dittoes.
A&E isn’t what it used to be.
For movies, TCM is in a class by itself. Everything else is going to be chopped up by ads. But if you have a package with a DVR, you tape the movies and then fast forward through the ads.
There is no "safe" place in the (m)ass media world. With even Disney catering to fags and perverts, there's nothing left that's clean and constructive. You can still find a nugget here and there, but it's not worth skin-diving in the cesspool to get it.
two things - get a “Leaf” TV antenna, you will be surprised by the HUGE amount of broadcast TV. In Dallas we get more than 25 English language channels, many are “old” movies and TV. Over the air Leaf also gives us two groups of Christian broadcasting stations with 7-10 channels - plus we get Netflix cd and streaming. Way cheaper than cable.
Go to http://tvfool.com/ to check on digital broadcast available in your specific location, as well as antenna recommendations. Broadcast has exploded, I can pick up 23 channels myself, with a variety of programming, from local network affiliates to music to a station with nothing but classic sitcoms.
That should cover a fair amount of your viewing wants and needs. Somebody recommended the Mohu Leaf antenna, I second that but go for the Leaf Ultimate, $79.95 or thereabouts, you can order it from their site if you want, or Sam’s Club carries it, probably other retailers. Indoor, wall or window mount, small, thin and unobtrusive.
For the rest, use your internet connection. A variety of decent, reputable companies provide means of streaming downloads to your TV. Roku, AppleTV, others.
You’ll cut your expense from around $50.00 a month for basic cable to $8.00 a month for online netflix, Hulu or other services. You can rent just about anything and download it online from iTunes also, $2.00 to $7.00 per each movie.
You’ll be watching only what you want. Takes some getting accustomed to not scheduling your viewing around when it’s on, but it’s better, really. Watch it when you want to watch.
get utorrent, a multi-terrabyte NAS (I like QNAP products so far), find a media player (western digitals WDTV works nice and is cheap)... then head to eztv.it
the site lists only first runs and has a list of prior episodes by series name (click the ‘Show List’ link at the top)
make sure to set up your utorrent to move completed dnloads to the NAS, thereby making it available to anyone on your home net. also make sure your utorrent stops seeding shortly after completion
if you’re concerned, set that machine to work through a Tor proxy and you’ll be set (tho no one really cares about tv shows)
and, of course, secure your home net properly
DISH = Blaze TV
Cable is 20th Century technology. Don’t bother. As others have said, streaming is the way to go these days. You get the content that you want on YOUR schedule.
Somewhere you should try to get hold of as many of the three C-Span channels as you can - especially C-Span2, which carries interesting and informative interviews with authors and discussions of their writings every weekend and often during the week - in addition you will have access to primary source - that is, live real-time coverage - of many of the vital stories that otherwise you’ll see no or only highly censored coverage of on other channels. Lately, for instance, we’ve seen gavel-to-gavel coverage of the IRS scandal hearings, including this week’s attempt to destroy the IG by the ‘rats - always engrossing......
BTW - if you still have an analog antenna hooked up, and your TV is digital, you can pick up the digital broadcasts anyhow. I still have mine and use if for when satellite is out due to heavy storms and it picks up more channels now than before the change. Or...you can upgrade to a digital antenna and you might find less need for the cable type service.