Switching From Cable To Internet-Only: Pros and Cons

Our Clear modem

I had previously made a declaration that we were cancelling our cable TV service, but it was a bit premature. Now, I can say with all confidence: our cable is over. We turned it off and switched to Clear for just Internet service. All of our TV shows are streamed from Hulu Plus and Netflix, with an occasional Zune purchase through our Xbox 360.

This means:

• No cable wires
• No cable box/DVR
• No need to get a separate box/set-up to watch stuff on another TV set (we just move the small slim Clear tower to another room and plug it in)
• Saving about $150 a month
• Access to whole seasons/complete runs of a lot of classic/cult TV, including X-Files, Xena, Lost, and, starting this Summer, most of the Star Trek franchise

Downsides:

Some of what we no longer need

• We can't watch most episodes at exactly the same time they are first-run (usually have to wait a day or at least the next morning)
• Some TV shows, like Community, are available on Hulu Plus only as web exclusives
• Have to carefully avoid spoilers until episodes are available
• No "convergence" yet, have to flip through about three different services (all of which have a relatively small access fee)

So there you have it, the pros and cons of going cableless. It works for me (I have enough anime to watch until like forever), but it might not work for you. However, I think this online-only model is where things are headed, as part of a greater movement towards smaller devices and virtual media.

What do you think? Agree/disagree? Let me know!