Cable TV - Cutting the Cord

[JourneyOfLife]

Keeping doing, what your doing, comes at a cost. With the technology wave, services can be had for less.

We will be dropping cable TV next year. We will retain our internet service... that is it. There are several reasons for it. But the two main reasons:

1) We do not get enough value for the amount spent. Partly because of the use of NetFlix.
2) We can get the same or similar services/show from lower cost alternatives.

Cable TV has turned into an overpriced entertainment solution.


We can view the same shows (we watch) for much less cost. Some of our viewing habits will change a little.. fine with us.

[tv2016]

I'm interested. How will you access TV shows?

[dewilson58]

I ended up going to Best Buy and purchasing an external antenna. It has a 50 mile range, for $100. I put it on a 2x2 8 foot board and I get +50 channels. All the basic channels are in HD. I was shocked. The kid at Best Buy said he purchased one a couple weeks ago and gets between 30 & 34 channels.............so I figured, What the Heck.

All in, $120. The payback is very quick.

[JourneyOfLife]

Over the air Broadcast, Netflix Stream + DVD, and Amazon Instant (for a few things).

When it comes to TV and movies, we are flexible.

[dewilson58]

Over the air Broadcast, Netflix Stream + DVD, and Amazon Instant (for a few things).

When it comes to TV and movies, we are flexible.

I hate to admit it, but the TV Rabbit is fun too. "As Seen On TV", right by the check-out counters..........it's fun.

[DDoug]

Be careful if you have Comcast and use streaming on the inter net they are going to start charging for it if you go over a set amount of gigs. They are starting to do that in Atlanta and other markets.

[Kahuna32162]

Even without the external antenna, all major networks, as well as most local stations, offer their full slate of shows online the next day to stream. CBS, ABC, NBC, PBS and most the major cable channels as well, like CNN, Discover and A&E. For $35, go to Best Buy and get a Chromecast attachment for your TV, it's very easy to install and allows you to wireless stream any thing from your laptop or PC from the Chrome browser. Now add Netflix or Hulu Plus, each 7.99 a month and everything is covered except sports. The MLB network offers a full season package for about $129 a season. The NFL Sunday ticket is pricey at about $300 a season. Most major College conferences offer most of their game, Big10, SEC, ACC to name a few, season subscriptions are around $7.99 a month. Don't forget you can also listen live to most any game that is broadcast live using apps like TunedIn. You can also listen to almost any radio station in the country (just in case your homesick for the local frigid forecast!)

There any many many options that would allow you to "cut the cable" it just depends where you want to cut corners. My DISH bill is about $110 a month and I feel it's worth it for the convenience of having everything I want in one package. We are all different and that's a good thing!

[JourneyOfLife]

Be careful if you have Comcast and use streaming on the inter net they are going to start charging for it if you go over a set amount of gigs. They are starting to do that in Atlanta and other markets.

If they do that, it will end up being short lived... maybe a year or two.

There are several likely outcomes:

1) Cable Companies in some areas have an exclusive deal and they can become regulated if the start gouging.

2) If they are the sole provider of home internet and they begin using one business (internet) to edge out competitors of other businesses (entertainment), they could end up with an anti-trust law suit from the competitors they impact.... Not that it would stop them from trying it. But if they lose, those businesses will seek to recover losses. following that, there might end up with a massive class action law suit from customers to recover the overpayment.

3) There are phone companies in most areas. Many are upgrading their old DSL service offering by laying down Fiber Optic lines. Any one raises the price too much just invites competitors in to make profit.

We have two internet providers in our area fighting for business.

[Kahuna32162]

"We have two internet providers in our area fighting for business."

I believe it's 3 and could soon be more.

Comcast
Brighthouse Networks (a Timer Warner company)
Century Link This is who I use, $39.95/month with a 5G speed

and soon the possibility of DishNet

[BarryRX]

There are some analysts that are predicting the death of the cable industry within 5 to 10 years. Our generation wont change. We've grown up watching tv and have had cable for many years. But increasingly, "cord cutters", those that have switched over to Hulu, Youtube, netflix, etc. have cut into the market. But even more than the cord cutters, the industry fears the "cord nevers" even more. These are the younger generation that have grown up getting their media on their phones and iPads and laptops. They have never paid for tv and see no reason not to. Remember the land line telephone. Just 8 years ago, everyone had one. Now, one-third of all homes don't even have a land line phone, and if they do it is often just there because it came bundled with their internet and cable service.

[tv2016]

Thank you, everyone. This is great information and nice to know so many alternatives are here now and more are coming our way.

[casita37]

This whole conversation is kind of over my head. Gracie was asking, in another thread, what classes we would like to see the Lifelong Learning College offer. I think I might call and suggest a class in the "latest" options for TV, Internet, phone, etc. I know I'm getting less than I should for my money, but I just don't know where to start.

[JourneyOfLife]

I think the cable TV industry is no longer the cable TV industry. They are a communications companies that offers Fixed Internet, telephone, entertainment services/devices for residential and business customers.

They are largely competing with traditional Phone companies. Some phone companies have entered the entertainment business (i.e., TV and Movies).

The profit margin for entertainment bundling (TV and Movies) is going to be thin for the middle man!

[Bavarian]

I think the cable TV industry is no longer the cable TV industry. They are a communications companies that offers Fixed Internet, telephone, entertainment services/devices for residential and business customers.

They are largely competing with traditional Phone companies. Some phone companies have entered the entertainment business (i.e., TV and Movies).

The profit margin for entertainment bundling (TV and Movies) is going to be thin for the middle man!

That started happening 15 years ago. (or more). New TV's are Smart and have connections to Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon, etc. built in. I also used a ROKU box, but can not find remote, still unpacking.

[zcaveman]

That started happening 15 years ago. (or more). New TV's are Smart and have connections to Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon, etc. built in. I also used a ROKU box, but can not find remote, still unpacking.

Just out of curiosity how does the smart TV get its connection to all of these features?

Out of the air or do they use cable/WiFi (ad hoc cable connections)?

Z

[mainlander]

This is an interesting concept... "cutting the cord". I have two friends who are also baby boomers and they went a step further,, the got rid of all TV's. They now say they send more time with their spouses, listen to the news on the radio,, go out to movies, are more active.. in general they have adapted to the situation quite admirably. Better than I would I suspect. However, I suspect this type of entertainment "surgery" would be best accomplished in "The Villages" (seriously). A friend of mine once explained the reason behind "bundling" which he described as a proven method to improve customer retention and nothing more. Furthermore you see the "push" for bundling from many sectors,, open a bank account and they bombard you with deals on life ins., home ins. credit cards. Same applies to cell phones,, they want to sell you bundles as well,, the theory is that any customer having three(3) services from the same provider lessens dramatically the chances that you will switch to another provider.. it works apparently. Yes,, the new generation (the We generation,, google "We Day") I suspect will change many, many things,, including the demise of the cable industry,, maybe a good "short" sometime in the future.

[LeeM]

I have been considering getting rid of my land line. However, its tough. I have had the same phone number for years. But it is running me $75 a month which isnt bad except I am also paying for wireless for 4 additional phones..at about $220 a month. And on top of that I have cable tv with internet and netflix.

[2BNTV]

Having grown up with television, as it was the new state of the art technology, I am somewhat addicted to it. Just can't live without watching sporting events. DirecTV does have a good product, for what I pay per month. Unfortunately, that is not an option, I want to explore.

It would be nice if one read books, and was out and about to fill their day. For some people, like me, I could do this, but would feel a part of my life would be missing something.

Like I said, I am a addict of television. I need to upgrade to a DVR type receiver, as I can sometimes can be enslaved, to what's being shown at a particular hour of the day. That's not a good thing.

[JourneyOfLife]

Here is a new development... looks like Time Warner may be selling their cable business.

Comcast eyes Time Warner Cable and unprecented market power - Fortune Tech (http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2013/11/25/comcast-eyes-time-warner-cable-and-unprecented-market-power/)

Smart move on their part to recognize they should jetison the cable TV business... get out while they can still get "today's stock value" for the business!

It was not their core business anyway.

[Ron1Z]

The only utility company that makes you pay for something that you don't want, and they call it bundling. I have about 200 channels and only use about 10.

[JourneyOfLife]

The only utility company that makes you pay for something that you don't want, and they call it bundling. I have about 200 channels and only use about 10.

That is a big part of the issue. Cable and Satellite TV services bundle channels such that people have to pay for channels they do not want.... to subsidize certain channels.

It really stings when people figure out that 5 of those 10 channels are broadcast over the air for free (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS).

That means the full cost of cable TV service is often for a handful of extra channels.

[jebartle]

a "gizmo" that will replace cable just like Magic Jack has replaced the phone!





There are some analysts that are predicting the death of the cable industry within 5 to 10 years. Our generation wont change. We've grown up watching tv and have had cable for many years. But increasingly, "cord cutters", those that have switched over to Hulu, Youtube, netflix, etc. have cut into the market. But even more than the cord cutters, the industry fears the "cord nevers" even more. These are the younger generation that have grown up getting their media on their phones and iPads and laptops. They have never paid for tv and see no reason not to. Remember the land line telephone. Just 8 years ago, everyone had one. Now, one-third of all homes don't even have a land line phone, and if they do it is often just there because it came bundled with their internet and cable service.

[jebartle]

Got Magic Jack $20 a YEAR, no need to change phone number either, unlimited long distance....I don't know why EVERYONE isn't hooked to MJ unless they are just SOOOO HOOKED to cell phones at a cost of $200 a month minimum! Isn't it strange that it wasn't that long ago that speaking to someone immediately, WAITED until we got home to the answering machine...and we never missed a beat!



I have been considering getting rid of my land line. However, its tough. I have had the same phone number for years. But it is running me $75 a month which isnt bad except I am also paying for wireless for 4 additional phones..at about $220 a month. And on top of that I have cable tv with internet and netflix.

[rubicon]

I personally like bundling and want a company to provide to me for one cost TV internet home phone cell phone.

I do agree that many TV channels are either redundant or simply not viewed. I have made that a known concern to my provider.

I also have a concern that too many Ön Demand" channels are making fast forward unavailable.

[tommy steam]

I personally like bundling and want a company to provide to me for one cost TV internet home phone cell phone.

I do agree that many TV channels are either redundant or simply not viewed. I have made that a known concern to my provider.

I also have a concern that too many Ön Demand" channels are making fast forward unavailable.

I use brighthouse. It's around 140 a month , tv, turbo internet, and phone. Just putting it out there.

[BarryRX]

Here's another option. Last night we were at my daughters home in Gainesville for Thanksgiving. She was going to rent the movie "Thor" for the grand kids. But she had just gotten Apple TV (costs about $100), and since I am a member of Amazon Prime (costs $75/year) I was able to stream the movie for free on my iPad and throw it right up on her big screen TV using her Apple TV.

[Villageshooter]

Be careful if you have Comcast and use streaming on the inter net they are going to start charging for it if you go over a set amount of gigs. They are starting to do that in Atlanta and other markets.

my son works for comcast in a mangement postion,,,, this not going to happen there was a threat of this , they were losing customers with just the idea being run up the flagpole,

[Villageshooter]

roku is the way to go, we love ours , however if you are into sports, forget it you are stuck with cable, there is no way legally to get espn or other sports channel with consistant signals other than cable. they have got us hooked!

[Villageshooter]

I have been considering getting rid of my land line. However, its tough. I have had the same phone number for years. But it is running me $75 a month which isnt bad except I am also paying for wireless for 4 additional phones..at about $220 a month. And on top of that I have cable tv with internet and netflix.

u can have ur existing home number u hav had 4 many years t o become ur cell number ,, just go into ur cell fone provider an they can help u it is called porting ur number all for no cost and u can get rid of the landline completly and save that monthly charge!

[JourneyOfLife]

my son works for comcast in a mangement postion,,,, this not going to happen there was a threat of this , they were losing customers with just the idea being run up the flagpole,

He might want to read this 3 week old article. According to it, Comcast is expanding their initiative.

Comcast Usage Caps, Overages Arrive in Atlanta | DSLReports, ISP Information (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcast-Usage-Caps-Overages-Arrive-in-Atlanta-126571)

[Bavarian]

Just out of curiosity how does the smart TV get its connection to all of these features?

Out of the air or do they use cable/WiFi (ad hoc cable connections)?

Z

WI-Fi

[rubicon]

I use brighthouse. It's around 140 a month , tv, turbo internet, and phone. Just putting it out there.

Hey tommy steam: Thank you for the information. Unfortunately Brighthouse is not in our area yet.

[Buffalo Jim]

Having grown up with television, as it was the new state of the art technology, I am somewhat addicted to it. Just can't live without watching sporting events. DirecTV does have a good product, for what I pay per month. Unfortunately, that is not an option, I want to explore.

It would be nice if one read books, and was out and about to fill their day. For some people, like me, I could do this, but would feel a part of my life would be missing something.

Like I said, I am a addict of television. I need to upgrade to a DVR type receiver, as I can sometimes can be enslaved, to what's being shown at a particular hour of the day. That's not a good thing.

I am a fellow TV-Addict ---- not so much into basic network programming but for The History Net , Military Net , Discovery etc .
I use Direct TV and the upgraded box which records several hours of programming a day .
Other than live sports and news pretty much everything I enjoy has been prerecorded . Nothing like HD can`t wait to see what`s next in technology .

[Villages PL]

This is an interesting concept... "cutting the cord". I have two friends who are also baby boomers and they went a step further,, the got rid of all TV's. They now say they send more time with their spouses, listen to the news on the radio,, go out to movies, are more active.. in general they have adapted to the situation quite admirably.

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one living without a TV. I got rid of mine when I moved to my new location in The Villages. That was in 2005. For me it's like giving up junk-food; after a while you just get use to living without it.