Cable, or Netlflix (or even Blockbuster)?

[darkshadow0001]

With all that is available to watch on DVD these days, I am wondering is it really worth even having cable. A lot of stuff is also being available online (aka ITunes) where one can purchase a video and watch it on their computer. I really don't watch many cable channels, except maybe Nickelodeon, TVLand, Discovery, Travel Channel, and History Channel. News can be found on local channels, so CNN isn't really needed and I'm sure you can watch stuff from that station as well online.

I have almost 100 titles in my Netflix queue that I plan to watch eventually on my spare time, and hardly anything on TV. Is it possible normal "TV" could be soon out of existance? Or just there for those who don't have access to computers

[TheBrew]

Hulu has made it so I will probably stop getting cable.

[cal888]

With local HDTV signals that come in perfectly, Netflix, high speed internet and the ability to download new shows legally and illegally, the only thing you would really miss by dropping cable would be live news and sports channels and specialty tv channels like Discovery, History, HGTV, etc (although similar types of shows might show up on your local PBS).

I remember the TNG Neutral Zone episode where Data talked about TV dying off in the 21st century. I can easily see that happening.

TV is becomming more and more fragmented. Few shows have mass appeal anymore. This is good for genre fans as many new shows can stay alive and have serialized storylines, especially on cable channels. And you have cheap reality shows proliferating too.

The big issue now will be people who have access to new technology and those who don't, or can't learn to use or afford the new technology.

[Trekker4747]

Don't have premium cable and I don't do Neflix.

I buy the movies I want on DVD and that's that.

[Chess Piece Face]

My setup is AppleTV. I also have an hdtv antenna I built out of wire hangers in about 20 minutes that gets all the local channels but one perfectly. If you look around the web you can see how to do this.

The only reason we still have satellite is that my wife constantly watches CNN type channels. But if you get Appletv, a lot of cable channels like that have free podcasts.

If I were single, my bill per month would be whatever I pay for high speed internet, that's it. Oh, and the 8 bucks a month for netflix...netflix or the local library plus Handbrake + appletv = win.

[Temis the Vorta]

I don't bother with HBO or Showtime - I just wait for Netflix to stock em - but there's too much worth watching on basic cable for me to go back to old free TV.

Anyway, living in SF with all these damn hills, I need cable just to get decent reception.

[BoxWhatBox]

If I had my way, I would not have cable. Unfortunately, the cost for high-speed internet alone is only 20$ less then internet and cable. I also have a TIVO S3 with cable cards, so I'm stuck with cable for the immediate future.

[auntiehill]

I have to have cable. When we first moved in, there was only two choices--cable or satellite. We wouldn't get reception otherwise. Our company bundles the cable, the alarm, the phone and internet all together. I love to watch BBCAmerica, Discovery channel and the Travel channel. But for movies, or pay-cable series, I always go for Netflix. I can watch anything I want for a few measly dollars a month. I have a hard time spending money to see a movie or series when I don't even know if I'll like it yet.

Plus, our cable provider gives us a cable DVR, which I love.

[kitkat]

The hubby and I have cable and Netflix.

Netflix is pretty much priceless imo. Their whole setup is awesome, their customer service is amazing. We have had nothing but smooth sailing with them. We got Netflix about a month or so after I cussed the manager out at Blockbuster (I NEVER do that kind of thing, for the record, but I had reached my breaking point with those fucking sorry bastards!) and we have been blissfully happy ever since.

[Captain Craig]

Netflix
I use it to decide if a movie I passed on the theater or just didn't get to is worth buying.
Cable is too costly for the package. I don't care to subsidize another 70+ channels, ergo waste of money.

I haven't had cable in 10 years and can't say I miss it. My gym has the personal monitors on the machines and there is still a lack of consistent quality, even on the channels I'm interested in let alone the ones I'm not.