Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
#26
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
I gave up satellite/cable a while ago and now use Apple TV. I pay for CBS All Access, HBO Now, Starz, Netflix, MLB TV and Funimation. And I use a friends login to watch the network stuff.
#27
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
I haven't had cable television since I moved out of my parent's house 19 years ago. For the first several years, I had OTA channels. I then added Netflix disc around 2005, streaming as well when it started. Sometime around 2010 I got rid of the antenna, and went strictly Netflix. Finally in 2013 or so I went to only Netflix streaming.
To answer the question, I draw the line at whatever a monthly subscription to Netflix streaming is.
To answer the question, I draw the line at whatever a monthly subscription to Netflix streaming is.
#28
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
Does it transform to a movie screen when you play movie Blu-Rays/DVDs on it? 
I have a few friends that just call them monitors at this point for that very reason. Throughout their entire time of owning the monitor there will never be any actual TV programming directly viewed on it. They think I'm crazy for paying for cable and I think they are crazy to pay for streaming services.

I have a few friends that just call them monitors at this point for that very reason. Throughout their entire time of owning the monitor there will never be any actual TV programming directly viewed on it. They think I'm crazy for paying for cable and I think they are crazy to pay for streaming services.
#29
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Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
Someone commented the other day on FB that they wished GOT would release a season at once like Netflix. I said no way HBO would give up three months of revenue for one month (heck, people would subscribe for one day if they could).
I'll finally get around to watching Enterprise before I pay for CBS, unless the reviews are amazing.
I'll finally get around to watching Enterprise before I pay for CBS, unless the reviews are amazing.
#30
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
All this reminds me of the question... when do we stop calling it TV when it's not actually coming from a TV network?
#31
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Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
I said it a year or 2 ago....even with cord cutting/shaving, they're going to nail you and just wait when data caps become the norm.
I'd pay for Star Trek if CBS wasn't already shaking me down between the fees they earn from my DTV bill and Verizon FIOS bill (have lifeline basic cable with my internet). I still don't know why affiliates OTA should be able to demand carriage fees and also get protection against DNS from providers. F them.
I'd pay for Star Trek if CBS wasn't already shaking me down between the fees they earn from my DTV bill and Verizon FIOS bill (have lifeline basic cable with my internet). I still don't know why affiliates OTA should be able to demand carriage fees and also get protection against DNS from providers. F them.
#32
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Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
Granted there are variations, like TV movies, Sherlock having three 90-minute episodes per season, etc.
#33
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
We pay for cable. Other than that, I am still watching TV on DVD (or BR). I rent most movies but have picked up some TV on DVD so I can take them on business trips.
I still have the finale of S2 The Americans and then start S3
Haven't started S3 Blacklist
Have the whole second half of S1 of Blindspot on the DVR
I have everything I need except time to watch.
#34
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
As I posted earlier, I know people that will never watch anything on their "TV" that was directly received using cable/satellite/antenna. If they were given the option of buying a equally good monitor, for less money, because it was not capable of receiving that direct cable/satellite/antenna content, they would have went for it in a heart beat.
#35
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Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
We have:
Cable -- HD package but no premium channels; have a local cable company that I actually like! Even with that, I wouldn't have cable if it weren't for the wife and kids.
Netflix -- one of my daughters is always watching something on there, so it is justified. I am disappointed in their shift away from current movies, but I like some of their original programming; e.g., Orange Is the New Black, Darevdevil (although I am slow on getting it watched), and eventually Jessica Jones.
Amazon -- probably would not keep this if it was an additional monthly fee. Since I can pay it one time and be done though, I keep on keeping it. Use the free shipping a few times a year so that is a bonus.
WWE Network -- my son watches this. I really need to make him start paying for it. It's still cheaper than paying for those PPVs though!
That's it ... Not adding anything else. As somebody else said, my time is being tapped out quicker than my bank account.
Cable -- HD package but no premium channels; have a local cable company that I actually like! Even with that, I wouldn't have cable if it weren't for the wife and kids.
Netflix -- one of my daughters is always watching something on there, so it is justified. I am disappointed in their shift away from current movies, but I like some of their original programming; e.g., Orange Is the New Black, Darevdevil (although I am slow on getting it watched), and eventually Jessica Jones.
Amazon -- probably would not keep this if it was an additional monthly fee. Since I can pay it one time and be done though, I keep on keeping it. Use the free shipping a few times a year so that is a bonus.
WWE Network -- my son watches this. I really need to make him start paying for it. It's still cheaper than paying for those PPVs though!
That's it ... Not adding anything else. As somebody else said, my time is being tapped out quicker than my bank account.
#36
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#37
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
I have Netflix and Amazon Prime (mainly for the shipping, everything else is a bonus)... Plus HBONow for the 3 months GoT is on.
I've tried Sling twice and it's terrible with the Amazon FireTV. And to get both sets of sports channels (ESPN/Fox) it's $40/mo. For that much I can add the rest of the HD channels to my cable starter subscription and not have to worry about Sling crapping out.
Will wait and see on CBS All-Access til the reviews are in for the new Star Trek series.
I've tried Sling twice and it's terrible with the Amazon FireTV. And to get both sets of sports channels (ESPN/Fox) it's $40/mo. For that much I can add the rest of the HD channels to my cable starter subscription and not have to worry about Sling crapping out.
Will wait and see on CBS All-Access til the reviews are in for the new Star Trek series.
#38
Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
We have Cable with the "expanded" package (~100 channels of mostly worthless dreck for almost $100/month) that I'd drop in a heartbeat if it were not for my wife who would rather find something on a commercial channel than simply drop in a disc. Even for her favorite programs (I just don't get that mentality).
I watch 95% of my content via disc with the other 5% being a combo of cable and streaming. Cable if I'm just looking for background noise and I *always* select from Discovery, A&E, History, Travel, or Food Network for that. Streaming mostly to sample shows I might enjoy and purchase. I piggyback on a HBO-Go account for GOT but then purchase it once it comes out on disc.
Amazon Prime for occasional streaming. I have it mainly for the "free" shipping but since they have a somewhat limited selection of movies/TV I'll use that to sample stuff I may want to purchase on disc. I've also availed myself of the "$1 digital" bonus for using "slow boat" shipping. So far I've "purchased" 48 digital movies with those credits, mostly Warner Archive titles, since I see little difference in a digital copy over a MOD, or titles which have never had a physical media release or are OOP and very expensive. Lately all the "add on subscriptions" they're hawking, rather than adding new "free" content, has become a bit of a sore spot and I've complained repeatedly. If they offered "free" shipping without the streaming video/audio at a lower cost I'd likely jump on it.
I sampled Netflix at my son's house a couple of years ago and found it severly lacking in the content I prefer.
I love Star Trek but there's *no way* I'm shelling out for a subscription service to watch the new series. I'll wait for free TV/streaming to sample a few episodes and if I like it just purchase it once it comes to disc.
In general, I've monitored streaming services and availability of product enough to know to never rely on it for content. Just like broadcast and cable services, a program will be there one day and gone the next. I've seen enough of this churn over my lifetime to know that's *not* what I want any longer so I just purchase on disc what I enjoy or want to see. That way *I* decide what I'm interested in watching and can put on a program you'll never see on a streaming service or one that's not been seen on one for some time.
I watch 95% of my content via disc with the other 5% being a combo of cable and streaming. Cable if I'm just looking for background noise and I *always* select from Discovery, A&E, History, Travel, or Food Network for that. Streaming mostly to sample shows I might enjoy and purchase. I piggyback on a HBO-Go account for GOT but then purchase it once it comes out on disc.
Amazon Prime for occasional streaming. I have it mainly for the "free" shipping but since they have a somewhat limited selection of movies/TV I'll use that to sample stuff I may want to purchase on disc. I've also availed myself of the "$1 digital" bonus for using "slow boat" shipping. So far I've "purchased" 48 digital movies with those credits, mostly Warner Archive titles, since I see little difference in a digital copy over a MOD, or titles which have never had a physical media release or are OOP and very expensive. Lately all the "add on subscriptions" they're hawking, rather than adding new "free" content, has become a bit of a sore spot and I've complained repeatedly. If they offered "free" shipping without the streaming video/audio at a lower cost I'd likely jump on it.
I sampled Netflix at my son's house a couple of years ago and found it severly lacking in the content I prefer.
I love Star Trek but there's *no way* I'm shelling out for a subscription service to watch the new series. I'll wait for free TV/streaming to sample a few episodes and if I like it just purchase it once it comes to disc.
In general, I've monitored streaming services and availability of product enough to know to never rely on it for content. Just like broadcast and cable services, a program will be there one day and gone the next. I've seen enough of this churn over my lifetime to know that's *not* what I want any longer so I just purchase on disc what I enjoy or want to see. That way *I* decide what I'm interested in watching and can put on a program you'll never see on a streaming service or one that's not been seen on one for some time.
#39
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
I will chase the content I really want to see to any service that has it. The beauty of streaming is that you're not in a long term contract & most allow cancellation online.
So I weave in & out of various services. Drop them when I find I'm no longer watching & then sign back up if something good comes along. Supplement that with PPV for the handful of basic cable series I watch. And still come out ahead of what I was paying for satellite.
So I weave in & out of various services. Drop them when I find I'm no longer watching & then sign back up if something good comes along. Supplement that with PPV for the handful of basic cable series I watch. And still come out ahead of what I was paying for satellite.
#40
Moderator
Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
I have Dish and anticipate keeping it for the foreseeable future. I like the customer service and features they provide. I typically get the premium channels at a discount or free as part of being a long-term customer in good standing. I'm getting all the premiums now for 25/mo I think. This seems reasonable to me since 75% of the content I watch airs on these networks.
I also subscribe to Amazon, Netflix and Hulu. We don't really have time to keep up with shows on these platforms. I think I'll always be in a backlog. However, they do have good kids content.
I also subscribe to Amazon, Netflix and Hulu. We don't really have time to keep up with shows on these platforms. I think I'll always be in a backlog. However, they do have good kids content.
#41
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
I forgot about kids content. My daughter watches the Disney Junior and PBS Kids all the time. But those steams are free. The streams allow choosing the episode you watch rather than going with the one on the air.
#42
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Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
I activated Amazon Prime specifically to watch Man In The High Castle. Got all the episodes watched during the "free" 1st month grace period. Than I cancelled before the first payment came out. Did the same with Netflix last year for Daredevil season 1. Gonna do the same thing here in a couple of more weeks with Daredevil season 2 and Jessica Jones!
#43
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
I have DirecTV and will probably keep for live sports and there are cable shows that I like to watch in real time and not wait for Blu-Ray. I have Amazon Prime which I use for shipping and I like a couple of their original shows and sometimes I'll find indie or older movies on there that aren't on Netflix. I have Netflix and Hulu to catch up on past seasons of shows and I like a few of Netflix's shows and I also watch a lot of documentaries on Netflix. I also subscribe to HBO Now and Starz standalone.
#44
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
Cable, netflix, amazon.
I use amazon prime for the shipping, the photo storage and other prime goodies.
My kids love netflix, i cant cancel that.
My youngest daughter warches apple tv and the disney app a lot.
I think the future is all streaming, the kids will pick and choose what services to join, but cable is in real trouble in a few years from now... Thats why i think everyone is getting in on the streaming, kids barely watch tv shows, they wait for the stream...
Dont care enough about the cbs, nbc, hulu streaming network stuff, i just dvr what i really want to watdh on nerwork, and the new deciated cbs app shows i will catch way down the line at some point if they wre any good.
I use amazon prime for the shipping, the photo storage and other prime goodies.
My kids love netflix, i cant cancel that.
My youngest daughter warches apple tv and the disney app a lot.
I think the future is all streaming, the kids will pick and choose what services to join, but cable is in real trouble in a few years from now... Thats why i think everyone is getting in on the streaming, kids barely watch tv shows, they wait for the stream...
Dont care enough about the cbs, nbc, hulu streaming network stuff, i just dvr what i really want to watdh on nerwork, and the new deciated cbs app shows i will catch way down the line at some point if they wre any good.
#45
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
Just moved into a new place and opted for:
HBO Now (GoT, Silicon Valley, docs, etc.) - $14.99
Netflix (rarely watch, but looking forward to Power Man and Iron Fist) - $7.99
Hulu+ (Bachelor, Shark Tank, The Goldbergs, Modern Family) - $9.99
Amazon Prime (mostly for shipping and an occasional show I'm unable to stream otherwise like The Walking Dead and The Americans) - $10-ish (?)
Sucks that I don't get sports now, but can't justify another $40-$50 just to watch an occasional big game (like tomorrow night's game GSW-OKC game 7), The Americans, and The Walking Dead.
HBO Now (GoT, Silicon Valley, docs, etc.) - $14.99
Netflix (rarely watch, but looking forward to Power Man and Iron Fist) - $7.99
Hulu+ (Bachelor, Shark Tank, The Goldbergs, Modern Family) - $9.99
Amazon Prime (mostly for shipping and an occasional show I'm unable to stream otherwise like The Walking Dead and The Americans) - $10-ish (?)
Sucks that I don't get sports now, but can't justify another $40-$50 just to watch an occasional big game (like tomorrow night's game GSW-OKC game 7), The Americans, and The Walking Dead.
#46
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
I pay nothing for a full cable package, including Showtime and the cable box, because it is included via a bulk cable deal in my condo. The condo association pays $30/unit/month to TWC for the package (which gets passed on through association fees), which is still a good deal, because at retail, that bundle would cost $60-90, depending on promotions.
I have Amazon Prime because it saves more than its cost for my kids' diapers. Prime Video and Prime Music are bonuses for me.
Any other premium content (mostly HBO and Netflix), I head off to the high seas to obtain.
I've watched all 5 previous Star Trek series, but I can't fathom paying for CBS All Access just for that. It'll likely be the high seas for that too.
I have Amazon Prime because it saves more than its cost for my kids' diapers. Prime Video and Prime Music are bonuses for me.
Any other premium content (mostly HBO and Netflix), I head off to the high seas to obtain.
I've watched all 5 previous Star Trek series, but I can't fathom paying for CBS All Access just for that. It'll likely be the high seas for that too.
#47
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Chasing TV content -- Where do you and your bank account draw the line?
I have Amazon... mostly for the shipping. Other than that it is pretty much OTA. When OTA pickings get slim in the summer I might pay for a month of Netflix or the Sho/HBO/Starz streaming for Prime or Roku and binge watch what I want to see.