You just have to have a wireless router and pc to connect the Roku box by the router's antennae to it. So, I have internet and cable for the cost of just the internet access, a savings of 50 bucks.
American Idol - would have to pay for whole shows. I watch clips and that's plenty. I never see Ryan Seacrest and I don't miss him.
Some models will let you plug in a Ethernet into the Roku, but that seems like a hassle to me.
They also have a new "stick" version that plugs directly into a flat screen TV--no wires!