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Have you cancelled your Cable / Satellite TV service?

I just became aware of services like unblock US and unotelly. Is there a difference between them or is one better than the other for any reason. I'm constantly looking for ways to ditch cable (but love sports) and this seems to be a good solution to the NFL problem.

Thanks!
 
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We're about to cancel ours. $2,000 a year without any premium or movie channels! I have an Apple TV and a whole fleet of cheap Sony streaming boxes (the important thing about those is they have Amazon Video on them!). Netflix + Amazon Prime, check. With those tools plus ClickToPlugin, AirParrot and Air Video, I can watch anything on my gigantic projector screen. Love you, internet! 😀

Trying to choose between Air Video, Beamer and VLC Streamer ... I think I like Air Video most though.
 
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I actually just signed up for directv. Got tired of trying to stream shows to the Tv. The biggest problem I have with cutting the cord is where I live I would have to put up a big outdoor mast antenna just to get local HD. Even with the outdoor antenna it's still a problem to get the channels most days.
 
What about the idea of downgrading cable to basic cable to get locals and keep their internet but then get the rest of your shows and stuff via chromecast, Apple TV, ps3 or similar?
 
I cancelled my DirecTV almost two years ago. I bought an Apple TV 2 at the time but had not been able to buy a HDTV in all this time so the ATV just sat there collecting dust. I think today is the day I can finally afford to buy an HDTV and hook up my ATV2.

I've been watching all my iTunes content on a 24" Samsung monitor through my MB all this time. I want my ATV working now!
 
I can't see doing this. I have TV shows that I follow and I'd have to pay for them to watch them on my AppleTV. Plus Netflix doesn't carry every movie. I feel like I'd be missing out on a lot if I cancelled my DirecTV.
 
We have had it cancelled for about a year now. We use Netflix, Hulu Plus, and iTunes for everything. I get my MLB.TV subscription to watch my Phillies and I am good. Cable is far to expensive for what you get.
 
iproductsuser said:
What about the idea of downgrading cable to basic cable to get locals and keep their internet but then get the rest of your shows and stuff via chromecast, Apple TV, ps3 or similar?
Click to expand...

For some people, this strategy could make sense. For example, my cable op is my broadband provider, too. If I drop TV, I have to pay for them to come out and install a tap to prevent me from harvesting free TV from the coax that brings in the broadband. So that one-time fee has to be factored into the equation when calculating savings.

Also, I get a bundle discount if I have TV and broadband. However, I had an even bigger discount when I got phone from them, too, but the savings of going with Vonage outweighed the loss of that additional discount.

My contract expires in August 2014. So next summer I'll be revisiting Amazon Prime, Netflix, et al to see if they've added more or hopefully all of the cable shows that my wife watches. If not, then I'll drop at least to the most basic cable bundle -- local broadcasters, HGTV, CNN, et al -- and get Prime or whatever has the TV lineup that best matches what my wife likes. Right now I've got a two-month free trial of Hulu Plus, and I'm not too impressed. Way too many shows that are watchable only on a PC but not on a Roku or other OTT STB.

I'm also keeping an eye on ESPN's ratings. Its average viewership fell 20 percent in the past year, and its prime time audience fell 12 percent. I'm hoping that cable operators will use this as a negotiating tool with Disney to put sports where it finally belongs: on its own tier, instead of forcing everyone to buy it. The ESPN family alone adds $5/month.

Unfortunately I believe that everything we're going through now on cable will simply shift to Roku, Prime, et al. For example, cable ops often shut off networks when they can't agree on a new contract. Eventually they agree, and subs have to bend over. Netflix dropped a lot of A&E and History programming almost a year ago when that contract expired. Networks have what a lot of viewers want, and they and the OTT providers know it, so in the end, not a whole lot might change. I hope I'm wrong.
 
Netflix

Here is the company I use to get Netflix US access from Canada. It uses their DNS Service to make it look like you're in the US. You can also make yourself look like from the UK. Works for other websites too like the BBC, CBS, etc. Pretty any website that checks to see if you're in the UK or US for content.

Blockless

Its a 1 week trial $US5 month afterwards. You can cancel anytime. I know a few people using this already!

We've been with out cable for 6 weeks now and with summer keeping us busy , havent missed TV at all. I plan to get OTA (over the air) TV via an antenna at some point too. Then things will be complete.
 
iHailCaesar said:
We have had it cancelled for about a year now. We use Netflix, Hulu Plus, and iTunes for everything. I get my MLB.TV subscription to watch my Phillies and I am good. Cable is far to expensive for what you get.
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Do you use a VPN ? If so, which one ? My understanding is they black out your local team when subscribed to MLB TV or NHL. I'm really considering paying for a yearly subscription to NHL. Gotta have my Flyers.
 
scapegoat81 said:
Do you use a VPN ? If so, which one ? My understanding is they black out your local team when subscribed to MLB TV or NHL. I'm really considering paying for a yearly subscription to NHL. Gotta have my Flyers.
Click to expand...

Unblock us or unotelly would've better than a standard VPN as all your Internet traffic won't be going through it, just when you need it to, ie to lift the blackout f home games.
 
linds15 said:
Unblock us or unotelly would've better than a standard VPN as all your Internet traffic won't be going through it, just when you need it to, ie to lift the blackout f home games.
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks for that. I've heard a lot of good things about Unblock us.
 
Had considered this alternative....

a little while. But local news and some sindicated shows are holding me back....😱....

Any other needs for media in TV, I supply them with another means....

🙂:apple:
 
We cancelled cable TV when we bought a Roku box last summer. We bought Apple TV several months ago, and the Roku box collects dust. People talk about TV commercials, and I have NO idea what they're talking about. 😀
 
XBMC on iMac Airplaying to AppleTV on Samsung SmartTV with apps along with Mohu Leaf antenna for local HD=NO MORE CABLE BILL!

😀
 
ohio.emt said:
I actually just signed up for directv. Got tired of trying to stream shows to the Tv. The biggest problem I have with cutting the cord is where I live I would have to put up a big outdoor mast antenna just to get local HD. Even with the outdoor antenna it's still a problem to get the channels most days.
Click to expand...


Not sure what zips will be covered, but Aereo is coming to Cleveland.

https://aereo.com/coverage/cle
 
I cut the cable about 1 year ago. I obviously kept the high speed internet. Apple TV gives me all i need. Between, Hulu, Netflix and iTunes, I get all I need.
 
Cable-Free since 2011. The last time I tried Comcast they messed me up so bad it was the last stroke.

If I ever go paid-TV again, I want a-la-cart service, like metered phone service I have now, much happier. I only want to pay what I watch and not an extra dime more.
 
Got sick of paying Time Warner + Tivo ~$65/mo for only a couple of channels I actually watched. I officially canceled both services today and will try my luck my Netflix streaming account, Amazon instant video, and picking up new episodes of the couple of shows I care to keep tabs on using the iTunes store, video podcasts, and maybe a few video games here and there.
 
I am on the fence regarding cutting cord on Comcast cable because there is one thing that stops me - Formula 1 coverage. I know that this seasons very bumpy form the programming perspective and NBCS sucks compared to Speed coverage, but for the most part, I get what I want.

Is anyone aware of anyway to reliably get Formula 1 (at least races and perhaps qualifications) outside cable or satelite? I am willing to pay few bucks for it too is such option is available?
 
What we've been using for over three years.

Windows 7 MC, AMD A6, 1TB HDD, eHome IR receiver & Green button remote.
2x XBOX 360 (extenders)
2x HDHomeRun Duet network tuners + 2 antennas (one points to the US, the other CN Tower Toronto)
Currently 18 channels (all major US & Canadian NBC, ABC, CBC, CBC...) all in HD & DD5.1

An AppleTV3 & Netflix fills out the entertainment needs nicely.

It's a great setup and has easily paid for itself vs Cable TV.

Recently upgraded to a Harmony Smart Control remote, IMHO the best remote from Harmony to date.
 
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