Comments on: Cutting the Cables

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:09:02 +0000

I’m strongly considering the exact same strategy as you took Miles (and Holli). I rarely watch any TV unless it is a sports game and I never watch TV shows unless I watch them on DVD. The only reason I would even buy a TV is to play video games, but I think that within a few years I will drop those to read even more than I already try to do.

I figured that out after having a TV sitting in my room for a year that was never actually plugged in. It basically just served as a taller entertainment stand. Consequently, I decided that I would be much more inclined to read a book or spend time on the internet than I would be to watch TV.

Also, depending on the shelf you’d be eliminating, I would strongly consider taking (or buying) some of the books you are hoping to remove. Specifically, the rows and rows of Nancy Drew and Babysitter’s Club that you’ve collected over the years (Miles).

But seriously, keep me in mind for the book disposal. And way to be a pioneer in the “dropping cable for greener pastures” frontier. I appreciate the risk you’ve taken and plan to jump on the band(covered)wagon soon.

By: Amy Jo

Amy Jo — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:48:23 +0000

I started watching my TV online this summer. 1) I am cheap and don’t want to pay for the 40-some channels I never watch. 2) I’m never home to watch my shows when they are on so I would end up watching them online anyway. I just miss the news. My antenna doesn’t get the greatest reception here in Vermillion and miss out on the Sioux Falls stations.

By: Debra

Debra — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:10:16 +0000

Funny story– because my cable, internet, and home phone are all a “one-wire” deal… it would cost me $10 MORE a month if I would cancel cable and keep the other two services.

Feel free to come over and watch John and Kate Plus 8 anytime. Now I know why we’re friends. Myzo!

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:42:12 +0000

I didn’t get rid of cable all together because I couldn’t get anything even with an antenna below the hill. But, I did make a conscious decision to get basic cable as a way to save a little dough. I save about $300 a year. My two faves aren’t on my channels, but I’m able to watch them online too. If I think of it I set a timer at Mom’s and record them to VHS. Way to check things out, good thinking. It really is amazing what a little change can do.

By: Icefreez

Icefreez — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:01:19 +0000

Ohh also you may find this useful. http://gizmodo.com/5061851/internet-tv-remote-quick-links-to-free-streaming-shows

By: Icefreez

Icefreez — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:41:17 +0000

I know most major networks do provide online access to the most recent episodes of shows. I recently found out showtime has a you tube account where you can watch Dexter on. As far as finding all your shows online in an easy to view format and high quality I don’t think anything comes closer than hulu.com.

I will tell you one think I can find much higher quality HDTV rips illegally than I can find free ad supported online TV shows. That in itself should be a sign that maybe what the TV studios have to offer is just not enough to replace conventional TV yet. Then again that’s maybe exactly what they want, to protect their massive multichannel revenue stream.

By: Justin

Justin — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:47:43 +0000

Scrubs is moving to ABC as a mid-season replacemnet.

By: Holli

Holli — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:54:51 +0000

The only thing I miss about cable television right now is 1) we’re not using our nice TV for TV-watching (this will really hurt when it comes to LOST when we’re used to watching it in HD — maybe by then we’ll decide to pick it up again) and 2) scared to death that someone will talk about one of our shows before we’ve had a chance to see it (again, this will really hurt when it comes to LOST).

But I have become a reader. Marriage has changed me.

By: Mom

Mom — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:53:35 +0000

you can get quite a few channels in Sioux Falls for free over the air all you need is an antenna! Yea rabbit years or does your tv not dummy down to air waves?