Cordcutting Thread

[jmyrlefuller]

I bought myself a little portable digital television a couple months ago. Where I live in a valley, you can't pick up doodoo for TV signals, but it turns out the hilltops around here, at least a couple of them, are state forests, and the reception up there is far better. So, when I really want to watch a TV show on one of the networks that I can't get online (which is pretty rare), I just take my TV up to the top of the hill and watch it.

Other than my Internet connection, I'm proud to say I don't have to pay a dime for television without a shred of piracy.

[roamer_1]

Thanks for the link, @kevindavis   I wonder about the 3.1% who listed Oher as their reason for cord cutting. 

@Applewood , I have the money... I can afford a decent cable package - somewhat better than basic...

While money is an important part of why I quit - The went encrypted here to fight those who steal cable... The resulting required hardware (a rented box for each tv) is what finally broke the camel's back...

But indeed, why I will not go back is content.
It's crap... It's nearly ALL crap. And I cannot support the little good I find without supporting the mountain of crap. And as it turns out, I don't need any of it.

I have Netflix, but by far and away, I watch youtube. Farmer stuff. Homesteader stuff... Bushcrafting and survival stuff. Real people doing real stuff.

I'm getting to the point where I hardly watch tv anymore.  I have a big screen laptop that works fine,  When this tv set dies, I might just not get a replacement.  I don't have family and I seldom have company over.  Why do I have to have an actual tv?

I still have TVs. In fact, I just bought a 55" monster tv for my living room... But I bought it used for 150 bucks. The one in my guest bedroom was free, because it was broken, and I fixed it.

I sure as heck won't be buying a new one.

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

@Applewood , I have the money... I can afford a decent cable package - somewhat better than basic...

While money is an important part of why I quit - The went encrypted here to fight those who steal cable... The resulting required hardware (a rented box for each tv) is what finally broke the camel's back...

But indeed, why I will not go back is content.
It's crap... It's nearly ALL crap. And I cannot support the little good I find without supporting the mountain of crap. And as it turns out, I don't need any of it.

I have Netflix, but by far and away, I watch youtube. Farmer stuff. Homesteader stuff... Bushcrafting and survival stuff. Real people doing real stuff.

I still have TVs. In fact, I just bought a 55" monster tv for my living room... But I bought it used for 150 bucks. The one in my guest bedroom was free, because it was broken, and I fixed it.

I sure as heck won't be buying a new one.

I run everything through one of these:

https://www.silicondust.com/product/hdhomerun-prime/

I rent a cable card from the ISP for $5/mon which goes in it and decrypts the content.  The only thing you can't do is the on demand stuff.  The FCC requires the companies to provide cards so they can't force you to use their set top boxes.

[roamer_1]

I run everything through one of these:

https://www.silicondust.com/product/hdhomerun-prime/

I rent a cable card from the ISP for $5/mon which goes in it and decrypts the content.  The only thing you can't do is the on demand stuff.  The FCC requires the companies to provide cards so they can't force you to use their set top boxes.

Well, ain't that something... I might just check into that, though really, I don't need any of it anymore (cable content), so mebbe a day late and a dollar short... 

[kevindavis007]

Hulu Now Has Over 800,000 Live TV Subscribers
https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/hulu-now-has-over-800000-live-tv-subscribers/

[Applewood]

I suppose Hulu will see an increase in subscribers now that Netflix is becoming the Obama indoctrination network.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I suppose Hulu will see an increase in subscribers now that Netflix is becoming the Obama indoctrination network.

It does not both one iota that Netflix has an Obama show or partnership.

However, if they start pushing an agenda, then that will matter.

[Ghost Bear]

I signed up for CBS All Access yesterday, which may be the last piece of the puzzle we needed in order to drop cable. Browsed through what's available and there's some interesting old stuff, in addition to current shows. Sprung for the $9.99 no-commercials package, so we'll see how that works. 

[Applewood]

It does not both one iota that Netflix has an Obama show or partnership.

However, if they start pushing an agenda, then that will matter.

You better believe this programming will be pushing an agenda.  Oh, it will start with Obama/Soros programming of maybe a handful of shows.  But before long, anything from, say, the 1950s, which promotes old fashioned values and good clean fun wil be purged in favor of new, kill whitey, gun confiscation, indoctrinate the kiddies, social justice themed crap. 

[Smokin Joe]

You better believe this programming will be pushing an agenda.  Oh, it will start with Obama/Soros programming of maybe a handful of shows.  But before long, anything from, say, the 1950s, which promotes old fashioned values and good clean fun wil be purged in favor of new, kill whitey, gun confiscation, indoctrinate the kiddies, social justice themed crap.

It seems like they can't put a show on without loading it with homosexuals. Maybe that's the normal state of affairs in media circles and in DC (Which I understand has the highest concentration of those folks in the country), but that doesn't sell in the hinterlands, it is at best endured by many. I just turn that sh*t off.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

You better believe this programming will be pushing an agenda.  Oh, it will start with Obama/Soros programming of maybe a handful of shows.  But before long, anything from, say, the 1950s, which promotes old fashioned values and good clean fun wil be purged in favor of new, kill whitey, gun confiscation, indoctrinate the kiddies, social justice themed crap.

They already do. At least Stranger Things 2 did. But then again, I expect that. I generally just watch the network TV and movies, and I already know that stuff pushes an agenda.

[kevindavis007]

Cord-Cutting Keeps Churning: U.S. Pay-TV Cancelers to Hit 33 Million in 2018 (Study)
https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/cord-cutting-2018-estimates-33-million-us-study-1202881488/

[Applewood]

Comcast, Dish, AT&T to Raise TV Prices to Counter Cord-Cutting

Giants including Comcast Corp., Dish Network Corp. and AT&T Inc.’s DirecTV plan to raise rates again in the new year, a move that could boost revenue but risks alienating subscribers who have been ditching their traditional TV subscriptions in record numbers.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-04/comcast-at-t-raise-prices-to-counter-cord-cutting-higher-costs
***

Sure.  Let's counter the mass exodus of customers by alienating more customers with a rate increase.  That'll work.   

[roamer_1]

Sure.  Let's counter the mass exodus of customers by alienating more customers with a rate increase.  That'll work.   

Death rattle.

[jmyrlefuller]

Death rattle.

Heck, it's not as if these cord-cutters are migrating to Netflix or other platforms: they're watching less video content overall.

Entertainment programming is down 16% in one year alone. The only exception? Live sports. The NFL is back up now that Kaepernick is safely out of the way. The NHL's Winter Classic was up 20% this year.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/amp/live-feed/nfl-tv-ratings-are-up-broadcast-networks-bleed-viewers-1162096

So... expect the major broadcasters to push more and more of their marquee sports broadcasts solely to cable, since they can maintain those exclusive rights, shut out competitors and continue propping up their subscriptions.

[roamer_1]

Heck, it's not as if these cord-cutters are migrating to Netflix or other platforms: they're watching less video content overall.

Entertainment programming is down 16% in one year alone. The only exception? Live sports. The NFL is back up now that Kaepernick is safely out of the way. The NHL's Winter Classic was up 20% this year.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/amp/live-feed/nfl-tv-ratings-are-up-broadcast-networks-bleed-viewers-1162096

So... expect the major broadcasters to push more and more of their marquee sports broadcasts solely to cable, since they can maintain those exclusive rights, shut out competitors and continue propping up their subscriptions.

Oh, I don't know... My TV is still on all day long... And if I leave the office or the living room, I can cast what I am watching to a tablet or even my phone... I even stream radio anymore, for pete's sake... We had a major cable disruption up here, and for a day I was left with nothing but the movies in my local on-LAN library. I have since purchased a couple radios - It is crazy to be that reliant upon a single source...

The point being, I do not watch less content. That content is more available to me than CableTV can even imagine. But the difference is, that content is wholly a la carte, wholly commercial-free, and precisely designed for me personally... The only money they can make off of that is the payment I make for their hardware to provide the networking.

Like with music and movies, TV is finding out their content is not worth much, and is made worthless by consistently shrill liberal indoctrination and endless commercials. They are trying to save it, but the money train is over. Folks have other choices, and they are taking that decision in droves.

Sports ain't gonna save em.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I’m watching more and more youtube.

[roamer_1]

I’m watching more and more youtube.

I mostly watch Youtube. I have netflix too... But only because the cost is incidental - My greater family is all on one account, so netflix is costing me about 60 bucks a year.

ArconaiTV is weird for series... each series is in a constant stream, so you can't control which episode you use... and stopping and picking it up later is not possible... Binging is the only way... but it has some movies, and live streaming cable channels... and that is where I get streaming from FoxNews.

ROKU is the other major source... I will eventually spend the money to have  roku on all three of my TVs. For now, it is just in the living room... but it has a wide selection without any subscription, and I am considering paying subscriptions so that I can pick up NASCAR again this year, which is the only thing from TV that I mildly miss.

[Smokin Joe]

Oh, I don't know... My TV is still on all day long... And if I leave the office or the living room, I can cast what I am watching to a tablet or even my phone... I even stream radio anymore, for pete's sake... We had a major cable disruption up here, and for a day I was left with nothing but the movies in my local on-LAN library. I have since purchased a couple radios - It is crazy to be that reliant upon a single source...

The point being, I do not watch less content. That content is more available to me than CableTV can even imagine. But the difference is, that content is wholly a la carte, wholly commercial-free, and precisely designed for me personally... The only money they can make off of that is the payment I make for their hardware to provide the networking.

Like with music and movies, TV is finding out their content is not worth much, and is made worthless by consistently shrill liberal indoctrination and endless commercials. They are trying to save it, but the money train is over. Folks have other choices, and they are taking that decision in droves.

Sports ain't gonna save em.

It doesn't take many nights of paying for television content to only be able to surf 47 flavors of paid advertising to feel like you are getting ripped off. Give people an alternative to that, and the stampede is on. Cable providers shot themselves in the foot just in time for the race.

[roamer_1]

It doesn't take many nights of paying for television content to only be able to surf 47 flavors of paid advertising to feel like you are getting ripped off. Give people an alternative to that, and the stampede is on. Cable providers shot themselves in the foot just in time for the race.

That's right... I was over at a friend's place the other day, and the TV was on in the background, and it became a distraction to me - Seems to me that TV had just about the same amount of minutes dedicated to commercials as they did the actual show... It was a consternation. I can't believe I put up with that for all those years... and paid for the 'privilege'. 

[Smokin Joe]

That's right... I was over at a friend's place the other day, and the TV was on in the background, and it became a distraction to me - Seems to me that TV had just about the same amount of minutes dedicated to commercials as they did the actual show... It was a consternation. I can't believe I put up with that for all those years... and paid for the 'privilege'. 

It is the same content over and over, too. They have run out of shows, some of which I simply quit watching because of the re-runs, which outnumber new content. But from about 3 AM to 5:30-6 ish, most channels are paid advertising in half hour blocks. Hype, hype-ish hand gestures, extolling the alleged virtues of the latest one egg fry pan or whatever, just wasn't what I was paying for, and the double dip (the 'providers' getting paid by the viewers and the salesmen) is irritating as all get-out when the content is all commercial and no entertainment.

[bigheadfred]

I cut the "cable" tv several years ago. When the wife and I moved into this place. I was pulling internet over here with a wifi extender. Then my son went to Centurylink and we "moved' our Cableone internet over here. It was still in my name so they did it for free. Added Amazon Prime and Netflix. But I mostly watch Youtube. Or read on a tablet. Thinking about switching to Centurylink. The DIL works for them and may be able to get us a "family" deal. Paying $55 for Cableone now. But they have a data cap. I think I can get the other for less with no cap.

[roamer_1]

It is the same content over and over, too. They have run out of shows, some of which I simply quit watching because of the re-runs, which outnumber new content. But from about 3 AM to 5:30-6 ish, most channels are paid advertising in half hour blocks. Hype, hype-ish hand gestures, extolling the alleged virtues of the latest one egg fry pan or whatever, just wasn't what I was paying for, and the double dip (the 'providers' getting paid by the viewers and the salesmen) is irritating as all get-out when the content is all commercial and no entertainment.

YEP. Now I have *NO* commercials... and watch what I want... which means supporting what I want too - As a Christian, and as a Conservative, cableTV forced me to contribute in some way toward things I don't approve of. Even the few channels I did watch had things on them I didn't like at all - But I have to support MTV to get History Channel... No more.

And the convenience of net-based is remarkable - Especially for what you are doing now... Even when you are far from home, you can carry a portable roku, or just use your laptop, and get at all your stuff even as if you were sitting in your living room instead of miles and miles away.

There is no way that cableTV can compete with a la carte whenever and wherever you want it.

[Applewood]

Was telling my brother and family over Christmas that when my tv bites the dust, I'm not getting a new one.  I have a big screen laptop where I can watch Sling, Netflix, Amazon Prime and so on.  The living room tv is only for local news and weather and these days I can stream those broadcasts as well.  I don't watch the alphabet network tv shows  except for Law & Order SVU and Sling has it as part of NBC on Demand, so I can watch on my laptop. The other alphabet network shows are totally uninteresting and I only have basic cable for the tv, so no cable news and entertainment on tv.  Whatever I want to see, I can watch it on my laptop. 

Now my brother  and his family have one of those big screen tvs with surround sound, a top of the line Comcast cable package with hundreds of channels (HD) and a slew of sports channels.  They also entertain, including watching Penguins hockey with other fans.  That's great for them.  But I live alone and I seldom have anyone at the house.  What do I need a tv for?

Perhaps with this latest rate increase, I will now have an impetus to rid myself of Comcast altogeher.  The only reason to keep it is for the Wi-Fi, but I'm sure if I did some homework, I can find a suitable alternative that might cost less.

[sneakypete]

I have a "made in the USA" RCA HD antenna I bought for 43 dollars. Which is appropriate because it pulls in 43 channels for free. The closest station to my house is 54 miles away and the antenna is only rated to have a range of 45 miles,so I have nothing to complain about.

I also have a ROKU player that allegedly offers me a choice of roughly 4,000 streaming channels,most of which you wouldn't want to watch if someone pointed a gun at you,but that still leaves a HELL of a lot of channels you do want to watch. Like war movies? There are whole channels dedicated to playing nothing but war movies. Like skiing? There are whole channels dedicated to skiing.

There are no monthly fees attached to either,but there is a monthly fee from Netflix,HBO,etc,etc,etc if you want to watch their premium channels.

I also like the fact that streaming tv is not affected by rain storms or clouds.

I still get HBO,Showtime,Amazon Prime,and a few other premium sources,but I am not paying as much as I was with a sat dish.

I also bought a Channel Master tuner to use  so that I still have TIVO and can record shows to watch later. I have a 2TB harddrive plugged into the tuner,so I can record a BUNCH of shows before I run out of storage room.

The TIVO on the Channel Master allows me to come in and turn everything on,and then rewind to start a program already running on the channel it was left on while turned off. That can come in very handy. It also allows me to fast forward,do a program or channel search,control closed captions,etc,etc,etc.

I don't see me ever going back to satellite tv.

[kevindavis007]

I don't regret dropping Direct TV.. Most of the channels they where offering is home shopping channels or obscure channel like RFD TV. 


Right now we have an  Amazon Fire TV Box with Prime, Hulu Live, Netflix and sometimes we watch either Tubi Tv or Pluto Tv.   


Right now we have Comcast as our ISP and hopefully soon we get another service in our area soon. I'm ready to drop them.

[kevindavis007]

It doesn't take many nights of paying for television content to only be able to surf 47 flavors of paid advertising to feel like you are getting ripped off. Give people an alternative to that, and the stampede is on. Cable providers shot themselves in the foot just in time for the race.

What killed the Cable / Satellite tv service for me was that the specialty channels (like the SyFy Channel) became just a regular channel. Right now if I want to watch good SciFi I either watch it on Prime, Hulu, or Netflix.

[roamer_1]

Was telling my brother and family over Christmas that when my tv bites the dust, I'm not getting a new one.  I have a big screen laptop where I can watch Sling, Netflix, Amazon Prime and so on.  The living room tv is only for local news and weather and these days I can stream those broadcasts as well. 

[...]

But I live alone and I seldom have anyone at the house.  What do I need a tv for?

Perhaps with this latest rate increase, I will now have an impetus to rid myself of Comcast altogeher.  The only reason to keep it is for the Wi-Fi, but I'm sure if I did some homework, I can find a suitable alternative that might cost less.

Find a used win7-Win10 desktop computer and plug it into your TV... Then all you do on your laptop will happen on the TV too. When I fire up the big TV it comes up with a windows 10 desktop which I control with a wireless keyboard (with a glide pad) from my easy chair.

I just bought a monster TV... Bought it broken and fixed it, so I got a screaming deal... But you can find em pretty cheap anymore, if you find em used...  The big tv is a pleasure on my eyes (I can even read the crawl on foxnews), and I have it plumbed through an old school-amp - like what used to sit under your record player or tape deck - That goes to regular house speakers so I get big sound too. I may have 300 bucks in that whole system - The TV, the amp and speakers, and the computer that runs it... And i get big screen and quadraphonic sound.

Serious. And I count it as nothing, because it is just three months of what I am saving by dumping the cable.

[Sighlass]

I just use a little known website to get Openload links to what I want to watch... With a good ad-block program (Ublock Origin) I just download what shows I want to watch later on in the background.

Pm me for details if interested.

My total entertainment bill.... 0.00 + internet costs.

[Wingnut]

I signed up for CBS All Access yesterday, which may be the last piece of the puzzle we needed in order to drop cable. Browsed through what's available and there's some interesting old stuff, in addition to current shows. Sprung for the $9.99 no-commercials package, so we'll see how that works. 

I think you'll like it.  Since I am use "over the air" antenna for networks it lets you stream you local CBS channel if you want.  I get a better picture and sound.

[jmyrlefuller]

Find a used win7-Win10 desktop computer and plug it into your TV... Then all you do on your laptop will happen on the TV too. When I fire up the big TV it comes up with a windows 10 desktop which I control with a wireless keyboard (with a glide pad) from my easy chair.

I do that with my laptop. The great thing about that approach is you can do an "extended desktop:" keep doing what you're doing on one screen, and watch TV on the other. Just hook up an HDMI cable and you're set to go.

[roamer_1]

I do that with my laptop. The great thing about that approach is you can do an "extended desktop:" keep doing what you're doing on one screen, and watch TV on the other. Just hook up an HDMI cable and you're set to go.

My main office station sorta works that way... I have three monitors on my desk and I pump 'TV' output to the left hand one most of the time...

[berdie]

Well, dang it..I haven't seen how much my Dish bill is going up.  But they are kind od goofy for doing it.

I have lots of good movies that I haven't seen recorded...I'll loose them.

And even more importantly...I'll loose the DVR.

Input is appreciated.

[roamer_1]

Well, dang it..I haven't seen how much my Dish bill is going up.  But they are kind od goofy for doing it.

I have lots of good movies that I haven't seen recorded...I'll loose them.

And even more importantly...I'll loose the DVR.

Input is appreciated.

Hi @berdie
I would suggest developing alternate sources without dumping dish for a while...
Roku is a good interim choice - a decent roku is around 75 dollars (though you can go cheaper) and will plug into any modern tv right alongside of your dish... And once you own a roku, there is tons of content on it for free - no continuing subscriptions.

Likewise as you go, start exploring what you can do through your computer. Netflix and Amazon prime are decent and popular, and there is a wealth of sites offering alternatives besides them.

It is a different way - It isn't just a presented list you get to thumb through - you have to hunt for what you want, and when you find stuff that suits you, bookmark it so you can return...

I don't know what to tell you about your DVR. Sooner or later, you've got to break the chains. But I think you will find you won't miss much. Most anything you want is already online for free, once you can wander about and find it.

I long ago started saving movies down to hard drives, and trading with others doing the same, but I hardly use them anymore, and have deleted most of them... It's just too easy to find them online. 

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

Well, dang it..I haven't seen how much my Dish bill is going up.  But they are kind od goofy for doing it.

I have lots of good movies that I haven't seen recorded...I'll loose them.

And even more importantly...I'll loose the DVR.

Input is appreciated.

While not the most easy/elegant solution, one approach is a "capture card".   I've used them for many years in homebrew DVRs, but the thing lately that might help you is for people who want to record their video games.  The idea is that you play the game (movie) with a device between your console (DVR) and your TV and it records.  It's not going to be fast, and I don't know if you would need to be paying attention to stop recording at the end (probably), but it would probably work (I've never used them this way).  If you do a quick search on "HDMI capture card" or "composite capture card" or whatever your DVR uses, you should be able to determine pretty quickly if this is a route worth your effort.

[sneakypete]

Well, dang it..I haven't seen how much my Dish bill is going up.  But they are kind od goofy for doing it.

I have lots of good movies that I haven't seen recorded...I'll loose them.

And even more importantly...I'll loose the DVR.

Input is appreciated.

@berdie

https://www.toptenreviews.com/electronics/tv/best-dvrs/directv-genie-review/

Here is a relatively inexpensive alternative. I have never used it,but the review is good.

[berdie]

@roamer_1 @InHeavenThereIsNoBeer @sneakypete

Thank you all for the suggestions.  Since I'm about as tech savvy as my dog...I'm going to have to research all this.  To see what you mean (lol) and what might work in my old house filled with old stuff.

[roamer_1]

Thank you all for the suggestions.  Since I'm about as tech savvy as my dog...I'm going to have to research all this.  To see what you mean (lol) and what might work in my old house filled with old stuff.

LOL!
It ain't all that hard @berdie ... Surely you, or a friend of yours, has a kid or grandkid that is tech savvy... Most kids these days, and even many in my generation (I am 56) are cutting the cord. Pick one such, and show them this thread, expressing your interest in doing the same. It will make for great bonding time :)

Like I said though... ease into it. It doesn't cost much for a roku, or to start finding out what you can do from a computer... Ease in and get used to it. When you have understanding and confidence, then cut the cord.

I spent about a year paying for both ways - Keeping my CableTV, and experimenting otherwise. By the time I finally did it, I didn't hardly miss CableTV at all. And the money I am saving (roughly 100 bucks a month) paid for my initial setup within 3 months, and has paid for two more such in the 3 years since (I have continually upgraded the main system [media server] in the living room, with the older systems moving downstream into my bedroom and guest bedroom). All of it bought used, waiting for screaming deals as they come.

But the point being: Take your time. The move to alternatives need not cost much at all... And as you grow comfortable with those alternatives, shaking loose of BigTV will be easy - You will wonder why you hadn't done so years before.

[berdie]

I think the best advice you have given @roamer_1 is to take my time.  Heck, I'm not gonna go broke during this Dish rate hike.  I just hate searching around in areas I don't know anything about.

Because of that...I'll probably just go back on antenna...or do nothing. I know how I am.

[roamer_1]

I think the best advice you have given @roamer_1 is to take my time.  Heck, I'm not gonna go broke during this Dish rate hike.  I just hate searching around in areas I don't know anything about.

Because of that...I'll probably just go back on antenna...or do nothing. I know how I am.

 

[kevindavis007]

AT&T, Spectrum, Comcast, Dish, & Verizon Lost 1.1 Million Subscribers in The 4th Quarter of 2018
https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/att-spectrum-comcast-dish-verizon-lost-1-1-million-subscribers-in-the-4th-quarter-of-2018/

[Wingnut]

Saw this and thought I might use them.  You don't need to subscribe to Sling to take advantage of the install.  I'm sure I could do it myself but I don't want to mess with it.

We Tested Sling TV’s Antenna Installation Service: Here Is How It Went
https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/we-tested-sling-tvs-antenna-installation-service-here-is-how-it-went/

[Applewood]

Thanks @The Ghost   I have Sling.  Received an email sometime back indicating that the company was working on providing local channels.  I guess this antenna installation is it. 

I've thought about going back to an antenna, but I live in a valley and in the old days, getting local stations with an antenna was a hit or miss proposition here.  I've been told that today's antennas are better.  Sure hope so. 

One question:  I still have cable.   If I decided to buy an antenna and have Sling do the install, would I have to terminate cable first?

[Wingnut]

Well, It is my understanding this antenna will hook right into pre wired cable platform (if you have it like most new homes since the late 90's) I know in my house they would drop the CoAx cable down from my attic into my media control panel in the utility room connect it to the splitter that goes to each room.

  So I don't believe you would want to have both. 

[Applewood]

Well, I bought my house in 1989.  The house had some cable wiring on one side of the living room, but I decided to put my tv on another wall.  The old connection was disabled and a new one was installed at the new location for the tv.  I also have Wi-Fi installed at the same spot by the tv.  If I get rid of cable, I will have to also find a new source for Wi-Fi. 

You can tell I'm technologically challenged.  LOL

Anyway, thank you.

[roamer_1]

Thanks @The Ghost   I have Sling.  Received an email sometime back indicating that the company was working on providing local channels.  I guess this antenna installation is it. 

I've thought about going back to an antenna, but I live in a valley and in the old days, getting local stations with an antenna was a hit or miss proposition here.  I've been told that today's antennas are better.  Sure hope so. 

One question:  I still have cable.   If I decided to buy an antenna and have Sling do the install, would I have to terminate cable first?

Hey @Applewood
As a general rule, no, you would not have to terminate cable.

If you have a flatscreen tv, you most certainly can receive from a digital antenna.
On the back of your tv, look for 'type F' connectors - this is the sort of port that your cable plugs into... There should be two - One will say cable (and will currently have your cable plugged in) and the other will say either Ant (or the like) or VHF/UHF. That is the port the antenna will plug into. The two are usually situated close together, side by side.

Of course that is a simple connection for one tv. If you have multiple tvs to connect, you'll need to get a media guy there to figure out your system, and how to incorporate the antenna.

EDIT:
To switch between the cable and the antenna is accomplished with the 'input' button on your remote... The same way you migt switch between your cable and a game station, or anything else that might be hooked up via the HDMI slots. One of the options will be again, ANT or UHF/VHF

[Wingnut]

Well, I bought my house in 1989.  The house had some cable wiring on one side of the living room, but I decided to put my tv on another wall.  The old connection was disabled and a new one was installed at the new location for the tv.  I also have Wi-Fi installed at the same spot by the tv.  If I get rid of cable, I will have to also find a new source for Wi-Fi. 

You can tell I'm technologically challenged.  LOL

Anyway, thank you.

Okay I think I see where you are coming from.  Check with your cable company to see what they offer for Internet/WiFi only plans.  That cable only goes to your Modem/router box.   Also check out other Internet providers for your area to compare rates.   I use CenturyLink. I have a no hassel flat rate plan with them.  The flat price is $55 per month all fees and taxes included.  That price is for  50mbps

CenturyLink Prices,
Plans, and Packages Price   /Download Speed
Price for Life 20    $45/mo.   /Up to 20 Mbps
Price for Life 80    $55/mo.   /Up to 40–80 Mbps
Price for Life 100 $65/mo.   /Up to 100–140 Mbps
Price for Life 1 Gig $65/mo. /Up to 1 Gig


Some of their plans reqire fiber optic to the house.

[bigheadfred]

Just signed up for basic HULU. They now carry A&E and the wife misses that channel since we dropped cable 4 years ago.

Basic plan is $7.99/month, but when I signed up they popped up this message.

The price of Hulu will decrease to $5.99/month. You'll see this on your next billing date after 2/26/19.

My free trial ends March 17 (2019). By then we should be able to decide if we want to keep it. If the price stays at $5.99, WTH.

[Wingnut]

I use Roku.  Pay for Netflix, Hulu and CBS all access.  NBC is free but has a 7 day delay for new releases but it has a treasure trove of old shows with limited commercials. So my net expense per month is now less than $25 bucks.  My Direct TV bill was well over $110.   And for what? 500 channels that I never watched.  Screw em.  If you need a Sports fix get the $25 Sling package that included ESPN.

After about a month after I cut the cord  my Romote control surfing withdrawal ended.  I have never looked back.

If Direct TV and Dish were smart (and they are not)  They would offer a one rate flat fee plan that would let you pick your channels alacart. 

[bigheadfred]

I use Roku.  Pay for Netflix, Hulu and CBS all access.  NBC is free but has a 7 day delay for new releases but it has a treasure trove of old shows with limited commercials. So my net expense per month is now less than $25 bucks.  My Direct TV bill was well over $110.   And for what? 500 channels that I never watched.  Screw em.  If you need a Sports fix get the $25 Sling package that included ESPN.

After about a month after I cut the cord  my Romote control surfing withdrawal ended.  I have never looked back.

If Direct TV and Dish were smart (and they are not)  They would offer a one rate flat fee plan that would let you pick your channels alacart.

We have Prime and Netflix. We use Roku. Netflix is the premium plan--4 screens. Besides me and the wife, both our kids and my mom have access to my Netflix. And the grandkids can access it on their tablets if they get permission, content is parental controlled for them in person. So 4 households for one small phenomenal fee.