by Erik Van Tongerloo

Created on: February 11, 2007   Last Updated: December 29, 2009

Watching television is for most everyone a part of their daily life. Most people have chosen for cable or a satellite system to watch their daily soaps, movies, shows, news programs, documentaries or any other genre of television program. Surviving without a cable or satellite and still get your TV fix might seem impossible but it is often more a matter of discovering all the new possibilities which the new technology offers.

You can always use your old antenna if you attach an external device with an ATSC tuner or you may buy a digital television with a built in digital tuner but you will likely prefer other options because there are limitations to receive digital signals. There are better options if you want to get rid of cable or satellite expenses and still like to watch television.

Here are some options which you may consider if you want to survive without cable or satellite and still get your TV fix:

*ADSL or VDSL

You don’t need cable or a satellite dish to watch your favorite television programs. You can also choose for an ADSL or VDSL connection to receive your television signals. It is a high speed telephone line which can transmit Internet data and even television signals. Many Internet providers offer the service for transmitting television channels through your ADSL or VDSL telephone line.

*Internet television

Most everyone has access to Internet and you can watch thousands of television programs online and many of them even for free. You can watch many of your favorite soaps, movies, TV shows, news and all other kinds of programs you prefer. There are several sites where you can legally watch these programs online but you always have to check the legitimacy because you come across many piracy sites. You can’t download most movies legally without paying and it is best you always check the legitimacy to prevent problems.  

*Network websites

There are several network websites, for example NBC, ABC, CBS, where you can watch popular episodes of your favorite soaps, shows and certainly news programs for free. There is plenty of choice in all kinds of genres.

*Visit the public library or rent DVD’s online

Most people visit public libraries for renting books but many of them offer you also the possibility to rent DVD’s of all kind of genres for free or for a small fee. It is much cheaper than renting in video shops. You will certainly not find the most recent movies, neither the DVD box with the last episodes of your favorite soap but you can already find some which are only 1 year old. You can also consider subscribing some DVD movie rentals online, for example Amazon, Netflix or Roku.

*Video streaming services

Most everyone knows YouTube which can be considered as be the most popular one of video streaming sites. Everyone can upload videos and you can watch them for free. You can watch videos of certain events, a show, a sport activity, news facts and even educational videos.

It is perfect possible to live without cable or satellite and still get your TV fix. You can save plenty of money if you take advantage of the new technology and if you are a movie buff; it is maybe best to consider joining a rental service or to visit the public library. It might be also a good idea to borrow some DVD’s of your friends, family members or some other people you know.  You can save a lot of money and still watch your favorite programs. Only you can decide which option is best for you.

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