Networks and online TV viewing

[Sakrysta]

Are there any shows that you find yourself intrigued by, but because they're not available online, you've never seen? I've become so addicted to and dependent on Hulu, because that's pretty much the only place I watch new TV. I haven't had (or wanted) cable since 2002, and haven't really missed it. It's too easy for me to spend hours just watching whatever I can find when I have a steady stream and a gazillion channels to choose from.

But, for example, all the ABC stuff - Pushing Daisies springs immediately to mind - I never see because I can't find it free online. If I get enough of a taste of something and then find a good deal, I'll invest in the DVDs. But if I don't know I'm going to like it, I won't spend money on it. I'm so glad so many shows broadcast on Hulu or on their own network websites. There's just a few things I wish were available.

Not complaining, exactly. I have plenty to entertain me. Just commenting/musing on how my viewing habits have changed and how that limits what I watch.

 

[Spot's Meow]

Actually, I don't find myself watching shows online that often. If I miss an episode for some reason (which isn't likely since I have a DVR, but sometimes it messes up because it is really crappy) I will go online to see it. But usually I enjoy watching them on TV.

There are a couple of shows that I "discovered" entirely through online viewing. Dead Like Me and Brothers and Sisters come to mind. I watched the first season of Brothers and Sisters online and have watched the rest on TV.

 

[HIj'Qa]

I like HULU because I can watch just one episode of a show, for example the Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea ep with George Takei, and not have to cough up for the whole season on DVD.

I usually record current things at home to watch later, or to have in my permanent collection, but sometimes the machine messes up and I catch the ep on line. It really annoys me when I can't get a missed ep on line - like Stargate:Atlantis.

Though I was going through a couple of old episodes of Highlander on HULU and the ads for the premiere of Damages, only :30 every 15 minutes or so, but always the SAME ad, really started to annoy me!

 

[theguardian]

There is another alternative in some areas. Public Libraries are more and more carrying DVDs, and for shows that I am interested in checking out and going back to again, I'm able to get many of them at my local library. That is how I caught up with Lost and Pushing Daisies. And yes, at least in my area the cost is..........free
span.jajahWrapper { font-size:1em; color:#B11196; text-decoration:underline; } a.jajahLink { color:#000000; text-decoration:none; } span.jajahInLink:hover { background-color:#B11196; }

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Nope. No online-only series has ever piqued my interest. If it's worth watching, I'll set my VCR to tape it.

Netflix is great for catching up with shows, specially HBO and Showtime.

 

[Sakrysta]

Nope. No online-only series has ever piqued my interest. If it's worth watching, I'll set my VCR to tape it.

Um, that's not what I meant. I mean shows that broadcast on TV but are also available online. If I can't watch it online, I pretty much don't see it, but I manage to keep up with a lot of current shows just via Hulu alone:

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Chuck
Heroes
Sanctuary
Medium
Burn Notice
24
The Office
Life
Monk
Bones
Legend of the Seeker

Which is really quite a full week of watching for me. Of course, they don't all have new shows every week, but still, between that list, other classics I'm being introduced to via Hulu, and my DVD collection, I have plenty to keep me occupied.

I've considered NetFlix, but I really don't think I'd get my money's worth out of it. Maybe sometime in the future when I run out of free things to watch.

Thanks for the library reminder! My local library is kind of lousy about keeping up with current shows, but it can't hurt to check on it.

 

[CaptJimboJones]

I almost never watching anything online, because I'm not going to sit there at my computer and watch TV. (Yes I know you can hook your PC to your TV but mine isn't, and I don't have any plans to).

I watch TV on the TV and do computer stuff on the computer. If I miss a show that I absolutely want to see, I can usually download it on itunes and watch that on my TV.

 

[Sakrysta]

I recently was handed-down my parents' old laptop, which I hooked up to my bedroom TV for watching things on Hulu. With a wireless card & a wireless presenter for the mouse stuff, it's very handy.

 

[Hermiod]

Before too long my PC monitor and my TV, or at least the TV I watch entertainment programming on, will be the same thing.

I have no traditional receiving devices attached to my bedroom TV - no aerial, no cable box, no satellite - only a couple of games consoles and a DVD player.

 

[Sakrysta]

^Same here. I'm very tempted to rid myself of the old monster in my living room that I almost never watch anything on. Problem with that is if I ever have guests and wanted to watch a movie, we'd have to either move the TV or watch in my bedroom - neither of which sounds like much fun.

I want a display device that will access the internet and play DVDs. I want it to have a pointing device that works both as a mouse and a remote control, and has a QWERTY interface for emergency web-surfing. When that's finally available and affordable, I will mount it on my living room wall and kiss my entertainment center goodbye.

 

[Garrett]

Almost all of my tv viewing anymore seems to be online. I usually watch them on Hulu while doing other things at work. If a show isn't available there, I'll generally wait for it to come out on DVD before checking it out. There are some exceptions, but that's usually just flipping through the channels before I go to bed.

I do have a DVR, but my roommate seems to love filling it up with stuff we already have on DVD. Between the two of us we have the entire Stargate franchise at least 1.5 times, but he still records every damned episode.