Cancel Directv???

[Tink2000]

Our contract is up in Dec. and we are trying to decide if we should cancel. Thoughts, suggestions, pros, cons ?????
I'm really lost and confused about the other options.

 

[Pigeon]

We've got an antenna and Netflix. No cable, no dish, no problem. There is no "must have" programming as far as we are concerned.

 

[DawnM]

We cancelled almost 3 years ago.

HOwever, we weren't sure we wanted to cancel either, so we opted to put our account on hold for 6 months. That is the max they will allow in a given year.

We wanted to see if we could live without it. We use an antenna.

We have been FINE for 3 years and saved $3,600 in the process.

DaWn

 

[erincon23]

What other options are you looking at? We also have DirecTV. I looked at switching to UVerse and Comcast, but both would end up costing a lot more, even with their supposed new customer discounts (you have to pay for all the equipment and installation, the monthly receiver charges were higher, etc). My DH called DirecTV last week - all of a sudden, charges for 2 pay per view movies from 2010!!!! came up on our bill - they reversed the two charges (honestly, I don't remember if we actually watched those movies or not), and they transferred him to the Retention department, where they offered to take $20/month for a year off our bill.

So - unless your options are like what PPs have posted - to not have any cable service and go with antenna and Netflix-type stuff, be sure to do your homework on pricing. That's not really an option for us in our neighborhood, but we're happy with DirecTV.

 

[mrsabbott]

I wish we could cancel ours! It's not that there aren't tv shows I enjoy watching, because there are quite a few. And not all of them are on Netflix. But I could survive, and probably happily, without cable. Hubs, however, could not.

 

[Theaberdeenkid]

I wish we could cancel ours! It's not that there aren't tv shows I enjoy watching, because there are quite a few. And not all of them are on Netflix. But I could survive, and probably happily, without cable. Hubs, however, could not.

If you can survive without watching mostly live TV, that is if you can watch something the day after or so a program airs on live TV then you could probably cut the cord.

How:
Firstly get a streaming device such as Roku.
Then some content:
Netflix, Amazon, Redbox, Hulu Plus, etc.
I use a PC program with my Roku called Playon. With this I can stream just about anything I want from the web, such as regular Hulu and any tv show from a broadcasters website that they post online; the voice, Jon Stewart, hgtv, et cetera.
The only downside is that you need to keep you PC on to watch.

 

[mrsabbott]

Hubs loves racing and that is the biggest reason we keep cable. I don't usually ever watch live tv. I tend to dvr or watch on demand mostly.

 

[jenny105]

Recently we called to cancel and were given a ton of free stuff - NFL network, Showtime, Starz, and $30 off for 12 months if we stayed with them another year. We took it!

 

[wiigirl]

Recently we called to cancel and were given a ton of free stuff - NFL network, Showtime, Starz, and $30 off for 12 months if we stayed with them another year. We took it!

Nice!

 

[pryncess527]

Sports is what keeps us tied to cable, it's virtually impossible to replace ESPN

I'd say to make a decision, sit down and think about what programs you consider Must Have. If the list is mostly network television, you'll be fine with an antenna. If it's network television and a few cable shows available online or dvd and you don't mind waiting, then antenna and netflix will probably be enough.

If you are addicted to sports and/or TLC, you might need to keep cable. Or reconsider your addictions :lol

 

[kymom99]

We can't let go of DTV because of the baseball games. I called and only got $10 off for 6 months. Hats off to the poster who got $30 off for a year. I think once the season is over I will reduce to a smaller package until April rolls around again.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Watch "free" channels for a year. After that year, those channels will be added to your bill if you don't call & cancel them.

When our children were ages 8-12 (3 of them), our tv broke (yes, we only had 1; we've always been frugal). DH & I decided not to buy another one - the kids needed to be out of the house & playing instead of sitting in front of the tv.

For 3 years we did not have a tv & this was before computers. DH & I loved it & strangely, the kids did not complain! I think they just sat in front of the tv because it was there & allowed them to "zone out" on life.

No tv definitely increased our family time & interaction. We all physically moved more. No one got grouchy because others were making too much noise while their fav program was on, etc.

Fast forward 3 years, & my parents felt "sorry" for the kids & bought a new tv for us! Graciously we accepted the "gift"! However - no cable & only educational viewing were the new rules - Discovery, History, etc. Also, no tv until it was dark outside, & no tv while getting ready for school/work in the mornings!

I recommend no tv for all families. Give it a try - it's magical! . And if an adult insists "No!", advise them they need to refocus on their main responsibility - the family, not themselves.

 

[ceemys]

We've got an antenna and Netflix. No cable, no dish, no problem. There is no "must have" programming as far as we are concerned.

Yep! this is what we did. But we also have hulu. With all the TV apps out there and the online TV, there isn't much you can't watch. We do miss TLC and Bravo because those channels do not load their shows. But we have learned to live without it. My daughter watches Disney Junior's app for her shows.

 

[maplevale]

We've got an antenna and Netflix. No cable, no dish, no problem. There is no "must have" programming as far as we are concerned.

This is all we have too. I love that our 'entertainment' cost is about $12 a month (plus internet which we would have regardless). Sometimes I miss having more TV options - but I realize by the time the kids are in bed I don't have the time to watch much anyway. Last night we did watch HIMYM online and it was great since I always miss the 8pm show while putting the kids down!

 

[Tink2000]

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. I talked with my 13 year old last night about it and she is not thrilled but i am ok with that. I really think come Dec. we are going to give this a try.

 

[jenny105]

Watch "free" channels for a year. After that year, those channels will be added to your bill if you don't call & cancel them.

Nope not anymore. We had Showtime free for 3 months and they cancelled it on their own when the trial was up. No need to call. Seems they've changed their policy on that one. I know we have to call to cancel NFL Network cause that's a package but the others will shut off.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

"Nope not anymore. We had Showtime free for 3 months and they cancelled it on their own when the trial was up. No need to call. Seems they've changed their policy on that one."

Great. Good that trick has been caught. Enjoy. (but call just to be safe )

 

[Tinkmom]

Unless you just never watch TV, I would definitely recommend calling to cancel, then when asked why (which we have always had happen) tell them that it is due to the price. The have always then given loads of free and discounted services to keep our business.

Don't ever just renew . . .

 

[lauradis]

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. I talked with my 13 year old last night about it and she is not thrilled but i am ok with that. I really think come Dec. we are going to give this a try.

Haha your sending your 13 year old to the dark ages Oh the drama..

If hubby didn't love watching tv live or dvr'ed stuff. I would drop directv like hot potato.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I wish we could cancel ours! It's not that there aren't tv shows I enjoy watching, because there are quite a few. And not all of them are on Netflix. But I could survive, and probably happily, without cable. Hubs, however, could not.

I'm with you here. I don't even watch TV except what I overhear from others watching. We have Verizon FIOS and there would be another Revolutionary War from dh, ds16 & ds13.
It's $200/month & makes me sick to pay it but at least it does include their super fast internet & our house phone w/unlimited long distance (domestic).

If I lived alone I'd have a little TV with antenna for the morning news.