TV via an Alternate Wire

Over the last year, I've moved exclusively from disc-based movies to those streamed over the Net. It just seems like a more natural way to watch a movie at home. We spent more than a dozen years with video tape, half that number viewing DVDs, but only a year or so watching Blu-ray discs. I'd expect we're like most people.



The next step is television itself. For a decade we've been getting television via satellite. With the addition of a PVR, that seemed like such an enormous improvement over standard cable. Now, I realize just how much can also come to my television via my Internet connection. I made a folder on the desktop of my media computer and added the links for particular programs we watch via the website of traditional television networks. If one combines that method with the few TV shows from Hulu or Netflix, we'd be pretty much covered. Why should we be paying $50+ to Bell, our satellite provider? They are not responsive nor have I developed an affinity for the faceless mega-corporation. It really is time to cut that cord, and demand most all electronic entertainment to come into the house via the other connection.

It'd not be easy to stick to the programs on schedule and more difficult than just surfing the channels with a remote control. Yet, in order to save $600 / year, I think I can put up with these minor inconveniences.