"Cord Cutting" re Cable TV Growing

[Virgorising]

But think about all the other stuff you blow money on. A night out on the low end is $15 for a single sit down dinner, $15 for a 2-3 hour movie, at least $25 for a 2-3 hour concert, $12 here for a 6 pack of beer that'll last a night or two, etc.

Is true! It's all about perspective.

And of the people I know who don't have cable, they have nice phat $50+/month smartphone data plans.

I have cable, but my smartphone plan is more than that. Sigh.

There was an article a while back that said that cable is one of the most cost effective forms of entertainment available. I agree.

Wow. MORE PERSPECTIVE! Thanks for this.

 

[marmasatt]

$140??? What do you do for internet? Tether 4G?

We pay about $110 for FIOS and that includes 50/30 internet. So even if we cut tv and phone, it's still over $50. Would rather be able to watch random tv shows that are not network channels (cooking, bravo, hgtv, nhl network, etc.) I torrent network stuff anyway because I like to watch them at my leisure.

The way cable companies can stay in the game is to keep their internet prices high so that the triple or double play is not significantly higher and people will pay the small additional to keep it. Once upon a time not more than 5 years ago, Cablevision internet was only $30/mo. and now you can't get it for cheaper than $50.

Well yeah. I was too. But then after my 2 year contract they bumped it up to like $145 + taxes. I tried to go back to my "old plan" and they wouldn't let me. I said "look, just put me back in my old deal and I'll sign for another 2 years". Well Verizon in their infinite wisdom does not even give you deals that a current customer has - forcing you to often come back as a new member under another family member's name. I decided even though I've done that twice, I didn't want to do it again out of spite. I'm paying $30 for cox internet and getting OTA channels locally. We also have netflix. It should work.

Edit: And I love me some food network too. Gonna miss that and travel channel with the wife for sure. Like the only thing we can watch together...

 

[midwestfisherman]

NO click for HuffingtonPost BS!

 

[soulcougher73]

Cut cord about 2 years ago. If i want sports i cant get via antenna i head to my local watering hole with friends to watch it. But i get pretty much all the football one could want with just the basic channels.

 

[Virgorising]

NO click for HuffingtonPost BS!

Make sure to give us the coordinates of yr next bonfire.....so we can bring our books.

 

[Imp]

Well yeah. I was too. But then after my 2 year contract they bumped it up to like $145 + taxes. I tried to go back to my "old plan" and they wouldn't let me. I said "look, just put me back in my old deal and I'll sign for another 2 years". Well Verizon in their infinite wisdom does not even give you deals that a current customer has - forcing you to often come back as a new member under another family member's name. I decided even though I've done that twice, I didn't want to do it again out of spite. I'm paying $30 for cox internet and getting OTA channels locally. We also have netflix. It should work.

They do that here too, and I don't mean Verizon. It's like they want you to keep switching to other telecom companies year after year like some stupid game. A few months back, there was a deal for internet for new customers only. People were saying that if you TOLD them you were an existing customer, you could be denied, but if you cancelled your service, they'd give it to you immediately or weeks later to win you back. What the f....?

 

[Virgorising]

They do that here too, and I don't mean Verizon. It's like they want you to keep switching to other telecom companies year after year like some stupid game. A few months back, there was a deal for internet for new customers only. People were saying that if you TOLD them you were an existing customer, you could be denied, but if you cancelled your service, they'd give it to you immediately or weeks later to win you back. What the f....?

I am still in bed with Verizon. But platonically. And I am on the verge of hooking up with someone else.

 

[ultimatebob]

The problem is the best TV is not available until either long after it has aired or never. At least, not legally. Breaking Bad took how long? Game of Thrones? And, then you take into account people who are transplants and have to pay premium to watch out of network sports games.

Cutting the cord is and all, but you miss out on a lot for what amounts to not a significant amount of money. And extra $50-70 a month? For what I get out of it, I am happy.

Just $50 to 70?!? My last Comcast bill for Cable, TV, and Internet was $220! I called them up and gave them hell for that.

 

[Virgorising]

Just $50 to 70?!? My last Comcast bill for Cable, TV, and Internet was $220! I called them up and gave them hell for that.

If U don't get up and act in concert with others determined to work to preclude it, just wait until the merge goes thru.

Yelling does ugatz.

 

[ultimatebob]

NO click for HuffingtonPost BS!

Geez... if you hate them that much, turn on an ad blocker before visiting the site.

 

[ultimatebob]

If U don't get up and act in concert with others determined to work to preclude it, just wait until the merge goes thru.

Yelling does ugatz.

Well... it got my bill lowered to $160, anyway. I'm hoping on moving soon, do a place where I can get AT&T UVerse and be done with Comcast for good.

 

[Virgorising]

Geez... if you hate them that much, turn on an ad blocker before visiting the site.

:wub:

 

[Tommy2000GT]

I haven't had cable for years and thinking of getting it again. I miss the channels like Food Network, DIY, HGTV, Discovery, and TLC.

 

[Virgorising]

Well... it got my bill lowered to $160, anyway. I'm hoping on moving soon, do a place where I can get AT&T UVerse and be done with Comcast for good.

Well! I stand corrected! :thumbsup: Where do I sign up for the yelling lessons? I am kinda serious. I just never yell.

Esp cause it's not the fault of some poor customer service human, so I feel bad for them they get yelled at.

 

[Virgorising]

I haven't had cable for years and thinking of getting it again. I miss the channels like Food Network, DIY, HGTV, Discovery, and TLC.

Yes! I would not be happy without DSC and TLC! Forget TCM!!!! And USA.
And MSNBC and still CNN.

And now, even OWN! We saw Pharrell cry when he was being interviewed by Oprah on OWN. Made my heart melt. I luv Pharrell. Wit his little greyhound face, his authenticity and his life-affirming genius.

Cept I would never name a kid ROCKET.

 

[ultimatebob]

Well! I stand corrected! :thumbsup: Where do I sign up for the yelling lessons? I am kinda serious. I just never yell.

Esp cause it's not the fault of some poor customer service human, so I feel bad for them they get yelled at.

Honestly, the best approach seems to be telling them that you're cancelling your cable TV account and switching to a satellite dish.

They'll ask you how much that will cost, and when you tell them that it's only going to be $40 a month for a TV package like you have now, they'll try to match that price.

Just be ready to go through with it if needed. I've heard some horror stories where the customer service rep basically says "Sorry to lose you as a customer, Goodbye" instead of offering you a promotion.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I miss college basketball, and the World Cup.

I fill my time differently without it, and feel more satisfied at the same time. Netflix and services of the like do just fine. Not everyone can afford $150 a month to get all the good stuff. although, if HBO was a la carte and reasonable priced, I get it...

 

[Virgorising]

Honestly, the best approach seems to be telling them that you're cancelling your cable TV account and switching to a satellite dish. They'll ask you how much that will cost, and when you tell them that it's only going to be $40 a month for TV, they'll try to match that price.

Well, not possible here in Manhattan. No way in 131 unit pre war building. We have no options for dish.....which is why we are hard wired for both RCN and Time-Warner. And I would rather eat worms than have anything to do with Time-Warner. They are unmitigated sleazoids.

Plus, I respect RCN.

But, also true, I am a strong human, but not a tough human. My mom is always on me about that (boy she would LUV YOU!!!!)......was on me for this right in the delivery room.

Can u get on a plane and call them and tell them I am switching to the enemy unless they lower the price of my bundle which they just raised? Cause they use caller ID. So, would be better if you used my phone.

No wait! Jus get into yr vehicle! Just saw, you are practically right here! Just a little North!

 

[Virgorising]

I miss college basketball,

I don miss it after my Blue Devils get elminated in the first round.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I don miss it after my Blue Devils get elminated in the first round.

 

[Ichinisan]

I work for a cable company. I didn't bother reading the article because the premise is common sense, and there have been countless articles the last couple years that basically say the same thing.

I'm optimistic because consumers will have some control over the cost of content. The current system is manipulated by media conglomerates like Viacom to force us all to pay for channels we don't want in order to get the channels we do want. There's still a place for cableco's as the high-speed telecom will still be used to get our online content.

 

[KlokWyze]

Cable... meh. It's 25% ads. I haven't had a cable TV bill in 6 or 7 years. Cable guy left the box unlocked outside our old apartment and I took the filter off. It's nice to turn on and not select something, but it's just noise in the background. Generally, the programming and the fact that you are locked into THEIR schedule makes it shit, even if it's free.

NFL is the only thing I missed. Tried getting an antenna. Literally used like 4 different models, but my area, seriously the entire city, is a deadzone to like every single local broadcasting tower. Not even sure HOW it's possible, but it is.

 

[Virgorising]

Exactly!!!!!!

 

[Virgorising]

Generally, the programming and the fact that you are locked into THEIR schedule makes it shit, even if it's free.

I think the programming rocks. More fine options than anyone could find the time to enjoy. Even in basic cable. And, with DVR, you watch things when you have time and want to.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Cable... meh. It's 25% ads.

You're being generous. In a 30 minute window, there's roughly 9 minutes of commercials.

I've watched some old shows on Netflix where the episodes were 25-27 minutes long. Back then, only 6 minutes per hour, or 10%, now it's 33%.

Don't forget the hours and hour of infomercials in the middle of the night, nothing better than an hour long commercial!