I am ruined for cable

[yesno]

I haven't had cable for years, but my summer digs have it.

I am not an anti-tv snob. I was until about 5 years ago when I started watching shows from netflix, and the bittorrent and now lately some legal on-demand Internet things.

So now I love tv shows. But channel surfing and having to base my schedule around when something is going to be on just seems so primitive.

I guess TiVo takes care of that. Too bad cable companies see them as a threat and are busy with their own garbage-y PVRs.

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

I'm with you, Yesno.  I like TV a lot, but I don't even turn it on when I'm traveling (I have the sumer-cheapo Time Warner package at home) because I get so fucking bored and depressed.  I do always raid my neighbor's TiVo when I cat-sit for her, though.

[Beth]

We don't have cable, in part because we physically cannot get it out her (and we're already paying an arm and a leg for shitty satellite internet) . We do indulge in T.V. shows by DVD or internet download (we watch Lost online). But when we go to my parents (who have lots of on-demand stuff) we definitely indulge.

[yesno]

I've been *trying* to indulge.  I've found a few cool things channel surfing, like some dumb hippies doing a jam with household items as instruments, and basketball games.  (Listening to Tom has made me wish I was more of a man and was a sports fan.)

But, my laptop has Mad Men, Saxondale, and Harvey Birdman on it.  It's just so much better.  Broadcasting is fucked.

[Gilly]

The only thing I miss on cable are Twins and Wolves games. Otherwise everything else is online on the networks sites for free and you don't need cable for a clear picture anymore now that over the air HDTV and converter boxes exist.

But, sports fans are at a loss if they don't have cable and that should keep cable companies in business. It would probably cost the same per year to just buy season tickets.

[chrisfoll577]

The only thing I miss on cable are Twins and Wolves games. Otherwise everything else is online on the networks sites for free and you don't need cable for a clear picture anymore now that over the air HDTV and converter boxes exist.

But, sports fans are at a loss if they don't have cable and that should keep cable companies in business. It would probably cost the same per year to just buy season tickets.

I've been doing the same math in my head... if it wasn't for baseball and hockey games and the occasional breaking news event on tv, i'd have no use for cable whatsoever. i'm basically paying upwards of 700 dollars a year just so i can see the red sox play every night.  sometimes i wonder if it's worth it, or if it's better to just listen to the game on the radio.

[Gilly]

I wonder if MLB.TV will ever let you watch home team games.