Old school LegalSmash Rant

[LegalSmash]

I found this email I sent to a friend back in 2005... enjoy.

 

 

Are you tired of paying $39.99+ a month for cable TV channels that you dont watch? I am personally sick of the shit. I used to have cable, in all its glory, at 49.99 a month, with internet bundled in (54.00 mbps) and it was great. I always resented the fact that i had 12 fucking homeshopping channels, bet, cmt, mtv, and all that other shit i cannot stand in a "bundle" as if they are doing me a favor. I hate channels that I dont pick, yet am forced to pay for. I think its a form of communism. If a channel cannot make it on its own, it probably should not be broadcasting.

 

One day, the particular special i was on ran out, and they gave me a bill for 96.00. I saved the money, and got rid of cable. I was going through fucking withdrawal for the better part of a month, and still sometimes get the shakes from it. I dont like not being able to watch law and order or some good late night boxing, or stargate sg1. No longer was i paying for home shopping, univision, BET, MTV, CMT, Disney, WGn, PAx, etc. , etc. BUT i lost ESPN (only way i can watch the noles in DC), USA (with its law and orders and wrestling), comedy central (everything), swim, spike, discovery, sci fi (i miss stargate) and about 10 other channels that I REALLY liked.

 

I hate network TV, its shit.. who wants to be a millionare, deal or no deal, etc. it all makes me want to take some pencils, shove them in my eyes and swirl... It almost seems as if they take the ABSOLUTE WORST channels and programming they can possibly get, and shove them at us like bad cheese. I want my channels back, but I cant justify paying 96 a month for that and the internet while in law school, or AT ALL. I watch teh occasional show on winamp shockcast, but its not the same. So, I started looking around and found that recently the FCC was suggesting ala carte Cable TV... this would be great, IMHO, 1.99 a channel, pick the ones you want, etc. Of course, some channels, specifically the ones that are bundled would not get chosen and go out of business.. but I really believe this would be a good thing... they suck and shouldnt be around.

 

What do you all think? Do you really think that it is possible, perhaps even beneficial? Would you go with ala carte Cable format? What are the benefits and or the drawbacks?

 

Well, I for one, welcome the idea. For too long have we been quagmired in the abortion that is cable television, whether it be territories of operation, companies, monopolies, etc. The list goes on. If we have orbiting satelites, how on earth can we not beam a signal into mississippi or missouri? Why must I pay 96 a month in DC, when the exact same package in the great state of Florida is a startling 45 dollars a month? What is causing the disparity?

 

Well, If there is going to be a disparity, I really believe that I should be able to choose 10-20 cable channels at a reasonable rate of 29-35 dollars a month. I dont want amazing premium bundles (14 HBO variants, etc.) I want:

1. Espn

2. Comedy

3. USA

4. Sci Fi

5. CNN

6. FX

7. Spike

8. Cartoon Network

9. History

10. Discovery

11. The learning Channel

12. basic (ABC, FOX, NBC, etc. network stuff)

MAYBE if it was reasonable HBO1 just because i really like their original shows.

 

Is that really too much to ask? An opportunity to watch MY channels, and not the same hip hop star singing the SAME tired ass song on 5 different channels and having to stomach the insult of knowing that you are paying for it?

 

I dont think it is. I think its time the FCC took notice and started working for the people that pay their salary.

 

Because NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE should have to pay for channels that suck.

 

AND ANOTHER THING... UNCANCEL SG1!!! I LIKE STARGATE!

[Tcp-Kill]

Hehe, But your right about paying for hundreds of channels.

 

I have about 600 channels, i possibly watch 20 of them. -,-

 

Also, my internet is a pile-of-crap and the bill ends up at about 40 pounds (80 dollars ish)

 

Damn TV Companys

 

BUT I has sky+ so i can record good shows that make it worthwile (ish)

[Zero001]

I wouldn't mind an ala carte option, but the packages should still remain. Florida and New York have great packages, but if you're getting ass raped in D.C you should and have an option.

 

It's either that or get the Satellite Dish special

[Lux]

With SKY I pay £56 a month for Internet, telephone bill (free weekends and after 6) and my TV ofcourse.

 

Decided to get the whole package because you need to to get the deal. Considering Sport takes up £18 of it I can't moan about the other costs for channels which is quite low. Also my mum likes watching the home shopping channels.........so what can I do

[Daze]

Also my mum likes watching the home shopping channels.........so what can I do

 

cancel all credit cards immediately!

 

bah, i don't mind...i don't pay any tv bills or anything except 10 GBP a month to have sky in my bedroom!

 

deal or what?!

[AppleShark]

Sell your TV for WoW gold. Win-win.

[Sandstorm]

AND ANOTHER THING... UNCANCEL SG1!!! I LIKE STARGATE!

 

This.