Netflix, Streaming Videos & DVDs

Lydia Leftcoast

(48,217 posts) Thu Dec 6, 2012, 10:44 PM Dec 2012

I can cut the cord now!

I've been subscribing to analog rock bottom basic cable for about three years, but last week Comcast sent a letter saying that it was discontinuing analog cable. When I called them, they insisted that I would have to buy a channel package full of formerly good channels that have gone all-reality or all-scandal.

I did a bit of experimenting with a tiny handheld battery-operated TV that I bought for use during power outages, and I realized that everything I watch (mostly PBS and MHz Worldview) is available over the air or through streaming.

Today I bought a 32" Samsung HD TV, and I found that it not only brings in four PBS stations and the Big Three stations beautifully but also shows streamed content very well.

I look forward to telling Comcast that I no longer need their TV service.

7 replies

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I can cut the cord now! (Original Post) Lydia Leftcoast Dec 2012 OP

I cut the cable Twinguard Dec 2012 #1

And best of all you get even more HD PBS stations than you probably did before. cbayer Dec 2012 #2

We have only one public television service here, but it has four sub-channels: Lydia Leftcoast Dec 2012 #3

You can find all the full episodes of TDS and TCR online StrictlyRockers Dec 2012 #6

Yeah, but then I can only watch them on my very little screen and not my TV. cbayer Dec 2012 #7

If you can get it, over the air HDTV is amazing Politicub Dec 2012 #4

Yes, I am finding that out Lydia Leftcoast Dec 2012 #5

Twinguard

(531 posts)

1. I cut the cable

Reply to Lydia Leftcoast (Original post)

Fri Dec 7, 2012, 12:44 AM

Dec 2012

some two and a half or three years ago. We filled the void with Netflix (both streaming and 1 DVD at a time via USPS) and other than a few live sporting events, I haven't missed cable at all. OK, in all fairness, the first week or so I felt lost (I used to watch ALOT of TV), but now I barely notice if there is a TV in the room... on OR off. I'm no longer hooked on my weekly shows. I haven't even thought about cable news except for the occasional clip from the Rachael Maddow show during election season. I get all of my news from the net, if there is a current show I need to watch hulu usually does the trick, and otherwise I spend more time on my guitar (or more recently, I took up the piano), in my wood shop, working on my yard... It was like a giant weight was lifted from my shoulders when I gave the proverbial middle finger to cable TV.

I'm much happier these days.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)

2. And best of all you get even more HD PBS stations than you probably did before.

Reply to Lydia Leftcoast (Original post)

Fri Dec 7, 2012, 12:50 PM

Dec 2012

We pick up 3 major public networks from LA and each as 4 sub-channels. It's great!

Of course, you probably still get the major networks, but I hardly ever even look at them.

The only things I miss are Comedy Central for the Daily Show and Colbert and the Food Network, but I don't miss them all that much.

Enjoy!!

Lydia Leftcoast

(48,217 posts)

3. We have only one public television service here, but it has four sub-channels:

Reply to cbayer (Reply #2)

Fri Dec 7, 2012, 03:24 PM

Dec 2012

the main channel with all the national programming, a home-and-garden-and-food-and-travel-plus reruns channel, a local-documentary-plus-ethnic-programming channel, and an all automated weather channel.

Other than that, all I watch regularly is MHz Worldview, which is on public access cable but which I can also stream live through my Roku. I am addicted to their European mysteries.

Otherwise, it's all DVDs and streaming for me--and I still have more content than I have time to watch!

StrictlyRockers

(3,855 posts)

6. You can find all the full episodes of TDS and TCR online

Reply to cbayer (Reply #2)

Sat Dec 15, 2012, 10:40 PM

Dec 2012

at the Comedy Central site. Paying for cable is totally unneccessary.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)

7. Yeah, but then I can only watch them on my very little screen and not my TV.

Reply to StrictlyRockers (Reply #6)

Sat Dec 15, 2012, 10:42 PM

Dec 2012

I have no use for cable or satellite TV really. When I find myself in a place that has it, I tend to tune into the Food Network, but that is about it.

Politicub

(12,165 posts)

4. If you can get it, over the air HDTV is amazing

Reply to Lydia Leftcoast (Original post)

Sat Dec 15, 2012, 01:46 AM

Dec 2012

We're on the verge of cutting the cord, too. TiVo works with terrestrial antennas, and most of the shows I watch are on the old networks.

There are also some funky and cool oldies channels you get over the air.

Lydia Leftcoast

(48,217 posts)

5. Yes, I am finding that out

Reply to Politicub (Reply #4)

Sat Dec 15, 2012, 01:42 PM

Dec 2012

Because I live in a major city, I can get all the local channels in HD with just an indoor antenna. I also get programs streamed in HD from services like Netflix and Acorn TV.

And I'm learning about over-the-air MeTV, with its reruns of Perry Mason, The Rockford Files, Thriller, and The Twilight Zone, a channel that is not available on the local cable system.

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