> Bundling seems so obviously the better way to approach this (180 channels for $65).
180 basic channels, not including HBO. HBO is $15/month on top of your basic cable package, at least from my cable provider. Oh Showtime, too? That's another $15. Oh, Cinemax? Yup, another $15.
Plus, at least in Redwood City, CA, Comcast wouldn't give us HBO on our $63/basic cable, they wanted us to purchase a Digital Cable Box (~ $90), and then pay $85/month for Digital Cable.
And then, and only then, would they give us the 6 month $15/month HBO promo.
Between Amazon Prime (Which I have already for free shipping), Netflix ($8/month), and HBO ($15/month) - I have pretty much all the entertainment I'm really interested in for $23/month.
Every so often something good will pop up that Netflix doesn't have - at which point I'll go to ITunes for $20-25 to pick up a season.
On an annual basis, way, way, way less than I would have paid for cable.
My only concern is that I don't know if I'll be able to watch HBO on the road, or whether I'll need an Apple TV.
Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Americans, Justified, Walking Dead, Daily Show, Broadchurch, Downton Abbey (not sure which of these you're able to view)?
I'll cut you some slack on not getting any of the major networks since the cheap digital antennas can work very well.
In San Francisco we get 180 channels + HBO + DVR + 50mbps internet for $100 month. That includes being able to watch TV/DVR/OnDemand on pretty much any device, from anywhere.
I've actually purchased Some of those from iTunes (Mad Men), if I want to talk about them with others. Otherwise I usually can wait a few years for them to come out on Netflix (Breaking Bad, Walking Dead, Downton Abbey).
Perhaps I just got so used to not having a TV (last time around 2003), that I've adjusted my behavior and expectations such that I don't miss it. If I was a sports junky, this would probably be different - that seems to be the last bastion of Cable TV - once that goes, it will be a good thing that the major cable companies are also the major internet suppliers.
180 basic channels, not including HBO. HBO is $15/month on top of your basic cable package, at least from my cable provider. Oh Showtime, too? That's another $15. Oh, Cinemax? Yup, another $15.