Cable TV, Satellite TV, Internet TV... whatcha watchin'

[BillCable]

Well due to my dependency on DTV for the Sunday Ticket, I'm unlikely to change anytime soon. 

I can certainly appreciate that.  I initially switched to DirecTV when I was living in Harrisburg and the NFL decided Baltimore was the "local" team.  For a few years DirecTV was the only way to see half the Steeler games.  But eventually the fan revolt was successful, and I think in 2007/08 there were a grand total of TWO Steeler games that weren't broadcast, so I decided to drop Sunday Ticket and catch those two at bars.  I still kept DirecTV until I moved, though.

[Matt_Fury]

It depends on if you have an HDTV or not.  DirecTV's HD is crap.  FiOS is gorgeous.  Normal broadcast DirecTV is fine... even though I did lose signal during heavy rain or snow.

I have HD and no problems at all.

[EdSolo]

If anyone wants to experience a completely horrible cable company check out mediacom.  They specialize in more rural areas.  Typically the cable or internet goes out at least once a week.  Also they are the only 800 number I have ever called and received a busy signal.  Everytime you call about an outage they tell you that there is no outage in your area and that at least three people have to report one before they can come out and do anything...a bit hard to do if you live in a rural area without a lot of people.  For all the comcast haters, you would beg to have comcast over mediacom.  I have both between two different houses and comcast is head and shoulders above mediacom.

[Jesse James]

The impression I got when looking for a TV last fall/Winter was that the TV had more to do with the quality than the provider, and the providers were more or less in a pissing match with each other. 

I got a great huge DLP in a deal before Christmas, and the picture's gorgeous.  It's the best hockey season ever for me, as far as game clarity.  I'm anxious for a full NFL season now with it.  Like I said, we're Comcast and everything's fantastic through it, and hardly ever any issues at all with all 3 services (and I live a very hilly/mountainy and rural area where trees are in lines and weather sucks).  I think if you're happy with your current service, stick with it. 

[Phrubruh]

I've switched from Directv to FIOS. The HD is fantastic! Much better than Directv. I also enjoy super fast fiber internet connection. 25x faster than DSL can't be beat. It's a trip to download 500mb in 10 seconds.

[Nathan]

People watching TV in online-only format (e.g. cord-cutters) holding steady at about 4% of US population: http://bit.ly/daLZoj

I've been essentially cordless for three and a half months, when I moved out of my parents' place. Being technologically-savvy young lads, my roommate and I didn't see the need to pay for cable when both of us watch everything we want online (Hulu, Netflix streaming, etc.)

The only thing I miss is the news/current events, but I try to catch that when I drop by my parents'.

[Nicklab]

There have been rumors that Hulu would start charging for their content.  But they do have a pretty amazing service.  As for news, most of the major networks are putting their content on the web.  You just have to wait until after the broadcasts because they air those spots on the broadcast networks before they offer them on the web.

[JesseVader08]

I was so excited to check out Hulu until I found out they can't provide content to Canada. 

[BrentS]

I was so excited to check out Hulu until I found out they can't provide content to Canada. 

I was traveling in Germany last fall for business and found myself having problems sleeping.  So I figured, I'd take advantage of the time and try to watch a couple shows I'd missed on ABC.com and/or Hulu.  I discovered then that apparently, even if I log in through a US based VPN, they still don't broadcast that content outside the US.  So I stared at the ceiling instead.