Cutting down on cable, need advice

[stevebeans]

New poster here, I like this forum so I had to register and ask my own question

Our contract is about to expire with Comcast for some 2 year deal we had. After that prices should shoot up nice and high, which is always a problem.

I am tempted to make some drastic cuts but I'd like to be smart about it.

I'd like some advice if you guys know of ways to get all/most of the channels or shows while saving the most money.

Right away I'm going to look into buying a modem to scrap that fee, and we are getting a TV tuner so that should allow us to scrap one of our two DVR's.

While HBO and Showtime are nice, and it would SUCK to lose them, I don't know of many ways to keep them without spending a fortune.

Do you guys know of ways to save money with cable between things like hulu plus, the tv tuner, netflix for the HBO/Showtime series? Can I record stuff with my tuner from hulu? Does hulu at least tell me when new shows I want to watch have aired?

Ie, if I put the office, and say hoarders on a list with hulu, can I turn on my blu-ray, scroll through hulu's menu and see I have an episode of the office and hoarders waiting for me to watch, like I can do with DVR?

Thanks for any advice, I know my questions are a little weird but honestly just looking for the best way to save money on cable without losing too many channels/shows.

[disneysteve]

Our contract is about to expire with Comcast for some 2 year deal we had. After that prices should shoot up nice and high

First thing you need to do is call Comcast and say you really can't pay the non-promotional rate and ask them to extend the deal. You may need to speak to a supervisor but just work your way up the ladder until they cut you a deal that you are happy with.

[nick__45]

We are looking at getting cable and possibly switch our internet over as a package. I never had cable and in this economy, it is cheaper to buy cable than going out. The heat is no fun to be out anyway. However, it seems that most channels for the basic service are junk. I would prefer to buy channel via internet and watch TV with my computer.

[feh]

First thing you need to do is call Comcast and say you really can't pay the non-promotional rate and ask them to extend the deal. You may need to speak to a supervisor but just work your way up the ladder until they cut you a deal that you are happy with.

This was my first thought also. If the choice is between losing a customer and continuing your current prices, they'll probably reduce your bill.

[greenskeeper]

This was my first thought also. If the choice is between losing a customer and continuing your current prices, they'll probably reduce your bill.

not necessarily. I spoke with comcast about the same issue ("discounts" that expired). I told them straight up the deal I can get with fios (same channels and internet service) for $40/month cheaper. They basically said the price they charge is the best they can do. I told them see ya later.

I am going to lock in fios for 2 years at under $100/month for tv and internet.

[Frugal]

I personally think all cable TV is a rip-off. We got ours at 9.99 a month plus tax for cable, but honestly, there is hardly anything on worth watching. I would gladly get rid of cable if I could. Netflix is also going up in price, so not a good deal, either.