ROKU box for $20-$30 and get a streaming service like YouTubeTV for about $82.50 per month including tax. Spend some time familiarizing yourself how it works. It really is pretty simple. You will get as many or more viewing options than with basic cable. If you have Amazon Prime you can get their app at no extra cost to stream lots of movies and series.

[Topspinmo]

Ok anyone just give up on keeping cable, internet or antenna and just opt to have the TV off?

Anyone like me that doesn't really like what is on TV anymore and just go without?

Not sure what I'm trying to ask here. :undecided: I just don't want to pay a lot for cable and am considering just having that darned TV OFF!

If anyone has any suggestions for cheap TV viewing feel free to add... :popcorn:

I'm not well versed on all this new fangled stuff like Roku, fire stick, smart TV, etc.

Getting a good antenna might be the way to go but from what I've read here you have to get a "booster" or "amp"? I'm so confused... :laugh:

I think you know what’s going on?

Only for antennas in attic, put outside and antenna up get all local channels, it’s, you’re right and not against any law. You can get basic cable starting around 40 bucks month and stream with Roku or fire stick for upfront price around 40 bucks. That will save you at least 160 bucks month and still have TV.

[villagetinker]

OP, you might want to make contact with the Connected Villager Club, I believe they have a lot of info on this subject.

[CarlR33]

If you have a smart TV try Pluto Tv it has a lot of old reruns like old westerns and 60’s trough the 80’s stuff and it’s free.

[Foxtrot]

We only watch netflix, which we get for free from T-Mobile.

All we need.

[LuLinn]

I really think you need internet. In the old days, everyone didn't have indoor plumbing or electricity but society has developed past that and just like those services, internet is logically becoming a service most of us need, especially for email. I can't imaging being without it. I do everything on the internet, pay all my bills, manage all my services. I recognize not everyone is comfortable with that but services will move that way whether we like it or not. Why not just keep basic internet and have a neighbor help you set up some free services? It sounds like you don't really care if you have television or not so sign up for a free channel such a Tubi, Pluto, etc. You will need an email address for any free television service but I don't think you can live without an email address and backup email address in 2024 anyway. Be sure and save those passwords. A friendly neighbor can help you down the road when you get stumped. Repetition in learning will benefit you as it does many of us in our senior years. Even at work, I need a little handholding when I sign on to a service I don't use frequently. Good luck to you. Many of us experience some frustration as we learn new things.

[New Englander]

If you have internet at home get a Roku device and you can stream several FREE streaming services. I think the best free streaming service is The Roku Channel.

[MrFlorida]

Internet and Roku

[PersonOfInterest]

Ok anyone just give up on keeping cable, internet or antenna and just opt to have the TV off?

Anyone like me that doesn't really like what is on TV anymore and just go without?

Not sure what I'm trying to ask here. :undecided: I just don't want to pay a lot for cable and am considering just having that darned TV OFF!

If anyone has any suggestions for cheap TV viewing feel free to add... :popcorn:

I'm not well versed on all this new fangled stuff like Roku, fire stick, smart TV, etc.

Getting a good antenna might be the way to go but from what I've read here you have to get a "booster" or "amp"? I'm so confused... :laugh:

Get Internet service for about $50/month then look at various offerings like Netflix, Hulu, Paramount etc. There are also free channels Peacock, Freevee, etc.
OR leave the TV off and find another hobby.

[La lamy]

Samsung Smart TVs come with hundreds of free channels. You need internet, but quite easy to set up.
Or just read and listen to music! Great alternatives to crappy TV.

[nn0wheremann]

Ok anyone just give up on keeping cable, internet or antenna and just opt to have the TV off?

Anyone like me that doesn't really like what is on TV anymore and just go without?

Not sure what I'm trying to ask here. :undecided: I just don't want to pay a lot for cable and am considering just having that darned TV OFF!

If anyone has any suggestions for cheap TV viewing feel free to add... :popcorn:

I'm not well versed on all this new fangled stuff like Roku, fire stick, smart TV, etc.

Getting a good antenna might be the way to go but from what I've read here you have to get a "booster" or "amp"? I'm so confused... :laugh:
Start here. Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/Yeceny-Outdoor-Amplified-Wireless-Rotation/dp/B09VFLC5L2)
If you live north, you’ll want to mount it as close to 30 feet off the ground as you can get, with a clear,unobstructed view toward Orlando. Down south, the height off the ground is not so critical.
Connect the antenna to the interface where your cable tv connects to the house.
70 or more channels, including some you are paying for on cable.
Internet connection via T-Mobile or Verizon is about $35 a month, wireless. You can go Roku or Firestick too, if you want to.

[sowilts]

Ok anyone just give up on keeping cable, internet or antenna and just opt to have the TV off?

Anyone like me that doesn't really like what is on TV anymore and just go without?

Not sure what I'm trying to ask here. :undecided: I just don't want to pay a lot for cable and am considering just having that darned TV OFF!

If anyone has any suggestions for cheap TV viewing feel free to add... :popcorn:

I'm not well versed on all this new fangled stuff like Roku, fire stick, smart TV, etc.

Getting a good antenna might be the way to go but from what I've read here you have to get a "booster" or "amp"? I'm so confused... :laugh:
Have an antenna over the garage. Works great.

[sowilts]

Have an antenna over the garage. Works great.
It is in the attic space in the garage. Out of sight.

[jrref]

My personal opinion is having an antenna is ridiculous. No only do you need to install it but then have to worry when we have storms and high winds. If you install in the attic then you probably have to play around with it. There are some that like having an antenna and that's fine but almost everyone has internet these days in their home. Most modern TVs have built-in apps to watch lots of fee streaming channels. If not, you can get any Roku, Amazon fire or AppleTV and you can get everything you want. Even regular YouTube which is free has tons of content. If you want what you had with cable, get YouTube TV. Almost any speed internet will work for a 2 person household here in the Villages.

[Carlsondm]

There is a lot to do here. We rarely watch tv, but have a few favorite shows. We cancelled Xfinity internet and tv, had John’s Antennas in Ocala install a great antenna and set us up for three tvs (~$800). The antenna is mounted outside near the A/C. Great reception. For special shows we have YouTube tv, which you can pause. You pay when you use it. Internet is now from Verizon ($55/mo). Xfinity still calls but at $190/ mon and rising they were outrageous.

[Kathryn Putt]

We got an antenna,stopped cable TV,and have apps for everything and are not disappointed. Good Luck

[gego3650]

antenna works great, we have 5 tv's and streaming can get expensive as some charge for each set.As far as sports I can find all on internet for free and watch on smart tv.

[gego3650]

antenna works great, we have 5 tv's and streaming can get expensive as some charge for each set.As far as sports I can find all on internet for free and watch on smart tv. so my cost is zero

[loreejl]

I have an outside antenna and pick up 94 channels, all free!!! Ran the cable feed to the existing cable left in place by Dish/Direct TV> Took $100 and an hour of my time.

[Battlebasset]

Search "Antenna" on this forum. You will find plenty of guidance.

I live in Fenny area. Antenna in my garage attic, with a booster in the garage itself as it feeds into my cable/phone/internet box. Tried an "all in one" in the attic, but it stopped working, I suspect the heat killed it. So separate booster outside of the attic. Very easy to connect, just read the instructions.

I get 60+ stations, about 30 that I might want to watch something on. Paid about $120 for the entire DIY set up. That plus some selected streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Prime, ESPN+) gives me all of the TV I need, along with all of the free ROKU streaming.

I can't think of any reason to buy one of the "cut the cord" cable packages. I didn't move to the Villages to watch TV. In 20 years when I'm in my 80's, maybe I will to watch all of the TV that I've "missed". I suspect it won't be much.

[ThirdOfFive]

///

[ThirdOfFive]

Ok anyone just give up on keeping cable, internet or antenna and just opt to have the TV off?

Anyone like me that doesn't really like what is on TV anymore and just go without?

Not sure what I'm trying to ask here. :undecided: I just don't want to pay a lot for cable and am considering just having that darned TV OFF!

If anyone has any suggestions for cheap TV viewing feel free to add... :popcorn:

I'm not well versed on all this new fangled stuff like Roku, fire stick, smart TV, etc.

Getting a good antenna might be the way to go but from what I've read here you have to get a "booster" or "amp"? I'm so confused... :laugh:
Not recently, but I did know a British couple about 15 years ago who lived in a town near the one back in Minnesota that I called home, who opted to ditch their TV because in their opinion American TV was stupidity-inducing (or words to that effect).

Judging from the events occurring since they made that decision, I'd say they were absolutely correct.

[UpNorth]

I put an antenna on my roof a few years ago. Works great, loads of free channels. But we rarely use it, since there are so many options to watch stuff "on demand" or recorded on a DVR. Can't stand to sit through commercials.

[rsmurano]

Your making your life to complicated to save a couple of $$. I’m a techie and have been streaming music and video for almost 20 years, but when I look at all the streaming services I would need to get all the different shows/sports I like to watch, I wouldn’t save any money over what I use now, and I have to remember which service provides what content.
When you buy a roku/firestick/Apple TV device, you get very little free content, most content you will need to subscribe/pay for

[MikeVillages]

My signature has a link to a thread about television in TV with comments from many with different point of views. I use the internet for free streaming and an antenna for live television (70+ channels mostly from Orlando). I use a DVR to time shift live television. However, living in TV, I have plenty of other things to do.

[MikeVillages]

My personal opinion is having an antenna is ridiculous. No only do you need to install it but then have to worry when we have storms and high winds. ...

I put up an antenna shotly after moving here. I think we had at least 3 nearby hurricanes with no issues. See the link in my signature for additional info.

[RoadToad]

There is a lot to do here. We rarely watch tv, but have a few favorite shows. We cancelled Xfinity internet and tv, had John’s Antennas in Ocala install a great antenna and set us up for three tvs (~$800). The antenna is mounted outside near the A/C. Great reception. For special shows we have YouTube tv, which you can pause. You pay when you use it. Internet is now from Verizon ($55/mo). Xfinity still calls but at $190/ mon and rising they were outrageous.

Xfinity has internet services for as little as $9 per month. A ROKU stick is $30. There are numerous free apps for ROKU that have free entertainment.
Several are in posts in this thread.

Hardly anyone needs those ridiculously high speed plans costing enormous amounts.

Firesticks are ok but Amazon uses them to bombard you with Ads.

Antenna Tv is great also. Even better if you have a DVR (e.g. Tablo, Silicon Dust, etc.)

[MikeVillages]

My personal opinion is having an antenna is ridiculous. No only do you need to install it but then have to worry when we have storms and high winds. ...

Antenna installed above peak of the hip roof. We now have had at least 4 nearby hurricanes including Milton with no issues. More info in my signature.