Dumped my cable and phone with Time Warner!

[vonsmog]

Got another rate hike in my Time Warner bill after dumping my phone with them and going all cellular. It want from $140 with cable, phone and internet, to $165 after removing the phone service! So you pay more for less. So after doing some home work, I figured out that the old antenna that was in the attic for the past 20 years pulls in about 25 channels over the air. So I called up and told them I was cancelling everything and that I didn't need any of their services anymore. I explained that my new phone acts as a hotspot for internet, (which it does but did not try streaming any video with it.) My Antenna works for my TV needs. So I will put my money towards car parts! I ended up staying with Time Warner for internet at $34.95 a month. And I can't believe how much TV I can watch over the net that streams to my smart TV. I can now watch more shows that I like without ads and when I want to watch them! I think cable is on the way out and if they find better ways to get internet over the air, they will be done for good!

[theFONZ]

I have not had cable TV in six years or so, and don't miss it one bit. Every show worth watching can be found on Netflix or the internet.

[Baz]

FWIW many cable customers do not realize that cable companies run specials (I think they are sometimes called seasonal promotions) which customers can take advantage of if they call in and ask.

The cable company will not automatically "give" you the lower price, just because a promotion is on.

You have to call in and ask: "Hello, I wanted to see if you had any promotions or specials which could be applied to my account and lower my charges, please."

I don't know if this is the case for all companies but it is for Brighthouse customers in Florida.

Try it and see. It would be good to get feedback.

As for your post, Von - good for you if you don't mind missing a few shows that are not available. I admire your sense of independence. A digital antenna these days CAN pull in a lot of OTA programming - I have BTDT!

The one program I wish i could get OTA is ESPN but it ain't happening so I'm still on cable.

[HHI944]

Haven't had cable for a few years. Pay for Netflix and hulu. ...between those and amazon instant video I'm pretty much set

[Evans, Marv]

I've been mulling over getting rid of my satellite TV (Direct) and trying an antenna either home made or bought. We will be eliminating our land line when we get a cell tower in our area. They announced it was going to be constructed some time ago. I never watch movies, only things like the news channels, PBS (history, news, Antiques Road Show), and the History Channel. Does anybody know how to find out what local channels you can get in your area with an antenna? We live in a rural area, and I don't know anybody around here who uses an antenna.

[onlycafe]

congratulations on your time-warnerectomy.
i have been working up to giving them the heave-ho. i have friends who tell me that roku is the way to go.

[vonsmog]

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

I've been mulling over getting rid of my satellite TV (Direct) and trying an antenna either home made or bought. We will be eliminating our land line when we get a cell tower in our area. They announced it was going to be constructed some time ago. I never watch movies, only things like the news channels, PBS (history, news, Antiques Road Show), and the History Channel. Does anybody know how to find out what local channels you can get in your area with an antenna? We live in a rural area, and I don't know anybody around here who uses an antenna.

Marv,
I got the list of air channels near me from here. Just put in your zip code.
Rochester, New York TV Listings

[wdfifteen]

Wrong tactic Von. I simply told TW their service was too expensive. I did not say I could replace them, but that I didn't want to pay so much. I'm still paying too much, but I got about 20% off my bill by saying I would do without.

[Evans, Marv]

Thanks Von. After posting I did some searching. Antennaweb only listed one channel for this location. It was from Mexico. The link you gave me listed maybe 20 channels, some of which were Mexican of course. We live in a low mountainous area with low mountains between us and the coast where the transmissions come from, so I'm very suspect about getting much in the way of reception. I'm wondering if I can get hold of some electronic gadget that might give me at least a general signal strength when pointed in different compass orientations. I'm interested in an antenna because I have an intense dislike for the large selection of shopping, infomercial, religious, how to get a Brazilian butt, etc., channels I have to pay for when I only have an interest in a few channels. I'm afraid an antenna might be an option though because of the geography.

[Noah930]

I need to show this thread to Mrs. Noah. (Cable bill's in her name, so TW always gives me the runaround whenever I call them...unless it's to pay the bill, of course.)

[theFONZ]

If you have high speed internet, you can get Netflix/Amazon/Hulu for $20-$30 per month, and pick what and when you want to watch. That's all you need unless you want sports or un-reality shows, and those can usually be found on the internet also.

[dennis in se pa]

My cable internet provider ($30 / month) FORCES me to get the basic cable package for $20 a month. Other wise I would not have cable either. I would switch but other companies want more just for internet! This whole deal is a BIG SCAM RIPOFF!

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Netflix, Apple TV & an antenna. Internet from the local telco. No land line (totally unnecessary these days).

I'll never, ever pay for a cable company (Time Warner, Comcast, etc.). They all suck.

Once these guys start losing their monopoly power (exclusive rights agreements extended to them by individual municipalities typically) they'll start figuring out what happens to companies that have "screwing / taking advantage of their customers while pushing a technologically obsolete product" as a business model. They can check with Blockbuster Video to see how that works out.

As with BV, I won't lament their passing one bit.

[jcommin]

I'm in the process of doing this. My cable bill is my highest utility bill. I just bought a digital antenna from Amazon. I'm going with Netflix and am looking at Ruku too. I will keep Comcast internet.

I just don't watch that much TV. I wish I just could pay for what I use

[Skytrooper]

I dumped the pay for tv (directv) well over a year ago and couldn't be happier. Like Von said in the OP, I get 23-25 channels with an antenna, and I have Netflix and Hulu for anything else. Netflix is 7.99 per month and Hulu has no monthly charge, it is pay for what you watch.

When I called directv to cancel they tried to get me to stay by offing me a permanent monthly rate that was approximately 60% of what I was paying. That pissed me off because for the 10 years I had them I was paying 40% more per month than I had to. Never again ! Friggin crooks