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VIDEO: Are the Days of Cable TV Numbered?

Now, even Sony and Microsoft are going to offer original programming.
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BY:
Staff Writer
Additional contributions by Jeff Somogyi and Louis Ramirez.

With the rumor of an Apple-built cable box — which would stream live video and have DVR functions — and news that both Sony and Microsoft are going to offer original programming, it seems like now, more than ever, everyone is trying to re-invent TV!

In this brief — yet lively — video, our experts discuss if this is the beginning of the end for cable television and if consumers are even ready for it.

What about you, readers? How much longer does cable have and are consumers ready for it? Tell us all about it, in the comments below!

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Staff Writer

Dan Leadbetter is a Staff and Features Writer for DealNews. He enjoys comedy, playing drums, watching horror films, fine cigars, and Absinthe.
DealNews may be compensated by companies mentioned in this article. Please note that, although prices sometimes fluctuate or expire unexpectedly, all products and deals mentioned in this feature were available at the lowest total price we could find at the time of publication (unless otherwise specified).
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8 comments
JABrwoky13

We cut the cord 3 or 4 years ago. Got tired of paying the exceedingly higher prices for cable. We get local channels in HD over the antenna and signed up for Netflix. The biggest shock was for the kids; no more Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, and Nick. But they found plenty of things to watch on Netflix, even some older shows from their favorite channels. Eventually those channels started putting more current content online for viewing, so there are a lot of options. Netflix streaming content isn't always great for movies, so we rent disks at Redbox for recent movies. It's great when you find a TV series that you like, you can watch it from beginning to end in a month.
The best thing is that I watch a lot less TV now and do things that are more important in life. I think people spend too much time focused on being entertained and not enough on education and current events. Just because your finished with highschool and college doesn't mean you should be through learning.

March 28, 2014
nfujiwara

Money talks, networks are willing to bet billions of dollars on sports because you can't DVR or stream it through Roku. The DVR changed the game first before Roku/internet streaming. The WWE Network is a content provider that is separate from a service provider. ABC/ESPN could try to do the same thing. NFL could do the same thing. I don't see people cutting cable, but I think we are going to be going back to the ratio of when households were Antenna/Cable and instead it will be Internet/Cable. There will be people who want to pay the premium, but there is a growing population of those who are sick of $100 cable bills. I wouldn't be surprised if Facebook tries to start going into the entertainment. Remember, internet, TV, and all other forms of entertainment are competing for people's viewing time. It is all about how effectively the company can monetize it.

March 27, 2014
hotdeals2010

I forgot to mention you a wifi connection for this TV.

March 26, 2014
hotdeals2010

I have a friend that's considering buying a smart TV replacing the dinosaur that she currently has so she can cut the cord and go with paid services like NETFLIX,Hulu Plus etc. Smart decision for anyone seeking integrated Smart features like the Vizio E320i-A0 which is the strongest value iv'e seen yet among 32-inch TVs.Sears is selling this TV at a insane price of 255.36 with integrated apps one doesn't need Roku,PS4 or XBox.

March 26, 2014
Smed1065

I think cable will be around but maybe they will break some sections down into categories sorta of like they do sports, movies etc to compete more with the different options. I have already cut the cord due to the "news" channel being entertainment channels already. My Roku and Hava get me the content I need.

March 26, 2014
jcauthorn

Almost everything is available on line via streaming anyway, you just have to look for it. ;) Like it or not, pirating does make an impact.
However, the convenience of NetFlix, Hulu, and Amazon VOD significantly reduce the need to look for pirated entertainment for a lot of people like me. I understand the desire of these companies to "lock in" customers, but isn't that why we are trying to get away from cable?
The internet has been a great equalizer in being able to provide personalized content, all these roadblocks do is slow people down, and it's counter productive to the future.

March 26, 2014
TommyPierce

It's simple, find a way to stream live/local sports/news without an antenna at a discounted price and the TV would really change.

March 26, 2014
vwoom

Never was big on cable. Only signed up for around two yrs...and that's about it (you cannot watch premium channels you've always wanted simultaneously, anyways). Since then, I stream videos via a Roku. Now had upgraded to a WiFi 55" LG 55LA6970 with Premium streaming apps. I hard wired/Ethernet cable connected with only 3Mbps, yet the LG unit can finely tune and upscale the signal to very sharp, as I call it to "3.5K" HD PQ, coupled with a matched LGNB4532B slim soundbar/subwoofer system. I am very happy with my HT setup...and that includes video streaming. Who needs cable.

Cable is so 20th Century...

March 26, 2014