Unless you prefer foreign language/programming I cannot think of anything you cannot get from an alternate source. There are infrequent times when a specific program is not available (more likely a live sports program) but these are very rare - at least to the interests I have.
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
CBS Launches $5.99 A Month Subscription Streaming Service
- Thread starter mvcg66b3r
- Start date
Unless you prefer foreign language/programming I cannot think of anything you cannot get from an alternate source. There are infrequent times when a specific program is not available (more likely a live sports program) but these are very rare - at least to the interests I have.
Except that we are not talking about people like you. We are talking about people who have but 5-6 channels they watch but are now being forced to pay for an expensive bundle to get their desired programming.
Buy an OTA DVR and record the show off the air, free. That's what my wife does. Problem solved.
There is hardly a live sports event in the world that isn't available somewhere on the Internet, either as part of a league/conference/team streaming service or via Romania, Moldova, Belarus, etc. The three services I pay for cost me about $45 a month, way less than a cable bill, and I get all the non-sports entertainment and news I'd ever possibly need absolutely free.
A
Avid Listener
Guest
I can't find The Walking Dead, Falling Skies, Boardwalk Empire or many others.
The NFL is overplayed on OTA TV. Why would anyone want to watch online?
I don't watch any of those but can find them online in a matter of seconds.
Why do people still watch OTA TV, for live sports. Put it online and everyone would cut the cord for good.
It's sad that "cutting the cord" now means cutting OTA TV. Your statement would be completely accurate if "OTA" were replaced with "cable" and "online" were replaced with "online or OTA". But except for the NFL, sports have been slowly siphoned away to cable for a while now.
Landtuna sees online programming and cord-cutting as an alternative to having a cable subscription. You see it as an alternative to linear television more generally, and I guess given the topic of this particular discussion that's understandable. But color me skeptical that online sports will ever be as effective in the area where linear television shines best or that linear TV will ever be completely irrelevant even when the Internet becomes the hub of the visual content universe.
I am staying temporarily away from home without a TV. During the last week, I have streamed both Walking Dead and Boardwalk Empire. Boardwalk was on HBO GO which I have access to because I subscribe through DirecTV. Whether or not it's available elsewhere for free, I can't say. I believe I watched Walking Dead thru the AMC site, but I don't remember for sure. I believe Falling Skies is currently on hiatus, but you may find past episodes online - not sure.
I live in hilly San Francisco, 'tuna. If I lived on the west slope of Bernal Heights, OTA reception would be perfect. But I live on the southeast slope. I can look out my window and see KNTV's transmitter on Mt. San Bruno, so I'm set for NBC, but last time I checked, the other SF stations were on the Twin Peaks tower, and I can't get reception. That includes KPIX (CBS).
The only other station that comes in clearly is KICU, and independent out of San Jose.
Are there really people that still watch only 5 or 6 channels? They must be a tiny minority of viewers with very limited tastes who are living in the past, and are content watching the crap (for the most part) that the 4 major networks spew out. I have to wonder if they have cell phones or computers. IMO, the best written and acted dramas are on basic and premium cable.
How many people still watch Over the Air. Unless you live in the city you can't reach all of your locals. Most people watch the big 4 through a wire. If I cut the cable subscription that means I cut my locals too. Not even that, if I am on the road I cant watch the NFL or MLB games easily. I want the content on my terms. I don't want to be tied down to a cable to get programming. Netflix can only go so far. There is still a lot of protected content that is out of reach.
Plus I don't want just the NFL games my affiliates get, I want the total package, and I don't want DirecTV to get it.
I left S.F. long ago and before Mt. San Bruno was constructed. In those days (of analog TV) I could get all the locals living in Daly City and San Rafael. I was not aware that some TV stations do not transmit from Mt. San Bruno. I would have thought that would be necessary.
When I had cable I tended to watch only half a dozen channels but I don't consider myself "living in the past". Before most channels went to hell in a handbasket I watched The Military Channel, History, Discovery, TCM and a couple of the channels devoted to motor sports. I do watch dramas and documentaries but tend to get those from sources other than cable. My network watching is now down to college football and 2-3 other shows - mainly sitcoms.
I do have a cell phone (although not a smart phone) and a variety of computers (I was an IT guy for many years) but don't consider myself much different otherwise from an average retired guy my age.
In general, I agree with you. Among my favorites are The Newsroom and Downton Abbey (the historical part, not the soap part) and have been halfway interested in Madam Secretary so far. I watched several episodes of Breaking Bad before turning off that farce and refuse to watch anything with zombies or the supernatural.
When the kids lived at home we had cable but it gradually dawned on me that no one was watching much at all so we dumped it. The only channel I really miss and haven't been able to get is TCM. I would be a happy camper if they would stream. Otherwise, you can keep cable. I figured out that I could buy DVD's of the few shows worth watching and still be farther ahead financially than by keeping cable packages. Today, with Hulu and Netflix you have even more choices.
How many cable systems still have what was once called a lifeline package with just the local stations and possibly a few major cable networks like TBS or WGN? I know Charter had it at one time but I'm not sure about it now.
I don't understand or agree with that statement. "Cutting the cord" specifically means dropping cable/sat services and has nothing to do with OTA TV.
I'm not sure that is true. There is nothing quite as entertaining, to me, as watching a big time NCAA football game on my 60" HDTV with surround sound. I cannot duplicate that by watching online (in most cases). One day it might be possible to have that picture and sound delivered on a stable online feed but for now it is possible only in limited numbers.
And, I think, you are forgetting the distaff side of most houses, the females, who in large part are not avid live sports watchers as are the males.
If you mean "watch exclusively OTA" the answer is somewhere near 15% of the total audience but that is somewhat misleading. Since most people already subscribe to cable or sat and locals are on those cable/sat services then they watch locals over cable but they wouldn't necessarily have to. It is just more convenient.
One of the reasons I watch OTA is to get a pure HD picture on my HDTV. Much better than watching over cable/sat. Even if I had cable TV I would have an antenna to watch the locals.
Practically none unless you are talking about mobile reception. If you are willing to pay for it you can usually get it. You can also get it free most of the time if you know where to look.
Well, that is a different set of subjects now, isn't it? I love college football but I'm usually only good for 2 games per day. And I don't follow just one team as a favorite so any of the most competitive games being shown are usually good enough for me. I have no allegiance to Slippery Rock State.
Most have a basic package with the locals and a dozen or so junk channels for something around $30/month.
there would more cord cutters if major sports were available on devices that hook up to TVs like Chromecast, Roku, Game consoles, etc, there are men out there who need ESPN but not Lifetime
Judging by the programming on Lifetime I don't think anyone needs it anymore. It went from your husband is cheating on you movies to dancing tweens.
Really the only thing keeping cable companies in business is the sports programming. This is how they get away with the high fees. Let me watch those via a hi quality stream and cable goes away.
Last edited:
- Status