General Discussion

ProgressiveEconomist

(5,818 posts) Wed Nov 21, 2012, 01:43 PM Nov 2012

Have you "cut the cord" on EXPENSIVE cable TV? Why or why not? A PBS guide [View all]

Since the rise of free or cheap internet video over broadband, and conversion of broadcast TV to digital in 2009, the main technical reason for choosing EXPENSIVE cable TV in and around cities has diminished greatly: Picture quality for broadcast TV and internet video is comparable to cable.

(1) How many DUers have cut the Cable TV cord? What was the final straw for you?

(2) How do you now get access to political shows, movies, and popular cable TV series?

(3) Why do you think networks, who own many underused digital TV channels, do not put more advertising-funded content on the air?

Here's a link to a very useful guide I just googled and had to share:

From http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2012/02/your-guide-to-cutting-the-cord-to-cable-tv-updated-2012-edition052.html

"Your Guide to Cutting the Cord to Cable TV (Updated 2012 Edition)
Mark Glaser, February 21, 2012

Tagged: aereo, amazon, appletv, boxee, cable tv, cancelcable.com, google tv, hulu, internet-ready tv, itunes, netflix, roku, satellite

... who's doing it, why and how.

For background, we're updating our special guide to cutting the cord we first published in January 2010. That post has been viewed more than 58,000 times, ...

Background
Anyone who gets cable TV or satellite in the U.S. has noticed a pronounced trend over the years: Their monthly bill keeps going up. ... According to research from Centris (PDF), the average digital cable bill was nearly $75 in 2009, and the average monthly satellite TV bill was $69.

... there remains a lack of competition among cable and satellite providers, and the costs of programming keep going up. The most recent programming dustup caught NBA sensation Jeremy Lin in the cross-fire. Time Warner Cable stopped carrying the MSG Network in New York, so millions of Knicks fans couldn't watch Lin play on cable TV. While the dispute festered, people were stuck with Time Warner Cable, because in parts of New York getting satellite service is difficult because of the tall buildings, Bloomberg reported. It took the governor of New York and the NBA commissioner to step in and finally force Time Warner and MSG to make a deal. ..."

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Highlight:

Have you "cut the cord" on EXPENSIVE cable TV? Why or why not? A PBS guide [View all] ProgressiveEconomist Nov 2012 OP

Years ago... bluerum Nov 2012 #1

I'm about ready to. Connie_Corleone Nov 2012 #2

Thanks. I'm looking at moving off cable. Bookmarked. pinto Nov 2012 #3

me too! panAmerican Nov 2012 #42

me three! chalky Nov 2012 #86

Yes. Roku Streaming and Broadcast TV only now. Skip Intro Nov 2012 #4

Is there a delay in watching MSNBC shows such as Rachel Maddow? How long ProgressiveEconomist Nov 2012 #8

I don't watch any cable news shows anymore. Skip Intro Nov 2012 #12

The Maddow program is usually available at 8pm PST. Change has come Nov 2012 #19

It's not the show in entirety. MSNBC offers only clips of its shows. You can only get whole shows Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #95

Not so. You can watch the entire show same day underthematrix Nov 2012 #154

i watch rachel in the morning barbtries Nov 2012 #45

On yur tv or computer? nt Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #97

sorry, on my computer barbtries Nov 2012 #138

Here is the MSNBC live stream link Ruby the Liberal Nov 2012 #84

Stupid question: How do you get that on your tv? It's a computer link. nt Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #99

Try this: Le Taz Hot Nov 2012 #125

If you have cable, underthematrix Nov 2012 #153

Question--do you have to have a separate antenna for broadcast TV? KatyaR Nov 2012 #89

Get an antenna and a digital to analog converter box. Skip Intro Nov 2012 #109

I use an antenna now. KatyaR Nov 2012 #148

Hey. Skip Intro Nov 2012 #160

How fast is your internet? I pay $35/mo. but it's not really fast enuf for streaming. Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #96

I have 6 MB DSL from ATT. Skip Intro Nov 2012 #110

Thanks! I thought you had to subscribe to Time Warner to get the internet.... Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #117

No, I know many that have Dish for cable and Time Warner for Internet. nt Live and Learn Nov 2012 #135

How do you get broadcast tv? Broadcast tv is now digital. Outside digital antenna? ???nt Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #98

Check post 109. nt Skip Intro Nov 2012 #112

last year did it. Johonny Nov 2012 #5

no TV but I do miss the 4 PBS stations I used to get using rabbit ears.... msongs Nov 2012 #6

I went to Netflix for $7.99 a month earlier this year. Kaleva Nov 2012 #7

So your phone is digital, right? It's voice over internet protocol, and not an Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #100

I have two seperate lines coming into the house. One for the phone and the other for internet. Kaleva Nov 2012 #102

Hmmm. Interesting. I can only get AT&T for landline. I checked into their bundle for phone Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #118

I should add that I get a discount on my phone for being low income. Kaleva Nov 2012 #142

instantwatcher.com is a pretty great site. zonkers Nov 2012 #114

I'll have to check that out. Kaleva Nov 2012 #143

I am desperate to do so..Thanks for the link... Tikki Nov 2012 #9

Savings won't last long. Cable/internet corps are already on it, woo me with science Nov 2012 #10

We need to vote out the FCC. They need to be on the chopping block as far as getting rid of those loudsue Nov 2012 #54

Wouldn't it be nice if we could count on that... woo me with science Nov 2012 #76

the FCC isn't an elected body and the President can't "clean house" onenote Nov 2012 #123

It's 3+ years now, and... MarianJack Nov 2012 #11

I haven't had cable since 2000 or so. I don't miss it. Common Sense Party Nov 2012 #13

same here! ginnyinWI Nov 2012 #129

Yes- we now just have high speed internet Marrah_G Nov 2012 #14

How fast is your high speed? I've read mine is not fast enuf for reliable streaming. Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #101

50- Xfinity performance Marrah_G Nov 2012 #161

No tv for almost 3 years now. dixiegrrrrl Nov 2012 #15

We dumped the dish four years ago. Neutrino_603 Nov 2012 #16

Sure did... Earth_First Nov 2012 #17

I never attached the cable Berlum Nov 2012 #18

Haven't had cable or dish for several years IDemo Nov 2012 #20

great streaming link green for victory Nov 2012 #21

Interesting - one question liberal N proud Nov 2012 #32

yup green for victory Nov 2012 #105

I would need a new PC for this liberal N proud Nov 2012 #144

Here are a couple links I love: snappyturtle Nov 2012 #60

Another one you will like wilsonbooks Nov 2012 #71

Thanks! snappyturtle Nov 2012 #78

Wow, those are great links. Thanks! nt Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #107

About four years ago jsmirman Nov 2012 #22

Three issues...HD, cross-device accessibility, and HBO. Xithras Nov 2012 #23

You can hook a laptop to the TV gravity Nov 2012 #29

Or, for $300 and up, get an Internet TV with a keyboard remote ans well as ProgressiveEconomist Nov 2012 #37

Needing a keyboard to watch TV seems like a bit of a headache. Xithras Nov 2012 #53

"You can't access ANY of HBO's content online unless you have a subscription to them via a regular ProgressiveEconomist Nov 2012 #35

Yep, pretty much. Xithras Nov 2012 #56

I heard you can subscribe to HBOgo.com (like netflix) for like $35 month Turn CO Blue Nov 2012 #81

No, that's incorrect. You must have cable or sat to use it. Xithras Nov 2012 #82

I checked into that, too. The main reason HBO doesn't offer it.... Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #121

They are also available. wilsonbooks Nov 2012 #69

http://www.dailytvtorrents.org/ green for victory Nov 2012 #111

hope you have good proxy server pstokely Nov 2012 #119

You can get most of these sweetroxie Nov 2012 #113

LOL! That's what they want you to believe. Bill Maher is the only thing that I know of on HBO that I Egalitarian Thug Nov 2012 #163

Why use an Xbox rather than a Roku box? See the PBS link in the OP-- ProgressiveEconomist Nov 2012 #40

Because they already own an XBox and don't own a Roku. (nt) jeff47 Nov 2012 #47

Hardware costs are small in comparison to monthly content costs ProgressiveEconomist Nov 2012 #49

There's little point to a Roku if you own an XBox 360. They do the same thing. Xithras Nov 2012 #62

Cable TV? What Cable TV? Panasonic Nov 2012 #24

I've tried but went back gravity Nov 2012 #25

Year and a half ago ThoughtCriminal Nov 2012 #26

Roku, blu-ray, and antenna gets me all I want except perhaps espn and nfl network. Ed Suspicious Nov 2012 #27

I have cable, internet and telephone through a local cable company who has been in the area for underoath Nov 2012 #28

10 years or so. Cobalt Violet Nov 2012 #30

Where I live 2naSalit Nov 2012 #90

2010 leftlibdem420 Nov 2012 #31

Yes. liberalmuse Nov 2012 #33

Yes, literally. GoCubsGo Nov 2012 #34

No cable, no dish. hunter Nov 2012 #36

"DSL internet ... is not quite fast enough for Netflix" Thanks for that CRUCIAL ProgressiveEconomist Nov 2012 #41

I think it depends on the wiring. hunter Nov 2012 #67

Yep, this is very wiring dependent. Xithras Nov 2012 #70

You should know that dsl comes in different speeds. Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #126

it must depend on location barbtries Nov 2012 #139

bookmarking n/t brokechris Nov 2012 #38

I only spend 13 dollars on very basic cable. Big Blue Marble Nov 2012 #39

Why not just spend $10 on a digital TV antenna and cut the cord? ProgressiveEconomist Nov 2012 #43

when my son and i moved to NC barbtries Nov 2012 #44

no tv for about 10 years now backtoblue Nov 2012 #46

I am rural and like sports Doctor_J Nov 2012 #48

I did it years ago. Atypical Liberal Nov 2012 #50

Thanks for the link... nt ProudProgressiveNow Nov 2012 #51

We renegotiate our cable bill every year. sellitman Nov 2012 #52

I have Comcast cable, Internet and my phone bundled. RebelOne Nov 2012 #55

I cut the cord 3 or 4 years ago Speck Tater Nov 2012 #57

Went Netflix in 2008 and have never looked back. go west young man Nov 2012 #58

I gave up cable over a year ago now. bunnies Nov 2012 #59

Gotten my non Tvio DVR william cail Nov 2012 #65

In 2001. About the time I joined DU ProfessionalLeftist Nov 2012 #61

Cut it last year. harun Nov 2012 #63

Given a choice between expensive Cable Tv and Inexpensive Internet Access.... AsahinaKimi Nov 2012 #64

Why Your Phone, Cable & Internet Bills Cost So Much ErikJ Nov 2012 #66

Thanks for posting this! Thom Hartmann often cites this fact. alp227 Nov 2012 #155

Thanks for this info. h2ebits Nov 2012 #68

This coming summer. ananda Nov 2012 #72

Cable T.V. - scam of the century notgoinback Nov 2012 #73

Thanks for that history lesson! Loge23 Nov 2012 #158

The only reason I have basic cable TV at all is because it came free with the internet. backscatter712 Nov 2012 #74

We cut the cord in 2010 Proud Liberal Dem Nov 2012 #75

It's been about 2 years MynameisBlarney Nov 2012 #77

Yes. Now have Roku streaming in the family room and Turn CO Blue Nov 2012 #79

No: Phone + Internet + TV = Phone + Internet (-TV) -nt DireStrike Nov 2012 #80

Over 10 years ago. I was sitting in my living room flipping for over Egalitarian Thug Nov 2012 #83

The cost of cable doubled in the time I had it. CBHagman Nov 2012 #85

Have been planning to since July, but the SO wanted to watch the Olympics. Then we were watching Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #87

About five years ago, cut the cord. salin Nov 2012 #88

I gave up cable a year ago...... llmart Nov 2012 #91

There is a lot of programming content from movies to TV shows (foreign and domestic). Snarkoleptic Nov 2012 #92

usually you can save the show from the cache too green for victory Nov 2012 #106

A year or so before dog_lovin_dem Nov 2012 #93

No. Can't get political talk shows timely anywhere else, that I have found. Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #94

here green for victory Nov 2012 #103

HOLY-MOLY!!THANK YOU! I started watching "Columbo" on the UK ITV2, but switched to ABC just to see WinkyDink Nov 2012 #115

Thanks! The internets has come a long way since I last checked on that. Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #132

what I find is that I save a lot of time not watching those shows, but I ginnyinWI Nov 2012 #131

I haven't had cable since 2001. intheflow Nov 2012 #104

The wife decided... behindenemylins Nov 2012 #108

You only need cable for sports of if you can't get OTA reception pstokely Nov 2012 #116

I did. kiva Nov 2012 #120

Been without cable for over a year now. Le Taz Hot Nov 2012 #122

No, because the only high speed internet I can get in my tiny town is through cable. Zoeisright Nov 2012 #124

Not only as good as cable, broadcast is better than cable. ginnyinWI Nov 2012 #127

I would love to cut it off. Live and Learn Nov 2012 #128

Do they watch anyone that can't be found online (legally)? pstokely Nov 2012 #130

had cable /satellite for a year or two at most many many years ago lunasun Nov 2012 #133

Haven't had cable since 1989 demwing Nov 2012 #134

wow barbtries Nov 2012 #141

K, R and Bookmarked. I fucking *hate* commercial tv. Smarmie Doofus Nov 2012 #136

Real Housewives, Honey Boo Boo, stuff like that Skittles Nov 2012 #137

I still have cable Raine Nov 2012 #140

I think it has been 2 years now. aandegoons Nov 2012 #145

No, we still have it union_maid Nov 2012 #146

and talk about the d*mn commercials.....UGH... a kennedy Nov 2012 #147

Almost. Looking into alternatives. Bookmarking. lonestarnot Nov 2012 #149

Found a free site to walk me through cutting the cable in my home ackr Nov 2012 #150

Welcome to DU! hrmjustin Nov 2012 #164

I cut the cord in July 2012 because I was underthematrix Nov 2012 #151

Bookmarked - Cable TV leveymg Nov 2012 #152

Took the first step today - changing my email address to Gmail Jersey Devil Nov 2012 #156

I still have cable -- no immediate plans to drop it fishwax Nov 2012 #157

I get my Internet through Comcast, and I used to have full cable TV service Lydia Leftcoast Nov 2012 #159

Thank you all, especially those who supplied links and bits of technical info. ProgressiveEconomist Nov 2012 #162

Haven't owned a TV in over a decade. Lizzie Poppet Nov 2012 #165

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