We don't have cable, though we sure do love watching TV. The main reason we don't is that we don't agree with the cable payment structure. Why do we have to pay close to $100 for hundreds of channels we don't want. We don't care about the 15 different ESPN models, do you? We want Comedy Central, Bravo, E!, HBO and Showtime (maybe MTV for the stomach turning Sweet Sixteen series). And in most cases we only want to watch or two shows on these networks.
This has led us to boycott cable, opting instead to get a few channels for free via our antenna, and then watching select shows the day after on Hulu or months after via Netflix. While this works out pretty well, the hiccup we've encountered is with networks that don't participate with Hulu or just wanting to be up to date with the pop culture knowledge people are throwing out. Showtime, for example, made their pilot episode of The United States of Tara available via Netflix and a handful of other online venues for free and we got addicted, but all other episodes have not been available and won't be until the show comes out on DVD after the season closes. Sometimes I don't want to wait until everyone else has seen a show to watch it. This is why we're so interested in the idea Netflix has thrown around.
The DVD subscription service, which recently launched a "Watch Instantly" feature to stream shows and movies through your broadband service, is playing with the idea of offering current HBO fare as a watch instantly feature you'd pay $10 extra a month for...
I also don't have cable for the same reason. True TV (formerly court TV) is only available on the 2nd most expesnive cable plans on both Dish network and TW cable. That is one the only channels I watch, so I just not been watching television.
I'm kinda over HBO shows - i just can get into Flight of the Conchords or Big Love enough to warrant 10 bucks a month - Ill wait until they're on DVD. I wish Showtime would stream like that. I'd pay to see Bullshit and Dexter. Personally I feel Showtime has surpassed HBO in show quality - and I was a loyal 6 feet under person.
And really, Television is not worth watching without DVR. Jebus, I miss my DVR.
view chusmabilly's profile
No! I'll be glad to wait until HBO shows come out on DVD, and then Netflix them the old-fashioned way. So to speak.
Perhaps this kind of behavior is cutting into the industry's bottom line. If that's the case, here's my reply to them:
Bottom line? Yeah, I got your bottom line right here!
view lordnelson's profile
A great article on why getting to pick and choose your cable channels wouldn't actually be cheaper for most people:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/24/business/media/24nocera.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&ref=media&pagewanted=all
view Andy's profile
Until they get their act together and get it working for mac, I am boycotting them (well that's what I'm calling it, but really, I don't have a choice, do I?)
view spicynuts's profile
Spicynuts, it does work on macs. I don't have cable, I do have Netflix and am able to watch all of their streaming videos.
The only hitch is that you have to opt into it, I don't remember where it was that you could-but just try poking around the site. It didn't take me long to find it.
http://www.netflix.com/WiMessage?msg=51
view Benji's profile
I have a Mac and am able to stream every day. I don't remember downloading anything and if I did it probably didn't take that long cause I don't even remember...
view funkylola's profile