3 ms·

I really, honestly, cannot wait to join the growing trend of ditching cable / satellite TV. I consume the vast majority of my content through Netflix, Hulu, an

I really, honestly, cannot wait to join the growing trend of ditching cable / satellite TV. I consume the vast majority of my content through Netflix, Hulu, and simply downloading episodes. That said, until the NCAA and NFL are willing to provide a stand-alone service that lets me subscribe to Georgia Tech and Atlanta Falcons football games, the whole concept of ditching cable is a non-starter for me. Since I'm no longer local to Atlanta, I have to have an option for viewing. ESPN3 is great for NCAA games but requires a partner cable subscription. I still usually resort to finding illegal streams of falcons games online since I have literally no other option. I recognize that HN might not be a bastion of football fans; but having grown up in Atlanta, GA, football is a part of fall that I'm just not willing to go without. Live sports are really the last stronghold that cable & satellite have.

javanix 16y ago
Fortunately, with ESPN3 I think things are getting better (and we'll eventually get to the point of full IPTV), but until every big game is available officially online, there's just going to be no way for me to ditch cable completely.
misotakacs 16y ago
ESPN3 does not require cable (tv) subscription, only cable company subscription. I have Comcast (only internet) and happily watch ESPN3. I understand you, I only get cable TV for NBA finals. Then I cancel it again :) On a big TV, ESPN3 is not always great enough quality.
mikeryan 16y ago
Live sports are not the last stronghold. There's a whole slew of shows which would whither and die without a cable subscription model. Think Food Network or Discovery or any show which isn't a serialized story model. Would you actually buy a season of Mythbusters?* I watch those shows all the time, but usually when I'm just browsing. I'm not sure I'd actually buy them ala carte. BTW NFL and NCAA aren't holding out on streaming. The rights to internet broadcast games are tied to their traditional cable and broadcast deals with cable providers and the Comcasts and TWCs of the world are locking in those restrictions. MLB is the only one who kept their streaming rights. * Note I'm not saying no one would - but I don't think enough people would
- duncanj 16y ago
  When I had Tivo, I definitely watched things like Modern Marvels, Mythbusters, etc, more than other things like whatever was supposed to be on at 8PM. If the model was based on recommendations and voting, like Tivo, I think a lot of those shows could definitely survive.
freshrap6 16y ago
ESPN3 is great especially now that you can get it through XBOX 360.

javanix 16y ago

Fortunately, with ESPN3 I think things are getting better (and we'll eventually get to the point of full IPTV), but until every big game is available officially online, there's just going to be no way for me to ditch cable completely.

misotakacs 16y ago

ESPN3 does not require cable (tv) subscription, only cable company subscription. I have Comcast (only internet) and happily watch ESPN3. I understand you, I only get cable TV for NBA finals. Then I cancel it again :) On a big TV, ESPN3 is not always great enough quality.

mikeryan 16y ago

Live sports are not the last stronghold. There's a whole slew of shows which would whither and die without a cable subscription model. Think Food Network or Discovery or any show which isn't a serialized story model. Would you actually buy a season of Mythbusters?* I watch those shows all the time, but usually when I'm just browsing. I'm not sure I'd actually buy them ala carte. BTW NFL and NCAA aren't holding out on streaming. The rights to internet broadcast games are tied to their traditional cable and broadcast deals with cable providers and the Comcasts and TWCs of the world are locking in those restrictions. MLB is the only one who kept their streaming rights. * Note I'm not saying no one would - but I don't think enough people would

duncanj 16y ago
When I had Tivo, I definitely watched things like Modern Marvels, Mythbusters, etc, more than other things like whatever was supposed to be on at 8PM. If the model was based on recommendations and voting, like Tivo, I think a lot of those shows could definitely survive.

freshrap6 16y ago

ESPN3 is great especially now that you can get it through XBOX 360.