Cable vs. Neflix & Vu Du

**Bobber** · 06-04-2011, 11:16 AM

Right now I've got a one year deal with Mediacom for my cable, phone, High Speed Internet and a Starz package that's at a really good rate. Come October I go to full rate and I'm not sure if I really want to pay $170 per month for all those things.

I'm giving some thought to keeping the phone and internet, but cutting the cable back to basic and then getting extra TV shows and Movies through the internet. Has anbody else done this and how has it worked out for you?

I'm a Discovery and National Geographic Channel junkie and that's really the main channels I want to see plus I want in HD format. Will miss ESPN, but can live without and I figure I'll be able get most of my sports on NBC/ABC/CBS/FOX which should still be available on the basic cable channel.

**Bobber** · 06-06-2011, 10:12 PM

I'll bring this one back to life. Origional post over the weekend.

**isukendall** · 06-06-2011, 10:36 PM

Not sure what to tell you, but I've thought of this as well. It's getting to the point where you can watch almost any new TV show online when you want to, and get movies from Netflix when you want to. No more $$$ cable bills, if you can swing it. To be honest, the only reason I keep cable is because of football season when I upgrade to get ISU games. I've often become tempted to just cancel altogether and watch the games at a bar, but I really enjoy watching college football for the entire Saturday.

**ilovetheclones** · 06-06-2011, 10:58 PM

I have been seriously considering the move to a couple of roku boxes. gives access to hulu plus for 8.95 a month basically as soon as a show is over you can watch it on hulu. that with some sweet antenna action makes me want to tell direct tv to bounce. Only debate is between the roku and the tivo the tivo has the option to record live tv over the air roku not so much but is it worth three times the price.

**jdoggivjc** · 06-07-2011, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by ilovetheclones

I have been seriously considering the move to a couple of roku boxes. gives access to hulu plus for 8.95 a month basically as soon as a show is over you can watch it on hulu. that with some sweet antenna action makes me want to tell direct tv to bounce. Only debate is between the roku and the tivo the tivo has the option to record live tv over the air roku not so much but is it worth three times the price.

All great ideas, until ISPs, especially if owned by a cable company like Mediacom, decide to start blocking access to sites like Hulu and Netflix because these sites are making their money through the ISP's infrastructure without paying to do so.

**jtdoyle1** · 06-07-2011, 08:24 AM

I just signed up for Netflix thinking it would help cut back on cable/satellite and there is still barely any good content available to stream.

**jsmith86** · 06-07-2011, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

All great ideas, until ISPs, especially if owned by a cable company like Mediacom, decide to start blocking access to sites like Hulu and Netflix because these sites are making their money through the ISP's infrastructure without paying to do so.

And there lies the real problem. The content providers also own the infrastructure.

**MNCyGuy** · 06-07-2011, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by jtdoyle1

I just signed up for Netflix thinking it would help cut back on cable/satellite and there is still barely any good content available to stream.

It's great if you have big, long series you missed out on the first time around, because A LOT of tv gets the streaming treatment on netflix. Honestly, if it weren't for sports, I'd consider dropping it because 90% of the other tv I really like is on basic network tv anyway and I could stand to just watch less tv overall. But I don't really want to have to go to a bar everytime there's an ISU football or basketball game, so there you go.

**RyCy04** · 06-07-2011, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by jtdoyle1

I just signed up for Netflix thinking it would help cut back on cable/satellite and there is still barely any good content available to stream.

I bet I find 2 or 3 movies a week that I have always wanted to see but haven't on Netflix streaming. That doesn't include movies I have already seen and like to rewatch.

**brianhos** · 06-07-2011, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

All great ideas, until ISPs, especially if owned by a cable company like Mediacom, decide to start blocking access to sites like Hulu and Netflix because these sites are making their money through the ISP's infrastructure without paying to do so.

They are already starting to cap bandwidth, so people that stream a lot are going to start getting disconnect notices.

**Boxerdaddy** · 06-07-2011, 09:55 AM

I just have cable internet right now and have been managing. I really don't watch that much tv though. If I do want to watch a tv show I just download it watch it later or just go to the network's website and stream it from there whenever I have time to watch it. Hasn't been a big deal yet. And if there's live sports you can sometimes find an anonymous friend that will let you borrow their cable if you find the right stream ;)