Cost of sports is driving views to cut the cord

VideoEagle · August 14, 2013

Was just reading this from Variety. The topic comes up here from time to time and the article warns of a death spiral for cable - if too many people cut the cord for internet alternatives that forces cable/satellite providers to raise prices even more which drives still more away.

ESPN averages $5.71 a sub a month!

The article is not behind any pay barriers, at least not as of 3pm Wednesday.

oldguystudent · August 14, 2013

Cut cable nearly five years ago. Haven't missed it a bit. Not one bit. Rarely if ever do I turn my TV on when the kid's not around.

Stan R · August 14, 2013

Cut cable last year. Horribly painful, but the pain will ease. Substituted with netflix. :gym:

Greenrex · August 14, 2013

I watch very little TV...used to be a TV nut.

UNT Five&Dime · August 14, 2013

1 month after cutting I wondered why I didn't do it sooner. Plus, I can finally feed my babies!

Stan R · August 14, 2013

having said that I cut my cable - I would have no problem at all paying to watch individual NT away games through MG premium or somesuch.

MeanMag · August 14, 2013

It's incredible that the whole tv/cable industry hasn't undergone a massive recalibration to a la carte programming yet. It's going to come. There's too many options for entertainment now.

oldguystudent · August 14, 2013

Netflix is changing everything, but their model probably isn't sustainable. They paid a LOT to get shows like House of Cards. There aren't that many people out there shelling out the eight bucks to sustain it.

I'll enjoy it while it lasts, then I'll move on. I've got better things to do like drink beer at the Main Street Drafthouse.

Harry · August 14, 2013

My wife is the only reason I haven't yet

ColoradoEagle · August 14, 2013

The most you're gonna save in a year is $600-700 and that's if you're not a sports fan. By the time you add in MLB.tv, NBA League Pass, and the workaround to watch a local team (which may or may not work as time progresses), you're only talking a $200-300 difference a year.

I can see it being worth it for someone who doesn't watch sports or too many cable shows. For everyone else, it's cumbersome at the moment.

Stan R · August 14, 2013

You're gonna save in a year $600-700 and I'm a sports fan. By the time you add in ~~MLB.tv,~~ ~~NBA League Pass~~, and the workaround to watch a local team

MLB = rangers Fridays on TXA21 (HD antenna)and occasional checking espn app.

NBA = don't care unless - wake me up when Mavs are in the playoffs

local teams = plenty enough to watch on local channels.

ColoradoEagle · August 14, 2013

MLB = rangers Fridays on TXA21 (HD antenna)and occasional checking espn app.

NBA = don't care unless - wake me up when Mavs are in the playoffs

local teams = plenty enough to watch on local channels.

I like watching Rangers and occasionally an Astros game more often than once or twice a week. UNT is on FSN, FXS1, CBSCS, and FCS this year. Cable isn't just Mavs, but also all of the TNT commentary. Also there's Monday Night and Thursday Night NFL.

You can watch a good amount of NFL, a game or two a week of MLB, and occasional NBA without cable and get by so long as you don't care about sports Monday-Thursday.

Edited August 14, 2013 by ColoradoEagle

JKvsHimself · August 14, 2013

I only use TV for live events now basically.

Netflix consumed me...

GrayEagle · August 15, 2013

Given a choice of sports or movies, I'd pay double to watch sports. Except for a few prime time network shows and sports I seldom watch TV. Like the others, cable package shows are for the wife.

UNTexas · August 15, 2013

I don't have cable. I have Direct TV with every single channel and it's awesome. Pure savagery to not have it.

THOR · August 15, 2013

I'm lazy..

Don't like having to hook up the computer to the TV...I like switching channels during commercials....I like watching rugby and footy for short spurts of time...I love my uverse with all the channels....yes...I pay a lot but I drink cheap beer by the truckload so its a great trade off...

oldguystudent · August 15, 2013

footy for short spurts

Ah, yes. The old fetish channel.

THOR · August 15, 2013

Ah, yes. The old fetish channel.

Hahaha...dick! Australian football...much manlier and tougher than any American sport...love it! We will have a footy to kick around at tailgating this year ..