So, I'm thinking of giving up cable/satellite TV

[veggieboy]

So, I've been thinking about giving up cable and/or satellite TV. I can get over-the-air HD channels for free, and most TV shows are either online or can be bought on DVD, for a fraction of the cost of my DishNetwork.

I would miss a few things like ESPN, and that would also mean missing a few football games, but that might be a small price to pay. I can always go to a sports bar or something if absolutely necessary.

Anyone here done this? Can anyone think of some good reasons to NOT do it (besides the football games, of course)?

 

[DCLonghorn]

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[Ignatius]

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[BigWill]

this is the wrong place to ask. Hornfans posters are not "balanced" by any stretch. We are sports-crazed...that's why we are here. Many here would gladly pay more than they already do to get better sports coverage.

 

[AeroHorn]

Depends on how much you like watching TV, I guess. I don't like almost everything on TV and have an antenna to catch news/PBS (couple of hours a week). I watch when horns are on ABC. Otherwise, it is ESPN360. My kids only watch PBS (kids programming).

With 3 kids at home, the lone 32" LCD is on about 4-5 hours a week. To me, that is plenty of TV. There are better things to do.

If you are not interested in TV programming and are not rabid about watching every Horns game, then you can get rid of cable. Otherwise, you need it.

 

[notreally]

well, like the procrastinator i am... i just moved this weekend, but didn't call direct tv in time and won't have any tv (i don't have an antenna) for the next couple days (it's already been three).

it kind of sucks at times, but it has also been a healthy reminder of how much effin tv i watch. it is pretty absurd now that i am sitting here thinking about it. however, i need my sports, so we are in a relationship that i can't walk away from.

 

[Texanne]

I can think of a bunch of stuff I'd give up before I'd give up my sports tier on cable.

Hell, I'd even give up beer before giving up sports on TV. Yes, I really mean it.

 

[Ignatius]

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[HornBud]

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[Steve Dallas]

We did it, and I'm going to soon correct that misguided decision.

Worth it to me for the USA and FX-type shows, sports of course, and the occasional gem you'll find on Discovery or TLC, plus movies. Not to mention the DVR, which is one of the greatest inventions of recent times IMO.

If I have to watch another 10-year old Frazier re-run (a show which I had never previously watched) because the alternative programming is so disgraceful I'm going to be even more of an ******* than the norm. Plus, the wife is watching Dr. Phil now - another new development - and nothing good will come of that.

 

[Mal]

I did this a few weeks ago. I realized that apart from sports I really didn't watch much cable. There were many categories of channels I totally ignored. Unfortunately, there are two shows (Mad Men and Dexter) I watched regularly on the cable, but I can deal without seeing them as they air. As a child who grew up watching on gratuitous amounts of TV and very little of those without cable, I'm handling it quite well so far. Plus I'm saving an extra $60-70 a month.

 

[bevocbs]

I haven't had cable for more than 10 years and am just fine without it. I attend all home football and basketball games. Most of the remaining football games are on network TV. In the rare instance they are not, there are plenty of friends, family, or sports bars where I can watch the game. I do end up missing a few basketball games on TV and have to listen on the radio, but that makes my wife happier anyway.

For me it isn't so much about saving money as it is not spending too much time watching TV. There are so many better and healthier things to do, but if we had cable, my wife and I would spend way too many hours watching the Discovery Channel and History Channel and other TV (not to mention sports).

 

[GHoward]

Just cut the cable a few days ago. I normally only had the TV on for background noise. I don't even have an antennae hooked up yet. I may or may not get one. I can watch sports on justin.tv, or espn360.

 

[longtex]

We gave up broadcast/cablecast/satellitecase TV around 20 years ago - got it back when Mom came to live with us, then cut it off again when she croaked in 2002. Don't miss it one bit. Got a small library ov VCR and DVD stuff, which we watch occasionally. Head on over to a friend's house or Da Blooze occasionally to watch something special - large people or special athletes, with balls, so to speak. Online video like ESPN 360 and all those streamers at justin.tv and the others take up any slack.

Let it go. You'll be gruntled at how much better you feel when you have no idea what the latest crisis on Faux News or PNN is...

 

[BrothaHorn]

What r u crazy or some kind of communist

I know a couple of people who did this for financial reasons, but came to like the choice as they have more time for other things..I can't even sleep at nite w/out the tv.

 

[orangecat]

I wanted to do it when we moved into our house in '04, but I couldn't get past the initial cost. Sounds crazy in hindsight, but since rabbit ears would get nothing, it would have required an antenna being installed. no big deal, except the best way to install antenna would be to put a tower in the ground right next to the house.

It was hard enough just to get quotes on the deal. He quoted $250 for a job, required two men. Since we were just moving in, we didn't have the $ laying around. We got satelite instead, it was $30 a month at the time.

Of course hindsight is 20/20.

 

[jmrob93]

We had direct in 02-- moved then never got it back. My daughters lived in front of the TV when they could see sponge bob all day ( and we fought). After it was gone, they lost interest and occupied their time with other things. My youngest reads like crazy-- I feel I made the right decision. Her Pre-AP teachers would likely agree.