We haven't had regular television in our house for several years now. We use Roku mostly, although the Wii also has some of the same capabilities. For my Roku, I have Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus, and a few other pay channels, as well as several free channels, and that's what we use. In fact, we seldom even listen to regular radio anymore, since there are more choices available through Internet radio, also available on Roku. Since Netflix doesn't have everything available through streaming, I am also enrolled in their 2 DVD program, usually turning them around the same day that they are received, and the new ones appear amazingly fast, so we have no need of network television. There are so many advantages. Being able to watch television series one episode after another, for example. Things are so much easier to follow that way than trying to wait out periods of reruns on network television, or trying to figure out which time period they switched my favorite show to. Plus, the ability to rewind (although that's not precisely the word I want) things that I may have missed. Since I usually have the Roku on while I'm working, I frequently start episodes or movies over again. The convenience of the Internet and the devices that stream television programming and movies over the Internet so far outstrips any advantages to network TV that I can't imagine what the future will be for network TV, and movie theaters, for that matter.
I agree about the future of cable, and maybe even satellite TV. They are both becoming obsolete as more and more people seem to be switching to internet streaming with Netflix and other similar services. We have an Apple TV, which does about the same thing as a Roku, and works well with the iPads. Even though Amazon Prime Video is not part of Apple TV, we can stream it using the Amazin ap on the iPad. I think that people are tired of paying for bundled services that they don't use all of; and more and more are switching over to the cheaper services like Netflix and Hulu.
I cut the cable years ago and have not regretted it for one single second. I have Roku and an antenna so I can get the local broadcast and some of the major stations. I agree it is great to watch a whole series one episode after another without waiting and without commercials. That is what was the deciding factor for me. I had Time Warner which costs a fortune and when I was home and could watch TV what was on? Stupid infomercials or some other drivel I had seen a million times. I think cable is going to decline, the younger generation watches everything on their phones, pads or laptops. Major networks are not stupid, top shows stream online for free. I love that I do not have to rush home to catch a favorite show. I am also happy to see you can find some of the older shows that used to be so great. I was watching a new antenna station called GRIT, they had a remake of the 1973 movie Day of the Jackal this one was with Bruce Willis and Richard Gere, I had forgotten what an excellent movie that was. I was glad I stumbled upon it. Nope I will never go back to cable.
I'm another one who hasn't used cable or satellite in over ten years. I get everything I want to see for a tiny fraction of the cost with Netflix, Hulu+ and by downloading from iTunes. I can't be bothered with commercials and following a show on the networks is well-nigh impossible. I really can't imagine how the old guard even manages to stay in business. I'm guessing that will change very soon and these guy will go the way of Blockbuster Video and the used book store.
I could tolerate network television when I could expect summer reruns, and then a return of regular programming. Over the past several years though, they might air just a few shows, then some reruns, then take a season off, and return, in between being switched to different days and time periods. Even if I wanted to be loyal to the networks, it's all too difficult. What concerns me is that it is the idiots who are still wired to cable that are deciding the ratings. At least as far as I know, I haven't heard of Nielsen rating streaming or DVD rentals. If that's the case, it's no wonder the best shows get canceled. That's the only thing I don't like about streaming is that by the time I find out about a good series, it's often been canceled.
Yvonne, Jenn, Peter, Jim, welcome to the forum. Yeah, when I lived in California, I was chosen by Nielsen often, sometimes to keep the diary-type record of my programming, and a few times to have the box installed on my television. It made me feel powerful, and the sense of responsibility made me less likely to watch a lousy show, and to keep the television tuned into shows that I didn't want cancelled whether or not I was actually watching it.
I cut the cable cord about 18 months ago. We use Roku. I pay for Hulu Plus and my roommate pays for Netflix. I also watch some of my favorites on the network sites. It has been an adjustment. I won't lie about. There are some shows that I really do miss. I am two seasons behind on Homeland.
That's funny. I am watching "Homeland" at this moment. I am in Season 2, using the disks sent by Netflix.
We cut the cord about a year ago, now we use Hulu Plus and Netflix to watch the shows we like. Also youtube has a lot of the show and movies to watch. I have found some good movies and shows that I may not have seen if we were still on cable. I use my computer most of the time to watch most shows.
We pay for streaming only. I never considered getting the DVDs because we just do so much streaming. We are definitely going to add DVDs. I will be able to catch up on Homeland and Suits.
Every now and then, I cut back on the DVDs, but I am currently getting two at a time. There is just too much that's not available from streaming.
After a lifetime of traditional displays I had no problems adapting to widescreen but I think the new advances in television may be too much for me. It took me enough time to leave the DVD format and indeed I have not bought any of the movies that I had on DVD for Bluray. It makes no sense doing so according to me. 3D does not catch my attention either. I think I will be a hard sell for the new generation of technology in TVs.
We have hesitated to cut the cord completely - we have cut back on satellite to the cheapest programming. I just like that with satellite, I only have one format that I have to get used to. I do use Roku and netflix and their format is easy to use. But I've tried using the network streaming (like ABC, CBS, etc) and where they're all different, it's just confusing and requires too much thought. I think that I could probably get all the shows I watch now by streaming, but I'd have to keep switching back and forth between different platforms, and for me, it's worth the $50 a month to have the convenience of just one platform.
Hello! Does anyone else here use those streaming service that you see all the time? Amazon has one now, and then there is the Netflix of course, and Hulu. They seem to be the most popular way people are watching things, and cable bills keep going higher and higher. You can find a lot of good shows to watch on those as well. I have Netflix, and it only costs me 8 dollar a month which saves you a lot compared to cable. You can find so much on the internet these days, it amazes me.
We have a couple of Roku devices, as well as a Wii, both of which can be used to stream television and movies, although we mostly use the Roku for that.