Cutting the Cord

[Scturo]

So it's been a year since I gave up cable TV. My wife, as usual, was hesitant to cancel our cable. Just like when we cancelled our house phone.

But I did it anyways without telling anyone. Two weeks later, neither my wife or kids noticed. I did get an attic antenna for local channels, and we've been longtime Netflix and Amazon Prime members. So instead of paying $140 a month for DirectTV, Netflix and Amazon Prime, we pay $20 a month.

The only thing I feel like I gave up was espn. But it is worth the savings.

Who else has cut the Cord? How has it worked out. Seems like this is the way the industry is headed.

 

[8rnw8]

Been wanting to do this for a while, but have to find a way to still get food network, amc (walking dead), and maybe like TBS or something.

 

[MeatyPortion]

I cut cable out in 2013. Wife was furious at first but has now accepted it. The best way you can adapt to not having cable is by realizing that just because a show comes out doesn't mean you have to immediately watch it. Patience, and watch a ton of stuff that's already on Hulu or Prime or Netflix.

 

[TorMag]

My monthly to Comcast is right around $300. That includes the home phone, cable and internet. We don't even have a home phone hooked up anymore yet I am still paying. Looking to get rid of the phone and go to basic cable, but I need the internet. Will also need to figure a way to get AMC and HBO.....

 

[MeatyPortion]

My monthly to Comcast is right around $300. That includes the home phone, cable and internet. We don't even have a home phone hooked up anymore yet I am still paying. Looking to get rid of the phone and go to basic cable, but I need the internet. Will also need to figure a way to get AMC and HBO.....

You can get HBO NOW for $15 a month; AMC is dragging their feet but will probably eventually have an online version free of the cable provide requirement, I mean other than whatever they're doing here: https://www.cutcabletoday.com/amc-live-stream/

 

[k1ngl1ves]

I use an hdtv antenna in my attic. I have a smart tv with Netflix. I share Amazon with my sister, and I use a friend's Hulu. They both use my Netflix in trade.

I have the 4k Netflix, so I believe I'm only paying $12 for everything.


My wife still wanted certain channels and occasionally a movie. So I bought an Android TV Box. Wiped the box clean, installed Kodi (and some fancy add-ons), and purchased a vpn (virtual private network). Upped my Internet to 150mbps ($65 with Comcast) and now stream anything I want and super fast. You really only need about 10mbps to stream though. The VPN (I use NordVPN) is a nice security option, and blocks my Internet provider from knowing what I'm streaming. Is it illegal? No. It's kinda a grey area... at least for now. You can learn more by Googling android boxs, kodi, and vpns.

 

[jjw5015]

For those asking, AMC is on slingTV. That's $20-$25 a month. I use that, in addition to Hulu and HBONow. total for all those is about $50. Problem is the internet service is costing me $80 to run the multiple devices in the house. I have to do better shopping around for that. If i had a better router I could probably get a lower speed internet. All told maybe I'm saving a few bucks a month, but i like paying the multiple smaller amounts throughout the month instead of getting the $160 comcast bill.

 

[jjw5015]

I use an hdtv antenna in my attic. I have a smart tv with Netflix. I share Amazon with my sister, and I use a friend's Hulu. They both use my Netflix in trade.

I have the 4k Netflix, so I believe I'm only paying $12 for everything.


My wife still wanted certain channels and occasionally a movie. So I bought an Android TV Box. Wiped the box clean, installed Kodi (and some fancy add-ons), and purchased a vpn (virtual private network). Upped my Internet to 150mbps ($65 with Comcast) and now stream anything I want and super fast. You really only need about 10mbps to stream though. The VPN (I use NordVPN) is a nice security option, and blocks my Internet provider from knowing what I'm streaming. Is it illegal? No. It's kinda a grey area... at least for now. You can learn more by Googling android boxs, kodi, and vpns.

Yes KODI! awesome for watching movies and tv shows I can't get with hulu. Terrible for me at least at getting live events. I'm struggling with some sports loss.

 

[Scturo]

^^^^. I also got a Firestick recently, so now I got espn back, and free PPVs. Don't know how long Kodi will last, but I'll still be good.

 

[Dfitz]

I have basic dish for my wife's cooking shows but the majority of my viewing is done on Kodi

 

[MeatyPortion]

For those asking, AMC is on slingTV. That's $20-$25 a month. I use that, in addition to Hulu and HBONow. total for all those is about $50. Problem is the internet service is costing me $80 to run the multiple devices in the house. I have to do better shopping around for that. If i had a better router I could probably get a lower speed internet. All told maybe I'm saving a few bucks a month, but i like paying the multiple smaller amounts throughout the month instead of getting the $160 comcast bill.

I'm at $7 for Hulu, $15 for HBONOW, $5 for XBOXLive Gold, and probably $10 for Amazon Prime but we had that when we still had cable and order so much with free shipping that it's kind of a wash at this point. Add in $68 for internet and we're at $95 per month versus the $145 I was paying for cable plus internet. At least this way I can nix a service easily or add Netflix or whatever. Honestly, I may drop HBO for awhile, even though I use it a lot, but that's the nice part about having that freedom rather than having the options dictated to me by a cable company.

 

[TorMag]

I got a FireStick because someone at work told me you can totally jailbreak them, and get all sorts of stuff, never figured out how to do that, but enjoy having the firestick.

 

[Steveruch]

I got laid off during the height of the recession just before my 60th birthday. We cut off cable the next month and have not felt the least urge to restart it.
A couple of months ago we got fed up with paying almost $50 a month for a landline and cut off the phone. We have a cell phone now for way less.

 

[wishingiwasfishing]

We cut the cord many years ago. We have an UHF/High VHF antenna for receiving the HD signal. We also have a Tivo Romio (and older Tivo HD downstairs). The Romio is a four tuner HD guided DVR...works real nice. We also do Netflix for the kids. Kids didn't mind and find a way to easily adapt...if you give them the chance.

Most cities only need a UHF antenna for receving all channels. Chicago area is one of the two, that I know of, that you're forced (thanks FCC) to have an antenna capable of UHF and high VHF. If you're going to do it, don't skimp on good quad shield rg6.

I normally think of payments in five, and ten year terms. I look at the total and ask myself if I would want to buy cable Tv for $x,xxx for five years...or $xx,xxx?

 

[madscientist451]

I used to work in the TV news business and quit because I despised the political correctness and how East and West coast liberals insisted on ramming their point of view down everyone's throat. I used to be a news junkie and watched many more hours of TV than i care to think about.
I dumped cable about 5 years ago, after realizing I just really didn't watch TV that much anymore. I do watch some Netflix and movies on Amazon prime.
I don't miss TV news or other programs, although I hear people talking about some shows at work and wonder if I'm missing out. I watch some sports that I stream for free.
Without TV, I spend more time outside, reading, playing music, brewing and surfing the internet. There is so much knowledge to be gained for free on the internet or from other sources that it seems like a waste to be "entertained" by TV shows while enduring relentless commercials. Its really amazing what you can get done if you simply reduce your TV watching time.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

I could never in a million years cut the cord.
I'm the ultimate channel surfer and need instant replaceable satisfaction. With the endless bills we pay My cable bill is the least of my worries and the one I get the most happiness from!!

 

[imasickboy]

For those looking to cut the home phone cost, look into ooma. It's VOIP, good quality, and cheap as all hell. Our cell numbers are given to friends and family. Businesses or anything else gets the home number. I pay $4.23 a month. Worth every penny.

 

[passedpawn]

Its really amazing what you can get done if you simply reduce your TV watching time.

This. I get news from the local paper and interwebz, the latter of which is so awful I might stop that. (rant barely avoided, whew)

Other than a random football game on the weekends (I'm not much of a fan), I don't ever turn it on. My next TV event is the Masters (I watch the whole thing). Can't wait.

I don't hate TV, I've just got so many other things I want to do with my life.

 

[Rockn_M]

I use an hdtv antenna in my attic. I have a smart tv with Netflix. I share Amazon with my sister, and I use a friend's Hulu. They both use my Netflix in trade.

I have the 4k Netflix, so I believe I'm only paying $12 for everything.


My wife still wanted certain channels and occasionally a movie. So I bought an Android TV Box. Wiped the box clean, installed Kodi (and some fancy add-ons), and purchased a vpn (virtual private network). Upped my Internet to 150mbps ($65 with Comcast) and now stream anything I want and super fast. You really only need about 10mbps to stream though. The VPN (I use NordVPN) is a nice security option, and blocks my Internet provider from knowing what I'm streaming. Is it illegal? No. It's kinda a grey area... at least for now. You can learn more by Googling android boxs, kodi, and vpns.

Love Kodi!

 

[Rockn_M]

Yes KODI! awesome for watching movies and tv shows I can't get with hulu. Terrible for me at least at getting live events. I'm struggling with some sports loss.

Have you tried the Pro Sport add on?

 

[Scturo]

Have you tried the Pro Sport add on?

Pro Sport works good, also check out Sportsdevil/Live Sports/ Atdhenet.tv and Pheonix Sports/Sports World Live works great for sports and PPV events.

 

[jjw5015]

Pro Sport works good, also check out Sportsdevil/Live Sports/ Atdhenet.tv and Pheonix Sports/Sports World Live works great for sports and PPV events.

I've tried all of these and nothing comes through. Been wondering if it needs an update or re-install.

 

[Scturo]

I've tried all of these and nothing comes through. Been wondering if it needs an update or re-install.

What version are you running. You should be at least at Jarvis 16.1. Krypton should be stable in a month or so.

 

[jjw5015]

Pretty sure its Jarvis

 

[Scturo]

How good is your wifi? It shoudl be at least 10Mbs

 

[jmcquesten]

Been off the cable for a while. Kodi and an antenna gets me everything I need.

 

[jjw5015]

How good is your wifi? It shoudl be at least 10Mbs

200, but with a mediocre router

 

[Scturo]

200 is your hard wire speed. Your wifi will be less. You need to download Speedtest on your phone and do a Speedtest check for download speed. With 200, you shoudl be good, but it depends on the make up of your house if you are getting enough speed.

 

[gratus fermentatio]

I dumped cable years ago. I don't miss it. I rarely watch TV anymore.
Regards, GF.

 

[jjw5015]

200 is your hard wire speed. Your wifi will be less. You need to download Speedtest on your phone and do a Speedtest check for download speed. With 200, you shoudl be good, but it depends on the make up of your house if you are getting enough speed.

Been running the test and its about 60-70 at its best and 30-40 during the sluggish times.