Consumers Dropping Pay TV Services

IBD's Click ^ | 8/23/2010 | Patrick Seitz

[Slyscribe]

The number of subscribers to cable, satellite and telecom TV services in the U.S. fell for the first time ever in the second quarter, according to research firm SNL Kagan.

The U.S. multichannel TV market lost 216,000 customers last quarter, vs. a gain of 378,000 a year ago. The total number of subscribers to cable, satellite and telecom video fell to 100.1 million in the second quarter, SNL Kagan says.

[maine-iac7]

I cut mine off a year and a half ago.

I get all the series, docs, movies, H & G, news channels - FREE online, including FOX.

I use mainly, for full length episodes, movies etc

hulu - includes H & G etc
http://www.hulu.com/

and FOX on Demand:
http://www.fox.com/fod/

The neatest part is, you can watch them on YOUR schedule -a nd without the 50% commercial time.

You can get CNN MSNBC etc and FOX news online - all free - even BBC
BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/

So, if you're not a big sports fan - you can save a lot of money AND time -

(About the only one I can't get online is PBS - but I get 7 ‘local’ channels free on my TV - including PBS. I'm loving that big chunk of money every month in MY pocket - not the cable companies. In fact, since I hardly have the TV on anymore, I put it - with the DVD player etc - on a power strip which I turn off when not in use - it has plunged my electric bill by $30 a month. ANY thing that is plugged in, still draws electricity whether it's turned on or not - goes for toasters and everything else.))

[Varda]

I agree about AMC. They are one of the worst for commercials. It’s the content of the commercials too. There have been times I’ve clicked on a movie on one of the uglier channels (Bravo, Spike etc) and the ads & promos for their shows remind me of what else I don’t want to see.

I bought a blu ray player for $50 and disks rent for a $1. There’s no reason to put up with the sewer that cable routinely dishs out.

[moehoward]

Yeah. Although it’s on the internet too. Pretty much all shows are.

I also like the new Rubicon so far.

[Moose4]

I’m about to drop cable TV entirely (or possibly retain the lowest tier of service) and drop my landline through the cable company as well. I’m done paying $170 a month for TV only my kid watches and a phone we don’t use. We’ll keep our cable broadband, of course, that’s essential. :)

}:-)4

[moehoward]

"The only reason I got dish in the first place was that I hated the cable company. "

And now you hate the dish too, right? I think they get you either way.

[USNBandit]

It’s like cell phone companies. You don’t pick the one you like, you pick the one you hate least.

[EDINVA]

I subscribe to 1TVPC, and it’s @ $36/6mos. It doesn’t offer ALL stations, and has its quirks, but satisfies my limited needs. It also has movies, but I’ve never accessed any.

You can go to its site and use for free for a while to test it. (1tvpc.com) Subscriptions make stations more accessible, and at $6/mo, not bad. But if you are a true tv devotee, it won’t do what you want.

Nothing lost by giving it the free trial run.

[moehoward]

"I agree about AMC"

I remember when AMC was what TCM is today. Some old guy host that would share all those anecdotes about whatever film was about to be shown, and NO commercials.

[moehoward]

“....cell companies......”

Don’t get me started.

[Frantzie]

Thanks. The world changed in Nov 2008. People are still in denial thinking if we can just get through Nov 2010 then limp to 2012. We are all boiling frogs. Assume the GOP won everything - ALL of TV would be smearing them just like Bush and the GOP got.

All of TV is backing Imam, Islam and the Victory Mosque. They either have Saudi or Middle East investors and shareholders or deals in the middle east because of incredible amounts of money.

I read something last night about the Fed, Treasury and monetizing debt (printing money). Where could this lead? Zimbabwe or Venezuela where the dollar is worthless. Everyone’s savings will be worthless. No jobs. Could it happen. Yes.

I once met an upper middle class kid from Venezuela. Came from a European family with incredible manners and spoke perfect English. He was trying to get out of Venez when Chavez got in. He had already been robbed and shot once. This was 10+ years ago. I wonder what happened to him and his family. This is where we are now.

The ball games and leagues all support the Imam. Rush was smeared as a racist and the Rams were sold to a muslim with a shady past. The NFL runs pro-Obama ads which I saw at a relative during thanksgiving.

Cancelling cable and Sat TV is one of the few ways we can fight back. Asssuming we ever get Repubs or conervatives in control - the fewer prople watching the Saudi/state controlled media - the less they will smear us.

Sadly - people have no idea how bad things can and may get. Who thought all of TV would be backing a Victory Mosque just none years after 9/11? Calling anyone who opposes it a racist?

[Vaduz]

Guess people tire of 200 channels of paid programs ads.

[upchuck]

When I watch TV, I’m mostly watching a DVD from Netflix or instantly through the computer. We’re about halfway through the first season (1966) of Dark Shadows.

I'm with you. Netflix & DVDs. Internet for news.

I worked on Dark Shadows back in the day. Glad you like it. Jonathan Frid was a blast. He always brought a tightly furled umbrella to work, no matter the weather. And he brought doughnuts for the crew every day too.

[dfwgator]

Mad Men is, by it self, worth the monthly subscription price.

You can get the episodes on iTunes.

[annieokie]

THat was they way it was sold in the beginning, no commercials. Now look at it, you are right, more commercials than programming.

Even have their own infomercial channels, makes you sick to pay for all that and only get a few minutes of what we really want.

Of course, I guess we could pay a little MORE IF we want no commercials, hahahahahaha. Look for that to be the next push by cable.

I have gone to recording the shows I like, then run through them with no commercials, get to see more that way in less time. Takes only about 20 mins to see the real show.

[Patriotic1]

THat was they way it was sold in the beginning, no commercials. Now look at it, you are right, more commercials than programming.

LOL - we're showing our age!

My weakness is watching EWTN and TruTV. Other than that, I can do without the rest.

[Ammo Republic 15]

You’re welcome. And I also agree with you on big media sports. I haven’t been to any sports event since the early 70’s, nor have I watched any on TV. Haven’t seen a super bowl since Joe Nameth days...8^)

And pay no attention to those who disagree with you.

Just keep on shouting it!!

[Ammo Republic 15]

Young folks look at me as if I’m totally bonkers when I tell them I have never had a cell phone.

I could get one if I wanted I guess.

Just don’t want one.

[Haiku Guy]

We have not gotten to Jonathan Frid yet. I think he comes on in Season 2. We’re still dealing with the Roger vs. Burke Devlin thing. It’s a good show.

[verity]

Hell has yet to freeze over. lol

[greene66]

Oh, yeah. I should have mentioned it, but 95% of all my viewing comes from dvd-sets that I’ve purchased. Another reason why the dish/cable has become all but worthless to me. Watching dvd-sets of “The Virginian,” “Highway Patrol,” and “Sgt. Bilko” right this week.