Has anyone here successfully went Cable/Satellite-free?

[AnyMal]

I have been reading here and there about people dumping their paid TV provides and going all Netflix/Hulu etc., and it got me thinking if I should try the same. I already subscribe to Netflix and just received an invite to Hulu Plus trial. My family (wife plus 7 y/o girl and 14 y/o boy) watches fairly limited number of channels. Outside of major local networks (CBS, NBC, Fox) we like Travel Chanel, Food Network, Discovery, History, Nick. That pretty much sums up our TV "needs".

I would love to save ~$80 we're giving to DirecTV right now. Can someone share their experience, what "set up" you're using, how much should I expect to spend up front.

TIA

 

[Pliablemoose]

Windows Media Center OTA, Netflix streaming, and Hulu for a while now, will never go back.

Building a dual tuner HTPC is a little pricy, but it gives you a free DVR for OTA...

Netflix streaming is awesome

Hulu free content is pretty handy.

 

[bignateyk]

My wife and I ditched a high-tier digital cable package last week in favor of basic cable + netflix.

So far so good.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Netflix $9, (free) 2 ota windows media center pc's, $38 blockbuster 2 out at a time unlimited exchanges. No cable or satellite.

 

[Ns1]

$35 HDTV antenna + hulu + netflix ($15/mo)

Bought a MacMini to become a dedicated HTPC

I figure I'm in the netsavings category after a year.

 

[Possessed Freak]

Got rid of cable last year. I don't miss it. I finally disconnected my OTA hookup that only picked up PBS and RTV. Still don't miss it.

 

[darkswordsman17]

I have, with Netflix being a big part of it, and Hulu helping a lot as well. Certainly there's a lot of watchable content you'll miss out on, but I don't miss the cooking, house renovating, and other shows that are interesting to watch but more or less its just lazy fodder that keeps me from actually doing something. Likewise, channels like Discovery and History have gotten so bad that I'm glad I don't have to see any of the junk they've been filling their airtime with.

Any show really worth watching you'll hear about and be able to access in some form somewhere else. You might have to wait a bit, but that's not a big issue for me personally. Plus, there's such a large amount of content from years past that's worth watching that you mostly stop caring about when you get around to watching something.

The only drawback right now is that I'll probably miss a lot of football games this year. I can always go to friends/family or out to a sports bar to watch any games I really want to though, so its not a major issue.

If you're into sports, you will not believe how much better it is not getting your sports news from ESPN. You might miss highlights, but the good ones people will talk about and you can find on Youtube or somewhere easily enough.

Personally, I have never liked digital cable or satellite, largely because navigation is such a hassle on them. That and pricing is just too much, you're paying for way too much content you don't want.

Oh, and for your son, you might consider a Gamefly subscription or something so that he'll be able to have something to compensate (assuming he's into gaming).

 

[Phokus]

unfortunately OTA HD is nonexistant where i live and i need my football. damnit

 

[DanDaManJC]

The one drawback of going cableless is you'll have a harder time with sports. Otherwise, all of the legal streaming services are quite versatile now... if you don't mind buying dvds of shows or even just pirating, you'll be set.

 

[alkemyst]

millions of poor people have no cable or satellite.

 

[Vette73]

Have not had cable for 3+ years now. Over the air digital and TV on the net works just fine.

 

[Phokus]

Is it possible to just get DirectTV's sunday ticket WITHOUT Getting their normal satellite TV packages?

 

[soulcougher73]

When we moved into our new house i didnt feel like spending $130+ plus for cable etc. So i bought a $15 Antenna and pick up about 20 stations in HD if broadcast that way. I get all the major networks in HD so sports shouldnt be a problem. Oh yeah and netflix. Plus someone in the neighborhood has unsecured wireless. Figure ill ride that gravy train till they catch on.

 

[boomhower]

I have to have my sports. If ESPN would sell an online feed I would probably be able to drop it.

 

[dpodblood]

I have been without cable for a long time now. I much prefer to get my TV shows from EZTV or Megaupload, and stream them to the PS3. Sure you may not get them till the next day, but it's all commercial free. The only reason I can see for having cable is if your into sports. We have a few cable channels that "leak through," but nothing I would be willing to pay for.

 

[pontifex]

successfully? is it really that difficult to call up the cable company and tell them to cancel your cable tv service?

Its not like you have to go on a quest to cancel service and use hulu/sign up for netflix. lol

 

[Don66]

FTA BUD and Netflix ftw....

Haven't paid for tv for almost 2 years.

 

[child of wonder]

We still pay for basic cable ($14/mo) but have replaced the digital/HD package with Playon software. Playon will stream online content like Hulu, Netflix, CBS.com, Comedy Central, etc. to devices like Xbox360, PS3, WDTV, so you can watch the feeds on your TV.

 

[khon]

I have.

I still own a TV, but there are only public broadcast channels on it, and in any case I haven't turned it on for months now.

The few tv shows that I do watch I simply get as torrents on my computer.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Haven't had cable tv since 2004. One thing I don't think anyone has mentioned is the public library. Depending on how big it is and how close you are to it, it can be a great complement to Netflix. Or in my case, it can replace it completely.

 

[AnyMal]

Thanks for all the input folks. I should have mentioned that I do not own Windows PC's anymore, Mac only. Also, I do not watch sports so not having ESPN is a non-issue.

 

[F1N3ST]

<- I am watching some free digital HD right now, too bad CH20 only broadcasts in 720p, I like 1080i because it's my OLD TV's native res.

Jerry Springer, lols.

I can haz bunny ears + HD Digital box + component cables + projection tv? Yes I haz.

 

[Saint Nick]

I have and love it. Not much else to say about it.

 

[I Saw OJ]

Havent had cable for about 2 years now and I dont miss it really at all. I use an OTA homemade antenna that works loads better then anything I bought from the store. Anything that I really want to watch is either online streaming for free, or can be view by other means...

 

[F1N3ST]

You are not the father. Maury just came on OTA.