Internet Alternatives to Cable TV

The condo complex I live in provides cable television to all 188 units whether or not residents watch it or not. I am one of those residents that hardly watches television and if I do it's one of the big 3 networks or PBS, which I can obtain via a thin plastic HDTV antenna that I can attach to the window or tv stand. I get most of my news and information via the internet.

I plan to write the HOA and ask them to save $75,000 per year and drop cable tv for all units and have each individual owner decide on their own whether or not he/she wants cable tv and to pay for it on their own, instead of forcing everyone to pay roughly $33 per month collectively. Sure it will be more expensive for each person to subscribe on their own, but as it is now, the non users are subsidizing the users.

I read somewhere that a lot of people watch cable tv shows via live streaming or the next day/week online. Is this what Hulu is? I foresee that a board member will respond by asking how will he/she watch ESPN, Fox News, CNN, MSNBC etc? Could I tell them they can connect their laptop computer via an HDMI cable to their HDTV and watch it live via networks website? If someone asks, how will I watch my favorite shows on the Discover Channel, Food Network, Tru TV, etc, do I respond by saying they can watch it on Hulu for free, the network's website or pay for each episode via iTunes?

A lot of condo owners don't look at the HOA budget and assume that cable tv is free when it's actually a $75,000 a year expense for the HOA. They will not be receptive to paying for what has always been a "free" luxury. I'm not up on the latest technical stuff, so what should I mention internet or technology wise how they can watch cable news/sports or these cable sitcoms and reality shows online for less than what a cable tv subscription will cost them on their own each month? For those that don't own a traditional computer or laptop, can people watch cable tv shows via a tablet or smartphone or connect it via an HDMI cable to a regular big screen television?

The HOA is probably in a long term contract with the cable company. Do you attend the HOA meetings? It's probably been brought up before.

You're stuck, sorry. They will not be receptive to your idea as they probably assume the people renting love the "free" cable. And even as flea says, they probably do have a contract.

Ain't gonna happen...seen this attempted before

Quote from repitall : Ain't gonna happen...seen this attempted before

What was the response from the HOA Board or homeowners?

Quote from flea : The HOA is probably in a long term contract with the cable company. Do you attend the HOA meetings? It's probably been brought up before.

I brought it up to one member of the Board, but never in writing or in person to the entire Board. He told me they are on a contract but that it expires this year.

Typically cable co.'s offer Internet + TV for a deal. Perhaps you could get free Internet along with your TV for not much more. You might even be able to get TV + Internet + telephone service. Have you looked into that?

I pay $82 a month for relatively slow DSL broadband (only 3.5kbps down / 512mbps up) and telephone with no long distance service. So I can tell you AT&T sux. But around here, Charter isn't much better at $100 for telephone + internet + phone, with the rate increasing to $200 /mo after one or two years (the $100 rate is just a short-term deal). And Charter's service is spotty to say the least--there is a lot of downtime, during which the Internet is unavailable.

So to me, $33 a month is not so bad, by comparison, but you could improve upon it to get Internet maybe.

Quote from SJGUY99 : What was the response from the HOA Board or homeowners?

As you described in your post...there are just to many options that people with cable are used to getting and trying to steer them to alternate sources is tough. Also, the older the tenants the less likely they want change.

This idea might work in a condo complex of college students, but try telling the older tenants that they will have to get their TV through an internet connection by streaming from a laptop or desktop through an HDMI connection to their TV and you might as well ask them to split the atom.

Your idea will be as appealing as the proverbial turd in a punchbowl.

The one downfall of these types of agreements is the cable company's greed. As they tirelessly eliminate more and more content that broadcast in sd ntsc (basic cable that you can pick up with an sd tv) and hd clear qam, the utility and appeal of these massive contracts with hoa's and apartment complexes decreases. If everyone has to rent a DTA or cable box from them they aren't as likely to see the value in this service.

So in time you can be reasonably sure that a typical cable company's greed will lead to the elimination of this agreement, it just might take another 5-10 years. There's also the unlikely event that the cable company might defy their reputation and anti-consumer business model and go out of their way to keep that $75k revenue stream flowing.

As others said it would be a pain and any alternatives would not be as convenient as currently offered.

If I was you I would start going to the HOA meetings now and network. This way you know what the "hot topics are" and start putting a "buzz" in their ear. As the contract comes up you can then bring up you can hopefully bring up the subject and you know what buttons to press.

I would bring up the option for a "group discount" instead of a mandated cable bill. If they want cable they can pay the $33 and if not you don't have to.

One point you can hit on is moving to a group discount would be less overhead for them as an HOA.

Ok so let me get this right, all of this so you don't have to pay an extra $33 a year month for cable, and yet those that are loving this "feature" or "benefit" will be forced to have to pay at least double to triple in order to keep getting the same channels. Yeah that's not going to go over well. I'd say just leave it as is.

Quote from menace33 : Ok so let me get this right, all of this so you don't have to pay an extra $33 a year for cable, and yet those that are loving this "feature" or "benefit" will be forced to have to pay at least double to triple in order to keep getting the same channels. Yeah that's not going to go over well. I'd say just leave it as is.

No, it's $33 per month or $396 per year.

Quote from menace33 : Ok so let me get this right, all of this so you don't have to pay an extra $33 a year for cable, and yet those that are loving this "feature" or "benefit" will be forced to have to pay at least double to triple in order to keep getting the same channels. Yeah that's not going to go over well. I'd say just leave it as is.

If you do the math it looks like they are subsidizing half the cost of cable. Although it's not actually a subsidy since the homeowner is still paying the condo fee. I suspect people won't comprehend this basic point, so I might try to get an internet bundle for the same price or nominal increase added to the contract.

And as an aside, I hope to never live in a HOA. I've seen it turn good people into raving lunatics.

Quote from SJGUY99 : No, it's $33 per month or $396 per year.

Crap, I meant $33 a month, not year. Hell if cable was that affordable then there wouldn't be so many complaints about it