Who still have Cable TV?
- Hawaiishrimp
- Posts: 501
- Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2015 4:13 am
Who still have Cable TV?
Who still have Cable TV? $100 bucks a month. What a waste.
I save and invest my money, so money can make money for me, so I don't have to make money eventually.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
We just purchased basic cable just for reception of local broadcasts - the rabbit ears proved unreliable - about $17/month. We budget it under Entertainment.
“It’s the curse of old men to realize that in the end we control nothing." "Homeland" episode, "Gerontion"
-
- Posts: 1329
- Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2012 5:30 pm
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
In your opinion. What's the better alternative? $100 really isn't much when you think about it. 2 tickets to the ball game, with parking & food is easily $100. And I have TV for the other 30 days of the month. I think it's all based on perspective.
OTA TV is great so long as what you want to what is broadcast OTA. But that's probably not the case.
OTA TV is great so long as what you want to what is broadcast OTA. But that's probably not the case.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
I have no TV, thus no cable TV.
That's what I do: I drink, and I know things. --Tyrion Lannister
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
I have cable and even worse I only have one provider choice (Los Angeles sections out the cable market and I live in an apartment so I can not have satellite).
I just get the new customer promo rate every year by calling and threatening to cancel. Even with the promo rate it is still a bit expensive but I am able to justify it to myself. Without the promo rate is is completely overpriced and I would have to drop it. Internet, on the other, I would not be able to drop regardless of how bad the price is (too dependent on it).
I just get the new customer promo rate every year by calling and threatening to cancel. Even with the promo rate it is still a bit expensive but I am able to justify it to myself. Without the promo rate is is completely overpriced and I would have to drop it. Internet, on the other, I would not be able to drop regardless of how bad the price is (too dependent on it).
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
Pay TV (Satellite/Cable) is the only option for those of use that have a spouse that can't get enough C-SPAN! Those Comcast cable people have even set it up so that the only way to get the full complement of C-SPAN channels (1,2,3) for the truly addicted is to subscribe to a higher tier package.
I think it was last year that they put in a pay-tv wall around C-SPAN. While you can view "Federal events" for free on-line those extraordinary boring (to me) C-SPAN political discussions, book reviews, etc. require a subscription.
I can rationalize that to provide the spouse the full complement of C-SPAN with a higher level cable package I must make use of the various sports channels included to get our money's worth.
I think it was last year that they put in a pay-tv wall around C-SPAN. While you can view "Federal events" for free on-line those extraordinary boring (to me) C-SPAN political discussions, book reviews, etc. require a subscription.
I can rationalize that to provide the spouse the full complement of C-SPAN with a higher level cable package I must make use of the various sports channels included to get our money's worth.
The closest helping hand is at the end of your own arm.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
Have never had cable. Or dish. Just little antennas (antennii?) in various rooms.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
I ditched my cable in 2008 and never looked back. Back then I was paying $70 per month and now I pay $16 for Netflix and Amazon.Hawaiishrimp wrote:Who still have Cable TV? $100 bucks a month. What a waste.
Choose Simplicity ~ Stay the Course!! ~ Press on Regardless!!!
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
I could never do this. I love my tv too much. Maybe I have an addiction problem. lol.tludwig23 wrote:I have no TV, thus no cable TV.
Choose Simplicity ~ Stay the Course!! ~ Press on Regardless!!!
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
I have an outdoor antenna which works great, but the television in my kitchen uses an indoor. I always have issues with it and can never get all the channels. What's your secret?GerryL wrote:Have never had cable. Or dish. Just little antennas (antennii?) in various rooms.
Choose Simplicity ~ Stay the Course!! ~ Press on Regardless!!!
- DrippingSprings
- Posts: 153
- Joined: Thu Nov 27, 2014 10:06 pm
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
We dropped cable to save money. Now we have Netflix, a Roku and an indoor antenna. Netflix is great. There is a huge selection and no commercials. There are a couple of shows we used to watch that we don't get anymore, but it is no big deal. I like saving the money.
Apparently different types of antennae work better in different geographic locations For selection of the best indoor antenna for your area, go to this website:
http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option= ... &Itemid=29
Apparently different types of antennae work better in different geographic locations For selection of the best indoor antenna for your area, go to this website:
http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option= ... &Itemid=29
-
- Posts: 2094
- Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:18 pm
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
No cable. Couldn't find a business that installs antennas here, or I'd try that. I must be on about year 4 or 5 and counting with no form of television. The first year or so I watched stuff online or via dvds, but that fell by the wayside.stemikger wrote:I have an outdoor antenna which works great, but the television in my kitchen uses an indoor. I always have issues with it and can never get all the channels. What's your secret?GerryL wrote:Have never had cable. Or dish. Just little antennas (antennii?) in various rooms.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
Have Netflix and DirecTv. Both are excellent uses money. There is no other way to get local NBA or MLB games. Or other live sports. My wife watches trashy reality shows.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
What are the best options to replace it via internet access -
hulu for current tv shows?
digital antenna for local stations?
Netflix for movies?
Amazon for two day shipping?
hulu for current tv shows?
digital antenna for local stations?
Netflix for movies?
Amazon for two day shipping?
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
I have HD cable TV package including Showtime with basic internet and modem included from Time Warner for $51 per month. Group buy through homeowners association.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
I do. Need my sports and the only way to get most of my local teams is with cable. I managed to negotiate a package for 104Mbps internet and the lowest TV package that gives me NESN (New England Sports Network) for $117/month, locked in for 2 years. Low enough that I can live with it for now.
-
- Posts: 987
- Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 7:11 pm
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
Got it only because the "internet/cable" deal was cheaper than "internet alone". Problem is the crappy cable TV resolution is worse than the over the air HDTV - we only have the channels I could get over the air anyway - so the only benefit is an onscreen tv guide.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
Our family uses Mohu Leaf 50 Amplified Indoor HDTV Antennadolphinsaremammals wrote:
No cable. Couldn't find a business that installs antennas here, or I'd try that. I must be on about year 4 or 5 and counting with no form of television. The first year or so I watched stuff online or via dvds, but that fell by the wayside.
This has a 50-mile range to access Over-the-Air TV channels without a cable or satellite subscription.
- sunny_socal
- Posts: 2732
- Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 4:22 pm
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
Have you tried just plugging in your "internet" cable and tuning your TV? We're able to receive all local HDTV channels for free via the cable although they are not formally included with internet.Peterjens wrote:We just purchased basic cable just for reception of local broadcasts - the rabbit ears proved unreliable - about $17/month. We budget it under Entertainment.
- climber2020
- Posts: 2703
- Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 8:06 pm
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
I've had cable for the last several years. Worth the money for live sports.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
It seems like a must if you like to watch live sports. For example, the NCAA final four semi finals were only on TBS this year.
- topper1296
- Posts: 836
- Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:50 pm
- Location: Nashville TN
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
Live sports is the only reason I still have cable.climber2020 wrote:I've had cable for the last several years. Worth the money for live sports.
- stevewolfe
- Posts: 1672
- Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:07 pm
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
We do. Our cable costs us $0.50 cents more per month (e.g., $20.50 all in taxes, fees, etc) than the $20 surcharge would be if we turned it off entirely and kept only the broadband internet service.Hawaiishrimp wrote:Who still have Cable TV? $100 bucks a month. What a waste.
For that 50 cents a month we get 23 channels or so. Compared to the 4-6 we'd get with an directional antenna where we live, I think it's great value and priced about right.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
I think a more important measurement is what do we pay for telephone, cell phones, internet, and television. Currently, I have a bundled housephone, cable TV, and internet, plus cell phones. Since we enjoy streaming(wife likes Hallmark stuff, some detective shows, and I like sports). We are looking for the most economic way to have internet, basic TV, and cell phones(don't need the house phone). Our current price for the 4 is about $200. I need a way to reduce this.
"Earn All You Can; Give All You Can; Save All You Can." .... John Wesley
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
I've only paid for cable for 2 out of the last 9 years. And that was because TWC offered me Internet + HDTV + HDDVR for $65/month all inclusive and at the time Verizon wouldn't budget below $50 for internet. I have access to Netflix (parents account), tons of online streaming TV (abc, nbc, cbs, fox, usa, cw, Disney Jr., etc... via my HTPC), OTA TV, etc...
Internet - $35/month (Verizon 15/15 internet, I'll probably switch to TWC in a year when Verizon tries to up the rates)
Cell phones (2x smartphones) - $23/month (Ting, mostly use Wifi and Google Voice)
TV - $0/month
Total = $63/month
It isn't that hard to drop the all combined price to below $60 if you don't need/want a home phone and have the ability to switch Internet providers. There are upfront costs like phones and a HTPC, but they don't have to be expensive. I think I paid ~300 for the PC over 5 years ago, and ~$550 for the two smartphones two years ago (and that is going fancy).
Home phone - $5/month (Ooma)bengal22 wrote:I think a more important measurement is what do we pay for telephone, cell phones, internet, and television. Currently, I have a bundled housephone, cable TV, and internet, plus cell phones. Since we enjoy streaming(wife likes Hallmark stuff, some detective shows, and I like sports). We are looking for the most economic way to have internet, basic TV, and cell phones(don't need the house phone). Our current price for the 4 is about $200. I need a way to reduce this.
Internet - $35/month (Verizon 15/15 internet, I'll probably switch to TWC in a year when Verizon tries to up the rates)
Cell phones (2x smartphones) - $23/month (Ting, mostly use Wifi and Google Voice)
TV - $0/month
Total = $63/month
It isn't that hard to drop the all combined price to below $60 if you don't need/want a home phone and have the ability to switch Internet providers. There are upfront costs like phones and a HTPC, but they don't have to be expensive. I think I paid ~300 for the PC over 5 years ago, and ~$550 for the two smartphones two years ago (and that is going fancy).
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
We have DirecTV. I watch a lot of College Football and NFL, and a little MLB; Wife watches her "The Duggars," and kids what "river monsters."
I'm not sure what we would do without it.
I'm not sure what we would do without it.
-
- Posts: 3181
- Joined: Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:33 pm
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
Yes we still have Time Warner cable TV and a fast version of internet, at $147 / month including all fees and taxes. I, wife and adult son watch it. I personally like CNN, History, Learning, National Geographic, Waether, ESPN and similar channels. We do not watch any extra-pay movies. So what, it is entertainment, others spend their entertainment money on other things like multiple smart phones with data plans which we do not have. We have Basic Talk and dumb cell phones only.
- lthenderson
- Posts: 8499
- Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:43 am
- Location: Iowa
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
We have satellite but out here in rural America, there isn't much in the way of choices. Our antenna gets one channel and it is considered extremely fuzzy at best. We could go to internet but to get fast enough download speeds to be able to watch anything, we only have one internet provider that gets those speeds and for that privilege it costs $90/month. The one and only cable company lost my business last year when they upped our monthly cable bill to $250/month, a 100% increase over what it had been. I read about all these options that others on here have and it seems like fantasy land to me.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
I still have cable to get information about local emergencies (school closed due to snow, hurricanes ...) because I cannot get any over-the-air signal with my outdoor antenna. I know I can get information for free from the internet, but it is much easier and more convenient to turn on TV and see public notice while making coffee/breakfast.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
Time Warner just like likegarden posted above.
Been on the verge of getting rid of the cable portion. As soon as NHL hockey playoffs are over may pull the plug. We mostly watch PBS anyway other than some select sports.
Been on the verge of getting rid of the cable portion. As soon as NHL hockey playoffs are over may pull the plug. We mostly watch PBS anyway other than some select sports.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
I am ditching cable in a couple months when I move, I will use Netflix, HBO Now and maybe a Roku or Apple TV. Not sure what I will do for my sports fix, but I will figure it out.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
I watch so many sports on TV that at this point, I'm not even thinking about cutting the chord. $100 is worth it for the convenience that cable tv offers me for my sports viewing.
- JupiterJones
- Posts: 3620
- Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2010 3:25 pm
- Location: Nashville, TN
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
*sigh*Hawaiishrimp wrote:Who still have Cable TV? $100 bucks a month. What a waste.
Whether it's about cable, or Macs, or Rolexen, or luxury cars, these sorts of judgmental threads all miss one very important point:
There's nothing wrong with paying money for something from which you legitimately derive commensurate value.
We all have different consumer needs and different ideas of "value". It's not really fair to expect everyone else's to be the same as yours, is it?
"Stay on target! Stay on target!"
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
We just cancelled basic cable. Haven't missed it yet.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
We had no cable for 2 years. We liked only having Netflix and Hulu Plus.
This winter I signed up for DirecTV again. I love the idea of no cable/sat but I missed watching the Twins, Wild, T-Wolves and NFL games on ESPN and NFL Network.
I loved not spending the $100 per month but we have 8 months of winter here and we just watch TV more than we should. I gave up on an ideal to just be happy in the moment.
This winter I signed up for DirecTV again. I love the idea of no cable/sat but I missed watching the Twins, Wild, T-Wolves and NFL games on ESPN and NFL Network.
I loved not spending the $100 per month but we have 8 months of winter here and we just watch TV more than we should. I gave up on an ideal to just be happy in the moment.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
I have cable and while it is expensive ($200) I love it. Provides all the sports and premium channels I like. I can pay $200 a month for cable or spend a lot more money over the course of a month on others ways to entertain myself. No thanks. I will keep cable. That $200 includes Internet as well.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
That's changing. Companies caught on and are making so you will not be able to do that much longer. Charter has already done it in my area.sunny_socal wrote:Have you tried just plugging in your "internet" cable and tuning your TV? We're able to receive all local HDTV channels for free via the cable although they are not formally included with internet.Peterjens wrote:We just purchased basic cable just for reception of local broadcasts - the rabbit ears proved unreliable - about $17/month. We budget it under Entertainment.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
We haven't paid for TV since 1991. No cable, no dish, just an antenna in the attic.
Emotionless, prognostication free investing. Ignoring the noise and economists since 1979. Getting rich off of "smart people's" behavioral mistakes.
-
- Posts: 5453
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 8:56 am
- Location: North Carolina
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
+1. I totally agree. We are all different with different preferences.JupiterJones wrote:*sigh*Hawaiishrimp wrote:Who still have Cable TV? $100 bucks a month. What a waste.
Whether it's about cable, or Macs, or Rolexen, or luxury cars, these sorts of judgmental threads all miss one very important point:
There's nothing wrong with paying money for something from which you legitimately derive commensurate value.
We all have different consumer needs and different ideas of "value". It's not really fair to expect everyone else's to be the same as yours, is it?
-
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2015 8:52 am
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
We just got Sling TV, which gives us something like 20 cable channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network for 26.99 a month. No contract, stream over xbox one. Antenna for locals and netflix. Internet with TWC runs $34.99, so we're spending around $69.97 a month total for internet and "cable."
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
I agree. And besides difference in preference, $100 is more for some people than others, who, back to preferences, might have other things they'd rather do (now or later, later=savings) with that money. But we aren't sacrificing anything significant now or later by having cable. We can buy anything we want (not anything, anything *we want*) without affecting our financial security, I think 10-15% of spending going to charity is enough, and our kids will get plenty. The implicit assumption of statements like OP is that $100/mo makes any difference. To some it makes a significant difference, others not so much. If the value of cable were really *zero* then I'd still get rid of it. But it's not, it's for sports when our grown sons come over, news channels we could live without but prefer to watch, and even some silly reruns and on-demand shows that aren't on Netflix or Hulu. If we needed to spend less, sure we'd look at cutting cable, but we don't.JupiterJones wrote:*sigh*Hawaiishrimp wrote:Who still have Cable TV? $100 bucks a month. What a waste.
Whether it's about cable, or Macs, or Rolexen, or luxury cars, these sorts of judgmental threads all miss one very important point:
There's nothing wrong with paying money for something from which you legitimately derive commensurate value.
We all have different consumer needs and different ideas of "value". It's not really fair to expect everyone else's to be the same as yours, is it?
- TomatoTomahto
- Posts: 17100
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 1:48 pm
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
Beware of confusing your preferences with virtues. I have cable TV as part of a bundle; yes, I even have 2 landlines.Hawaiishrimp wrote:Who still have Cable TV? $100 bucks a month. What a waste.
I personally (and this is not in 100% agreement with the rest of my family) find alcohol, nice clothes, and vacation homes a waste of money. That's what makes horse races.
I get the FI part but not the RE part of FIRE.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
Plenty do. If it's a waste for you then stop paying for it.Hawaiishrimp wrote:Who still have Cable TV? $100 bucks a month. What a waste.
Our association fees include basic cable so until the association votes to eliminate it we'll have it.
What shows/networks do you watch? What devices do you have and what do they support? If a TV, bluray, Roku, AppleTV or similar device that you have doesn't include an option then how far are you willing to go to view via another solution like a computer, iPad, etc? Best often involves a lot of subjective preference so you have to include such information if you want feedback whenever you use the word. Any particular solution isn't going to be best unless you can and are willing to make use of it and it provides the content that you want.johnubc wrote:What are the best options to replace it via internet access -
hulu for current tv shows?
digital antenna for local stations?
Netflix for movies?
Amazon for two day shipping?
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
+1bloom2708 wrote:I missed watching the Twins, Wild, T-Wolves and NFL games on ESPN and NFL Network.
Only reason we do cable is for 'live sports' on local cable sports networks. To me and my family it is worth it.
Does anyone have a reliable way to pick up local cable sports networks other than cable/satellite?
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
No. Our internet (Frontier) comes into an upper floor bedroom/office. Our TV (Comcast) is on the main floor.sunny_socal wrote:Have you tried just plugging in your "internet" cable and tuning your TV? We're able to receive all local HDTV channels for free via the cable although they are not formally included with internet.Peterjens wrote:We just purchased basic cable just for reception of local broadcasts - the rabbit ears proved unreliable - about $17/month. We budget it under Entertainment.
“It’s the curse of old men to realize that in the end we control nothing." "Homeland" episode, "Gerontion"
- Sunny Sarkar
- Posts: 2443
- Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:02 am
- Location: Flower Mound, TX
- Contact:
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
We cut cable 3 years ago. I have a dedicated Windows7 desktop hooked up to the TV via HDMI and a Logitech K400 wireless keyboard/touchpad on the couch. I also get very good over the air local channel reception here in flat land Dallas with a Mohu Leaf internal antenna. The only channel that still resides on the dark side is ESPN - hope they go the HBO GO way. Other than that it has been a fantastic experience.
That said, the cable providers are pricing their internet only packages closer and closer to the internet+tv packages so that they get your money anyway.
That said, the cable providers are pricing their internet only packages closer and closer to the internet+tv packages so that they get your money anyway.
"Buy-and-hold, long-term, all-market-index strategies, implemented at rock-bottom cost, are the surest of all routes to the accumulation of wealth" - John C. Bogle
-
- Posts: 140
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:38 am
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
Comcast is pretty much the only option in our area, and if we ditched cable we might save $10 a month. That just gets us the basic channels, in non-HD. So that's worth it for us. We also have Netflix. And we mooch off friends/family that have larger packages and use their logins for watching espn, tbs, tnt and such online. Other than Sundays during football season, I don't think we'd miss our minimal package. And my wife thinks an antenna, like the Leaf one, would be ugly so we haven't tried that route yet.
-
- Posts: 1329
- Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2012 5:30 pm
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
You can purchase league-specific online viewing services - NHL GameCenter Live, MLB.tv, etc -- but those cost money and most find no significant savings when you add all those online services up vs. just sticking it out with cable. And even then, you need to deal with the local blackouts.SleepKing wrote:bloom2708 wrote:Does anyone have a reliable way to pick up local cable sports networks other than cable/satellite?
Which goes back to my original post - what's the alternative (other than not watching any Tv/sports)?
-
- Posts: 826
- Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:36 pm
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
Being smug about how people spend money is particularly unattractive. If you can afford it and it adds value to your life, enjoy it. We make way too much of a thing about "guilty" pleasures in my opinion.
Re: Who still have Cable TV?
The cable companies hire some pretty smart people.
I don't like how much I pay for cable (about 200 bucks for the premium package with cable, internet, landline). I've looked into downgrading my package.
I need the premium sports package for NFL RedZone, NFL network, and BIG10/SEC networks. I need HBO now because I'm hooked on their shows. I need Showtime now because I'm hooked on their shows. I could never give up the HD DVRs now that I've become accustomed to watching recorded shows either on the couch or in bed.
Had I never experienced having these channels, I'm sure I wouldn't miss it. But now that I have I don't want to go back. I'm hooked on their service and will probably keep it until I either experience a need to urgently reduce expenses or the price jumps significantly and I need to re-evaluate.
I don't like how much I pay for cable (about 200 bucks for the premium package with cable, internet, landline). I've looked into downgrading my package.
I need the premium sports package for NFL RedZone, NFL network, and BIG10/SEC networks. I need HBO now because I'm hooked on their shows. I need Showtime now because I'm hooked on their shows. I could never give up the HD DVRs now that I've become accustomed to watching recorded shows either on the couch or in bed.
Had I never experienced having these channels, I'm sure I wouldn't miss it. But now that I have I don't want to go back. I'm hooked on their service and will probably keep it until I either experience a need to urgently reduce expenses or the price jumps significantly and I need to re-evaluate.