U.S. Consumers Ditching Cable TV In Droves

IBD's Click ^ | 11/17/2010 | Patrick Seitz

[TomGuy]

What is the cost of "HULU"??

Hulu+Plus just became available via Roku box. Hulu was trying to get $9.95 per month, but dropped the cost to $7.95 per month. Hulu+ still has commercials inserted into programs.

Netflix basic (1 disk + unlimited streaming) is $8.95. Netflix has been considering a 'streaming only' for $7.95.

[LurkedLongEnough]

What is the cost of "HULU"??

$ 0.00 a month.

[FromLori]

Thank you both for your input. We don’t have small children around anymore our youngest grandchild is now 8 so no problems there. I did go to CNET your right and I read all the reviews on Best Buy they confirm what you are saying about the 720. I was under the impression that Plasma was better then LED from that article on CNET. The LED prices have actually come down but I thought Plasma was better. The 42” is the one I was looking at and we don’t have Blueray so I think that settles it then the Panasonic is on special at a few places I’ll just have to figure out which one to get it at now.

Did you buy the extra warranty? This is the one I think we will buy...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=14710589&findingMethod=rr

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasonic+-+VIERA+42%22+Class+/+720p+/+600Hz+/+Plasma+HDTV/9770484.p?id=1218170522194&skuId=9770484

[Notary Sojac]

Most of the cable channels have become interchangeable, featuring endless "reality" shows starring brain-dead yahoos.

Precious little "history" on the History channel, not much to "discover" on Discovery, no "travel" on Travel, and don't get me started on what used to be called "SciFi".

I could do just fine with a package of Fox News, ESPN, Nat Geo, and TCM.

[Doulos1]

Yes! I would too. A la carte would make much more sense.
5 channels- this much.
10 channels- this much.
etc.

[386wt]

You should be able to get high quality reception off the air. Most HDTV stations are broadcasting on UHF frequencies.

You might have to turn your antenna to the stations direction. see antennaweb.org for good information

antennaweb You should be able to get many stations with an indoor antenna. Also old TVs with a new converter work just fine off the air with a UHF antenna.

[BunnySlippers]

Actually, I’m going to hold out for Apple TV or some such service where I can get live streaming TV.

[Alberta's Child]

Very interesting perspective.

I read a fascinating article about Michael Landon some years ago when he was terminally ill. He was a staunch advocate of family-oriented television programming over the years, but he had a criticism of television in general in that it geared people to think of life as a series of short segments where problems are supposed to surface and get resolved in 30-minute or 60-minute intervals.

[GOPJ]

Now we have Netflix through our Wii and Hulu through our computer and are perfectly happy.

I'm thinking of going that way too. Can you get FOXNews - computer to Wii to TV? And does it move in HighDef? My cable, phone and computer are with one company - any suggestions on other hook-ups?

[reed13]

I have roadrunner as well but am starting to see issues with dropped connections increasing. Anyone have an idea of some other options?

I’d run my own T1 and add a server if I could afford it, but alas.....

[Sopater]

TV died, didn't get a replacement.

We've often talked about that in our house. We said that if the TV died, we probably wouldn't get a replacement. However, it eventually did die, but we went to the thrift store and bought a $50 replacement. We do use our TVs a lot to watch movies as well as for homeschooling. We have recorded classes that the kids watch. So, in reality, it will probably be a while before we eventually let TV go altogether.

[Bruinator]

Mine has full 1080I HD capability, and yes I bought the extended. I bought mine on sale from Conns. Cash sale.

[Lees Swrd]

I use Hulu a lot but I found these two places great also www.justin.tv and www.veetle.com you can pick what you want to watch but as anywhere on the net you have to be careful as sometimes stuff gets put on there that kids should not see, as a matter of fact some things I do not need to see! I find myself more and more watching the lifecasters on justin seems they are more entertaining than TV.

[Lees Swrd]

I want to add that these sites require a broadband connection I use DSL lite which is about 1.5 mbs and video works fine.

[EternalVigilance]

Mark ours down as a TV-free household. Have been for several years now. It’s great. There’s absolutely nothing there we need. Nothing.

[N. Theknow]

I had Roadrunner and couldn't stand it. At least once a week it went on the blink. It was on my Brighthouse Cable.

Got FIOS from Verizon and have no issues with it at all for phone, cell, internet and cable with whole house DVR.

[a fool in paradise]

I would gladly pay 50% less for 90% less channels, if I kept the channels that I wanted. This deal of packaging different channels so that you have to pay the top subscription rate is for the birds.

Viacom doesn't want you to do that (CBS, MTV, VH1, Nick, TV Land, Comedy Central, Spike, LOGO...), neither does Time-Warner-Turner (WB, CNN, TBS, HBO, Cinemax...), nor does Disney (ABC, Disney, ESPN, Family Channel...).

They like their slice of your monthly bill very much even if you don't watch (or boycott) their channels.

[savedbygrace]

I can believe that.

[copaliscrossing]

If you really want to go cheap, there is a youtube video out there that shows you how to build your own HD antenna. I did it and it works great. The materials required are a little copper wire, screws, a 1x6 or 2x6 mounting board and an ohm converter. Thats it! Not the prettiest thing in the world but it works.

[ROTB]

Less news means:

1) less anger
2) more family time
3) more Bible time
4) more work time
5) more money to spend
6) more time
7) more life

It’s a win/win/win/win/win/win/win for all.