cable TV alternatives?

chayer227 · February 2010

We're sick of our high cable bill. My haggler DH called yesterday and threatened to cancel to see if they'd give us a better deal, but they wouldn't bite... they even told us that we're still on a promotional rate for our bill - cable, internet and phone. ugh, it will go up in March!
We're trying to research alternatives, anyone have any suggestions?
We're currently watching on hi-def TVs, addicted to our DVR, but also watching a lot of older seasons of shows on DVD. I'd be up for canceling completely, but we need internet somehow and I want to still be able to have access to some current shows (like Biggest Loser, American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance...)

Cipolla2Be · February 2010

Can you down grade to "Basic" so yo still have your general networks and then keep your internet. We got rid of our phone and that alone saved us $40. We don't have basic, but if we did that would save us another $20, but I need my Bravo and HGTV network!

miss.kayla · February 2010

I don't have cable and haven't ever had it since I left home. I watch shows online and we also have netflix that we stream through our xbox (also works on a blu-ray player). There's allot to choose from off of netflix, mostly older stuff though. you should check out the web and see if your show's are online.

munkii · February 2010

We also don't have cable--I haven't since I left home, and DH only found it worthwhile for a few months. All of the shows you mentioned are available on antenna. What's not available on antenna, we watch online. We have the internet hooked up through AT&T with our phone and pay about 60$ a month which includes long distance, taxes, fees.

wittyschaffy · February 2010

Ditto pps - don't have cable here and I get a ton of stuff over the air with a rooftop antenna. We *just* got an PS3 (hubby's idea - not mine) which will stream netflix which only costs $8.99 for one at a time disk rental plus unlimited streaming. We have our internet through Qwest and I pay 39.99 a month for it with no additional phone service.

jamlsull · February 2010

We have Dish Network and it is a lot cheaper than cable in our area for the same (or even more) channels. We have DVR & you can get HD as well.

We have our Internet & phone through AT&T. We pay $55 for both. It isn't the highest connection speed you can get, but we never have trouble with that at all. And we just have the most basic phone service with no extras.

mikesboo23 · February 2010

We don't have cable either. Just an antena and netflix.

jlk0219 · February 2010

We also have Dish Network with DVR and we love it. DH would love to get DSL thru AT & T but it isn't available in our city yet. So we have Dish, cable internet thru the local company, and then basic phone service (no long distance) thru AT & T. It works about to be around the same price as the cable/phone/internet package deals that our local cable company offers (which we hate so we wanted to avoid using them at all costs). As long as you have a relatively high internet connection you can also watch a lot of shows for free thru Hulu.

mayanut · February 2010

We haven't had cable in years. As long as you aren't big sports fans, it can work. Here is our combo:

Antenna for news & special events

Roadrunner only, no cable, no phone, just cellphone

PS3 with Netflix streaming for older series and movies

PS3 with PlayOn (www.playon.tv) for current series via ABC, Hulu & YouTube

Cheaper Alternative we use in the Bedroom:

You can get a blue-ray player at Best Buy for $120 (Insiginia brand) that will do DVDs, BluRay, and Netflix streaming so long as you plug it into a network cable. You can also copy anything from your computer via USB flash drive and play them on the player as well.

Good luck!

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