First of all, you don't have to pay for both cable and high-speed internet access. Check out what you pay for cable TV and you may find that by dropping it and keeping your internet access, you can save hundreds (or maybe thousands) of dollars each year. And if your phone is also provided by your cable company, consider what many people have done: go with cell service alone.
But what will I watch?
That is a legitimate question. Let's examine the options:
Broadcast TV -- Long regarded as "a vast wasteland," things have improved in past years. Granted, you may not find a gripping show about origami or bonsai pruning (or whatever other esoteric topic), but there is very entertaining stuff out there for free. The cables companies have long made their money by convincing you that you need to see their stuff and that there's nothing like it on "regular" (that is, broadcast) TV. And it is true that all those cable channels are able to offer content the networks don't have time for. But, the truth is, you end up paying for dozens and dozens of channels you never watch.
However if what you're looking for is to be well entertained for a few hours each night, an antenna, an HDTV and a DVR (digital video recorder) or Windows Media Center can do the job just fine for free. That is, if you can receive over-the-air (OTA) TV where you live. Almost everyone can, and if you can't, your cable company probably offers (at a reduced rate) a selection of just your local channels.
Hulu.com -- this free site has a huge collection of shows available on-demand with reduced commercials. Hulu's biggest attraction is that it allows you to watch TV when it is convenient for you, not the networks. Since it was formed by NBC and ABC, most of their shows are well-represented, but Hulu also has lots of shows from the other networks and even some cable shows.
Other sites -- there are many, but the free ones worth looking at are CBS.com, Crackle and IMDB. The paid sites include HuluPlus.com (which has commercials), Netflix and Amazon.
Boxed sets of DVDs -- you can buy a season of most TV shows in a boxed set that will set you back somewhere around $30-$40. If one or two shows are all you really watch, then watching them this way is a huge improvement. This is partly because it frees you from "appointment TV" where you watch when they tell you to watch.
Movies from Redbox -- for $1 to $2, you can rent a movie from Redbox. The kiosks are plentiful and have a supply of the most recent films. Plus, you can reserve them on line.
Blu-rays and DVDs from the library -- you can't beat the price on this one. And while the selection at smaller branches is limited, larger libraries have hundreds or thousands of DVDs to choose from. Again, don't overlook the boxed sets of past TV shows.
That sums up most of the options. If you're worried about your favorite football team, there's NFL Game Rewind for about $40 for the regular season which gives you all the games (for all the teams) usually on the next day (no live games). And there are all kinds of other sources for video content on the internet, far more than what is on cable.
Well, I dunno.
There's no doubt about it, this kind of change will force you to update your philosophy. If you've formed the habit of watching "whatever is on" and have relied on the cable to broaden that to a bearable minimum, then things are going to have to change. Four or five networks can't provide the variety of a hundred cable channels. But they can match the quality of the entertainment experience if you do the following:
- Take the time to find the broadcast programs you enjoy
- Find a way to watch those programs when you want to
- Break the habit of "watching whatever"
I'm glad you asked! Try this:
- Check out the most popular programs and other things that look good on Hulu.
- Ask your friends what they watch.
- Watch the fall preview shows to find new shows to watch.
- Get a DVR or Windows Media Center (see my posts on WMC) and record your favorite shows and possible new ones.
- Or get familiar with Hulu or other sites that have your content.
- If necessary, get a media extender so you can watch more content on your TV.
- Or move your computer to the living room and connect it to your TV.
- Or add a large screen, nice speakers and comfy chair to your computer.