Monday, November 28, 2011

IS INTERNET TV NOW YOUR BEST OPTION?

All of you have probably watched a segment of or an entire episode of one of your favorite shows on Hulu.com or the networks own web site. You most likely have watched an on demand movie from Netflix or Blockbuster video If you are a sports fan you have watched some of your teams events and special coverage online. Why do you still pay for cable? Is it the convenience, habit, or not realizing there are options?

I've been researching the best ways to reduce my cable bill without losing the programming I care most about. It is not possible to do this via the cable company. I began speaking with friends and researching my options. I watched a segment of my local news that gave tips for eliminating the monthly cable bill and saving a significant amount of money annually. The video and tips the show offered is from http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2010/06/30/you-dont-have-to-pay-for-cable-tv/.

I spend an average of $1,768.00 with my cable company. That includes high-speed Internet, multiple-levels of cable channels, NHL Center Ice, and the HBO channels. I assure you that I do not come close to watching all of the channels and 75% I never watch but I am forced to pay for them to have the channels that I do desire. I believe cable should be like a menu. You order the channels you want to watch and do not pay for the ones you have no desire to watch. Money Talks News estimates the average annual US cable bill is $900.00 (not including Internet). I obviously pay much more above the national average. My Internet is $552.00 annually, leaving my cable bill at $1,216.00. If I can save the $1,216.00 and invest it in a Roth IRA or other compound interest earning vehicle it will provide for a nice retirement. The money will be much more valuable to me during my retirement then any shows I will watch.

Money Talks News recommends starting with an antenna to get your local stations directly on your television set. This is 100% free and will provide your local news and many of your favorite shows. You even get HD programming during prime time. If you read the article above you'll find useful information concerning how to best utilize an antenna.

AntennaWeb, a site provided by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), will show you exactly where to point your antenna for the best reception at your address. It will also let you see which stations are broadcasting over the air in your area. There may be more than you think.
AntennaWeb, a site provided by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), will show you exactly where to point your antenna for the best reception at your address. It will also let you see which stations are broadcasting over the air in your area. There may be more than you think.
AntennaWeb, a site provided by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), will show you exactly where to point your antenna for the best reception at your address. It will also let you see which stations are broadcasting over the air in your area. There may be more than you think.
AntennaWeb, a site provided by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), will show you exactly where to point your antenna for the best reception at your address. It will also let you see which stations are broadcasting over the air in your area. There may be more than you think.
Over 99% of U.S. TV households can receive at least one local station over the air, while 89% can watch five or more. The picture is perfectly clear thanks to the switch to digital TV completed on June 12, 2009. You’ll either see a crisp, beautiful image or no image at all (static is a thing of the past). And the best part? All your favorite programming will still be in HD.
HDTV is more expensive for local stations to produce, so it’s common to see a station broadcast in regular standard definition during the day, but switch their signal to high definition for prime time. So while the local news may not be in HD, your favorite shows like Glee, America’s Got Talent, and The Bachelorette will be.
Over 99% of U.S. TV households can receive at least one local station over the air, while 89% can watch five or more. The picture is perfectly clear thanks to the switch to digital TV completed on June 12, 2009. You’ll either see a crisp, beautiful image or no image at all (static is a thing of the past). And the best part? All your favorite programming will still be in HD.
HDTV is more expensive for local stations to produce, so it’s common to see a station broadcast in regular standard definition during the day, but switch their signal to high definition for prime time. So while the local news may not be in HD, your favorite shows like Glee, America’s Got Talent, and The Bachelorette will be.
Over 99% of U.S. TV households can receive at least one local station over the air, while 89% can watch five or more. The picture is perfectly clear thanks to the switch to digital TV completed on June 12, 2009. You’ll either see a crisp, beautiful image or no image at all (static is a thing of the past). And the best part? All your favorite programming will still be in HD.
HDTV is more expensive for local stations to produce, so it’s common to see a station broadcast in regular standard definition during the day, but switch their signal to high definition for prime time. So while the local news may not be in HD, your favorite shows like Glee, America’s Got Talent, and The Bachelorette will be.
Over 99% of U.S. TV households can receive at least one local station over the air, while 89% can watch five or more. The picture is perfectly clear thanks to the switch to digital TV completed on June 12, 2009. You’ll either see a crisp, beautiful image or no image at all (static is a thing of the past). And the best part? All your favorite programming will still be in HD.
HDTV is more expensive for local stations to produce, so it’s common to see a station broadcast in regular standard definition during the day, but switch their signal to high definition for prime time. So while the local news may not be in HD, your favorite shows like Glee, America’s Got Talent, and The Bachelorette will be.
Over 99% of U.S. TV households can receive at least one local station over the air, while 89% can watch five or more. The picture is perfectly clear thanks to the switch to digital TV completed on June 12, 2009. You’ll either see a crisp, beautiful image or no image at all (static is a thing of the past). And the best part? All your favorite programming will still be in HD.
HDTV is more expensive for local stations to produce, so it’s common to see a station broadcast in regular standard definition during the day, but switch their signal to high definition for prime time. So while the local news may not be in HD, your favorite shows like Glee, America’s Got Talent, and The Bachelorette will be.
Your favorite shows that are not broadcast over the air for free can often be found on the networks web site in their entirety and at zero cost. You will need to watch a few commercials but the amount is less then you will be forced to watch on cable. I am not suggesting you watch all your television on your laptop. I do not want your entire family huddling around your laptop to watch your favorite shows. There are numerous methods to watch television over the Internet on you existing television set. Several models of televisions now come equipped exactly for this purpose but you do not need to run out and buy a new set (please do not try using this article as an excuse).

You can use your laptop or existing computer to accomplish this. There are instructions in the Money Talks News article. The Roku Digital player cost around $80.00-$100.00. Boxee is similar in cost and function but they will give you instructions on how to make a Boxee or install their free software to your existing computer. It will turn it into a high quality media player with an interface specially designed to show high-quality on your TV. Google TV, Sony, Logitech (highly recommended by the guys at Best Buy), Intel, Apple TV, X-Box, and Sony Play Station can also perform these functions.

You can watch most sports programs over the Internet now. You may need to pay for some. The NHL Center Ice package I get on cable is about $20.00 less on the Internet version. The NFL can be watched if you have a friend with a dish that doesn't mind giving you their mobile code. ESPN3 is growing daily and per Dan Schointuch, "provides college football, college basketball, NBA, MLB, UEFA Champions League Soccer, Masters & US Open Golf, All 4 Grand Slam tennis tournaments and more. Plus, you get a fully interactive experience with real time in-game stats, scoreboards, and live chat."

Many of the shows you watch on the premium channels (HB0, Starz,etc.) can be purchased online from Amazon or I-Tunes within days of it airing. The ones that do not will be released on DVD or be covered under your Netflix or Blockbuster membership). You can go visit a neighbor or loved one if you cannot wait.


Each year ESPN3 delivers thousands of live games and events like College Football and Basketball, NBA, MLB, UEFA Champions League Soccer, The Masters and US Open Golf, all 4 Grand Slam tennis tournaments, and more. Plus you get a fully interactive experience with real time in-game stats and scoreboards and live chat.
Each year ESPN3 delivers thousands of live games and events like College Football and Basketball, NBA, MLB, UEFA Champions League Soccer, The Masters and US Open Golf, all 4 Grand Slam tennis tournaments, and more. Plus you get a fully interactive experience with real time in-game stats and scoreboards and live chat.

I am certain I will soon drop my cable for one of the above options, I know most of these shows will be viewed on demand but I am trying to research the best method to record what I watch on the Internet. I encourage you to exam these options and ask yourself, "When I am 94 years old am I going to feel positive if I paid cable TV all of these years or is there a better use of my money?"
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