[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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!

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]

Originally Posted by Bavarian

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