As Netflix rolls out original programming like "House of Cards," it's taken the spotlight as a competitor to traditional cable networks. Soon however, the network will have additional competition from the likes of Amazon and Microsoft's X-box, as well as other providers. With a wealth of programming now available online, what's keeping you from cancelling your cable subscription?
Several of you wrote in to say that "RuPaul's Drag Race" prevented you from axing your cable.
On Facebook, Sonia Diaz from Coral Gables, Florida writes that HBO and Showtime programming keep her paying that monthly cable fee.
Listener Patrick says he needs cable for Michigan State Basketball, and Diane from Lyndhurst, New Jersey says she's kept her cable for her 87-year-old-dad because he enjoys the westerns -- especially ones starring John Wayne -- and the Yankees.
But some of you are happily cable-free. Listener Shelley writes, "We've been cable free for two years and love it. The only time we feel a sting is with the ESPN-only broadcast of college bowl games. Everything is available online or on Netflix."
Brian Stelter, media reporter for our partner The New York Times, says that online programming is likely the future of television -- and that cable networks should be wary.
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The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International, in collaboration with New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
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Comments [6]
I cancelled cable in 2009 upon return of the basic cable box. Not only would it make my TV remote useless, I felt the box might be bidirectional. Now I have a tiny computer connecting a TV antenna and a flatscreen that records up to four shows at a time.
Even with shows like House of Cards and Mad Men, cable TV is mostly pseudo-reality shows and reruns. While the premium channels rely on R-rated content to sell their stories. The broadcast networks still produce more original content than all of cable. ABC's Scandal has more drama and intrigue than Homeland (yes, I just put that out there) and the CW's Vampire Diaries has more cliffhangers than True Blood. And I'm not even "into vampires".
Then there are the sitcoms. Cable's got Larry David and...? Every week I watch hilarious comedies with funny actors of all backgrounds. Since 2007, broadcast television has been giving us more bang for the buck... and it's FREE!
a house of cards is an expression for an unstable structure.How ironic if this show "House Of Cards" show helps brings down the unstable Cable from everybody's home.
Unfortunately the salaries paid to those who create these shows is not part of the discussion. These new internet companies (Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, etc..) do not pay the crew as much as networks or cable. It should come as no surprise that those at the bottom, carpenters, painters, grips, production assistants, wardrobe, etc.. suffer the most. What I find most annoying is that many of these companies profited from pirated content for years and now have turned around to produce the content themselves but refuse to pay fair wages. First you steal the product, then you knock it off with cheap labor.
Our common sense convinced us to give up the Time Warner monopoly three plus years ago, and we don't miss it at all! There's so much content out there, between Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, our fab independent neighborhood video place (shout out to Alan's Alley!), and the local PBS and other stations we pull from the air that we'll never go back to paying so much for so little. You lose, Time Warner, FiOS, et al!
We're also over 40 years old, and know we're in good company, so damn the supposed statistics that only the under-30s are doing it.
John, you called Michigan State "Trojans"?! There were friendly snickers all around as Wolverines from University of Michigan heard Sparty's new gaffe-sponsored moniker from our old buddy that grew up in Michigan. Tee hee hee.
I cancelled cable (Dish) a year ago and don't miss it a bit. Roku with Netflix and Hulu; and my computer hooked up to my flat screen or even my iPad is all I need. So I have to watch Jon Stewart at lunch the next day. I don't miss much.
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