TV or not TV, that is the question

[disneysteve]

We were one of the last people around to get cable TV. We did it 2-3 years ago. The only reason I did it then was that I learned about the limited basic cable package for $10/month. I was willing to spring for ten bucks but not 50 or 100 that I hear so many people talk about.

Anyway, the day they installed cable, we were getting a bunch of channels that aren't part of the $10 package. The tech said that often happens and those channels would probably disappear in a week or two. Well, they never did, and I certainly wasn't going to call and complain. All this time, we've been enjoying the full cable package, including HBO, but only paying $10/month.

Fast forward to 12/1. Comcast converts their entire network to digital (we were still analog). In order to receive any channels now, you need a digital converter box. I get the box, hook it up and voila, we are down to the handful of channels we are supposed to have with the $10 package. Some progress that was (though the picture is much clearer).

The next package up for the $10 one is $62/month - nothing in between. They do have a deal for $29/month but only for new customers (which I'm sure they'll give me if I call and argue).

Two problems:
1. I don't want to pay $30/month to watch TV.
2. Since losing all of the other channels, we are all watching much less TV because there is rarely anything on the channels that we do get. And we are surviving. My daughter even admitted (not an easy task for a teenager) that she is spending a lot less time watching TV.

We've supplemented by watching more stuff through streaming on Netflix and DD has been watching Star Trek episodes on IMDB on the computer.

If it were totally up to me, I wouldn't upgrade, and I'm going to drag my feet as long as I can before I do so, but I know DW and DD would like to have the other channels back. I just hate to purposely do something that I know will result in us watching more TV.

What say you?

[Mjenn]

TV is something I really just hate spending money on, so I would say wait and see if you miss it in the long run. Also, would you lower your netflix costs by increasing your cable or not? I find I do most of my tv watching through legally streaming stuff on the net (Hulu - comedy central has great streaming - etc)- so I pay 0 for TV and just get the basic cable package included in my rent.

I would say wait and see how much you miss it - I would guess that the wish for more channels will lessen after awhile - but if DW & DD think it is superimportant - I wouldn't battle over the 30$ - I might battle over the principal (I hate paying for TV with commercials)

[moneybags]

Approximately 4 months ago, I got rid of all except the basic channels. I have 2 teenagers. We watch some stuff via Netflix (streamline stuff is pretty limited). We also watch a lot online. You can see some shows directly on the channels site - MTV for example, or we find shows on hulu or a similar site. My son has complained that he misses his sports news - I told him to read the paper or go online. He prefers the verbal report, oh well.

Overall, we watch less, but I do miss it on the occasion that I want to sit around, flip channels, and have options.

[disneysteve]

I would say wait and see how much you miss it - I would guess that the wish for more channels will lessen after awhile - but if DW & DD think it is superimportant - I wouldn't battle over the 30$ - I might battle over the principal (I hate paying for TV with commercials)

This is pretty much my plan. We can afford the extra $20/month without a problem. It is more the principle.

The one limitation of Netflix is that the stuff available is mostly older stuff. What would be great is if I could hook up a computer to the TV and be able to stream current stuff through the TV instead of having to watch it only on the computer. It might be worth buying a cheap laptop just for that purpose if that would do the job. I'll have to look into that.

[KTP]

on the occasion that I want to sit around, flip channels, and have options.

Just think what you are missing! With our 5,742,368 channel premium package we get at least 20 different feeds of Judge Judy, 15 of Wheel of Fortune, and we get top movies like Dumb and Dumber in HD.

[GREENBACK]

I struggle with the cable tv issue as well. I have the Time-Warner package(phone, cable and internet). I pay about $150 a month. I only regularly watch about 5 to 10 channels. Thinking of losing the home phone and going to a more basic cable package.

[GREENBACK]

we get at least 20 different feeds of Judge Judy, 15 of Wheel of Fortune, and we get top movies like Dumb and Dumber in HD.

This part bugs me to no end. I'm fine with the regular channels, they can keep the HD stuff.

[maat55]

I like a few channels on our extended version but could do without them. DW already calls my the Grinch and scrooge, I'm not looking for another rock to get thrown at me.

[scfr]

1. Sounds like you could install an antennae and get rid of cable all together. You would have the initial cost of the antennae, but would save $ down the road. Alternatively, stick with the plan you have if you can.

2. What about a compromise, such as install an antennae or stick with basic/limited cable but upgrade your Netflix plan by one level? Something like that might help you save some money while keeping your wife & daughter happy.

3. If it really means a lot to your wife & daughter (options 1 or 2 make them unhappy) and since you can afford it, then by all means pay the extra $20 per month if you can successfully negotiate with the cable company. There are no doubt things that you spend money on that they don't agree with 100% in principal, but they know it makes you happy so they don't begrudge you a little bit of extra spending.

4. If the cable company insists on the $69 per month, that makes things more complicated. Perhaps you could ask your wife & daughter if they are willing to make a compromise, such as cut back in another area to offset the cable cost. (I know you could easily afford the $69 per month, but that seems like a high enough number that you could ask for some level of sacrifice on their part without being a Scrooge. In fact, the idea of having to make trade-offs could be a valuable lesson for your daughter.)

[creditcardfree]

My opinion: I say dump the cable all together. Why pay $20 a month to watch more tv when you end up spending your time instead in more productive and fulfilling ways? No cable here. I have never paid for it and have no regrets. We are users of Netflix and love it.

[Snodog]

Cable Tv is one area I don't mind spending.

I don't consider it a waste of time either as I watch a lot of educational shows.

Between Cable TV and the Internet I am always learning something.

For the price of the wifey and I going out to see a couple of movies I can have Cable TV service for a whole month.

Seems like a good value to me.

Tell your family members to cut back in other areas if they want Cable so bad.

[krantcents]

We were one of the last people around to get cable TV. We did it 2-3 years ago. The only reason I did it then was that I learned about the limited basic cable package for $10/month. I was willing to spring for ten bucks but not 50 or 100 that I hear so many people talk about.

Anyway, the day they installed cable, we were getting a bunch of channels that aren't part of the $10 package. The tech said that often happens and those channels would probably disappear in a week or two. Well, they never did, and I certainly wasn't going to call and complain. All this time, we've been enjoying the full cable package, including HBO, but only paying $10/month.

Fast forward to 12/1. Comcast converts their entire network to digital (we were still analog). In order to receive any channels now, you need a digital converter box. I get the box, hook it up and voila, we are down to the handful of channels we are supposed to have with the $10 package. Some progress that was (though the picture is much clearer).

The next package up for the $10 one is $62/month - nothing in between. They do have a deal for $29/month but only for new customers (which I'm sure they'll give me if I call and argue).

Two problems:
1. I don't want to pay $30/month to watch TV.
2. Since losing all of the other channels, we are all watching much less TV because there is rarely anything on the channels that we do get. And we are surviving. My daughter even admitted (not an easy task for a teenager) that she is spending a lot less time watching TV.

We've supplemented by watching more stuff through streaming on Netflix and DD has been watching Star Trek episodes on IMDB on the computer.

If it were totally up to me, I wouldn't upgrade, and I'm going to drag my feet as long as I can before I do so, but I know DW and DD would like to have the other channels back. I just hate to purposely do something that I know will result in us watching more TV.

What say you?

It is almost like a drug! It is hard to give it up cold turkey. Your solution of supplementing it with movies etc. is a good choice. There are so many choices on cable yet very little to see or miss for that matter. In spite of that statement, I do like BBC America. I think you still can get the other shows on demand.

[cjscully]

I'm personally not into television. My favorite show and the only one I'd really miss if I didn't see it is "Jeopardy!".

The other shows that I sometimes find interesting enough to watch I can catch on Hulu or something like that when I can't find anything else more interesting to do.

It wasn't always that way. I had the super ultra every channel you can get cable package for quite a while. I watched quite a number of movies on the premium channels but rarely even glanced at the ridiculous number of additional channels we had. Then one day a few years ago I was flipping channels trying to find something interesting to watch and I realized just how bad current TV programming is. I just stopped watching TV at that point. Completely lost interest. Now the main TV watcher in my house is my wife and she doesn't really watch that much either and we've trimmed down our cable service to something similar to the $62/month package you're considering.

[onlyoneuno]

First post! I got rid of cable tv and just have cable internet modem. That gives me about 20 channels and I use netflix and redbox for my movie needs. All of my friends are shocked that I went through it but after 3 months of no cable tv I don't think I'll ever go back. I went from $150/month to $45/month. All of the savings went into my debt snowball.

[maat55]

First post! I got rid of cable tv and just have cable internet modem. That gives me about 20 channels and I use netflix and redbox for my movie needs. All of my friends are shocked that I went through it but after 3 months of no cable tv I don't think I'll ever go back. I went from $150/month to $45/month. All of the savings went into my debt snowball.

I noticed that after a while of going without something I didn't miss it and got a bad taste in my mouth to renew it.

I still cringe a bit knowing I have extended cable.