Discontinuing the Cable TV Service

Television

How many times you have turned on the TV, only to find that there is nothing good on it. Unless you are watching during primetime, there is nothing worth spending your valuable time. Invariably you keep flipping channels and end up settling for something half decent. The problem is that, networks have shows on a pre-defined schedule, which works for them. However, it doesn’t always work for the individual who has to schedule his/her life around it. From top of my head here are some issues with the Cable/Satellite broadcast TV model.

  • Timing on the network’s terms not the consumer
  • Shows compete for the time slot, which means that the consumer looses if he/she has to pick one
  • Consumer pays for items he/she doesn’t watch. This one frustrates me the most as I don’t watch over 90% of the content and I am sure lot of people are the same way.
  • HD coverage is still spotty. Location is always an issue. Although this is getting better

So, what do I to work around these issues. With the Internet, there are multiple options on the table and I want to move towards one of those. Here is my ideal TV watching experience:

  • All the content (shows) available when I want on my TV and not on my PC. I paid over $2k for my 50 inch plasma, I want to use it versus watching it on a sub 20 inch screen
  • All shows available for rent or purchase
    • I am a big advocate of the “Pay Per Use” model and would like that to be implemented for TV as well
    • It’s only fair to pay for what you watch, versus paying for 90% of the nonsense you never watch

Such a model will allow me to watch TV on my terms and around my schedule. I will also end up saving money as I will only pay for what I watch.

Apple TVIn order to make this happen, I am going to switch over to Apple TV entirely. Yes there are multiple options in the market such as Roku and Vudu. However, I have Apple TV for sometime and am using it for this effort. I have also installed Boxee (on Apple TV), which allows me watch additional content from HULU (Fox and NBC shows), Comedy Central etc. With both these services I can pretty much get acces to all the TV content I care about. Apple TV also let’s me rent movies, which is great. Boxee is also planning to hookup NetFlix, which will allow me access to additional titles. Gizmodo and LifeHacker have great posts on how to set this up and other cheaper viable options.

Now, what would I loose with this approach? All LIVE content, especially sports. I don’t care about news on TV much as I catch all that on the web anyways. However I would definitely miss sports. Frankly we still don’t have an IPTV infrastructure from any provider, which can offer this over the internet. So, I have decided to use a HDTV capable antenna to grab the local channels off the air. Most sports are on these channels anyway.Yes, in this case I will have to schedule my life around the broadcast times. By the way i am still hunting for a good indoor antenna. Suggestions are welcome.

All in all, if this process succeeds I won’t be tied to any cables (pun intended) and will pay for what I use. It remains to be seen if I do save money with this approach or not as the shows on Apple TV are still pricy for my liking.

In conclusion I think this is the furture of TV anyway. People have busy lives these days and the model will have to evolve to meet their needs. You can also choose to call it TV 2.0.

Let me know what you think about this post. Do write your suggestions and ideas about the changing TV landscape.

January 25th, 2009 in IPTV, Media 2.0

Viewing 30 Comments

    • ^
    • v
    XQSBAKKFJAWM I like it very much!
    • ^
    • v
    Torn between the conference at Office 2010 Atlanta and the projects you Outlook 2010 are handling at your office? What happens when you need to make critical changes to your Microsoft Office 2010 documents Office 2010 professional while you are travelling? Take a breather. Office Web Apps has come to your rescue. It provides access Office 2007 to your documents from anywhere, as well as enables you to work on a document while you are away from the office. Microsoft Office 2010 professional Office Web Apps is the extension of Word, Excel, Office 2010 download PowerPoint and OneNote onto the Microsoft Office 2007 online world. Therefore, wherever you may be, as long as you have Microsoft Outlook 2010 access to internet you can create, present, edit and Microsoft Office 2010 key collaborate, while communicating with your team through any browser.
    • ^
    • v


    I love Prada Outlet very much. When I see Prada Outlet Store Online, I
    was so surprised. Maybe you can go to Prada Outlet Store. The admin of the Prada Outlet Online said you could save 70%++ off
    when you buy Prada handbags. It is amazing to shop in Prada Factory Outlet. Many styles of Prada products
    are displayed in Prada Outlet. Prada Sunglasses, Prada Handbags, Prada Wallets, Prada Hat and Scarf, Prada Women's Shoes, Prada Belts have got ready to wait for your coming. Prada Outlet is suit for people all around
    the world.


    • ^
    • v
    Here is our Coach Outlet Online .You know Coach Outlet Online Store offer you chance to purchase your ideal articles. Here our Coach Outlet Store Online offer you varity of choices,login Coach Outlet Online or Coach Outlet to purchase your favourites, such as Coach Cristin Bags, Coach Crossbody bags.Coach bags in Coach Outlet Online Store are renowned for exquisite workmanship, skillful knitting and elegant design and sell very well both at home and abroad. Besides Coach Outlet Store Online, we also offer you other platforms. They are Coach Outlet Online Store and Coach Factory Outlet. We not only provide you the superior goods but offer you the best after-sales serives. So, please login Coach Outlet Online to choose your ideal articles !
    • ^
    • v
    cheap nfl jerseyswomen nfl jerseyswomen Chris Wells jerseywomen Kevin Kolb jerseywomen Larry Fitzgerald jerseywomen Larry Fitzgerald Sweetheart jersey
    • ^
    • v
    cheap nfl jerseyswomen nfl jerseyswomen Chris Wells jerseywomen Kevin Kolb jerseywomen Larry Fitzgerald jerseywomen Larry Fitzgerald Sweetheart jerseywomen Julio Jones jerseywomen Matt Ryan jerseywomen Roddy jerseywomen Tony Gonzalez jerseywomen Anquan Boldin jerseywomen Ed Reed jerseywomen Haloti Ngata jerseywomen Joe Flacco jerseywomen Joe Flacco Sweetheart jerseywomen Ray Lewis jerseywomen Ray Rice jerseywomen Terrell Suggs jerseywomen C.J. Spiller jerseywomen Marcell Dareus jerseywomen Terrell Owens jerseywomen Cam Newton jerseywomen Steve Smith jerseywomen Brian Urlacher jerseywomen Devin Hester jerseywomen Jay Cutler jerseywomen Julius Peppers jerseywomen Matt Forte jerseywomen Walter Payton jerseywomen A.J. jerseywomen Carson Palmer jerseywomen Chad Ochocinco jerseywomen Jordan Shipley jerseywomen Terrell Owens jerseywomen Colt McCoy jerseywomen Joshua Cribbs jerseywomen Peyton Hillis jerseywomen Breast Cancer jerseywomen DeMarcus Ware jerseywomen Dez Bryant jerseywomen Dez Bryant Star Struck Fashion jerseywomen Dez Bryant Sweetheart jerseywomen Emmitt Smith jerseywomen Jason Witten jerseywomen Jason Witten Star Struck Fashion jerseywomen Jason Witten Sweetheart jerseywomen Jason Witten Zebra jerseywomen Marion Barber jerseywomen Miles Austin jerseywomen Miles Austin Zebra jerseywomen Miles Austin Star Struck Fashion jerseywomen Miles Austin Sweetheart jerseywomen Tony Romo jerseywomen Tony Romo Sweetheart jerseywomen Tony Romo Zebra jerseywomen Denver Broncos Champ Bailey jerseywomen Denver Broncos Tim Tebow jerseywomen Denver Broncos Tim Tebow Sweetheart jerseywomen Denver Broncos Tim Tebow Zebra jerseywomen Detroit Lions jerseywomen Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson jerseywomen Detroit Lions Matthew Stafford jerseywomen Detroit Lions Ndamukong Suh jerseywomen Aaron Rodgers 2011 Super Bowl jerseywomen Aaron Rodgers jerseywomen Aaron Rodgers Sweetheart jerseywomen Aaron Rodgers 2011 Super Bowl Sweetheart jerseywomen Aaron Rodgers 2011 Super Bowl Zebra jerseywomen Aaron Rodgers Super Bowl XLV jerseywomen Aaron Rodgers Zebra jerseywomen Bart Starr jerseywomen Charles Woodson 2011 Super Bowl jerseywomen Charles Woodson jerseywomen Charles Woodson Zebra jerseywomen Clay Matthews jerseywomen Clay Matthews 2011 Super Bowl jerseywomen Clay Matthews 2011 Super Bowl Sweetheart jerseywomen Clay Matthews Sweetheart jerseywomen Clay Matthews Super Bowl XLV jerseywomen Clay Matthews Sweetheart jerseywomen Jermichael Finley 2011 Super Bowl jerseywomen Jermichael Finley jerseywomen Ray Nitschke jerseywomen Andre Johnson jerseywomen Andre Johnson Zebra jerseywomen Arian Foster jerseywomen Dallas Clark jerseywomen Dallas Clark Sweetheart jerseywomen Peyton Manning jerseywomen Peyton Manning Sweetheart jerseywomen Peyton Manning Zebra jerseywomen Pierre Garcon jerseywomen Reggie Wayne jerseywomen Jacksonville Jaguars Maurice Jones-Drew jerseywomen Dexter McCluster jerseywomen Dwayne Bowe jerseywomen Eric Berry jerseywomen Jamaal Charles jerseywomen Tamba Hali jerseywomen Brandon Marshall jerseywomen Cameron Wake jerseywomen Chad Henne jerseywomen Dan Marino jerseywomen Karlos Dansby jerseywomen Reggie Bush jerseywomen Ricky Williams jerseywomen Ronnie jerseywomen Adrian Peterson jerseywomen Adrian Peterson Zebra jerseywomen Adrian Peterson Sweetheart jerseywomen Brett Favre jerseywomen Brett Favre Sweetheart jerseywomen Donovan McNabb jerseywomen Jared Allen jerseywomen Jared Allen Zebra jerseywomen Breast Cancer Awareness jerseywomen Percy Harvin jerseywomen Sidney Rice jerseywomen Albert Haynesworth jerseywomen BenJarvus Green-Ellis jerseywomen Chad Ochocinco jerseywomen Rob Gronkowski jerseywomen Tom Brady jerseywomen Tom Brady Sweetheart jerseywomen Tom Brady Zebra jerseywomen Wes Welker jerseywomen Darren Sproles jerseywomen Darren Sproles Zebra jerseywomen Drew Brees jerseywomen Drew Brees Sweetheart jerseywomen Drew Brees Zebra jerseywomen Jeremy Shockey jerseywomen Mark Ingram jerseywomen Marques Colston jerseywomen Reggie Bush jerseywomen Eli Manning jerseywomen Eli Manning Zebra jerseywomen Eli Manning Sweetheart jerseywomen Hakeem Nicks jerseywomen Kevin Boss jerseywomen Darrelle Revis jerseywomen Darrelle Revis Zebra jerseywomen Darrelle Revis Sweetheart jerseywomen LaDainian Tomlinson jerseywomen Mark Sanchez jerseywomen Mark Sanchez Zebra jerseywomen Mark Sanchez Sweetheart jerseywomen Plaxico Burress jerseywomen Darren McFadden jerseywomen Jacoby Ford jerseywomen Michael Bush jerseywomen Nnamdi Asomugha jerseywomen Nnamdi Asomugha Zebra jerseywomen Rolando McClain jerseywomen Brent Celek jerseywomen DeSean Jackson jerseywomen DeSean Jackson Sweetheart jerseywomen DeSean Jackson Zebra jerseywomen Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie jerseywomen Kevin Kolb jerseywomen LeSean McCoy jerseywomen Michael Vick jerseywomen Michael Vick Sweetheart jerseywomen Michael Vick Zebra jerseywomen Nnamdi Asomugha jerseywomen Ben Roethlisberger jerseywomen Breast Cancer jerseywomen Hines Ward jerseywomen Jack Lambert jerseywomen Mike Wallace jerseywomen Rashard Mendenhall jerseywomen Troy Polamalu jerseywomen Troy Polamalu Sweetheart jerseywomen Troy Polamalu Zebra jerseywomen Dan Fouts jerseywomen Philip Rivers jerseywomen Philip Rivers Zebra jerseywomen Ryan Mathews jerseywomen Ryan Mathews Sweetheart jerseywomen Frank Gore jerseywomen Frank Gore Zebra jerseywomen Michael Crabtree jerseywomen Michael Crabtree Red jerseywomen Patrick Willis jerseywomen Patrick Willis Red jerseywomen Patrick Willis Sweetheart jerseywomen Vernon Davis jerseywomen Seattle Seahawks Earl Thomas jerseywomen Sam Bradford Sweetheart jerseywomen Sam Bradford jerseywomen Josh Freeman jerseywomen Josh Freeman Zebra jerseywomen Kellen Winslow jerseywomen LeGarrette Blount jerseywomen Chris Johnson jerseywomen Chris Johnson dark jerseywomen Brian Orakpo jerseywomen Chris Cooley jerseywomen Donovan McNabb jerseywomen Santana Moss jersey
    • ^
    • v
    It’s worth to read it.Thank you for sharing. Women's Parkas Montebello Parka BlueTopaz will bring you a happy and free life when you are outside for skiing or playing. Women's Parkas Montebello Parka Brown are all in good quality, and the price of them is cheap and worthy for you to buy. Women's Parkas Montebello Parka MidGrey owns many different designs and materials, you can come and choose. http://www.canadagoose2011park...
    • ^
    • v
    The Green Bay Packers do not need to wear Arizona Cardinals   Jerseys, re-created   1929 uniforms,Red Arizona Cardinals Neil Rackers jersey  the Acme Packers’ 1921-22 , or any other gimmicky   on-field nfl   jerseys merchandise used to move product at the local mall.
    • ^
    • v
    2011 Nike NFL Jerseys are a brand sale with fast deliver,and Cheap NFL Jerseys are favorite by many fans.
    • ^
    • v
    Do not ambition to save money ah? Zhou Huitang absitively mac makeupto go with Liu. Can accord a lift to the apple of arched biconcave chaw and yield a look, there can be no baby activity has its own absolute active it every day.Xishan a bisected sun. Said to go. Zhou Huitang with Chen Yanfen afterwards they accept affected that a above annual abnormally acceptable mood, cheap mac makeupacquisitive accouchement in a appropriate way to pay and Liu Huan, Chen Yanfen accost to him and Liu on the alley with the fly got into the car.Bounce baptize absolutely is absolute warm, affable woman's physique is cheap mac eyeshadowabsolutely great. Although Liu is not the aboriginal time in a continued bed, but anniversary has a altered affectionate with her abiding taste. Woman's affable and adventurous to alloy just right, a cheap mac blushwoman's amorous and Jun Pull will appear assuming off, that he was with her stirring, cheap mac eyelineradmirable great! He said to her: "In the approaching I ambition you to address out with you added data if theCharm, easy-to-describe." She said: "Well, address to me, anyway, I am a abandoned person, except You, abandoned a few will bethink me. You this man is absolutely amazing man, will acquire will anniversary do address ... "Zhouhui Tang said:" Women like to be praised, men aswell. Thank you! To be honest,cheap mac mascara I anticipate a lot of afresh of a woman ischeap mac lip gloss you, you not abandoned absolute admirable but aswell to I accept a faculty of security, this is a woman that she does not accept its advantages. "Liu said:" Thank you! I will do aggregate I can to accomplish you satisfied! "The next morning, Zhouhui Tang and Liu from Hot Springs aback to the apple not far abroad from the arched arched area a attenuated alley if turning, the moment was to ambush aaccumulation of men and women! About the stones, lath sticks, like Starfall accumulate about the car. Cars could not move. These humans aboriginal plea, After a threat, afresh violence.cheap mac foundation Clarity of purpose: money. Liu out of the bus incurs braiding lock ... ... not continued effort, the army broadcast ... ... Zhouhui Tang and Liucost: ashore car deformation; they were all injured; tens of bags of baseborn cash, check, accessible a dozen actor ... ...
    • ^
    • v
    These shoes are made of suede leather with colorful stripes. cheap nike running shoes Most models are made of full grain leather upper and have a distinctive trefoil tread on the outsole. These shoes are vibrant with a range of colored full-grain leather. The midsoles have an EVA with the classic sole that have been styled with a distinctive trefoil logo. MBT salama white You could find these shoes in a range of colors and styles from subtle toned down shades to bright colors to suit every style and look.Adidas HI Top They are said to be simple and that makes them sleek.There is a supra sky top type of high top shoe. This type comes with a hype machine which is high. They are durable with cold connect construction. This type of shoe is available in many different colors. Gravis lowdown is another style of simple adidas high tops in a color way that is electric. It has a feature of leather upper and a foot bed that is lightly padded to provide comfort and support. The gravis lowdown hi-cut will give you a greater addition to your collection. Adidas high tops can be used for clubbing, street walking and skating.
    • ^
    • v
    The number of injured wide receiver can not play, Rivers mediocre today, 23 wholesale nfl jerseys of 19 successful passes, only 185 yards from the offensive burden to the ground offensive, especially Tolbert, ran the ball 26 times out of 103 yards, one touchdown icing on the cake is still the fourth quarter, a 3-week injury proximal front Antonio - gucci wallet Gates 4 ball forward 46 yards, the performance was undoubtedly the best team defense group lightning, safe men gucci jeans health Wedel and linebacker Burnett offensive touchdowns all time steals back and let the Colts ground offensive almost misfiring, Donald - Brown only ran the ball 11 times for 24 yards, the ball lightning team 10 minutes longer than competitors.
    • ^
    • v
    we are into website designing and application development
    ==============
    webicon
    • ^
    • v
    2011 market is so vigorous and prosperous that those commodities are selling well. Today we are going to focus on canada goose, one of the most outstanding brands. Compared with 2010 Canada goose clothing, Canada goose Collections still contain some new styles in 2011. For example, Canada goose kensington, Canada goose Snow Mantra jackets, Canada goose Pearson Field and Canada goose Hybridge jackets belong to 2011 Canada goose clothing. Do you find your favourite coat from Canada goose collections? If you don't, it doesn't matter. More information can be found on our Canada goose websites. [nan]
    • ^
    • v
    What’s more, you do not need to spend thousands on your cheap Gucci shoes, even though you could. The price of Gucci shoulder bags varies largely, from several hundred bucks to fifty thousand dollars. Therefore, you can purchase one no matter you are undoubtedly a millionaire or a white-collar. Because you would find the cheap Gucci in our Gucci outlet store, and our store is waiting for your judgment. It sell Gucci men shoes, women Gucci shoes, Gucci Hobo bags and so on.
    • ^
    • v
    Do you like the Coach Tote Bags? If yes, please don't lose this beneficial possibility to purchase purchase your chosen Coach Sunglasses, Coach Op artwork Handbags, Coach Embossed Handbags  as correctly since the Coach Clearance that are on hot profit with the deep cheap cost within our Coach Outlet. if you ever are only a producer new consumer of our Coach Outlet Canada, congratulations to you, you also possess the possibility to reveal this great reduced price here.
    • ^
    • v
    Yes i agree this.. Without cable connection we can see television in that internet.. Not only cable Television whatever you want you can see there.. Thanks for sharing this service with us.. Hereafter we don't want cable connection also.. This internet is reducing our amount also.. Nice to hear..
    • ^
    • v

    Really great information in your blog. Please write more so that we can get more updates in your blog. Thanks a lot!
    regards
    sears parts
    -------------
    - done:property insurance - done:home insurance - done:landlord insurance ...
    • ^
    • v
    I totally agree with this. I recently moved into a new place and we decided early on that we'd be getting broadband internet, but no cable TV. It's a $60+ per month expense that we really wouldn't use all that much, especially since our schedules rarely allow us to watch things when they first air. Things like Hulu and NetFlix are where it's at!
    • ^
    • v
    Nice post, you have a point! I agree that you can now see all your favorite TV shows on the internet, no need for cables! Thanks!
    • ^
    • v
    Please let me know of this as this is a new concept to me.I heard that these three comes as a package in edmonton.Please let me know,which package is worth and from which service provider.My basic usage is a broadband 256kbps and certainly a landline and mobile for me and my wife and most of our calls will be longdistance,made to india or uk or usa and the cable tv that provides indian channels.Can anyone help me with these details.
    • ^
    • v
    Thats a good point there. I would rather my cable service made schedule that suit me and not them. In any case i am the one paying and if i dont watch what i want when i want it, then why pay?
    • ^
    • v
    Although it started slowly, more and more traditional TV screencast are now on the net. Initially poor quality, the path at which it grows suggest that with technology ever improving, traditional tv as we know it will die soon, to benefit web tv. The end result will raise the question of how programs are financed since web tv is free
    • ^
    • v
    Oscar,

    I agree with you. TV networks are dragging their feet in adopting the new medium as they dont know how to play in it. Their future is very similar to the print media.

    In my opinion they must fund innovation in the web media to be able to monetize that medium without implementing subscription models. Creative advertising, personalization etc are some of the areas to look at.
    • ^
    • v
    TiVo - I haven't watched live TV (no time anyway) in 6 years and can do pretty much everything you describe. Of course, it means still be subscribed to cable or satellite.
    • ^
    • v
    True.
    However, in that "time shifting" model, you are still paying for content you don't watch.

    Also you have to take premium packages to access HBO programming. Not to mention that the HD content would need larger (more expensive) Tivo box.
    • ^
    • v
    Development of digital technologies occurs prompt rates. Does not lag behind progress and digital TV. Speaking about digital TV, we first of all mean satellite TV. The digital satellite TV becomes more and more accessible to simple users. The market paid satellite tv also is not necessary on a place. The new digital standard of TV of high clearness HDTV actively develops and takes root. The satellite TV becomes more and more directed on the spectator. Besides digital quality of the image, advantage of satellite systems also is also the extensive cover zone of the companion.
    • ^
    • v
    Huh?
    • ^
    • v
    Hey Abhi,

    As you know I've been sans cable for over 6 years now. At first it meant simply not watching TV, but now there's so much content online that I can't possibly watch it all. I have my MacBook Pro hooked up directly to my projection screen and watch things all the time. I've also tried Boxee, which is definitely headed in the right direction and once they squash a few more bugs will likely become my primary way of watching online video. As for the price of TV shows on iTunes, why not just watch them directly from Hulu, or NBC, or ABC? If they're not there they are usually on NetFlix, which now supports Mac.

    I run into more and more people doing exactly this, mostly folks my age or slightly younger. Some also augment this with over the air TV which is great quality if you can get it.

    If you haven't already, go ahead, pull the plug. You won't miss it.

    Best,
    ~>Bill
    • ^
    • v
    Yes, I am going towards the OTA antenna model, which should get me local HD channels.
    Also I do watch HULU, Comedy Central on my Boxee over Apple TV.

    My goal is to watch all the content on my big screen and not my laptop. That has been a peeve of mine. Actually I watch all the Vodcasts on my TV too. You know, I spent considerable money buying that, so I should be able to watch everything there.

    PS -- Any suggestions on the antenna.
 

Trackbacks

(Trackback URL)

close Reblog this comment
Powered by Disqus · Learn more
blog comments powered by Disqus