What is the most cost effective way to watch TV news and shows? We live in a very remote area on a small non-profit farm and can't afford any more increases.
We have The Dish, however it went up in cost 77 dollars this month! (And they said it wasn't going to go up for two years.) What I understand is it won't go up after this payment! I wasn't expecting that extra 77 dollar expense.
So how can we still see shows on a computer/TV? We don't have a fast land line nor a cell phone with unlimited internet. I've just learned of Hulu and wonder if there are other options? Or how can we combine a win/win situation! Thanks a head of time!
By Suzanne
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We live in a rural area and use a tower antenna. We don't pay anything for our tv.viewing. We get about 15 different channels. Although they are affected by the weather and if a airplane flies over. We had to buy the converter boxes but applied for the government coupon which helped pay for them.
If a person lives in a rental you can't put up an antenna. Are there some channels that you can eliminate? I don't know how the dish companies are about things like that. I only pay for basic cable. In the apartment complex that I live in, at this time, basic cable is provided as a thank you for renting from them. I get 55 channels, there are some that I watch occasionally and some that I don't watch at all, but as long as they are free I'm not going to complain. I would check and see if there are some channels that you could eliminate to lower your fee.
We have cable for our internet; but we only watch whatever TV comes through the air or that we can get on the computer. Yes, we miss some stuff, but we pay under 20 dollars per month for the internet; and other than that, the electricity to run the TVs and computers is the only expense. News is readily available online. Many TV shows are. Movies we borrow from the public library.
We cannot have a tower antenna in our neighborhood due to deed restrictions; but may invest around 100 dollars for at HD antenna that will strengthen what we get. I refuse to give over money for television shows so that I can sit on my bottom and vegetate. We find plenty to watch on the few channels we do get, and are not slaves to the TV. And it seems every time I am in a motel or visiting relatives who do have cable, I am reminded why we decided not to take cable service in the first place!
I too live in a vert remote area. The only options I have found for high speed internet are Hughes.net which is satelite internet and VerizonWireless. Both are fairly expensive for my taste but they may be cheaper than $77 a month. When I did some research for other providers some came up but where not available in my area.
We actually get DirectTV for television but we have had it for over 9 years now. The price is still very low compared to new subscribers. The only thing I can suggest regarding DirecTV savings is. If you know someone with DirecTV you can sign up using their account number. This buddy system gets you $100 and them $100. Use your hundred to offset the cost of the service. And if the person whos account number you used is a good friend they may give you their hundred for the cost of a dinner out.
But as others have said, a fast internet will allow you to watch just about anything on TV. If you join SwapaDVD you can trade DVDs for other movies you would like to watch for pennies compared to theaters. Another option would be netflix but I haven't looked into the service. I have been impressed by their AD though. Something to look into.
We have the Direct TV and the buddy system, which is $100.00 for you & $100.00 for your buddy. It is not cash. They deduct $10.00 a month off your bill for 10 months.
If you don't have a fast internet connection (land line) or a cell phone with unlimited data, it doesn't sound like you have many options other than OTA (over the air). Netflix, Hulu, and all the other choices are going to require a broadband connection to give you a watchable solution.
Have you called Dish to find out why your bill went up? Don't they advertise that they have the best customer service?
I went with OTA TV for almost 2 years and it wasn't that bad. I found a FEW decent shows on regular network TV.....but I did miss Food Network, HGTV, and some of the other cable/sat channels.
I suppose it won't be long before somebody shows up talking about FTA and posting tons of links to their affiliate sites. I don't have any experience with FTA, but feel free to do your own research on that.
Other solutions:
- borrow/rent movies from library, Redbox, Blockbuster, etc;
- buy cheap movies from Walmart;
- buy/rent TV seasons on DVD;
- ask friends/neighbors if they can record shows for you (VHS/DVD) and watch them a few days later.
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