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Streaming TV is Beginning To Look a Lot Like Cable (theverge.com)
The advent of streaming TV services and over the top devices that support them has come at a cost. They used to work on a simple, unwritten principle: being different from normal cable services. You didn't have to pay for large, non-configurable bundles of channels that played shows in linear fashion and required you to use a digital video recorder built into the box (often for an extra fee) if you wanted to create your own collection of programming to watch on your own schedule. But that's not the case anymore, argues veteran technology columnist Walt Mossberg. He writes: The general idea is that each of these TV services will appeal to cord-cutters and cord-nevers who merely consider old-style cable and satellite TV too costly. To overcome that, each offers what are called "skinny bundles" of channels, with fewer choices, at various prices. On Sling, for instance, you start at about 30 channels for $20 a month. On DirecTV Now, it's 60 channels for $35 a month. Both offer other, costlier plans, with more channels, or add-on plans for HBO, or for specialized programming such as sports, or kids' shows. Both are working on DVR offerings. In other words, while the bundles may be cheaper and skinnier, they're still bundles, not unlike the tiers of programming offered by traditional cable and satellite services. And you can't assemble your own custom bundle. Also, unlike in the Netflix / Hulu model, the emphasis here is on networks, not shows.
In my little world, "cord cutting" isn't about finding a different delivery method, it is about not watching.
After working full time, my free time is rare and precious, with an overwhelming set of options competing for that time. Watching TV is seriously scraping the bottom of the barrel. A way of sleeping while still awake.
None of my friends are fans of TV either. And, though it is a completely unfair generalization based on a heavily biased and microscopic sample size, the people I do know who watch TV are all a bit shallow.
Sorry for being an elitist prick, but, I have exercises to do, knowledge to gain, skills to master, challenges to overcome, people to interact with....you know...stuff...
I can't believe you're wasting time on Slashdot instead of climbing Mount Everest, or solving world hunger. People I know that post online instead of creating Michelin Star restaurants that use only ingredients found in other people's dumpsters, are all a bit shallow. Perhaps you should spend less time online, and try setting some goal, maybe swim the atlantic, or dive into an active volcano. Doesn't your lawn need cutting? With Scissors to make it perfect instead of cheating with a lawn mower?