Cable TV packages

[JamesDouglas]

With the mandated introduction of the $25/month "skinny" cable packages, how many Canadians have switched to this option, or downgraded their current cable package?

Rogers kept jacking up my bill, so I decided that I would downgrade my cable package from "VIP" to "Select". This wasn't such a difficult decision because I rarely watch cable TV, and when I do spend time in front of my TV I usually opt to watch Netflix over the very limited and poor choices offered on the 130+ channels that I had in my VIP package. I find that the only cable TV I watch is are sporting events and news, and with my new package I still have Sportsnet, TSN, CP24, and CNN, so it's all I need, and I'm very happy with my downgraded cable package.

 

[TeeJay]

I find it funny people complain about lack of content on cable, yet are perfectly happy with Netflix
I would surmise it is the cost of the services that are a bigger issue

I don't know what the average Canadian is watching but I am willing to bet Netflix has (at most) 3 new movies per month
Then a whole deluge of old crap noone watches unless they are bored or do not own any dvd/blu rays

Heck even TMN has more programming per month than Netflix does

 

[Insidious Von]

Correct me if I'm wrong but Netflix does not offer FX programming.

Presently FX is killing it, all the series they showcased this year (Taboo, Feud and Fargo) have all been excellent. IMHO Fargo S3 is the best dramatic series currently airing. Ewan McGregor plays twin brothers living under different circumstances and David Thewlis is killing it as a retired Russian Secret Service Agent using his network to amass a fortune by any means. He can also be seen in the Wonder Woman movie.

If You Tube brings out a subscription service, I'd rather pay for that then Netflix. Google is in the process of negotiating an umbrella contract with content providers.

 

[Butler1000]

Cancelled all my cable last month. Using a kodi box.

And not missing anything. 100 bucks a month extra now.

If the skinny packages let you pick what you wanted then I would probably go back. But they don't. So they lost me. I have an antenna as well.

 

[JamesDouglas]

I find it funny people complain about lack of content on cable, yet are perfectly happy with Netflix
I would surmise it is the cost of the services that are a bigger issue

I don't know what the average Canadian is watching but I am willing to bet Netflix has (at most) 3 new movies per month
Then a whole deluge of old crap noone watches unless they are bored or do not own any dvd/blu rays

Heck even TMN has more programming per month than Netflix does

I'm guessing you don't have Netflix, they actually regularly update their content and the quality of their offerings is pretty good and way better than cable TV. When it first came out it was awful, and had old useless content that nobody would be interested in watching, but they've dramatically improved in the past year. There are tons of new comedy specials, shows, documentaries and blockbuster movies from 2016.

The only reason to keep cable nowadays is for live sports, and the reason why I still have it, but as soon as an online streaming service offers live sports that will be the end of cable.

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

With the mandated introduction of the $25/month "skinny" cable packages, how many Canadians have switched to this option, or downgraded their current cable package?

Rogers kept jacking up my bill, so I decided that I would downgrade my cable package from "VIP" to "Select". This wasn't such a difficult decision because I rarely watch cable TV, and when I do spend time in front of my TV I usually opt to watch Netflix over the very limited and poor choices offered on the 130+ channels that I had in my VIP package. I find that the only cable TV I watch is are sporting events and news, and with my new package I still have Sportsnet, TSN, CP24, and CNN, so it's all I need, and I'm very happy with my downgraded cable package

I'm like you, I only watch news and live HD sports. I rarely watch TV shows, and whatever movies I want to watch I just download over the web.

How much do you currently pay for your cable??

 

[ets2361]

I also only watch news and sports on a regular basis and find all I need with internet on my computer that I hook up my big screen tv to. As for movies or shows they are available online as well and so the big cable bill is totally a waste of money. There are many live sports streaming sites out there some of them legal some of them not but if you use a good anti virus program you have no problems.

Some examples are

http://cricfree.sx/
http://livetv.sx/en/

while the quality of some of the streams may not be HD many are very good quality and pretty well every sporting event in the world is covered including all of the Canadian sports channels and the price is $zero. All you have to do is close a few add pop ups at the start but if you use these sites make sure you use a good anti virus program. I have used them for years with no problems at all.

 

[Insidious Von]

The film studios want Rotten Tomatoes shut down, they say it's hurting their box-office. In other words, they want greater control to rip you off on bad films.

I already know that John Boyega is a good actor developing into a great one. I fully endorse No. 1.

 

[xxxhackerxxx]

i have cancelled my rogers cable & i switch to iptv box for only $10 a month better than rogers & i get lots of channels such as all sports, movies, ppv, porn, bunch of different languages, all hd/4k, canadian & u.s, .. so far it has not failed on me

 

[dirkd101]

The skinny packages are shit when you start adding in a few extra channels, ending up being an over-priced option to have less content. Just like the cell phone packages here, they got worse when the government mandated 2 year plans max.

 

[Butler1000]

I also only watch news and sports on a regular basis and find all I need with internet on my computer that I hook up my big screen tv to. As for movies or shows they are available online as well and so the big cable bill is totally a waste of money. There are many live sports streaming sites out there some of them legal some of them not but if you use a good anti virus program you have no problems.

Some examples are

http://cricfree.sx/
http://livetv.sx/en/

while the quality of some of the streams may not be HD many are very good quality and pretty well every sporting event in the world is covered including all of the Canadian sports channels and the price is $zero. All you have to do is close a few add pop ups at the start but if you use these sites make sure you use a good anti virus program. I have used them for years with no problems at all.

Get kodi. Even more selection and eliminates the pop ups for you. No virus issues either. Free to download and lots of tutorials for getting the addons.

I used to do it your way. Believe me kodi rocks.

 

[TeeJay]

If You Tube brings out a subscription service, I'd rather pay for that then Netflix. Google is in the process of negotiating an umbrella contract with content providers.

Hulu kills Netflix in terms of shows & they recently added live TV as well

 

[TeeJay]

I'm guessing you don't have Netflix, they actually regularly update their content and the quality of their offerings is pretty good and way better than cable TV.

And you would guess wrong
I actually have free Netflix
I also have Bell Fibe & Hulu both of which I watch far more than Netflix (both also have live tv for sports fans)
I look at their monthly new releases regularly and they are quite ghetto

If you want to see real movie selection check out Vudu

 

[Twister]

Get kodi. Even more selection and eliminates the pop ups for you. No virus issues either. Free to download and lots of tutorials for getting the addons.

I used to do it your way. Believe me kodi rocks.

Now they have Kodi 17 doesn't work on all boxes, someone told me that 16 will be phased out and you won't be able to use it anymore. You'll need to get a box that can handle it.
The other night I tried to look a the Jays games it was buffering like crazy. On the computer its not a problem..

 

[james t kirk]

I have Bell FIBE for TV. Their "select" package which is between "good" and "better"

What I watch mainly are"

TMN (HBO)
1500's
1600's

I haven't watched regular TV channels in 5 years I would figure.

Timely discussion as my "promo" with Bell Fibe is about to expire after 2 years. I called them recently to talk about renewals (I actually have everything Bell offers - land line, internet, Fibe TV, and mobility with Bell) It all adds up to $300 a month. Which isn't cheap. Service is good for the most part.

I wanted to talk about getting a better deal or at the very least the same deal and they offered me next to nothing. (My package promo deal expires in July.) Buddy told me to call back in July.

Any words of wisdom as to getting the best deal out of Bell.

I told them that I had called Rogers and they were offering a far better package deal, etc. But I would prefer to stay with Bell. Buddy then went on to slag Rogers saying how their internet system is shit, it's a shared system, their phone system is analogue and can easily be hacked. He said that internet speeds with Rogers may be promised at 150. but it's not unusual for it to drop to 8. I find all this hard to believe. Sounded almost slanderous actually. I reminded him that Bell's data had recently been hacked, so so much for their wonderful security.

 

[Butler1000]

Now they have Kodi 17 doesn't work on all boxes, someone told me that 16 will be phased out and you won't be able to use it anymore. You'll need to get a box that can handle it.
The other night I tried to look a the Jays games it was buffering like crazy. On the computer its not a problem..

Yup. I'm getting a new box this weekend actually. But for the price compared to cable as well as convenience for the large screen the box is worth it.

 

[GPIDEAL]

I'm so confused.

My condo has a basic digital cable contract with Rogers which is included in my maintenance fee.

I pay up to $80 on top of that for TMN, HD channels, HBO, FX I think, etc. etc. but I don't really watch enough TV to warrant it.

I also have a XBMC or KODI box which I haven't installed yet (shit, it's already 6 months old - I should hook it up).

I also have a 55" widescreed Smart TV that I haven't hooked up but I should.

I'd like to streamline or be more selective in my Cable TV viewing options, but my minimum digital basic TV is something I can't opt out of.

Our building was Bell Fibe too connected. Maybe there is a way to get away from Rogers. But which oligopoly is the lesser of two evils?

I like my series like Better Call Saul (basic digital would include that) or some of the HBO series.

 

[fuji]

I haven't had cable in years.

Netflix is the new basic cable. Good enough you can find something to entertain you if you're not picky. Just like basic cable.

You can rent premium content from iTunes, Google Play, or in the US, Amazon Video for movie night and at least in the US you can now steam sports as well.

 

[Twister]

I'm so confused.

My condo has a basic digital cable contract with Rogers which is included in my maintenance fee.

I pay up to $80 on top of that for TMN, HD channels, HBO, FX I think, etc. etc. but I don't really watch enough TV to warrant it.

I also have a XBMC or KODI box which I haven't installed yet (shit, it's already 6 months old - I should hook it up).

I also have a 55" widescreed Smart TV that I haven't hooked up but I should.

I'd like to streamline or be more selective in my Cable TV viewing options, but my minimum digital basic TV is something I can't opt out of.

Our building was Bell Fibe too connected. Maybe there is a way to get away from Rogers. But which oligopoly is the lesser of two evils?

I like my series like Better Call Saul (basic digital would include that) or some of the HBO series.

Why pay extra $80 a month if you don't watch it..hook up your box, many series.

 

[xxxhackerxxx]

Now they have Kodi 17 doesn't work on all boxes, someone told me that 16 will be phased out and you won't be able to use it anymore. You'll need to get a box that can handle it.
The other night I tried to look a the Jays games it was buffering like crazy. On the computer its not a problem..

ive compared this kodi & iptv the result was that iptv is much better.. iptv dont buffer at all & you get to choose if you want hd or 4k.. iptv box have a remote & you just have to remember that channel.. kodi needs to find a better link, too much clicking, buffering, not too much hd, the more add-ons you have the slower it gets...