Like most others, circumstances are forcing me to cut way

[yy4me]

back on everything. I am now on a bare bones budget and have, among other things, had cut cut Cable TV to the very basic reception. The programming is horrible(North of Boston), I don't really watch TV any more. All the cable news channels are gone from basic. Is there a reason that the big guys like MSNBC are not on regular network? I understand Comcast's selfish move to keep it in the enhanced programming, but now, many of us have no option but watch programming that is awful. There is no choice. Basic is $7.70 a month, extended basic is $54.00. Can't do it.

I miss KO, and have never seen Rachel's new show. Once in a while, I could even watch Tweety without screaming. Now-zilch. I can home shop on 4 channels, save my soul on 3 channels, PBS repeats on 3, food network and ABC, NBC,CBS. Thats it.

It is almost enough to give away the TV and just get my news here.

Can't they put some of the best shows on regular networks?

[Eric J in MN]

1. You can watch highlights of the Rachel Maddow Show online

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3096434/

[Salviati]

7. and all of Olbermann as well.

I'm purposefully gonna drop cable this week, between the MSNBC webpage, Hulu.com, and (ahem) torrents, there's just no reason to be subject to the whim and cost of cable tv anymore.

I can't wait until they get Hulu working with XBMC. It will practically be like TV on demand.

For those of you who have home theater pc's I suggest you keep an eye on XBMC (Used to be xbox media center). They've got beta versions of it out for windows, linux and mac. It is hands down the best media center software out there, with the one drawback that it doesn't support recording (yet).

[eShirl]

2. we dropped cable and watch KO & RM on MSNBC.com

ko
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/

rm
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/



also, check out the link in my sig line

[yy4me]

4. Thanks, now help this old timer. I can get either or both

programs if I download them to some free program that I install? Since I have no ipod, what do you suggest I install and how. Do I mosey over to www.MajorGeeks.com? Good grief, sometimes I feel so foolish asking simple stuff like this but, geeze, I'm old...best excuse I can come up with. Guide me here? I'll be grateful.

I still have basic Cable.

[Warpy]

3. If you're stuck with dialup, there's not much you can do about it

but if you have broadband, you can watch most highlights online.

You might also call Dish and Direct and find out what sort of introductory packages they're offering in your area. You'll be locked into the low rate for a year or two, which is nice. At that point, either things will have improved or you'll have to dump them and you won't be any farther behind than you are now. I know the Direct barebones package provides a couple of news stations along with sports and a little fluff. My dad had it plus the pay per view option to watch movies and specials he'd want.

You can also watch streaming CSPAN and a lot of other TV online. You can download movies or watch them stream from some sites. You might want to check out broadband in your area, see if canceling barebones cable might allow you to afford it if you don't have it.

I was locked into a cheap DSL when I got poor 5 years ago. It was my entire entertainment budget. I even read magazines at the library, there was just nothing left over to spend. DSL saved what's left of my sanity.

[pnutbutr]

5. FTA?

Been eyeing an FTA receiver to pick up free satellite channels.

Right now I get 4 snowy channels with a rooftop antennae

[LiberalHeart]

6. I went to an antenna, but when I moved reception sucked. Now...

I'm back to the fifty-some dollar a month product. I can do without cable news, but not without Mad Men, Burn Notice, Monk, and Damages. Not to mention Home & Garden TV. I wish we could order from a menu of channels and be charged accordingly.

I also gave up my home net connection, but then found I was spending more going out to hotspots -- so it's back in place.

I guess the only way to save is to quit eating and to skip turning on the heat and lights.

[K Gardner]

8. I'm forced to use Comcast as my only provider when I'm in California.. and its

really different NOT having MSNBC, as much as we complain about it. It's not even offered anywhere on the lineup in the part of CA that I work at 10 days/month. I'm nearly STARVING for news when I get back to Tennessee.

At home, I use Knology Cable Provider, and they have MSNBC on basic (lower channel) lineup. Its a shame that Comcast has such a monopoly on so many markets.

Best of luck to you, yy4me.. you're not the only one frustrated, on many levels :-) :hi: