Cable lost 500,000+ subscribers in Q3, thanks to the Web

[MrAnderson]

Cable should already be shifting services over to the Internet. Network television is on the decline. Time to start putting the heavy resources in moving data across the network. EVen if it is a multicast with rewind for TV and later on demand that would be cool. Pay perview's time has come, with exception of really big sporting events.

 

[matrix86]

Let's see...do i want to:
A.) watch cable TV with its constant advertising (including those annoying texts on the corner advertising an new show starting in a month...such as "Walking Dead / New Episode November 7")...I DON'T CARE! I'M TRYING TO WATCH A MOVIE AND YOUR TEXT IS ANNOYING!!!......sorry

or

B.) watch internet TV with its limited advertising that doesn't have those annoying adverts

Gee...wonder which one I like better

 

[VitaminC]

Moving from non-hd comcast to HD FIOS has been awesome. But i really wish there was a-la-carte channel packages. They will probably go that route when they figure out how to screw the customer a d bit more like that cell companies have with there metered pricing.

 

[Guest]

I hardly ever watch Television anymore, only thing I do use a T.V. for is my Xbox 360 and PS3. Cable is on the decline, and the power is going to the web. I spend more time on my laptop watching movies, and television shows easily accessible via Netflix, and Hulu. Rest in Peace Cable and Satellite.

 

[Guest]

Watch sports (Hockey, Basketball, Football etc) for free on ADTHE.NET

 

[ET3D]

I'm not in the US, so the net isn't a real alternative to cable/satellite. I think that in the long term there will be adjustment, where net shows will cost more and have more ads, while cable will have to lower prices and provide more targeted selection.

 

[peteyhawkins]

I haven't had sky / virgin media for years, and will continue not to have it! Online tv is so much better for time constrained people.

 

[DSparil]

Nothing's good on cable so it isn't surprising that this will happen. Heck. I haven't watched TV for almost a decade.

Unfortunately, not everyone can watch TV broadcasts on the Internet without the jitters due to limitations in bandwidth, but there will come a time when all countries can achieve Korea and Japan speeds.

 

[klepto12]

I for one don't have cable or satellite i watch everything online thru netflix or the such cable and other services have become so overpriced who would pay for them nowadays with everything that is readily available on your computer or ps3?

 

[akannitaoheed]

What do you expect when you have such a reach bouquet available mostly free on the internet. These cable guys better devise new strategies and innovative services to sustain their businesses and retain their customer base.

 

[Wildcatter]

My only real option around here is time warner. I have to yell at them every other week but i get cable + internet for under 80.

 

[AnonymousSurfer]

Was it the web? Or was it dish network... because I know that when I switched to dish that I'm never going back.

 

[spyx]

well DUH! the internet is both easier to acces and MUCH MUCH cheaper, Netflix is my choice and so far it is awesome I can pretty much watch anything on there

 

[dlen]

The issue is if the money from this switching goes to the same operator or different. In PL every cable operator provides internet so there is no difference in general if they provide slow internet + cable channels or fast internet and you get the TV from internet.

 

[EDO219]

My dry loop dsl is $20 a month, and I'm told the slowest standalone comcast internet is $70 a month in my neighborhood.

Yikes! Where I live, my Comcast cable Internet is only $19.99 a month.

Currently, I am paying an additional $30 a month for Concast cable TV service, but I am unsubscribing this week. The only reason I would keep it would be for specific channels such as National Geographic and the Science channel. Both are blocked to me, so Comcast can say adieu to this customer!

 

[Guest]

This comes down to value. Cable keeps raising prices and offering less quality entertainment in return. You didn't have very many choices in tha matter. Now along comes services in which you can watch what you want, when you want it at a better price. This is a better value for a lot of people so they have made the switch.

As for me, I've been off of cable for years. I use this really cool wireless technology. You connect an antenna to your TV and wow, you actually get free TV. With digital; the pictures are great and you have more channels vs analog. It really is a great value.

 

[windmill007]

Yeah nothing beats directv and DVR service. Sure you can get a lot over web but the convenience of DVR is awesome. But like cable they all keep raising rates. At some point it won't be worth it anymore. I'm sure GoogleTV or someone will offer what the Cable and Sat subscribers offer but at a cheaper price then u can say goodbye to cable and Sat or cheaper prices. I would welcome the cheaper prices!

 

[TwiztidSef]

I have pretty good internet at my house. I need to switch to netflix pretty soon. Running into a problem setting up the downstairs with a good system for this. May get Boxee or a descent laptop or something. But other than that, as soon as i have a system, I am switching to Netflix. I hear theres alot of good shows on it, and its pretty reliable.

My current cable consists of like 30 channels and several of those are actually duplicates. Really not worth what I am paying.

 

[Demons]

I haven't paid for cable in years. There is so little on worth watching these days. I'm totally fine with local HD and netflix. If there is something I really want to see on TV, there is Hulu as well as other sources online that I can use. I'm surprised the cable companies didn't see this trend coming.

 

[Appzalien]

The real problem with cable is its a sort of mini monopoly. In my municipality if I want cable I have to go with one company that has a deal with the city. It takes away any competition and allows them to put their prices way out of line. If the Government was doing their job, they would stop the insanity and force cable companies into competing for our business. If I could choose between Adelphia, Time Warner, Cox, Cable One or Comcast (Ohio cable), I'd bet the price for basic service would drop a little and premium would drop tremendously. But without competition we get screwed.

 

[jazboy]

I also believe that either cable company should bring their price down or start slowing shifting to web. I pay around $80 bugs per month and i am seriously thinking to shift to netflix. The only things i will loose is live news. that is the reason i am stick with Cable. I assume soon or late netflix , hulu or other company will come with solution for this too.

 

[mesteele101]

I dumped my expanded cable service and now only have what they call Broadcast Cable (local channels only - $10 Month). The rest of what I watch is streamed from my PC to my TiVo and then watched. When I get the time I have an antenna that should bring in all the local stuff, including local HD. The cable companies are so arrogant! Let them rot in their own excrement!

 

[TwiztidSef]

Its really difficult to decrease the costs of cable. Most cable company's have to hire quite a few technicians and such to keep it running. The same could be said about the internet but its a different service. I think once you have a descent internet connection, then you might as well switch.

Its really too bad. Alot of people work for cable companies. If this continues, satellite offices may start shutting down and such.

 

[freythman]

They're about to lose another. Calling tomorrow to turn it off

 

[xcelofjkl]

Cable is cheap where I'm from. I always work with my TV on. Even if I aint watching haha.