What is the cheapest possible way to get TV (not broadcast)? We have 3 options, Comcast cable (about $70), Dish Network (not sure, probably about the same $), and broadcast. Broadcast isn't an option due to poor reception and only a few local channels. We have internet and we have Tivo if that makes any difference.
By Bella Swan from Forks, WA
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Hi..I have Dish and pay 15.00. I don't think they really advertise this package. I had to call and ask. I get Food, History, Oxygen We, AMC, TLC, TBS, and a few others, plus my local channels.
We have dish for 30.00. Wish I knew how Dj402 gets it for 15! I don't get AMC, food, history...actaully none of those. We have the family pkg.
How about ditching the tv and watching movies on the internet for free like on aol video and fancast.
Also you could get a dvd player and rent tapes from the library for free i have an old vcr that I bought at a yard sale for $1.00. Ijust get tapes at the library or buy them for a quarter at a yard sale cheap entertainment with out paying for a monthly service package.
There is a site called hulu.com, that is supposed to show some programs for free, you may want to visit that and see if it suits you---if your internet connection is fast enough to not drive you crazy!
We pay $29/mo for DirecTV as part of an one year introductory rate. To keep costs down, regardless of whether you get your TV programming via Comcast or DirectTV, keep the services basic and leverage the threat of switching providers; they're hurting in this economy just like everyone else and will renew the introductory rate so that they can keep you as a customer.
If you have broadband Internet via Comcast, you can certainly get a lot of programming via Hulu and other sites, especially if you use applications like XBMC or Boxee to make viewing of content via the Internet a user-friendly experience. My brother does it this way and he is very satisfied. On top of that, a bittorrent client like utorrent along with The Episode Downloader (TED) adds to your episode options. It takes a little know-how to get set up this way, but works really well. Use the search engine on makeuseof.com to learn more.
Another dish option, Free to Air, is available after an initial investment in equipment. Here is the channel lineup (its not very impressive): www.ftalist.com/
If you were looking to cut costs but wanted a comfortable amount of entertainment, you could drop everything but your Internet service and use the Internet streaming options that people have mentioned. But you need some computer and Internet know-how and you may have to buy some equipment. Its a shift from the reliability of television but it works fine once you get used to it.
I looked up Forks, WA, on antennaweb.com and you're right, there aren't any options for broadcast television.
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