Cable TV and Costs?

S

Shel_B

Joined
Aug 7, 2020
Messages
6,186
My brother has offered me a big screen TV for my upcoming birthday. Should I go that route, I may want to get cable TV.

What's available and at what cost? I know nothing about the subject and looking at what some of the providers offer is a bit overwheming and confusing. I've not had cable TV for about 30 years, so everything is, essentially, new to me.

I have no interest in sports packages but beyond that I'm open to ideas and suggestions. A big factor is keeping cost down, but it's not a primary concern.
 
Cable is very locale dependent. Unfortunately you need to do your own research. Take your time to sort out the possible confusion.
Examples: I use a local midwest provider Midco for around $198 including a sports package, landline, internet. My sister in Springfield Mo area pays $50-100 more for AT&T. We are both happy with the providers because of the prompt service to repair that we occasionally need. We both have way too many channels we don't watch but are happy with the choices we do prefer.

We are both sports fans; she gets KC Royals and STL Cardinals, I just get the Royals. We both get MLB also, so other games are available.
 
Only get it if you want sports or news, otherwise try out some streaming services from the content companies you like. The tv will likely have "smart" functionality to load these apps, otherwise purchase a streaming device like roku or the walmart Onn android one.
 
My wife selected Cox Communications which overall has been very good for us over the past 20+ years. She spends a few hours negotiating a package deal bi-annually and knows more about it than I do. I think it's expensive, but she wants it. I'm very happy with a recent upgrade to a Cox PW8 high speed internet gateway at speeds of 1000/100. I previously had my own DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem at 500/50 which had weaker wi-fi coverage across the house. Cox customer service is foreign based, and they read from a script. Sales is always pushing for an upgrade. My wife takes those calls and finds it difficult to get a straight answer and accurate quotes. During the recent upgrade she spent several hours on the phone and finally was able to speak with a supervisor and shared her frustrations. He listened well, clarified the technical aspects and gave her a small two-year discount for her troubles. I prefer to handle the technical aspects of a system that includes one TV, 3 PCs (at home business), 2 laptops, 1 old iPad, two mobile phones and one NAS.
 
Last edited:
There may be some good channels via fiber? No idea, we cut the cord 20 years ago. Bought a Roku thing (although I think many TV's now have that integrated) and do Prime and Netflix, maybe Hulu too. Can watch youtube on it too.

And it's still 200 channels with nothing on. Lots of options but I have no idea what is "good" and worth watching, for shows or movies. I'm not sure what is "best" but I'm not sure if I would spring for any Netflix/Prime subscription--Prime might be worthwhile if you buy enough from Amazon in the first place, but I don't know if it's worth paying just for the streaming content.

I'd put up an antenna but I'm in a bit of a valley and it wasn't very good when I was at a better elevation. YMMV.

But I have no plans to ever get "cable" TV ever again.
 
Since you already have internet WiFi access, I suggest getting an inexpensive Roku Express 4K device and sample their free streaming content which offers over 500 channels. Here are some of the programs/shows that you can get for free with the Roku device (which requires a no-charge, online Roku account registration). If this strategy lacks the live programming content you desire, you can always trial sample some other subscription services like YouTube TV, NETFLIX, Hulu, Paramount +, HBO, etc.
 
Nukeman7 said:
7Since you already have internet WiFi access, I suggest getting an inexpensive Roku Express 4K device and sample their free streaming content which offers over 500 channels. Here are some of the programs/shows that you can get for free with the Roku device (which requires a no-charge, online Roku account registration). If this strategy lacks the live programming content you desire, you can always trial sample some other subscription services like YouTube TV, NETFLIX, Hulu, Paramount +, HBO, etc.
Click to expand...
I'm like Shel in that I have little understanding of WiFi stuff and your explanation above, especially the links, go a long way to making me understand it. I'm hooked to local cable and paying 160$ montly for a lot of useless channels.
Thanks Nukeman7
 
I dropped cable TV almost 2 years ago when they started dropping channels and increased prices to $140 a month.

Go to firesticktricks dot com. Don't google search it, that won't work. Type that into your browser.

Far right side of the Orange top bar bar is "IPTV".

It will give you a rundown of the best IPTV providers.
I'm using YEAH! IPTV right now.
I have Apollo Group TV setup as a test for which one I like better, YEAH! wins by far.
Notice the article doesn't link to the IPTV providers, just gives you the correct URL to type into your browser.

Upside
Price is more than right - 40$ for 3 months, plans vary.
Variety is huge - everything you're looking for and way more.
Like 15,000 live channels, all the USA locals, Sports, Entertainment like W, Hallmark, 24/7, you name it.
60,000 movies,
All the Series like Wings, Who's the Boss, Magnum PI, etc.

Downside
You pay in Bitcoin, which gets me to my next point
It is a grey market thing, it is not illegal to stream content at home, just to store it or redistribute it.
The originating stream stays dark by being paid in Bitcoin.

Note: If you do end up trying YEAH!, I use a separate interface call TIVIMATE.
TIVIMATE is so good, I recommend it to anyone.
DM me if you have any questions.
 
Danno said:
I dropped cable TV almost 2 years ago when they started dropping channels and increased prices to $140 a month.

Go to firesticktricks dot com. Don't google search it, that won't work. Type that into your browser.

Far right side of the Orange top bar bar is "IPTV".

It will give you a rundown of the best IPTV providers.
I'm using YEAH! IPTV right now.
I have Apollo Group TV setup as a test for which one I like better, YEAH! wins by far.
Notice the article doesn't link to the IPTV providers, just gives you the correct URL to type into your browser.

Upside
Price is more than right - 40$ for 3 months, plans vary.
Variety is huge - everything you're looking for and way more.
Like 15,000 live channels, all the USA locals, Sports, Entertainment like W, Hallmark, 24/7, you name it.
60,000 movies,
All the Series like Wings, Who's the Boss, Magnum PI, etc.

Downside
You pay in Bitcoin, which gets me to my next point
It is a grey market thing, it is not illegal to stream content at home, just to store it or redistribute it.
The originating stream stays dark by being paid in Bitcoin.

Note: If you do end up trying YEAH!, I use a separate interface call TIVIMATE.
TIVIMATE is so good, I recommend it to anyone.
DM me if you have any questions.
Click to expand...

This is not legal...lol
 
Danno said:
So is going over the speed limit.
I don't know of any IPTV users being taken away in hand cuffs.
Your point?
Click to expand...

No one will end up in handcuffs but there could be civil liability. Happened with the record labels and illegally downloading music, also happened when people were stealing satellite TV. Dish and DirecTV got the customer lists of the companies that were selling hacking equipment and threatened to sue every one of them unless they settled for $5k-$15k.
 
If you have smart tv, you don't need any cable TV.
Just use your Internet WIFI (which hopefully you have).
Connect it to WIFI and you will be in business.

If it is not smart TV, get either FireStick from Amazon or Roku (also from Amazon).
If you have Amazon Prime, that include service for the FireTV stick or smart FireTV.

Bottom line, no need for Cable TV anymore, just Internet subsciption.
 
The lack of local channels was the biggest hurdle to not going cable in the past. That has mostly been negated for those who live in reasonably large population centers.

Otherwise, unless the local MSO offers an extraordinary deal, they offer little advantage.

Unfortunately, the large price advantage to going with an OTT streaming service has also evaporated, but the options are still more varied, and contracts are easier to avoid. "Ad-supported" has also unfortunately become the baseline, even for streaming.

The Content Cartel remains fully in charge, even more so now, because they can sell direct to consumers and bypass the MSOs.
 
@Shel_B , I enjoyed cable TV decades ago. Looked for to different stations when we moved to a new state every two years

Over the past decades or two, a tiny handful of very powerful organizations took ownership of the vast majority of cable TV channels.

What one gets on cable TV is about the same stuff on every channel. The only reason I see someone would want to pay for cable is if they are a gambler on sports.
 
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