Question for those without cable.

[NCTraveler]

I started out my new year with a simple resolution. Go through January without turning on the cable box. I did not turn off the tv. I have Netflix, Sony Movies, and am an Amazon Prime member. I wanted to do a dry run before truly getting rid of cable. Well, ends up I truly didn't miss it. I watched no cable tv during the month. As I have had cable since I remember I truly thought it was going to be life altering. It wasn't in any way. I turned on cable for the first time this year last night. Turned it on to watch the Super Bowl. Watched part of the pre-game and some of the first quarter. I couldn't continue watching after all of the commercial breaks. After not watching commercials for a month it was brutal. So I will be cancelling my cable as planned. Tired of paying over a hundred a month to have commercial after commercial sent into my living room. I also found that I was simply turning on the best thing I could find at anytime, often just background noise of a shitty show. I never realized how boxed in I was considering I had over 200 stations to choose from.

To those who got rid of cable yet still watch some form of tv, what service do you use? Netflix? Hulu? Sony? Amazon? Online streaming?

Very interested in getting some good ideas. I have been enjoying Netflix as it has many documentaries. Amazon has plenty of movies at no additional cost to Prime members. What is your choice. This is not for people who simply removed their tv from their house. Just for those who got sick of cable for one reason or another and are now using other services. If you supplement your cable with another service I would appreciate you letting me know what you are using. Thanks.

[My Good Babushka]

1. We got rid of cable about five years ago

because we had to pare back expenses out of necessity. I don't miss it.
We have Netflix, but even use that sparingly. We read more and listen to music and it's just normal, now, for the TV to be off.
It's nice. We think and talk to each other!

[dembotoz]

2. regular broadcast tv is still around and my tv backbone

if you have an old tv you will need a converter
but throw on an ok tv antenna you are good to go.

reduced to basic cable i found i had more channels on antenna tv than i did with basic cable

[LuvNewcastle]

13. I have rabbit ears,

and I get plenty of stations. Paying for tv makes no sense to me, especially considering the ridiculous amounts the cable companies charge these days.

[djean111]

3. Snagfilms.com has a lot of movies. Free.

journeyman.tv has a lot of documentaries, some free, some PPV.

And yeah, I have noticed that sometimes I find myself watching whatever is the least not boring, so I know what you mean.
I don't think I can save much money by just letting go of TV, though, I get a discount package from my carrier because I used to work for them.

[TexasProgresive]

4. Never had cable or satelite TV

We have broadcast TV which is free-sure you have the commercials but at least you are not paying to watch commercials. One of the things that turns me of the cable/satellite TV is that it is all or none. I refuse to subsidize channels like Faux Snooze and whatever channel that has programing contrary to my way of thinking. This goes for XM/Sirius radio. When I first subscribed to Sirius they at least had a good balance between right and left and there was Air America. Then there was only one channel for left talk with 2 hosts being so obnoxious that I couldn't listen to them Lynn Samuels was one and I can't think of the other one. The final straw for me was Sirius adding another right wing channel and called it Patriot. It annoys me no end that RWNJs are considered patriots.

We don't do any of the online TV content because our internet is satellite with a limit of 10 Gig per month. That pretty much eliminates and video.

[brooklynite]

16. Um, you're not "paying to watch commercials" with cable...

...you're paying for the delivery of more channels than are available on broadcast TV with better picture quality. If that equation doesn't work for you, great. It's worth it to me to get BBC America, AMC, SyFy, Food Network, etc, and not have to wait for new episodes of shows I like.

[TexasProgresive]

18. As you wish

Back in the day 1960ish cable was commercial free. You paid a subscription fee and got commercial free network TV. Now adays you pay a subscription fee and get ads as well. Actually I get very good picture quality since all or channels are HDTV that's the law of the land for broadcast TV until the telecoms manage to steal the rest of OUR airwaves.

[RiverLover]

19. I buy shows from all those channels for $1.99 on Amazon

And they stay in my cloud for as long as I'm around.

So I too no longer pay for commercials with cable, I pay less for no commercials.

[INdemo]

5. I'm sick of cable/satelite because of the continued price

increases and for those (usually interns) in customer service that think we are receiving God's gift by having satellite service.
I have local stations via antenna and Netflix. I will be getting Amazon service also and soon.

[Old Codger]

6. over the air Antenna

Plus netflix, lousy internet service and 2 channels usually from antenna sometimes get 4 but not usually..

On edit, forgot to include ROKU which is probably the best deal out there.

[zazen]

7. YouTube has treasure trove of documentaries and talks, btw--much more than Amazon/Netflix

You have to sign in via Google, so there's that, but as a huge historical drama and documentary consumer, I've been stunned. As in, for ONE example, over 200 episodes of Britain's Time Team, a wonderful archaeology show that's been on in the UK for 20 years, and soooo many BBC, PBS, and other documentaries and shows. Then there are all of the political, activist, transition/peak oil, environmental, and spiritual talks you can stream. And the HILARIOUS early to mid 20th century documentaries about "How to Be a Lovely and Popular Girl" or "World of the Future," which make great entertainment for company. I'm a friggin' addict.

We keep cable for live sports (for Mr. Zazen), Turner Classic Movies, and AMC, the latter of which I know we can just buy via iTunes, so I don't know why we don't pull the plug on it either. They basically give it away though through Time Warner to keep you hooked by raising all of the streaming fees so it's just 10-20 more to have it. Still, that's 120-240/year we can use for any other expense.

Keep us posted. I really would like to cancel it. Good luck!

[Quackers]

8. We haven't had cable since December of 2012

We have two Apple TV's, Netflix, and Amazon Prime. In addition, I use some of the money saved to build up our iTunes movie collection. We probably have about 4-5 Terabytes worth of movies and shows from Apple. Our latest purchase was Game of Thrones Season 1-3 combo for $74.99. This allows us to choose what we want to see and keep the digital rights to it. If I ever lose a movie, I can just re download it from Apple.

[mwooldri]

9. Before cancelling cable outright...

... I recommend you ensure that you can receive broadcast TV. Radio stations cannot be relied upon for news and information in the case of an emergency, since a lot of them are on automation with little or no live on-air staff.

I recommend a good antenna, preferably one that's outdoors. Some people have an acceptable set up with an indoor antenna - it all depends on location.

Once you have a reliable broadcast TV setup, then yup - ditch the cable. For years, that's been our set up here: broadcast TV, and Roku boxes for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc.

If you can't get a reliable signal from the local TV stations that have local news, then keep the cable but knock it down to the broadcast basics. Return the box, unless it's needed. You need a box if your TV provider scrambles all the channels, or a TV without a digital TV tuner (most tube TVs don't have a digital tuner, some do though). Easiest way to find out: plug the cable directly into your TV and scan for channels. If you get channels on xx-x e.g. 8-1, 4-2, etc then you get digital TV. I feel the cost is worth it for my peace of mind - we did this for a year when we lived in an apartment and we couldn't get anything.

Also if you have your Internet with the cable company, and their phone service appeals to you, find out about a package deal. Time Warner hiked up our Internet bill, but we got a nice package deal that made our Internet and phone bills cheaper but we got TV included. We just viewed it as an added bonus. We have one provider for Internet here (Time Warner Cable) so we can't really shop for a competitor.

I know it's a long winded reply but I just strongly believe that access to broadcast TV is important for public safety reasons. Ditching cable loses easy access - but with a bit of work most people can get broadcast TV without cable.

[Ms. Toad]

22. Radio stations supplemented by internet

are perfectly adequate for emergencies.

I do miss regular news access - but any emergency information I can get just as quickly online or via the radio as I ever could through TV. Even when we had access to TV stations, I turned more frequently to radio or the internet for emergency info.

[jomin41]

10. Cable is a waste

Just recently got back online after several years without it and without cable or any tv. It was great. Peaceful. Read a lot. Thought a lot(I think that is what we are trying to avoid by these endless distractions). Television will steal your life, an hour at a time. Web is bad enough but more useful than tv. I doubt that you will regret dumping cable.

[rgbecker]

11. I bought one of these on Ebay and now get channels my 12 foot long monster never picked up.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HDTV-Outdoor-Amplified-Antenna-HD-TV-36dB-Rotor-Remote-360-UHF-VHF-FM-150-Miles-/310464020303?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item484918ff4f

The thing is really light weight. Mine is on a 10 foot pole on the roof. I'm thinking of adding another to point towards the other direction so I won't have to keep rotating it. I think one of these inside would even work if you weren't 50 miles from the stations like I am.

I was never interested in paying $30/mo for TV. Mostly watch public broadcasting. Maybe the superbowl, like last night.

I watch the C span on the computer.

[1bigdude]

12. I don't miss cable at all. LOVE Netflix and Amazon Prime. NT

[hobbit709]

14. Nothing available on Hulu, Netflix or Amazon interests me.

Much less having to install that extreme resource hog Silverlight on my computer.

Until the shows I want to watch are available I'll stick with DirecTV.

[NCTraveler]

24. I currently have Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Had Hulu for a little and didn't like it. I used all three and have never heard of Silverlight. What does it have to do with the three?

[hobbit709]

27. If you want Netflix and others streaming on your computer you have to install and use silverlight

which is another resource heavy bloatware hog from microsoft. If you have Windows 8 it is either already on there or an update will give it to you.

[NCTraveler]

36. Thanks for the info.

I don't stream any of them on my computer. I might someday on trips but haven't yet. I have a smart tv in my living room and my bedroom tv has a Netflix compatible blu ray. Never had a hiccup with either one. I would be hard pressed to watch a show on my laptop at home when I have a 60 and 55 inch tv. Neither needs my laptop for Netflix, hulu, Amazon Prime, or many other options.

[mythology]

30. Silverlight is a Microsoft application that allows playing Netflix to allow for DRM

[RiverLover]

15. I get over-the-air with antenna & buy shows on Amazon, commercial free

I spend maybe $14-$20/mo.

Some shows I can get OTA, but buy them anyways so I'll always have them. I got a TV pass for Downton Abbey and got the final 5 episodes of this season already. I own all 12 seasons of Top Chef, stream them on Amazon.

[KansDem]

17. Got rid of cable in 1996

I go to the internet for news and information. For entertainment, I've compiled an impressive collection of DVD movies (over 200 titles). When I got rid of cable I'd make it a point to purchase a movie or two every payday, first VHS then DVD, usually stopping in at Borders when there was one.

I also check DVDs out from my local library. An evening at the KansDems usually involves music (CDs of jazz--Mulligan, Adderley, Getz, Baker, Nat King Cole, Johnny Hartman, etc., some pop and folk, rock and blues) with cocktails or wine, followed by a good dinner (yours truly as chef!) then a movie.

We don't go out much anymore...

[tammywammy]

20. I use Netflix, Amazon, Hulu Plus

I have a Roku and also get the Smithsonian channel, PBS, etc. I have a digital antenna to get the local stations.

[NCTraveler]

25. I am visiting a friend soon who has Roku.

Still not sure I know what it is but they say they like it. Will check it out then.

[tammywammy]

33. It's great!

It's basically a way to stream to your TV. They have various channels, Smithsonian for instance, and I can watch those shows. I have a smart tv, but find using the Roku for Netflix, Hulu, etc, much easier. I have the Roku 3.

[Ms. Toad]

21. Never had cable. Lost our over-the-air access in the analog -> digital conversion.

We're too far from the towers to get much of anything (other than "All Jesus, All the time." We use Netflix.

I miss being able to turn on the TV independent from my computer, but I refuse to pay for programming I've been getting for free all my life.

[Go Vols]

23. I have a roku box

and get tons of free channels.

http://mkvxstream.blogspot.com/2013/03/roku-private-channels-2013-roku-channel.html

http://streamfree.tv/apps/roku-private-channels/

also have Plex on Roku with more free network TV.

https://github.com/plexinc-plugins

[tabbycat31]

26. Got rid of cable in June

My TV choices are Netflix and Amazon Prime (which I watch on my Kindle).

There are things that I've missed but it hasn't justified the expense. If worse comes to worse, I'll watch something on demand at my parents house.

[libodem]

28. I rabbit ears

And watch network at home. I have Internet on this phone and watch tv clips in V&M. I visit friends to watch cable shows.

There is something called a fire stick to get the computer to play on the tv for Netflix ( I think). It's in my future.

[ffr]

29. You won't miss it. And you'll begin to wonder why people still watch.

Well, except if you're one of those people that feels they need to belong around the coffee machine at work discussing fake reality with others, just to feel connected.

If you're into the outdoors, getting things done around the house, doing stuff that enriches your life and makes you a more colorful person, you'll look back, as we have and think, why did I wait so long?!

What a terrible waste of your life, sitting watching TV. Sure, enjoy movies and the fulfillment that brings, but there are fewer and fewer good cable shows worth tuning in to.

We use an HD airwaves antenna & Netflix. If I can at all help it, I hope I never see a subscriber bill for cable/satellite again in my lifetime.

[hunter]

31. We don't even watch broadcast television anymore, the commercials are so irritating.

We live in a place where we can get all the major networks with a simple antenna, even PBS, but we got out of the habit of paying any attention to "what's on T.V.?"

Even recording shows became too much of a bother.

Our television is a movie player. Our extended family accumulates DVDs just as we accumulate books, and we trade them. There's also a Netflix account in the family "library," and a Redbox at the nearby grocery store.

I wander thrift stores so I'll sometimes pick up DVDs there. (I don't like to buy anything new but food, soap, undershorts, and socks.)

Television news is worthless to me. The more I avoid it, the worse it looks next time I see it. It seems to be all propaganda, advertising, anxiety and manipulative fear, uncertainty, and doubt these days, the purpose being, I suppose, to reassure us that Big Brother and his Corporate tools will protect us from dandruff, body odor, and scary brown people.

[mythology]

32. I use netflix, over the air tv, purchasing dvds and some legal online streaming

I know that people say buying dvds is outdated, but if I own the media I can play it even if somebody decides that I can't, which I can't do with digital media.

But that said, I don't really watch a lot of tv in general. Not because I look down on tv, but I just don't have the time. I've watched a lot more lately with being laid up with recovering from surgery.

[Fumesucker]

34. Try not watching commercials for a few years

If you think they are brutal after only a month.



There's a hell of a lot of interesting stuff to watch just on Youtube, far more interesting than the great majority of shows on cable.

[NCTraveler]

38. I really cant believe the commercials.

I only went a month without them. I was actually pretty excited to fire up the Verizon fios last night to watch the super bowl. I was surprised by how much all of the commercial breaks bothered me. Even more surprised at how I didn't notice before the amount of crap being shoved into my living room. I wasn't even thinking about it yesterday when I turned cable on. Out of my reasons for wanting to get rid of cable the commercials weren't even at the top of the list. After yesterday I found myself in commercial shock. Really looking forward to cancelling my cable. I really thought I was going to have a problem without it. I didn't miss it at all. Not only that, I found much more rewarding programming.

[LeftinOH]

35. Never had cable; local TV and Netflix are good enough. n/t

[closeupready]

37. I didn't have cable ever in my adult life - then last summer, FiOS

started competing in my neighborhood with Time Warner, and they had some really good deals for new subscribers, but most importantly, NO CONTRACT. So I figured what the hell, I can always cancel, and so I signed up.

I have to say that I am REALLY happy with it. Always something on, a film or an Alaska show or whatever it is, and I have DVR so programs tape without my being there, and I can watch later - and even if I miss something which I forgot to DVR, I can get it on demand for free if it's free normally. I just can't get enough of it, sorry to be the contrarian.

I suppose, on the other hand, if I HAD to get rid of it, I certainly could, but I really don't want to.

[markpkessinger]

39. Since you like documentaries . . .

. . . as do I, you should know that there are a number of very good, free documentary sites. Here's a list of such sites that I have bookmarked, and regularly visit:

Films For Action: Watch And Share Films Made To Inspire Action For A Better World

DocumentaryTube.com

DocumentaryWIRE

Documentary-Log.com

Documentary Network - Watch free documentaries and films online

Documentary Addict - Watch Free Documentaries Online

Top Documentary Films - Watch Free Documentaries Online

Putlocker - Note: this site also has a good selection of feature films, including some in current release.

[pstokely]

40. if can get local channels with an antenna and don't care about sports, you don't need cable

you'll need cable if you care about sports

[bowens43]

41. I use netflix,amazon prime, hulu prime and crackle

I have a roku 3 that gives me access to many many channels of free content.

I also have an antenna that allows me to pick up local channels

[bhikkhu]

42. Netflix and Amazon, streamed on my Sony Bluray player

It works great, as we have pretty decent bandwidth on our internet service. We did without streaming for years, having cut the cable in 2001. Then we downloaded movies and things, and had a lot of VHS stuff from the library and garage sales. Netflix is probably the kid's favorite, as it lets them keep up on some decent shows that their friends all know. They're more fond of watching and rewatching series than new stuff really, and Netflix makes that really easy. I use Amazon on my computer, which won't run Netflix (Ubuntu).

[NV Whino]

43. Netflix

I watch on Apple TV, which has a lot of other things, too. PBS being one and Smithsonian another. They add stuff all the time.

Never had cable except for six months one time for Internet. Never hooked up the box that they insisted on sending me.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

44. I mounted an HD antenna on my roof

Wired it into the cable distribution box on the side of the house. The one I got cost me about $60. I get about 50-60 channels (counting Spanish and religious stations), if which I watch about 30. All crystal clear HD.

Aside from that, I use Netflix, and many cable shows stream on their respective websites the day after airing (I have both a PS3 and a media PC hooked up to my tv).

[arcane1]

45. I use a peer-to-peer network and watch a few things a day late.

The Daily Show, for example.

[freeplessinseattle]

46. Antenna. one time cost of around $50. b/t

[raven mad]

47. We haven't had cable in 3 years.

And don't miss it at all. Of course, we're internet-newsies, readers (more books than sense, the spouse says) and of course, NPR and public TV are great with just the antenna setup.

We gave it up because of the cost (monopoly). And found we wouldn't pay to have it back. If we MUST see something on cable, we'll hit a roadhouse or lodge and watch there!

[alarimer]

48. Netflix and Hulu Plus

I had Amazon Prime, but decided it wasn't worth it.

I don't really miss cable. Except for sports.

[Comrade Grumpy]

49. So how do I get cable news channels and the NFL?

That's all that's keeping me tethered right now.

[davidthegnome]

50. Depends on what you're looking for.

Netflix has some really great shows and movies - but the selection is a bit limited. They'll probably have plenty of stuff you'll love, but will be missing plenty of stuff you love, too. For the best variety, I'd recommend Netflix and Hulu, gives you access to all kinds of stuff without costing you very much. For anything you can't find on those two, online streaming. There's some sites out there that are fairly decent for it, if you don't mind some level of advertising.

Amazon is great, too - what I like most about it is that you can buy particular episodes of shows you really enjoy - for a good price.

Not that I have any of this stuff - but my sister does, and I watch TV at her place a lot.

[Inkfreak]

51. Check out Amazon fire TV. It is awesome.

And it combines A lot of your streaming services. And it's relatively cheap. I have the Amazon fire home and USB stick and I believe I spent about $110 total. Cut the cable stuck to Wi-Fiand I am thoroughly enjoying it. Oh and by the way crackle offers some nice stuff and it's a free service with a few commercials.

[PasadenaTrudy]

52. No TV, just iPad

Personally, I just watch stuff on my iPad. I have Netflix, iTunes, and Amazon Prime

[TheNutcracker]

53. I'm a cutter too! I have Roku & Netflix with an HD antenna on my house! The LAVA antenna!

The HD antenna solves the necessity for HULU PLUS, as that is geared more toward TV shows. I get them in HD with the antenna. My bill went from 100 a month for basic cable to 7.99. If I don't have Netflix which I did not for the first two months after cutting, it was all free.

No need for cable...and the drivel. What I missed? the 24 hr news cycle, even as they have all been taken over with talking points....and censorship.

But....now on ROKU they have CBSNews....24 hr. like CNN. They said if CNN can do it, so can we, as they use lots of our footage anyway. So I now go to that station.

My investment was 65.00 for the antenna and 69.99 for the Roku 2. I did not need the Roku 3 as I am not a 'gamer'. Less than the price of two months of cable.

I got the HD antenna first...to see all the free stations. there are others, besides CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox. There is PBS MeTV, and 44 for all current show reruns, and the stations over the number 50, all free. I got used to that, then added a Roku! So much more TV than cable. so after getting used to antenna for one month, then combined with Roku for another month, I added Netflix for house of cards and orange is new black! I have more TV than I can watch. On Roku...it's like having a DVR! You watch when you want...and if you stop, it holds the place for you! So if you switch back to regular TV, when you go back to ROKU it will be on what you did not finish...in case you want to finish it. So after two months of no bill and far more TV, I added Netflix, and now pay 7.99, and can cancel anytime!!!

GET RID OF CABLE!! YOU ARE TAXED TWICE AND ARE PAYING FOR PROPAGANDA. iT'S NOT SO BAD IF IT'S FREE! HA HA.

[Rochester]

54. I use an antenna. 16 stations for $0 per month.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it, cable companies.

[Holly_Hobby]

55. No cable here for 2 years

We have a Roku box and a Mohu Leaf antenna. We get 20 stations with the antenna, and Roku makes our choices nearly endless. We pay for nothing with a subscription. We're Amazon Prime members, so we watch their free stuff too. We went from $168/month to $51/month for the broadband. The Amazon Prime was $99/year, but we use that mostly for shopping. We couldn't be happier to not pay for crap we don't watch. Do it. If you want to pay for Netflix or Hulu, you'll have many more choices, but we just choose not to, as we're not movie-watchers.

[corkhead]

56. Amazon & antenna. Cut the cord years ago and have never regretted it

I got an Antennas Direct Clearstream 1 indoor antenna that works great. Research how much of your cable bill goes to pay for sports and professional athlete contracts whether you watch it or not and you'll drop it in a New York minute

[usmaan]

57. documentries

[link:http://viooz.mx/| also have list of some good documentries....