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Forum: Internet Links
Topic: "Is cable still worth it?"
started by: GORDON

Posted by GORDON on Mar. 22 2011,04:35

Article about how (legal) internet downloads are becoming more attractive than having a cable TV package.

< http://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/2011/03/11/cable-worth/ >

What I find interesting is that people clamored for ala carte TV for years... people didn't like having to pay for unpopular channels in order to get the channels they wanted.... and the cable companies ignored them.... so the market responded and the cable company is being dropped for a service that gives people what they want.

The question is, will the broadband delivery companies (many of which also deliver cable TV) be successful in charging more for reliable delivery of Netflix, Hulu, etc in order to make up that lost revenue?

Posted by TheCatt on Mar. 22 2011,05:46

ESPN is the only channel I want to pay anything for.

Posted by Troy on Mar. 22 2011,06:46

1 year now, no cable.

Haven't missed it yet.

I really wish i could do HBO/Showtime ala-cart though. I'd probably pay 50-60 bucks a month if I had access to that.

Posted by GORDON on Mar. 22 2011,07:26

(TheCatt @ Mar. 22 2011,08:46)

QUOTE

ESPN is the only channel I want to pay anything for.

And conversely, I don't want to pay for ESPN, and I heard the ESPNs account for a large chunk of my cable bill.

If my wife could get the HGTV/similar channels, I could sell her on dropping cable.

edit - I don't know how accurate it is, but here's a chart. Not as big a chunk as I'd heard, but still the most expensive channels I get bundled. I'd love to lose those sports channels and that expense.

< http://mediamemo.allthingsd.com/2010030....son-why >

edit 2 - Wholesale prices, so maybe the original number I heard was accurate, $20-30.

Posted by TPRJones on Mar. 22 2011,08:24

Adding up the 13 channels on that list that I watch I get a total of $2.86. The rest is crap I have zero interest in and have never ever watched.

But I don't currently have any good broadband options that are cheaper than the package deal I have with Uverse, so it's still worth it for now. Barely. If I ever get around to moving, though, the #1 priority will be good broadband with no phone or cable bundling requirements.