So my local cable/internet providor just jacked my rates on me. We turned off the house phone over a year ago since we both have cell phones and never use all the minutes, so as of now we only have cable and internet. We are currently paying $165ish after the recent rate hike and that seems simply outrageous to me. The cable package we have is only the standard digital channels, plus I have a DVR box and and the sports pass added on so I can see the outdoor channels. I think the DVR is like $12 a month, the sports channel package is like $9 a month, and for some reason they are charging me $10 a month for "turbo internet" too. Those are the only extras on top of basic digital cable/internet. The internet package we have when tested provides roughly 10mbps down and 2mbps up. I'm thinking about cancelling or at least shopping around to see what other options are out there. Anyone have thoughts on DirectTV or Dish Network? What about other internet options?
Okay here is my suggestion which is not for everyone but if more people tried it they would be surprised they can still see everything they want for about 1/2 or less the cost. + + and/or = I know this isn't what you asked for but I'm just giving you an option to unplug. It is the best thing we have ever done entertainment wise. The only thing you would need is a good internet connection.
I also have the roku/amazon/netflix. I have the most basic cable (3 local channels and cnn... ugh) and cable internet. It still costs me 80.00 a month. Rip-off!
We pay $30/month for cable internet...but then fork out $150/month for the loaded package of DirecTV with 5 HD receivers and a DVR box. DirecTV is worth it to me.
We currently have the quad play with direct tv and verizon. We pay about $220/month for two cells, direct tv, internet and home phone. It's a waste of money. Soon we'll be dropping the home phone and Tv. We're getting a couple of the leaf antenna's from amazon and Hulu plus on the Wii.
I don't know who your provider is but $165 ish sounds high to me. As you itemize though, DVR at $12 a month it probably takes thm 2 1/2 years to break even on the unit. $9 a month for any decent sports package and they are losing money every month. I don't know if the $10 per month is an add on for Turbo or if it is all you pay for 10/2. If that is all you pay on the internet you are getting a deal. Many companies are regulated to charge extra on Internet if you don't take the regulated phone service along with the Internet so you may want to check on weather it would make a better deal with adding the land line. Sounds to me like you could do better with Dish or Direct at least for the initial year or two of each service because they give you a sweet deal to get you as a customer. Just make sure you understand all the added charges for upgrades and extra set top boxes. You'd still need to get an Internet connection though. Remember tha cable companies have to pay for the programming they put in their channel line up and it is not unusual for each channel cost to increase 5% or 10% each year. They have to pass that on. Even though it sounds like I am the cable guy, I'm not. They are my competitor and I know how they have to do business. JMO
I'd find out what packages are available to new customers from your current provider and then call them and tell them you want that or you walk. I've done that with dish network twice now.
Yup... they jacked me up big time about a month ago. I said what's up with this. I may be on the way back to basic because I've gotten tired of stupid rednecks and bimbos doing all the hunting shows. I really don't need them anymore. Time Warner has just gotten too greedy. I'm thinking basic with phone and internet. To hell with the rest of it. I'm pushing $200 a month and there is nothing worth watching.
I was happy with direct tv til just now. I watch a lot of Sunday sports televised on channel 20, ABC. There's now a runner going across the screen saying that after 3/1, DTV will no longer be carrying ABC 20. I'll be calling DTV to *****.
Dish is okay. I pay 40 a month with 3 receivers, 2HD and 1 standard. This is with the sports package so I get all the ESPN's, SPEED, Sportsmen's Channel, NFL Network, and NFL Redzone. The only complaint is that once in a while it will randomly "lose signal", which should be in bad weather, but today it stayed strong through the snow storm and will go out when weather isn't bad. But other than that its great for the price.
Tv shows? 3-4 hrs a week on the DVR to avoid commercials. Usually on a Sunday after church. We watch a ton of sports though (haven't missed a UK bball game in 3 years). The bill is included in how we split rent so I never even see it lol. 3 guys pay the $1500 rent 4th guy keeps up with and pays all the bills that avg $450-500.
Mizzou away from home is nowhere near the mizzou at home. While I expect a loss, I wouldn't rule us out just yet! But as for the original topic, cable TV sucks!
Tell me about it, we're down right awful on the road. If you had Noel still it'd be more of a game. You could also do Apple TV. I think its similar to the roku/amazon/netflix deal.
We have the Apple TV with Netflix. We might try Hulu for a bit to see if its worth having both. I always say watching the local ( Duluth ) news is what I miss about tv, but then I watch 15 min at my dad's and realize I'm not missing out on anything.
We had Dish, but don't have clear line of sight (tall oaks) toward the satellite -precip build up on the trees and it was unreliable. Went the cable route and got tire of their games. 'Do you have a lower package/rate?' "No" 'I want to cancel' and presto a new rate is now available. It was still pricy. We went the Roku route and jacked up the internet speed and probably cut ~$100/mth in costs.
Time Warner Cable is getting ridiculous with thier pricing. Mine just jumped up to $181 / Month. I do have have about 500 cable channels, HD cable box with DVR, 8 MB internet, and the phone. I had a buddy that switchd from TWC to ATT Uverse, and even now he is almost back up to where he was before...they all charge too much, and it really doesn't pay to try to switch, they will get you sooner or later !
Considering we have a good aerial signal to get all of our local stations I don't miss paid TV at all. The kids love NetFlix. I can always find good stuff to watch. I would not even think of pay TV again. They can
