Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Life Without Cable TV

Television is my subject this month. Cable TV had been my way of life for many years and I never dreamed I could live without it.
 
When I moved to Georgia two years ago, I didn't want to pay to watch TV. There were other things I wanted to do, which seemed more valuable such as writing, reading, socializing. My brother who has lived in the state for many years suggested a flatbox antenna. I had no idea what he meant but he set me up with one and, miracle of miracles, it  worked perfectly. 
 
 But the catch was that the only shows I could get were from the local stations or that was what I thought. But I soon discovered MeTV (Memorable Entertainment Television), which I had seen previously in Texas, and a channel that showed only movies from the past--nothing current. I got the 3 main network programs and thought that was all I needed. Unfortunately PBS was the only local channel that didn't come in clearly and sometimes not at all.
 
 But then I discovered more channels available showing "oldies but goodies". My first year here I watched the old Hawaii Five-0 during lunch until a year later The Rockford Files replaced it. That was all fine with me. Granted I can't keep up with the latest trends in cable TV and there are some programs I truly miss but I do have other things to do besides watching TV. There were other networks I got for free also such a the CW, ION, Antenna, getTV. All of them showing reruns of both recent or past popular shows and movies.
 
Recently 4 "new" networks surfaced--all showing golden oldies from the past: Decades and COZI (both a combination of comedies and dramas (some of the dramas are so ridiculous that they are hilarious), LAFF (a combination of past sitcoms and movies--I'm hooked on Spin City right now.) and BUZZR, which shows old game shows such as my favorite nuttiest show of all The Match Game.
 
But do I watch them all? Good grief no! It's just nice to know that they are there and I can find something entertaining in a free moment especially if I wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep, I can turn on one of the above (especially the game shows of the 1950s and 60s), be entertained for a while until I feel sleepy again.
 
Works every time.

8 comments:

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

Good for you, Pat! The prices we have to pay for cable TV are ridiculous. I bought one of those antennas too but it didn't work well where I live now. Every time I changed the station, I had to readjust the antenna. Not fun! Trust me, if and when I move again, I'm getting the antenna out and trying again!

Palmaltas said...

Thanks for commenting, Patricia. The TV picture is just as good as cable, if not better, except for PBS. I have discovered if I readjust the antenna, I can get a clear PBS picture--most of the time. But it works perfectly for everything else.

Marja said...

Fun post, Pat! I watch TV in the evening, but the shows I watch are somewhat limited. There are too many on now that don't entertain me. Ah, well, it's all a matter of taste. Some of the old shows are still wonderful.
Marja McGraw

Marilyn Levinson said...

I must admit I watch many tV shows at night and when I'm preparing dinner. I usually DVR (tape) them. Right now I'm enjoying some series on Showtime. I do not get HBO. I enjoy watching old movies occasionally. Some hold up. Some don't. Just saw "The Barefoot Contessa" with Ava Gardener and loved it a second time. She was beautiful!!

Palmaltas said...

Thanks, Marja. Yes, I agree that it's all a matter of taste and I'm more into comedy than anything else. Those old game shows are a hoot.

Palmaltas said...

Marilyn, I watch most of my shows at night also. One of the old movies that I especially enjoyed was Houseboat with Cary Grant and Sophia Loren. Their dance scene was the sexiest dance ever! Thanks for dropping by.

Marilyn Levinson said...

I don't think I ever saw Houseboat. Must get it from my library.

Palmaltas said...

I hope your library has it, Marilyn.