Use an antenna to pick up ABC in HD. That's what I have to do since Charter won't carry my ABC affiliate's digital channel for the same reason.

I grew up in front of a tv, and got very used to having it on. But, about a year and a half ago, because money was very tight, I had my cable service cut off. I thought I'd go through major withdrawl, but it hasn't happened. In fact, when I'm at someone else's and flip through the channels, I realize I don't really miss it much at all. In fact, I don't plan on ever having cable (or a satellite dish) again. To me, now, considering the quality (or lack thereof) of what's on most channels, paying current cable rates is like paying $10 for a package of ramen noodles. I miss some stuff, but not enough to pay the outrageous rates they charge.

I'm with you, mike. I got rid of cable over a year and a half ago, mainly because there just didn't seem to be that much on that I really wanted to watch. Initially it was kind of an experiment; I never thought I'd actuallly last this long, but now I don't see going back any time soon. There are a few things I sometimes miss a little, but not that much and not that often. These days I'm quite happy with a little OTA TV, my DVD's, and Netflix.

Damn you Comcast - looks like I'll be going to back to satellite (hooray). Doesn't look like dish network has MLB extra innings so DirecTV here I come!

I haven't heard anything from comcast yet, but I really don't care about a 6% increase. Sure, I'd rather not pay more, but I have a great dual tuner DVR that records HD. My cable internet hasn't gone out once in almost three years and I have few problems with the tv. I guess I just don't see the big deal. Things get more expensive, at least with cable I have seen service improve (dvrs, hd, more channels) as the price goes up.

That's one thing I don't like. I have a nice big tv, and hundreds of DVD's, and an HDDVR which I love, but I can't stand to have the TV on, just to have it on. Music, radio station, or maybe even the music channels on digital cable now, but not just some program that isn't being watched. It's amazing how a tv screen is a magnet for attention, and while I can see places where that's a good thing [hospital, waiting room, airport, etc], I think it's very bad in a family environment.
A lot of families eat dinner around the tv, and my family was never big on that. Occasionally we would order pizza and watch a movie or a special [back in pre-DVR days], and of course popcorn and a movie is different. But each of those things we all *wanted* to watch, and watch together; it seems like a lot of folks have the tv on, just to have it on. And once it's on, it's hard to turn off. I know I have stayed up late, watching stupid informercials or crappy sitcoms or just channel surfing, when I didn't really 'want' to.
But like any tool, a TV can be used for good or bad.

And while I don't like any price increase, I will agree with BobDole42, I get a lot of service for a reasonable price from my cable company. Some of the content is crap, but that's not their fault. It was a lot cheaper to go HD via cable than OTA or satellite, and apart from having some buggy DVR hardware, I have had virtually no cable downtime.

Between videogames, dvd library, and Blockbuster Online, I personally wouldn't mind cancelling cable, but we record some kids programs for my son, and my wife has a bunch of 'reality' shows she watches. Then again, most of those are on the networks....I guess I also like having all the HD channels they offer, to make use of the HDTV.

You know, I'm really disgruntled about this as a Comcast customer because it appears the rates are going up twice as much. That might not be fair, though. I haven't consulted my files, and I haven't seen any notice of an increase in this area yet, so I'm not sure. It could just be that Comcast prefers larger increases less frequently, though. Can anyone speak to this?

Out here they never take timing into consideration. We went without CBS-HD for years here, and they seemed to make no extra effort to get a deal done before the Superbowl.

Now FOX Sports and TNT show the NBA in HD, but we get neither of those. I've been happy with my cable service otherwise, but not enough to pay another 6% when it's already expensive. I'll probably be cutting down my subscription.

no joy with that. I bought an OTA HD tuner from Radioshack for 90 bucks and an antenna and only once was I able to lock onto the ABC station. It's about 35 miles away from me and since I live in an apartment I am restricted to indoor antennas. I was able to get the signal when I was holding the antenna above my head while standing by the window, but never in a place where I could actually sit and watch it. Ended up returning everything within hours of buyding it.
Cox has these in HD in my area: NBC, CBS, Fox, INHD1, INHD2, ESPN, Discovery, TNTHD, PBS, HBO, and Showtime.
I'd give up INHD1 and 2 for ABC though. They occasionally play good movies but usually it's all filler. Discovery kinda sucks too since it's just the same recycled shows and doesn't follow the schedule of the regular Discovery channel. It's like they created the channel specifically for electronics store showrooms

Dish does offer MLB, Center Ice, NBA league passs, ESPN full court.

It wasn't on their website but I had a chat with customer service and they do carry it. Decisions, decisions.

You can't go wrong- they have some great promotions now for new subscribers- I have it and have never had 2nd thoughts

Voom is available from Dish. Subscribe to their HD package and you can add 10 (I think that's the total) Voom channels for an additional $5/month.

That is true- there are an additional 11 Voom channels coming as part of the package in early 06.

So the Voom channels will now jump to over 20?

Great, I just moved and will have Comcast now instead of DirecTV.