Internet tops cable TV in subscriber numbers for the first time

[A Guy]

For the first time in the United States, the largest service providers saw more Internet subscribers than cable TV subscribers. The information comes from the Leichtman Research Group, which says that by the end of this year's second quarter, there were 49,915,000 total broadband subscribers versus 49,910,000 cable TV subscribers.

Source

A Guy

 

[andrew129260]

And so it begins...

 

[RBS7]

I think TV should be free if they have advertising. I don't mind paying if it is add free.

 

[margrave]

Bingo. Paying for commercial-ridden cable pseudo-tainment is akin to paying Waste Management to BRING IN the garbage instead of taking it out. Insulting. We have it only because wifey insists.

 

[ThrashZone]

Before to long as Andrew point to,
Internet costs will explode to make up the difference in losses,
Wired has always been fairly natural for dsl but not for long
Comcast has never been cheap and has always gone for the throat every month++++

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

Be careful for what you wish for. Some of these deals are "Sucker deals" -- Sucker them in and when they are caught increase the price.

With Internet TV - especially HD and 4K resolutions you need decently fast broadband and an UNCAPPED limit otherwise you'll use your monthly allowance after about 15 mins of download for a 4K res film. !!!

Where I am we still have unlimited downloads and mega fast broadband -- but I see a lot of people in the US particularly have quite small monthly download allowances and out in very rural areas fibre optic cable won't be around for some time - if ever.

OK less people live in the rural areas than in big urban centres like Chicago, NY, Los Angeles, Boston etc. so no surprise there over people using Internet more than cable TV - especially when service is cheaper - but it might not remain that way for long !!

Cheers
jimbo

 

[King Arthur]

With Internet TV - especially HD and 4K resolutions you need decently fast broadband and an UNCAPPED limit otherwise you'll use your monthly allowance after about 15 mins of download for a 4K res film. !!!

I've noticed that most people simply don't realize or understand just how massive video data really is.

I guess this is because there isn't something the average person can readily relate video data size to in their lives, but in an age when 1080p has become the standard and we're steadily moving towards 2160p and over I think everyone would do well to be better informed about how video data technology really works (even if in grossly simplified terms).

 

[Manigue]

Bingo. Paying for commercial-ridden cable pseudo-tainment is akin to paying Waste Management to BRING IN the garbage instead of taking it out. Insulting. We have it only because wifey insists.

Not just only the pay for factor. You also don't necessary get all those useless channels you don't need/view or care for that cable/dish companies force you to subscribe to in their bundles. You also have the opportunity to watch TV programs from other countries around the world not offered by your local cable/dish providers.

 

[jimbo45]

Bingo. Paying for commercial-ridden cable pseudo-tainment is akin to paying Waste Management to BRING IN the garbage instead of taking it out. Insulting. We have it only because wifey insists.

Not just only the pay for factor. You also don't necessary get all those useless channels you don't need/view or care for that cable/dish companies force you to subscribe to in their bundles. You also have the opportunity to watch TV programs from other countries around the world not offered by your local cable/dish providers.

Hi there

That's not always "Good viewing" either -- I can't imagine people in the USA watching some wretched documentary from Finland (in Finnish) with Icelandic subtitles on it !!!! or a 4 hour speech by Mr Putin from a Russian TV station !!.

A lot of TV is now blocked via Internet due to "Rights Restrictions" -- for example I quite enjoy the latest US series COVERT AFFAIRS --this is never likely to be shown on Iceland TV and there's no DVD's available -- so you either need a "Proxy" to bypass the restriction - or just use a torrent. I'm not in favour of torrents as a rule - but if there's NO legal way to get content - even when willing to PAY for it -- well OK.

Using these though is a matter between you and your "Maker" - I'm happy to pay for content - but if I can't get it then I'm afraid I don't see anything wrong with "alternative" methods of "procurement". I understand that others might hold different views - that's their choice of course !!.

Similarly for music -- if stuff is LONG out of issue and somebody has uploaded a piece impossible to get then I'm glad that that person has kept the music alive and I can access it.

Fortunately Radio is still relatively restriction free on the Internet.

Listening to KUSC (Los Angeles) currently.

Just finished watching Covert affairs S05E09 - won't even be available in Europe until late this year if it appears at all. Excellent series. (On a Torrent it's Commercial free too !!!).

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Phone Man]

I have both. When I want to watch movies or other entertainment I turn on my 50" DLP and surround sound system, make some popcorn sit in my lounger and relax and enjoy it. Can't stand watching stuff like that on my small 27" monitor and sitting in my computer chair. To each his own.

Jim

 

[Wrend]

I don't really watch TV too often. At home, probably only a few times a year. Also don't have cable television beyond the free stuff that's piped in.

I primarily just watch the internet. Mostly YouTube and Netflix, both ad free (it's my internet and data being stored and streamed onto my devices after all). It's been this way for several years now. I can tell you one thing though: I don't miss TV. Well, all except for the commercials. They're fun to watch now and then to see how ridiculous they've become.

And believe it or not, I watched two Indian comedies last night on YouTube without subtitles. Didn't really need them to understand the gist of things with body language, vocal changes, and context. Still entertaining. Of course, I don't speak any Indian languages (Hindi, maybe?). Granted, a documentary or especially a speech likely wouldn't carry over as well.

This was one of them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EMVPMcuiv8

Also have unlimited and unthrottled data both at home and mobile.

My only hope is that my setup doesn't get messed up with non-net-neutrality, etc.

 

[jimbo45]

I have both. When I want to watch movies or other entertainment I turn on my 50" DLP and surround sound system, make some popcorn sit in my lounger and relax and enjoy it. Can't stand watching stuff like that on my small 27" monitor and sitting in my computer chair. To each his own.

Jim

Hi there

All my TV "Online stuff" I can watch on a nice 60 inch TV by simply streaming it from computer to TV -- I'm not keen on watching a lot of TV on a computer either !!! I merely use the Internet as a means of obtaining content which can then be watched on the "appropriate" device. I agree a Lounger with a nice Glass of a decent drink beats watching on a small computer screen !!!.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Wrend]

My "TV" is my "monitor" for my primary home computer. 46 inch viewable as it is now. Might be looking to upgrade to a 60 inch one as text is difficult to read at 1080p, so Windows is currently set 1366×768. When I got the TV I have now (few years ago), it was more expensive than the comparable 60 inch one with a higher refresh rate is now.

...

A little off subject here, but not so much in regards to streaming: In my opinion, Full HD (1920×1080) is high enough for my needs. "4K" (really 4×HD) is pretty much useless other than taking up data, "bandwidth," and compute work needlessly.