We're seeing a trend happen amongst tech-savvy folks: Dropping your traditional on-air television service and resorting to streaming shows to their screen through the web. That's great and all, but it's just not for me. In my life, television is more than just a string of shows aired one after another—it's also a family tradition and a way to connect with friends.
I'm all for people saving a buck and canceling their cable service. I'm also alright with people who never watch television and never even had a TV in the first place. Different strokes for different folks, and all that.
But for me, I'll never drop TV service.
It's not that I don't know what's available. You can watch movies and entire seasons of network and cable shows instantly on your TV with Netflix. Apple TV will let you rent movies and shows through iTunes. There's a million set-top boxes that give you access to all kinds of programming—everything from Hulu to MLB.tv to streaming your own video from your PC.
Everything is "on demand." You watch what you want, whenever you want. And that's my problem.
It's an Experience
There are certain shows I watch just to watch (for instance, I love the fabulously campy writing of Glee and usually catch it on Hulu well after it airs). But sometimes, I watch TV for the experience.
There's nothing better than waking up on the Thursday morning of Thanksgiving and rushing out to catch the opening of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.
Sure, I could sleep in and maybe download the broadcast in a torrent later, but it's not really about the parade. It's not like I need to know what Garfield's wearing this year. For me, watching that parade gets me in the holiday spirit. Waking up to the familiar voice of Matt Lauer gets me psyched up to mow down some turkey and stuffing.
And TV is also a way for me to connect with friends. Even though we lived states apart, I knew that I could look forward to watching Lost with my college buddies every Wednesday (or Tuesday, for that last season).
We watched the first season together back in the dorms, and I love reliving those moments with each "OMG SERIOUSLY? LOCKE?!?!" text I get when the show cuts to a commercial break. That moment wouldn't be possible if we decided to watch the next day on ABC.com.
The Best of Both Worlds
So for right now, I'm not ditching my cable subscription. My watching is a pleasant hybrid of on-air TV and internet TV, mixed with a little bit of Netflix. Sure, it costs me more money. But for me, the experiences are worth every penny.
(Images: Flickr user The Suss Man (Mike) under license from Creative Commons)
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Well put.
Would you be able to cut your cable and switch to an OTA broadcast with an antennae and then supplement that with online watching? I only ask because the two things you mention are both great examples, parades, network tv, and i will add the news, however all of those could be obtained with OTA programming.
That is what i would actually like to do, but where I am, I don't know if it my location in general or my apartment, I am unable to get an OTA signal. One glitchy channel is not enough. If I got more, I would cut my cable today and save $40 a month.
I think the "experience now" problem is going to fall to the wayside as more and more things are streamed live. It's the way I watch all my political debates, after all. I wouldn't be surprised to see it be used for things like parades as well.
People are used to on-demand shows being viewed later, but much of that is because broadcasters made the decision for them by not making shows available until the next day.
Most of my TV 'watching' is putting on the food network in the background while I'm working or doing other things. If I could get streaming cooking programs or such I would consider switching, but it seems like too much effort for 'background tv.'
You could always just subscribe to a basic cable package (which, as far as I know, always includes the local channels & news), and watch your specialty/cable shows online or download them (via iTunes, for example). Best of both worlds, and you're not paying for a billion packaged channels that you're never going to watch.
It's also about quality of image. I have a 50" HD screen and I'm going to switch to downloaded over compressed laggy images? Nat going to happen. I don't know if I'll "never" switch.. tech will catch up but, for now it's just too early to jump.
Live sports is my dealbreaker. I did no cable for 3 months, it was great. Watched a TON of netflix stuff I wanted to catch up on. BUT, then the world cup started, then it was football season a month later, now it's basketball AND football season.
Pretty much the only time I don't care about having cable is when it's only baseball, and that really June through August. I like baseball, but I don't watch it like I do football and basketball.
We're going the antenna only route next week - haven't told the kids yet. We're going to take them to Busch Gardens with the money we save. Hope it works...
@lynell
if you have a mac, check out Plex. It is a media center application and if I remember correctly it has a food network plugin, I could be thinking of a different channel though, I haven't used mine in awhile. but check it out.
I dumped cable, for everything "now" is use OTA antenna. Haven't missed it. With regards to sports college football is my main sport but fortunately since I have comcast for internet I can stream a lot of games on espn's site. I made the switch in march and I really don't miss cable all that much. Yeah I can't watch TNT or sometimes I have to go to a pirate site and watch a low res stream but I'd rather do that than pay 100 a month for cable.
I have a basic cable package now only because I got a good deal on it with my broadband internet, but when the deal is up, I can see myself cutting the cord. I'm a huge sports fan, and more and more sports are being broadcast live online. ESPN3 is fantastic, and I enjoyed much better coverage of the US Open tennis tournament live on the US Open site than I could have on my TV (choice of five courts to watch; HD coverage, great commentary and no commercials). I am considering getting a Boxee box when the basic cable goes away in April. Am also considering satellite (which I've never had before) because it sounds like a cheaper alternative to cable and gives me more of what I want at a better price.
Cut the cord in 2002 and went for years without Hulu or torrents or anything else. It's amazing how much time you find for living life when you no longer have insta-tube.
I don't watch sports, and I couldn't care less about "event"-type programming (parades, etc.). Cutting the cord is one of the best things I ever did.
I cut the cord completely this month, just streaming content. Since sports isn't my thing that wasn't deal braker. I find I have more to watch now.
I have been living without cable for 2 1/2 years now (gasp!). I have a digital OTA signal that brings me 23 stations to my tv. I can watch my local stations that bring me the thanksgiving parade, glee, etc. I also have our compact desktop as my all-in-one entertainment system. It has a tv tuner in it, so I never have to switch inputs when I change to different media. It also works as a DVR for free! No monthly cable charge or Tivo investment. I also stream shows from casttv, netflix, hulu and straight from network and cable channel's websites. My pc has a bluray player, so that's another box I have gotten rid of in my media center. All in all it works great, and I'm so happy to be rid of the extra $60 a month for so many channels I never watched. Plus, I don't have to plan my day around any show. I can watch when I want.