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There's got to be a better and cheaper way to watch TV!

There's got to be a better and cheaper way to watch TV!

Home Slice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1360

Home Slice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1360

There's got to be a better and cheaper way to watch TV!
5/1/2017 at 9:02 PM

Good grief Bell TV charges $121.00 a month for there so- called "Best" package! I don't know how that compares with other Sat TV oufits but it's ridiculous in my opinion. Maybe if you had some decent channels to watch but there are at least 20 channels on Bell that no one in their right mind would even waste a moment watching. BBC Earth is the first quality channel to be offered in years! Re-runs of reality tv and re-runs of prime time predictable sit coms can't possibly be worth that kind of monthly payment! I called Bell and asked them if I could trade in the 6 children channels because I have no kids for 1 decent channel! Their reply was " Oh no we can't do that" How many thousands of customers have had their kids grow up and move on and have to keep those channels because they are part of a pre- determined package? Anyway that's my rant does anyone have any better options?
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

TV
5/1/2017 at 9:20 PM

As always, legal (not "gray area") only please
Alvin Hansen

Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 236

Alvin Hansen
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 236

Pick &; Choose No Bargain
5/2/2017 at 12:59 AM

Contrary to what it might seem, the option to pick and choose individual channels is really no saving over channel groups. I was looking at my MTS bill the other night and trying to save a little money by deleting certain channels. Ultimately, the only way pick and choose would be viable is if each channel were $2 or so, which is never likely to happen.
Marpet
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 666

Marpet
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 666

Legally...
5/2/2017 at 2:04 AM

...purchase an android box and watch all you want. Purchase netflix ($10) and other pay to view stations and disconnect.

Easy

Marpet
Fishin Guy
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6897

Fishin Guy
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6897

....
5/2/2017 at 7:10 AM

Either way they get you. I guess I could look at it two ways. I was paying for internet and tv at almost 200 a month. Now I just pay for internet at 85 a month to stream the odd movie. I pay for Netflix and the Brandon Sun online. Once you cancel cable, I don't know about others but our tv watching even though we can stream them has gone to the point of almost zero hours in front of the tv. We basically watch the odd movie now and then.
Popgoestheweasel
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 141

Popgoestheweasel
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 141

.
5/2/2017 at 7:34 AM

We cancelled cable almost 3 years ago and don't miss it at all. We have Netflix and crave and only pay about $20 combined. We have no trouble finding something to watch.
Piffer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 317

Piffer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 317

Shaw
5/2/2017 at 8:25 AM

is the same way with its packaging. I end up paying for their ultimate package because I want the history channel and it is in one package, I want the learning channel and it is in another package, I want the documentary channel and of course it is in another..... I tried to pick and choose and it ended up being more than the $125.00!!!! Ultimate Package.

No winning really.....
Alrighty then
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 149

Alrighty then
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 149

Bell MTS just increased prices
5/2/2017 at 8:36 AM

Yesterday we received our TV/internet bill and our TV service went up $6.60 plus taxes. Before you ask no we did NOT change any programming. This is the second increase this year. Funny thing, we also received yesterday a mailing from Westman Communications. Hmmm what to do. The TV service has been good but internet sucks. Can't watch Netflix without buffering throughout the show.
Suckie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 208

Suckie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 208

Issues
5/2/2017 at 10:02 AM

If you're having issues with your internet service maybe call MTS and explain and they can come out and put a wifi extender in or move the modem to a better location.

You cant expect perfection when every house or apartment is different and has different needs. You also cant expect MTS to fix a problem when all you do is complain on eBrandon.
Moussa3Trena
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 403

Moussa3Trena
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 403

Cheap
5/2/2017 at 10:13 AM

Don’t pay for cable and buy internet and netflix … $80 a month
L4593
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 472

L4593
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 472

5/2/2017 at 10:21 AM

Netflix. We cut out cable 5 years ago. After being commercial free for so long, I simply can't endure sitting through a commercial now. Cable companies will soon be a thing of the past.
Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

yep, cut the cable
5/2/2017 at 11:44 AM

We didn't have cable for many years (too expensive), and then got a Roku box and Netflix subscription a few years ago. There's more content on Netflix than we can ever hope to watch (unless we watched 6+ hours a day, which we don't, I usually watch 1 hour or so after the kids go to bed).

There's also tons of really neat content on YouTube. I've learned so much, from how-to shows to finance stuff to documentaries. Many copyright holders chose to put their stuff on YouTube, so it's legit. My kids watch tons of kids' TV on YouTube.

And finally, lots of TV networks put their shows online to view, either a day or two after it airs or stream live (such as hockey).
Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

also add:
5/2/2017 at 11:49 AM

It's also worth noting that my Roku box allows for movie "rentals" via streaming (like a cineplex things), I guess a pay per view. You can also get things like NHL Centre Ice, Acorn TV (a premium Brit TV service), and a few other premium "stations". There's also secret Roku apps, if you search online you can find the codes for. We can get all kinds of BBC streaming channels, for example.

Like I said, more content than we could ever hope to watch.
PowerOfaMom
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 416

PowerOfaMom
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 416

no tv here!
5/2/2017 at 11:53 AM

We have internet, but no tv hook up... anything we watch we buy on DVD or don't watch anything at all! It's great! More time with the kids, so many game night, evenings outside, cards with my spouse, reading books. Like I said we have the internet,so we watch things on YouTube , or the like when we need a "break" lol but besides that nothing lol. we are saving piles of money it's so wonderful to be able to use that money for other things. We also don't have cell phones lol home phone is how anyone contacts us... much better priced than ridiculous cell prices these days!!
FredFeb
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 892

FredFeb
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 892

Shows
5/2/2017 at 12:34 PM

Cable shows are starting to be on netflix weekly (new episodes) and most are on netflix eventually. Stop paying cable and just get netflix or crave!
Home Slice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1360

Home Slice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1360

There's got to be better and cheaper ways to watch TV
5/2/2017 at 1:15 PM

I know everyone has their own individual taste of what they watch but unless your watching tv from the time you get up til the time you go to bed at night I just can't see how your TV bill should end up being more than your Hydro bill for what they are giving you to watch . Personally I like to watch BBC earth or any educational program Food Network when they are actually showing you how to cook something by a recipe and live sports. Movies and news . The rest to me personally is a waste of time . This is only my personal opinion . In a perfect world to me there should only be one source of entertainment and Internet makes the most sense with all it's optional content . You should be able to turn on your television with the Internet already open and pick and choose whatever TV program or whatever Internet program that you want when you want . Then and only then would you be getting your moneys worth .
withallduerespect
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 148

withallduerespect
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 148

Live sports
5/2/2017 at 4:22 PM

I'm a sports addict so feel I have to pay for cable to scratch my itch. Is there another option that's cheaper?

wonderment
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 392

wonderment

Joined: Aug 2014

Posts: 392

yep

5/2/2017 at 5:37 PM

Alrighty then said "Yesterday we received our TV/internet bill and our TV service went up $6.60 plus taxes. Before you ask no we did NOT change any programming. This is the second increase this year. Funny thing, we also received yesterday a mailing from Westman Communications. Hmmm what to do. The TV service has been good but internet sucks. Can't watch Netflix without buffering throughout the show. "

mine went up again too...sad really as nothing has changed with the service

Alrighty then
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 149

Alrighty then
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 149

Agreed wonderment
5/2/2017 at 7:00 PM

After the last increase a month or so ago we eliminated some channels to lower the cost. I'm not working and my wife is only part time so money is very tight. I'm not sure how Bell MTS can justify two increases since the takeover? I thought in one of their propaganda letters they said there was going to be no changes? Obviously that was a lie. Might have to eliminate MTS all together as it's becoming unaffordable. I need internet though for job searches. House is up for sale as we have to do what we can to eliminate debt. Ever increases in utilities etc is killing us.
loeog
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 914

loeog
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 914

Ustvnow
5/2/2017 at 7:26 PM

https://www.ustvnow.com/
This will get you the basic 8 main USA channels at no cost.
Works with laptops, desktops, iPad and android boxes.
Home Slice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1360

Home Slice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1360

Better and cheaper TV
5/2/2017 at 8:59 PM

Checked out that USA tv now website and you have to be an American citizen to get these channels at this time .

wonderment
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 392

wonderment

Joined: Aug 2014

Posts: 392

5/2/2017 at 10:49 PM

Alrighty then said "After the last increase a month or so ago we eliminated some channels to lower the cost. I'm not working and my wife is only part time so money is very tight. I'm not sure how Bell MTS can justify two increases since the takeover? I thought in one of their propaganda letters they said there was going to be no changes? Obviously that was a lie. Might have to eliminate MTS all together as it's becoming unaffordable. I need internet though for job searches. House is up for sale as we have to do what we can to eliminate debt. Ever increases in utilities etc is killing us. "

I'm sorry to hear that, but completely understand where you're coming from. I cancelled our cable and just kept the wifi, as I too need it for job searching to get out of this hole called " surviving". I wish you the best of luck, if you know how to cook pm me and I'll give you some good leads I know.

Amaxinlin
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 683

Amaxinlin
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 683

.
5/3/2017 at 7:11 AM

We cut off cable over two years ago. Now instead of paying over $200 we pay $60 for Internet. We have Netflix, and stream movies on our laptop. Some days I miss it, but not really. The only person who watches TV is my child when he watches a cartoon in his down time.
NoCares
Joined: This month
Posts: 3009

NoCares
Joined: This month
Posts: 3009

Alrighty then
5/3/2017 at 7:50 AM

I think you may be rrading your bills incorrectly, as there have not been two price increases since the BellMTS takeover.

March 31 (just after the March 17 takeover) BellMTS raised the basic line rate of Home Phone service. Now if you have TV or HS with MTS, you are eligible for Home Phone Essentials ($35) or Total Home Phone Package ($45) and those prices did not change.

On Oct 28 2016, MTS (well before the take over) stated that in January the price of four TV theme packs were going up in price by $1.

Sounds like you afe being prorated for all the changing you are doing on your services that it is making it confusing to read and understand.

As the origional post, as much as I love TV, I cannot justify paying for it. I just stream Netflix. Would like one of these boxes people talk about, but do not kow enough about them. I missed my crime shows
Happy_ Hour
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 918

Happy_ Hour
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 918

I do
5/3/2017 at 8:07 AM

Have an Android box but I still cannot fully commit to cutting the cable cord. I like my 6:00 CTV news and watch some hockey games. I have not found the Android box very consistent for quality feeds of those.

What I have done is become very aware of what channels I am using and what could be eliminated. Until the hockey playoffs started I didn't need all the TSNs. If a game was on TSN that I wanted to watch I would switch that package on for 24 hours and pay like 86 cents. (With MTS you can switch your channels online yourself.)

I may seem cheap but I don't care. There is nothing more annoying than paying for channels you never watch.
Alrighty then
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 149

Alrighty then
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 149

No cares
5/3/2017 at 8:58 AM

I said in my post that we have made NO program changes!! Just reviewed the bill again which is a confusing task at best and what they have done is charge an extra $6.00 per charge. No idea where the other 60 cents increase is, maybe they are now including a tip. At any rate is pure gouging.
scandal
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 247

scandal
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 247

Android all the way
5/4/2017 at 12:15 AM

Buy a fully loaded Android TV box online from Amazon. Buy a mid to high internet speed from your chosen provider. Hook up said Android box to Internet and TV. Watch (legally) your Netflix, Crave, YouTube, etc. plus all of your shows, sporting events and movies. You can even get an app on your phone to track your shoes like a PVR does so you can keep track of what episodes you've watched, when new seasons start and the day/time that the shows air. My Android box cost $82.99 and my Bell/MTS bill was $128/month. I'm saving money already.