I used to write about television shows for one of my clients. We had cable, then upgraded to a DVR, and I got a tax write off. Oh my goodness, I would never have cable without a DVR again. It’s fabulous and should be standard equipment.
However, cable and DVRs are expensive, and last fall we cut every expense we could. I had stopped writing for that client right before Baby A was born, last spring, but the cable had stayed. It was one of the first things we canceled.
But… you can watch TV online for free! We downloaded software for $40 and we can watch Hulu on our actual television set.
We can watch hits, such as Lost, Fringe, and Stargate Universe (hmm, not that we’re sci-fi fans or anything.) Free! Granted, I have to wait until Lost actually airs (Hulu keeps the five most recent episodes of this season’s shows). I was doing that anyway with the DVR. We don’t let the kids watch any of those shows and they don’t go to bed until 9 pm.
Even better, Hulu has a full array of old shows, the complete series! Mr S likes Alf. Miss E really likes Emergency (from the 70s!). Miss V has watched every episode of The Littles (remember them?) twice.
Amazon has also recently rolled out Video on Demand. I haven’t had any luck getting that to play on the actual television, but if you want to try it on your computer, use code AVODGIFT and get $4 free! (I used this code last month, and didn’t see an expiration date. I’m not sure if it’s still good – if you try it, will you let me know?)
We also have Netflix and have more TV and movies than we can handle – without the cable bill. Works for Me!
Don’t forget that WFMW is back at Rocks in My Dryer this week and next, until Kristen’s back from Kenya.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
When Satellite was no longer here I thought I’d go crazy. I don’t watch much television, but what I do watch has always been older shows. Broadcast TV sucks eggs and I’ve never watched or been interested in any of the current shows.
Hulu and QucickSilverScreen were discovered and I don’t think I’ll ever need a Satellite/Cable bill agian! In the last couple of months I’ve watched the first three seasons of The Tudors. I’ve watched many episodes of The Facts of Life, Who’s the Boss, Bob Newhart, Welcome Back Kotter, Gilmore Girls, Love Boat, Eight is Enough…All my old favorites!
Better yet, I just watch right at the computer, and I have a desktop in an office, not a laptop so it’s always been television OR the computer…now, I can watch tv while looking for a job, or playing at STC or on FB or whatever else.
Online TV is the best!
I’m completely “Tech” ignorant- how do you view hulu on your TV set? Is there some sort of box/hookup?
You have to have a device – in our case, a PS3. Or, if you have a newer TV I *think* you can connect through a cable. We can watch Netflix play it now on our TV with it, too, and Netflix has a list of devices. Internet linked Blu-Ray players, XBox, and PS3s will work – a device that connects to the internet and to the TV.
We got our PS3 awhile ago off eBay. Then we bought software – tried TVersity (free software) and it stinks. Paid $40 for PlayOn (again, a while ago, not sure if that’s the same price) and it works.
Well, I want to cancel the sat tv, as it ruins family life. If you watch tv, you don’t do other things….. reading, playing with family, walking….
Living without tv is a bless, not a punishment.