TV loving people, How to give up cable?

1. 93

   peeplesposted 8 years ago

   TV loving people, How to give up cable?
   
   We are dropping cable after only having it for 4 months. We got it because we are avid followers of many tv series. However the cost does not seem rational to me ($70 a month). With netflix and other services is there a way of still getting all the important shows without cable? Are there streaming services which offer same day viewing? Some of the networks our shows are on are basic local channels so those aren't an issue, but AMC and discovery are a must have. Options?

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2. 94

   FatFreddysCatposted 8 years ago

   My wife and I are thiiiiiiiis close to dumping cable altogether in favor of Netflix. We were just talking about it over the weekend in fact. The only shows I watch religiously are "The Simpsons" and "The Walking Dead," and I think I could probably live with streaming them via Netflix or Hulu from now on. We haven't pulled the trigger yet but we're almost there. .

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      Link10103posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      If you have android devices and dont particularly care about the not legal aspect of streaming shows and movies, download an app called Showbox by searching it up on Google.

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      FatFreddysCatposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the tip, but becoming a video pirate is probably not setting the best example for my kids. Haha

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3. 82

   peachpurpleposted 8 years ago

   Oh cable mans to subscribe a few channels not found locally?
   No, we never got one because mst channels are repeated shows, might as well watch online

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4. 62

   LoisRyan13903posted 8 years ago

   Netflix is not a bad option but you might also want to try Hulu because it keeps up with the seasons.  Sometimes on Netflix you might have to wait a while until they add thee most current season.  All in all it costs less than $20 a month with both, unless you do the DVD mail program with Netflix.  I hear that's worth it as well.

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5. 86

   Zelkiiroposted 8 years ago

   Netflix + basic Hulu + internet savvy = Who needs cable?

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6. 84

   M. T. Dremerposted 8 years ago

   My wife and I cut cable roughly 2 or 3 years ago to save money. Somewhere in there our finances improved but we came to the conclusion that we neither needed nor wanted cable back and just stuck with what we have. Right now we use a combination of Netflix and Hulu. Netflix gives you older shows and movies to binge watch (plus some impressive originals) while Hulu lets you keep up-to-date on more current shows. It doesn't have all of them, and they stay up there for a limited time, but you can watch new shows the day after they air.
   
   Another option is Amazon Instant Video. Their subscription service (amazon prime) is okay right now, not great. They're getting more original programs often. But, if you don't want to subscribe to them, you can still use the app to purchase/rent movies and television shows. My wife and I have a few shows that don't come to netflix or hulu and we just buy them using the Amazon instant video app. All of those combined still don't equal the costs of monthly cable.
   
   I've met a handful of people who are considering ditching cable and I know what it's like to be on the edge, unsure to make the plunge. But everyone who does, is happy they did.

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7. 85

   prettynutjob30posted 8 years ago

   As long as you have internet service, you should be able to use Roku, Apple, or Amazon boxes. I know a few people who use these, instead of cable. You can get the boxes at Walmart, or on Amazon.

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8. 93

   lisavollrathposted 8 years ago

   I haven't had cable since 1996, and I just don't understand why people spend a fortune to have it. Right now, I have subscriptions to Netflix streaming and Hulu Plus, and Chromecast hooked up to both TVs. That, plus bookmarks of various channels I like, gives me all the content I can possibly watch, whenever and wherever I want to watch it. Yes, I'm a year behind on many cable series, but honestly, who cares?

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   Aime Fposted 8 years ago

   We got rid of our cable about a year ago and there are times when I do miss just scrolling through the guide and picking out something that I would probably never choose to watch if I had a bunch of other options, but 99% of the time it's not so bad. I get by with Netflix for most shows though it is annoying to have to wait so long for new seasons to be released.
   
   If you do a little digging and can suppress your conscience a little bit there are sites that stream new episodes of popular shows almost right after they air.

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10. 41

    ChristinSposted 8 years ago

    Hulu plus offers many next day after they air.  We use a combo of Hulu plus and Netflix and have done so for years.  Never looking back. 

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    Chriswillman90posted 8 years ago

    I'm hoping to make the full transition soon because there's only a couple shows or programs I even bother with on cable, and the prices have gotten ridiculous. I have a Hulu Plus account, and I've been watching more things on my tablet or phone than on TV. Cable might be obsolete not too long from now.

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    Link10103posted 8 years ago

    We cut cable well over a year ago because it cost too damn much. As long as you have an internet connection, even if its basic speed, thats all you need to satisfy all your tv needs.
    
    Theres an app called Showbox for android devices you can google to download. Legality is questionable though...
    
    For non questionable stuffs, Hulu, Netflix, Vudu, Amazon, and even Youtube are probably the better routes. Still have to pay, but one month of cable probably covers the cost of a year for unlimited Hulu/Netflix watching.

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13. 93

    peeplesposted 8 years ago

    (Answering is easier than commenting under each answer) We have Netflix and Hulu. I guess my issue is mainly the inability to live stream. I do not like waiting to watch my favorite shows. Amazon confuses me because it seems you pay but still have to pay for up to date shows as they come out, so I kind of don't get the point of paying the $100 yearly fee if I am still going to have to pay for each series I want to watch. If anyone can clarify please do. I am canceling the cable today. Don't see a point when the only part of it I really use is the On Demand (like hulu) feature. I have a roku box so maybe I will see if I can find an extra channel to add to it. Thanks for all the answers!!!!

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       ChristinSposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       you can find lots of fun channels for Roku, many are free. They tend to have obscure and classic stuff not current, but still fun to check out.

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    Ericdierkerposted 8 years ago

    Whahoo!! We get no live TV here and after initial withdrawals are 100% better off. I thought all my shows were great until I spent that time doing better stuff. Two of the greatest blessings are no commercials and no news. I certainly looked into all the alternatives and tried a few and then realized It just was not worth my time. We get Netflix for about 7 dollars a month. Since I no longer listen to the buzz about the most recent stuff, I do not miss it at all.
    I suggest that AMC and Discovery are about as must haves as two bowls of ice cream before bed.

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    1. 93

       peeplesposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Lol but how will I live without the show "Naked and Afraid"!!!

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15. 87

    MizBejabbersposted 8 years ago

    My husband is an avid TV viewer because he has lost his vision in one eye and can no longer read very well. I could live without TV forever. Right now we are utilizing a special bundle offer from a service that offers 200 channels, home phone and Internet for about $147 a month, including taxes. We don't pay for extras like HBO or Starz channels. We were given an Amazon Fire Stick for Christmas, which we sometimes use. We keep Amazon Prime all the time anyway, but after I checked on the prices of adding Hulu or Netflix, or both, home phone, and Internet, we would be spending more money than on our bundle. He refuses to give up our home phone, so we can't save money there. We also haven't found a source for specialty channels like History2, which we watch daily. We are not sports fans, so that doesn't add into the picture.
    So, I think it all depends on your family's viewing habits and whether you need a home phone or high-speed internet.

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