Author Topic: What are your alternatives to cable tv? (Read 16147 times)

Retired To Win · « **on:** April 28, 2015, 07:00:56 AM »

I was just thinking... Yesterday, I visited the public library and checked out 2 movie DVDs. That of course was free. (Unless I'm late taking them back!) Upon returning home, I had 2 new delivered DVDs from Netflix in my mailbox. That costs me $9 a month. And later that evening, we rewatched 2 episodes of Game of Thrones on DVDs from our own library (and which we bought for an extravagant-to-us $1.75 per episode).

That covers the gamut of our alternatives to paying for cable or satellite TV. We don't really have the option of streaming movies from Netflix or wherever because our only internet service options charge us by the amount of use -- and the cost of streaming would be prohibitive (IMHO).

What are your alternatives to spendy cable tv service? Or do you still have that and why?

Added After Reviewing Replies:
Hah! I forgot to list rabbit ears in my original post. We paid about $30 for a long distance antenna that we installed on the roof. That gives us viewing access to 3 (!!) public television stations. (Think Downton Abbey, commercial-free international mystery movies, and Masterpiece Theatre.)

Emerald · « **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2015, 07:10:13 AM »

Rabbit ears and books mostly. And I'm a frequent movie goer at matinees and discout Tuesdays.

Cromacster · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2015, 07:12:41 AM »

Rabbit ears and streaming are my go to.

BananaPants · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2015, 07:13:03 AM »

A Mohu Leaf HD antenna, and Amazon Prime and Netflix streaming through the Roku. We cut the cable cord over a year ago and have no intention of going back.

Rural · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2015, 07:14:14 AM »

We do a little bit of Netflix (streaming only subscription which we probably don't get our money's worth out of) and a little bit of library. But mostly, we just don't. We don't own a TV, so anything we watch is on a laptop.

We read the series A Song of Ice and Fire together and now we're watching the HBO series, which means for the moment we're watching something a couple of nights a week (library since it's not on Netflix). But normal consumption is more like once a month.

However, in the interest of full disclosure, we do spend way too much time in front of our individual computer screens. :-)

forummm · « **Reply #5 on:** April 28, 2015, 07:15:37 AM »

An antenna for the rare times we watch TV. Youtube for some good clips. Podcasts most entertainment. We tried Netflix for a month and didn't keep it. I spend too much time working and my fun time is mostly reading news and info online.

MLKnits · « **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2015, 07:17:32 AM »

Streaming and books. I loathe (LOATHE) commercials and "background" tv, so actively choosing something and watching it on my laptop is vastly my preference over channel-flipping anyway--makes it easy to avoid ever being tempted by cable.

That's too bad about your internet service! The Canadian options aren't fantastic (not enough competition) but I have 60GB a month and I don't think I've ever gone over, even in very heavy streaming months.

Also, I live alone, but for those who don't, there's always a rousing game of Scrabble or Legendary or your game of choice.

I'm a red panda · « **Reply #7 on:** April 28, 2015, 07:32:26 AM »

Antenna, though I have a tough time calling it "rabbit ears" because the thing is the size of a small SUV and takes up the majority of my utility room.

HipGnosis · « **Reply #8 on:** April 28, 2015, 07:48:04 AM »

I kicked Di$h to the ditch last year.
The only thing I kinda miss is the comedy channel.
I got most of my local channels w/ rabbit ears. But I had to move them for a few channels, so I got a digital/HD antenna. Some reading online taught me where to put it and I get more channels than I knew existed (but I only watch about 20% of them). I'm on the edge of Milwaukee.
There are a few channels that feature old TV series and a couple that have old movies (some real classics too).
There is a web site that will tell you how many Over-The-Air (OTA) digital channels you can expect to receive with a decent antenna.
Then I got a Channel Master (brand) OTA DVR. $250 (plus a USB HD) but it's a one time (only) expense. It's already paid for itself (over Di$h). The latest update (which they seem to do occasionally) gave it the feature of only recording 'new' episodes of shows. I haven't done it yet, but I like that I can save a show or movie to another HD if I want. There were a cpl on my Di$h DVR that I would have liked to keep. And I can take the DVR & HD to anywhere with a TV and watch what I've recorded.
I also got a Roku, but I don't use it much even though I have Amazon Prime. The interface is just to clunky and they don't have much I'm interested in. For anyone that gets one though, be sure to google 'free roku channels'.
I also go to the discount/second-run movie theater once in a while.
I use to use RedBox (DVR rental 'machines') but their interface is cluncky and the selection is sporadic.

Imustacheyouaquestion · « **Reply #9 on:** April 28, 2015, 07:58:06 AM »

Roku hooked to the AVR Receiver and TV for Netflix streaming, Amazon Prime, YouTube, WatchESPN (borrowed password), a Plex channel plugin that lets me stream NHL games, HBO GO (access included with our internet subscription), Plex client for watching locally-stored movies/tv shows

Dedicated Plex server box (a old MacBook that won't die) is also connected to the AVR receiver/TV to serve up local content, show streaming video from websites (MegaVid, firstrowsports, reddit.com/r/bestofstreamingvideo)

All that to guarantee we'll never feel like we're missing a show/event/game we want to see...and we probably watch about an hour of content a week, lol.

Axecleaver · « **Reply #10 on:** April 28, 2015, 08:05:38 AM »

Hi Retired, I spent five years on satellite Internet with a low monthly bandwidth cap (20Gb) which prohibited streaming video services, so I feel your pain. I read your question as "what alternatives have you found to cable TV and streaming video?"

We used the netflix DVD service, and got 3 at a time, which let us have one of the three in transit pretty much all the time, with two other things to watch. Netflix often sends an "extra" dvd, probably following the Zappos "exceed customer expectations" model, so that 3 at a time works out to 3.5 fairly frequently.

I bought a kindle paperwhite for $79 (one time cost) and signed up with my library (free!) which allows me to check out up to three books at a time. These are downloaded from Amazon just like buying them. Some popular/new titles you need to get on a waiting list, but I always have something new to read.

We would troll ebay for used tv series that we liked - Lost, for example - and then binge-watch the whole series over several weeks.

Jersey Brett · « **Reply #11 on:** April 28, 2015, 08:07:48 AM »

Netflix. I use the ROKU because my computer is too slow.

bogart · « **Reply #12 on:** April 28, 2015, 08:15:14 AM »

I don't watch much TV but my DH watches tons.

We recently abandoned our cable subsciption (SO glad to be done with that) and switched to Dish Sling. It's not as reliable, but it's $80/month cheaper and still provides access to the (apparently essential) ESPN.

We have Netflix (streaming) and a Roku. I'm not really sure what this means, but I know we have them. I do know we can watch a ton of "old" stuff via Netflix.

Candace · « **Reply #13 on:** April 28, 2015, 08:25:07 AM »

Netflix (1 DVD at a time plus streaming). Costs $16.46/month and we use it a lot. I'm also an Amazon Prime member and we get a lot of TV included in the membership fee. It's more than enough for us.

cerebus · « **Reply #14 on:** April 28, 2015, 08:36:30 AM »

To be really honest, we just download everything we watch from 'sources'. We're not huge TV viewers but maybe 1-2 hours a night max. I like being able to control my own library of content.

johnhenry · « **Reply #15 on:** April 28, 2015, 08:42:15 AM »

Quote from: Imustacheyouaquestion on April 28, 2015, 07:58:06 AM

Roku hooked to the AVR Receiver and TV for Netflix streaming, Amazon Prime, YouTube, WatchESPN (borrowed password), a Plex channel plugin that lets me stream NHL games, HBO GO (access included with our internet subscription), Plex client for watching locally-stored movies/tv shows

Dedicated Plex server box (a old MacBook that won't die) is also connected to the AVR receiver/TV to serve up local content, show streaming video from websites (MegaVid, firstrowsports, reddit.com/r/bestofstreamingvideo)

All that to guarantee we'll never feel like we're missing a show/event/game we want to see...and we probably watch about an hour of content a week, lol.

+1 for Roku combined with Plex Media Server. Plex has comedy central channel and that's what we watch when we aren't watching local stations over the antenna.

We don't pay subscription fees for anything except the internet itself. I wish we watched more TV so I could keep up with the other cool stuff available through Plex. Are the hockey games free? Or included with your Internet subscription?

TheFixer · « **Reply #16 on:** April 28, 2015, 08:43:05 AM »

Free DVD's from the library.
Free streaming of Hoopla w/ library card.
Free books from library.
Free audiobooks from library.
Free youtube internet stuff.
Free Pandora/spotify/rdio streaming.

dycker1978 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 28, 2015, 08:45:21 AM »

We cut the cable cord about 2 years ago. At first we downloaded content from a website(questionable), but then we stopped doing that. We have Netflix, that the kids watch, but honestly have turned on the TV for one movie over the last 12 months ourselves. We play games, and out side as much as possible.

nereo · « **Reply #18 on:** April 28, 2015, 09:01:10 AM »

Honestly, I just borrow DVDs of whatever TV season I want from friends and we trade them around. It helps that was serially gift-given The Simpsons seasons 1-15 and House MD before I finally screamed "thank you but enough" to my family members, so I have something to "trade". There's always someone who's buying the latest season of (insert popular or cultish TV show here) that I have no need to buy DVDs.

Had netflix but canceled because this is free (at least to me)

Retired To Win · « **Reply #19 on:** April 28, 2015, 09:01:49 AM »

Quote from: Emerald on April 28, 2015, 07:10:13 AM

Rabbit ears and books mostly. And I'm a frequent movie goer at matinees and discout Tuesdays.

Hah! I forgot to list rabbit ears in my original post. We paid about $30 for a long distance antenna that we installed on the roof. That gives us viewing access to 3 (!!) public television stations. (Think Downton Abbey, commercial-free international mystery movies, and Masterpiece Theatre.)

ohana · « **Reply #20 on:** April 28, 2015, 10:34:59 AM »

Quote from: HipGnosis on April 28, 2015, 07:48:04 AM

I kicked Di$h to the ditch last year.
The only thing I kinda miss is the comedy channel.

We watch Comedy Central on their app (Ipad). It doesn't include all the shows without a cable subscription, but the Daily Show and the Nightly Show are all we need. Also, lots of John Oliver's pieces are online, so we watch those occasionally.

Davids · « **Reply #21 on:** April 28, 2015, 11:18:01 AM »

Regular network channels and Netflix. Also some of the cable channels post their episodes on their website and you don't have to be a subscriber to watch (i.e A&E posts new Bates Motel episode the next day)

Vilgan · « **Reply #22 on:** April 28, 2015, 11:21:33 AM »

We still have cable, but are strongly considering cutting the cord. The wife loves her redzone during football season though, so that's our main thing to figure out before we take the plunge.

otter · « **Reply #23 on:** April 28, 2015, 11:22:20 AM »

Reading, for one.

As far as media-on-screens is concerned, I have a subscription to a local place that is like Netflix but better (great selection of unusual stuff, plus they are also an actual theater with weekly screenings of non-mainstream movies and special members-only screenings), my girlfriend can get anything she can think of from the university library she works for, I can get some stuff on Amazon Prime, and I have a friend's house for TiVoed group watchings of a couple of shows.

Bardo · « **Reply #24 on:** April 28, 2015, 11:41:58 AM »

I just use Netflix plus I bought the last season of Mad Men from Amazon. I won't watch broadcast television, free or not, because I don't want to be exposed to commercials. Also I only watch Neflix on weekends, so I save a little extra money by turning off the power strip for the TV, roku box and dvd players during the week.

None of this is any big sacrifice - I prefer reading anyway.

big_slacker · « **Reply #25 on:** April 28, 2015, 11:43:04 AM »

Never been a huge TV watcher anyway, so any pay TV would be pure waste. I mostly read these days but also have $8 netflix and amazon prime free stuff.

Eric · « **Reply #26 on:** April 28, 2015, 11:48:04 AM »

From April through October, it's mlb.tv Go Cubs Go!!

MLKnits · « **Reply #27 on:** April 28, 2015, 11:51:01 AM »

Quote from: Axecleaver on April 28, 2015, 08:05:38 AM

I bought a kindle paperwhite for $79 (one time cost) and signed up with my library (free!) which allows me to check out up to three books at a time. These are downloaded from Amazon just like buying them. Some popular/new titles you need to get on a waiting list, but I always have something new to read.

Overdrive + ereader = the greatest step forward in cheap entertainment tech in twenty years, if you ask me. Particularly since many big cities extend library card availability to a large region, their whole state or province, or sometimes to anyone at all for a small fee.

My big book resolution this year is to read mostly library books, and downloading them from my couch (and blowing up the font for my wretched vision--bless ereader accessibility!) has made that easy as pie.

I'd recommend a non-Kindle for people who might be going this route, though--most library collections are weighted very heavily towards epub books, which Kindles won't read (Amazon has its own, proprietary, book format). Nook and Kobo do epub, and probably most or all of the smaller companies' readers. Overdrive also has a mobile and a desktop app, and reading in-browser is surprisingly good on their system.

metastache · « **Reply #28 on:** April 28, 2015, 12:05:24 PM »

Recently I strung up a hammock in a bedroom and watch Netflix on an iPad. It's way better than a couch and a tv.

Retired To Win · « **Reply #29 on:** April 28, 2015, 01:38:57 PM »

Quote from: MLKnits on April 28, 2015, 07:17:32 AM

... That's too bad about your internet service! The Canadian options aren't fantastic (not enough competition) but I have 60GB a month and I don't think I've ever gone over, even in very heavy streaming months...

We spend $90 a month for satellite internet service. I'm not sure right this minute how many GBs that gets us, but I don't think it's enough to be able to stream video cost effectively. Sixty GBs would cost us $139 a month after spending $296 for some gizmo. :(

So it's other alternatives to cable for us.

Neustache · « **Reply #30 on:** April 28, 2015, 01:47:40 PM »

We borrow DVD's from the library but we also watch a lot of YouTube and PBS - cooking shows, kids shows, etc.

Also, our regular, non-cable TV channels play Twilight Zone and Hogans Heroes at night. Who needs cable? (And no, we are not 60 years old...we just like old shows).

UnleashHell · « **Reply #31 on:** April 28, 2015, 01:56:17 PM »

Quote from: Eric on April 28, 2015, 11:48:04 AM

From April through ~~October~~ September, it's mlb.tv Go Cubs Go!!

Fixed that for ya...

Eric · « **Reply #32 on:** April 28, 2015, 02:15:00 PM »

Quote from: UnleashHell on April 28, 2015, 01:56:17 PM

Quote from: Eric on April 28, 2015, 11:48:04 AM
From April through ~~October~~ September, it's mlb.tv Go Cubs Go!!

Fixed that for ya...

I don't see how that was called for! It's April dammit! Have a heart!

Gyosho · « **Reply #33 on:** April 28, 2015, 02:23:51 PM »

Books/ebooks/DVDs from the library.

video.pbs.org

All free!

UnleashHell · « **Reply #34 on:** April 28, 2015, 02:30:48 PM »

Quote from: Eric on April 28, 2015, 02:15:00 PM

Quote from: UnleashHell on April 28, 2015, 01:56:17 PM
Quote from: Eric on April 28, 2015, 11:48:04 AM
From April through ~~October~~ September, it's mlb.tv Go Cubs Go!!

Fixed that for ya...

I don't see how that was called for! It's April dammit! Have a heart!

Just trying to manage your expectations....

TheContinentalOp · « **Reply #35 on:** April 28, 2015, 02:42:54 PM »

3 DVD at a time plan from Netflix, plus Redbox.

I can't stream. I only have the internet thru a company supplied wifi hotspot with a 5 Gb/mo data camp.

zinethstache · « **Reply #36 on:** April 28, 2015, 02:54:14 PM »

DH doesn't watch TV. I never did until plagued by major back issues (and three surgeries in less than 2 years) made me addicted to TV.

I have setup our back bedroom with my "anti" cable setup. It includes Fire Stick, Fire that plays across the Fire Stick, HD antenna and I just subscribed to Dish Sling.

Sling is only 80% effective, sometimes it craps out while other internet devices are happily loading data. Love the Fire Stick, it is solid, never craps out so I know our WiFi is good. Ah, and I did buy a WiFi repeater long ago because we live in a very long rambler and the signal is only one bar back there.

Now the only addictive station I am missing is Sci Fi! Love all their shows:( I can watch some via Internet however so I might just pull the plug without a good solution. Football this winter will be a challenge, that used to be DHs reasoning for cable, but as soon as this season ended he gave me the green light to build up our alternate setup and FIRE Comcast!

I suppose I should consider a recording device, but would like to be happy with what I have I kind of hate being addicted to the DVR:)

akstarr · « **Reply #37 on:** April 29, 2015, 04:03:09 AM »

I cut cable last year, after not turning on the tv for over a month and no one noticed. Well my husband noticed when he came home from work,lol.
However between antenna and the roku box, it's fine. For the most part we watch create tv, my husband watches the local news, and there are linear streaming channels on the roku, you just have to look for them. Right now we have Netflix, which will go on hold for the summer, and sling tv which will also go on hold for the summer.
'

2lazy2retire · « **Reply #38 on:** April 29, 2015, 06:35:37 AM »

Surprising how the price changes when you cancel. Dumped Verizon "double play" 2 months ago and switched to Comcast internet only $110 --> $49. Now Verizon are offering me 25/25Mbs to come back for only $29/month ( set for 2 years). After dropping cable I added Hulu ( might drop this - hardly used) already had Amazon Prime and Netflix.
As regards hardware I got the Amazon Fire TV box - very open piece of kit which allows you to sideload lots of apps - check out Kodi ( also available for PC) - more TV channels than anyone would ever need.

http://www.htpcbeginner.com/best-kodi-addons-2015-for-cordcutters/

DecD · « **Reply #39 on:** April 29, 2015, 07:15:27 AM »

Netflix and this homemade antenna:
http://makezine.com/projects/digital-tv-coat-hanger-antenna/

Blonde Lawyer · « **Reply #40 on:** April 29, 2015, 07:37:38 AM »

Hulu, netflix and sling via Roku.

We live in a Comcast monopoly zone though and our only internet option costs $89/month currently. It was half that for our first year in our current location. I can't really do the call and threaten to cancel thing because they know they are the only company in town. I also need an MCell to get cell reception (I cut the landline). I get that free from the carrier but it requires internet to work.

My husband has a free Verizon iphone for work w/ unlimited data that he can use as a hotspot. We aren't quite comfortable using that for all of our internet needs though, particularly streaming. One, we think it abuses the policy and they would probably crack down. Two, privacy concerns. He has cancelled his personal phone though and uses the work one exclusively.

mrmiyagi · « **Reply #41 on:** April 29, 2015, 07:46:39 AM »

Don't think anybody has mentioned HBO NOW. It just released at $15/mo, but you can get a free one month trial right now. We have been Netflix only for a while, but the programming available on HBO NOW is pretty impressive. You can basically stream every episode of every series HBO has ever aired. And they seem to have a more recent selection of movies compared to Netflix.

Bob W · « **Reply #42 on:** April 29, 2015, 08:04:56 AM »

Haven't read all the posts-

We went probably 7 years with rabbit ears -- no problems.

Then we moved and could only get PBS -- which has 3 stations and is kinda nice. We dealt with that by becoming collectors of VHS thrift store tapes for 50 cents each. We have like 400 now.

Then cable --ich

Now Roku with Netflix -- Yeah baby!

But the last few days it has been no TV as our 7 year old has become addicted to Youtube videos of Minecraft. I noticed right away that I feel better and sleep better.

So I'm thinking that no TV will be the general rule at our house with an occasional use of Roku. The wife and I like to listen to old music on Youtube and it is great to be able to search on your tablet and project to TV. I'm also into minutephysics and Tedtalks on Youtube.

Rheagar · « **Reply #43 on:** April 29, 2015, 08:36:20 AM »

I just cut cable last week and I'm loving it. I finally got the wife on board when she realized that most of the time we just have the TV on for background noise and she doesn't really watch it.

So we got an indoor antenna so we still get plenty of OTA channels, and I would highly recommend the Channel Master DVR+ or something similar. It's basically a cable box for OTA channels that gives you a guide and the ability to record/pause/rewind. This was a big selling point for the wife because it meant she could still record a few shows like 'Ellen' without cable. It was a little pricey with upfront cost but should pay for itself easily in a few months.

We also have a Fire TV stick with Netflix and Prime. We are watching less TV overall now but when we do it's probably 75% on Netflix. I have also done a lot of digging online and figured out how to install an app called Kodi (used to be XBMC) on the Fire stick that lets you watch just about ANYTHING streaming. Any movie, every episode of any TV show, live streams of almost any TV channel (including HBO for Game of Thones). It's pretty awesome, just a little clumsy to use.

All in in all I am super happy we ditched cable. It's saving money and has improved our quality of life.

Blonde Lawyer · « **Reply #44 on:** April 29, 2015, 08:37:23 AM »

Quote from: mrmiyagi on April 29, 2015, 07:46:39 AM

Don't think anybody has mentioned HBO NOW. It just released at $15/mo, but you can get a free one month trial right now. We have been Netflix only for a while, but the programming available on HBO NOW is pretty impressive. You can basically stream every episode of every series HBO has ever aired. And they seem to have a more recent selection of movies compared to Netflix.

Probably because everyone has been "borrowing" HBO Go and Showtime's equivalent from friends/relatives who still have cable. At least so I have heard. :)

Cromacster · « **Reply #45 on:** April 29, 2015, 08:47:24 AM »

Quote from: mrmiyagi on April 29, 2015, 07:46:39 AM

Don't think anybody has mentioned HBO NOW. It just released at $15/mo, but you can get a free one month trial right now. We have been Netflix only for a while, but the programming available on HBO NOW is pretty impressive. You can basically stream every episode of every series HBO has ever aired. And they seem to have a more recent selection of movies compared to Netflix.

Only problem is HBO Now is limited to Apple TV users and Optimum internet service subscribers. I read Apple has it locked down for the first 90 days before other companies can start releasing it. I wonder how much apple had to pay for that.

Axecleaver · « **Reply #46 on:** April 29, 2015, 02:11:43 PM »

Quote

I'd recommend a non-Kindle for people who might be going this route, though--most library collections are weighted very heavily towards epub books, which Kindles won't read (Amazon has its own, proprietary, book format).

The advantage of Kindle books through Overdrive is that you can check them back in early, which is a lot more convenient for managing your checkouts. I don't think you can do that with the epub books, which must "time out" and check themselves back in after either one or two weeks.

You can work around the conversion issue with Calibre: http://calibre-ebook.com/download
That's also a handy tool for downloading free daily copies of newspapers, Project Gutenberg, etc.

ketchup · « **Reply #47 on:** April 29, 2015, 02:31:51 PM »

Roommate's Netflix account for now. I have Amazon Prime but have probably used the streaming service twice ever. No cable, no rabbit ears. Occasional content sourced from online "sources." Maybe a total of an hour or two a month usage, more when Game of Thrones is airing.

Kwill · « **Reply #48 on:** April 29, 2015, 03:40:24 PM »

Quote from: Retired To Win on April 28, 2015, 01:38:57 PM

We spend $90 a month for satellite internet service. I'm not sure right this minute how many GBs that gets us, but I don't think it's enough to be able to stream video cost effectively. Sixty GBs would cost us $139 a month after spending $296 for some gizmo. :(

Ninety dollars is crazy expensive for home Internet that you can't use effectively for fear of going over a limit. Have you looked into other options that might be in your area? I have DSL through my phone company, which is slower than cable internet but still fine for streaming Hulu and Amazon Prime and CrunchyRoll and PBS. It has trouble with videos in HD, so some of the commercials will slow it down or make it stall to load. But the main content for most of these can be set to a slightly lower quality for the sake of speed.

YK-Phil · « **Reply #49 on:** April 29, 2015, 03:55:11 PM »

No cable, no home internet, and find no need for it. I did try a few antennas when my TV-addicted mom visited us for a couple of months, but in the end, I could not catch one single channel so I gave up. But we live across the smallest but nicest branch of the Calgary public library so we took her there every afternoon, and she really enjoyed the daily outing. Whether mom is here or not, we just walk across a couple of afternoons a week to read newspapers and magazines and browse DVDs and CDs. We always find something interesting to watch, and whatever we want they don't have at the branch can be ordered.

News:

Author Topic: What are your alternatives to cable tv? (Read 16147 times)

2lazy2retire