My Observations After Cutting Satellite TV

This was my redneck fix when a storm blew the tower down. This was our temporary fix.

In November of 2011 we chose to cut our Dish network and install an antenna TV. Here are some of my thoughts about this as I know others often consider this step.  I don’t know if it is helpful to you, but that is my hope.

What we have used since cutting Dish?

When we cut dish, we installed a HD antenna on a 40 foot tower.  A strong storm actually brought the first tower down and we rebuilt it again more securely in the spring of 2012.  We get all the major networks, public education station in Kentucky it is KET, and some other stations are available over the air.  The HD antenna cost about $150 and a friend, Joseph Williams, who knows about towers helped me install it and the tower.  I am indebted to him for all of his help.  He was most of the brains and the muscle!  The picture quality is fabulous.  We don’t always get every channel, as there are times when the reception is weak.  We can improve this by adding a booster, but have not done so yet.

We got an Apple TV and an iPad2 for Christmas in 2011.  We watch Netflix mostly through the Apple TV and sometimes will Airplay programs through the iPad.  There are many programs available through Apps and we watch some regularly and most are free.

What is our TV viewing like now?

1. We probably don’t watch much less TV, but we watch more planned and intentional programs.  Most of our programs now are through Netflix which we stream through the AppleTV.  The kids watch the Disney Junior app some.  
2. We use the antenna for watching the network stations.  I like watching sports on those stations on Sunday mostly.  The HD picture is great on these channels.
3. I miss watching lots of sports that I used to watch.  I miss ESPN, Golf Channel, and Speed.  Amanda doesn’t miss these. I have ESPN3 so an occasional sport will be on this and there are ways to watch other programs through the internet but they are not as good and as easy as watching through traditional means.  Amanda doesn’t watch some of her cooking or home shows that she used to watch either.

 What are my observations?

1. This has been good for me personally.  I watch less TV by myself and more TV as a family and with Amanda.  Most of our TV watching now is planned and specific so you monitor content more closely and watch it less in some ways.  
2. We are big believers in not just letting the TV stay on, but have it on to watch a show and then turn it back off.  We try to limit the kid’s viewing time to typically around 30 minutes to an hour on a normal day.  They will play the Wii some and do watch movies either through DVDs or Netflix, but these are not daily.
3. My biggest lesson, and this was a tough one for me, was to learn that sports could go fine without me watching them.  I know it might sound crazy, but with a DVR, I would record lots of my favorite programs like golf, racing, or an NBA game.  I would then feel pressure and desire to watch it, often quickly.  Though I miss this somewhat, it has helped me detach from sports and not be so focused upon them.  As Amanda is often telling me, “It doesn’t change my life any.”  I am better off using that time for other activities.  I still watch sports and follow the scores, but there is more freedom.  In a weird way, it has been freeing.  I hope that makes sense.  Most women or non-loving sports men will probably just think I am crazy.
4. It is great because you save lots of money!  We only spend money on Netflix which is $7.99 a month.  We rarely spend any more.  We used to spend like $60 dollars a month on our dish, now we save this money.
5. Some final random thoughts:

•  I think this is a good idea for many families.
• Though they are making progress with internet streaming, you do not come close to getting the same programing over the internet as you do with a subscription service.  The networks are controlling this so they can get the money.  I understand and don’t blame them.
• I hope this post has not been viewed as I am saying this is a “holier” way to do TV.  It is very possible that when our kids are older or grown that we will pay for more TV options.  But right now this is a good plan for us, as we only watch an hour of TV a couple of nights a week after the kids go to bed.  We don’t think this is right for everyone and don’t look down on others who have a paid cable or satellite plan.  In fact, we would be glad to come over and watch it sometime!!

What questions do you have?

Addition:  See comments for a list of available channels we get in Mayfield, Ky.  Thanks to Joseph for this list.