I got rid of cable tv...free at last!!!

[RatsoW8]

I've wanted to do this ever since Charter increased the cost of my service a year ago by almost 50%. They also told me at that time I was no longer eligible for any more "promotional deals". Those 6-12 month promo deals were what kept my cable bill at something I could just barely live with.

I bought a really cheap($5) table top DTV antenna last week just to see how many DTV channels I could capture over the air and was pleasantly surprised to find that even in the basement I was able to pick up 5 crystal clear channels. So this past Saturday I removed the old Satellite dish from the roof, added a 5ft section of tv antenna mast and attached a nice DTV antenna I bought at Lowe's using the RG6 already in place from the Satellite dish.. 22 channels baby!!!

I cancelled my cable TV subscription this morning and it felt goooooood. With the over the air channels I have now, Amazon Prime and Netflix we have all the tv shows we normally watch plus way more movie and series options and I still cut my entertainment costs by almost $100 a month. I kept my Charter 60 Mbps internet service.

I think streaming online entertainment services are to the point now with content where cable and satellite companies are starting to take notice.

 

[Mudfoot]

I did the same thing. I get 15 channels, but a few are crummy ones. The 3 local networks each have a sub channel that show classic TV stuff. It's all stuff I enjoy. I did keep Netflix a Hulu as it entertains my boy and his friends.

I put up a gnarly OTA antenna. I could probably get a few more channels if I slap a rotor on it. I really like the quality of my picture.

 

[w9cll]

I have done this as well, get 52 channels but most are not worth watching. I put up an RCA omni directional one at about 40'. I get Chicago, Milwaukee and surrounding subs.

 

[RatsoW8]

Nice..if I still lived in Valpo I'd probably get a bunch more channels. I think I can do better if I get the antenna up another 10' or maybe just add a pre-amp.

 

[w9cll]

Pre-amps work but nothing beats height. Height + pre-amp = killer TV signal

 

[Robb]

I've wanted to do this ever since Charter increased the cost of my service a year ago by almost 50%. They also told me at that time I was no longer eligible for any more "promotional deals". Those 6-12 month promo deals were what kept my cable bill at something I could just barely live with.

I bought a really cheap($5) table top DTV antenna last week just to see how many DTV channels I could capture over the air and was pleasantly surprised to find that even in the basement I was able to pick up 5 crystal clear channels. So this past Saturday I removed the old Satellite dish from the roof, added a 5ft section of tv antenna mast and attached a nice DTV antenna I bought at Lowe's using the RG6 already in place from the Satellite dish.. 22 channels baby!!!

I cancelled my cable TV subscription this morning and it felt goooooood. With the over the air channels I have now, Amazon Prime and Netflix we have all the tv shows we normally watch plus way more movie and series options and I still cut my entertainment costs by almost $100 a month. I kept my Charter 60 Mbps internet service.

I think streaming online entertainment services are to the point now with content where cable and satellite companies are starting to take notice.

Yup.
" . . . AND for an additional fee, you can get the 'Silver pkg', for only $25 more!"

Thing is, they don't include the basics that I had with Comcast at the same basic pkg price.
They ('Charter') would like to shovel crap, and like to call it sugar . . . not pleased . . .

 

[Klondike Mike]

I cancelled my cable TV subscription this morning and it felt goooooood. With the over the air channels I have now, Amazon Prime and Netflix we have all the tv shows we normally watch plus way more movie and series options and I still cut my entertainment costs by almost $100 a month.

I plan to do the same, although I'll probably lose most live sport broadcasts. Paying $50 for local FREE news is a joke. As well, the over-the-air signal is 1080p which will look better than most cable and satellite signals.

I put up a gnarly OTA antenna. I could probably get a few more channels if I slap a rotor on it. I really like the quality of my picture.

I just ordered one of these ... with a wireless rotor control!

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/310464020303?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Blackcat630]

I had the same plan to dump my cable but I got lucky. I picked up an outdoor antenna from radio shack on close out just before they closed the doors for good. Had intentions of putting it on the tower and dumping my pricey cable and keeping my Internet for my 2 roku's. Well the cable guy came out and put a block on the line coming into the house. This blocked my cable but was also periodically dropping my Internet signal as well...so I called the cable company and they had a tech come out on a Saturday to fix the problem. I was apparently the last stop of the day and this guy was in a hurry to get to his brothers batchler party. He ran a new line from the pole to my house but still had signal problems. He then came inside and told me he had good news. "You have Internet and you have cable". He said the block they used was faulty he didn't have any more on his van. I told him great and offered him a beer for his trouble and to kick off his party night. He declined but was very happy I offered. I asked how long before they came back and blocked the cable again. His response "I should put in a work order to have another one put on...maybe I will maybe I wont" I again offered him a cold beverage. He smiled..thanked me and left. That was 8 months ago...still have my 70 basic channels. Still only paying for internet. I guess it's not stealing if they removed the block and not me.... I still have my tv antenna in the box ready to go up if they decide to shut me down.

 

[w9cll]

Cable signals are compress and are not full HD regardless what the cable company tell you

 

[Justme]

I got cable here when the ADSL2 internet connection was scrapped.
Got cable, HD 45 channels, and 40 SD channels, not needed because I still have my satellite dish up ( motorized from 45 west to 45 east) and a new Linux satellite box giving me 1000 channels HD free to air channels here....... so the cable tv box is never on.
Got 40/4 MBits connection, no limit on data use, and my landline phone also free on the cable.
Cost 40 Euro.s a month, landline scrapped cost saving 25 euro a month and from 10/1 to 40/4 speed enhancement.
I can get 200/50 here, no need for that speed though, just both of us using the internet.

Quite satisfied till now, speed is constant 41/1.1 so better as promised, cable tv signals look good, but not using that, rather watch HD through my own 4 feet satellite dish and Linux receiver.
96% of the people here have access to broadband internet with max speeds to 200/60 as highest speeds, our cable provider lacks at 200/50....

 

[The War Wagon]

I still like my FIOS Quantum, because with our kids & their autism, we NEVER get out anymore. If we want to see a NOMINALLY new movie, this is the only way we can do it.

Since I bundle the TV with internet & landline (I DETEST cellphones - y'all can KEEP 'em!), it works for me - but I wouldn't mind my kids watching a LOT less TV.