Asian Fever

Cutting Cable

UhOh

Well-known member
Dec 11, 2011
1,971
294
83
My Shaw bill is simply too big for the couple of channels I occasionally watch. I'm considering getting rid of it. I'm mostly only interested in news programs and I want to keep my internet access but not necessarily with Shaw. What are the cheaper option?
 

jamasianman

Well-known member
Dec 5, 2015
1,463
267
83
The cheapest option is not have news programs at all and just do internet with shaw, or with someone else. Bundling is how they get you.
 

legman

Member
Dec 10, 2008
41
2
8
I cut my cable. I'm using one of those HD antennas. I get about 5-6 channels, CTV, global, omni, etc. I suggest buying an antenna and try it out before cutting cable just to see if you can get decent reception.

As for internet, I went with a small company call Surf internet. They use Shaw's network but I'm on paying $40 per month for 75mbps. There are other small companies like that as well. It's a lot cheaper than Shaw, worth looking into.

So I went from $150+ per month for Shaw down to $40 plus taxes per month. Especially with my work schedule all over the place, there's no sense in paying extra.

Hope this helps
 

felixthecat

Well-known member
Aug 28, 2011
1,581
34
48
Internet is cheaper through smaller providers. Many of them are selling cable / DSL that use Shaw / Telus infrastructure but for less.

Check your choices on www.canadianisp.ca by province/city. Usually cable and DSL options, in some municipalities also fiberoptics.

teksavvy.com is a popular choice. Other than monthly price, compare startup costs, there can be setup charges and the cost of renting or buying a modem.

For TV, depending on where you live, news and more can be available for free over the air in HDTV quality. A good antenna helps, e.g. an indoor one like https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00BN5Z2WM
 

Ninjakitty

New member
Aug 6, 2017
27
0
0
Get yourself a kodi box , you get all the channels and more without paying crazy premium cable prices! Just strictly pay for internet and a max 13 bux a month for more channels you would get via shaw cable.
 

johnsmit

Active member
May 4, 2013
1,301
16
38
Personally I have not had cable TV for over 10 yrs ..
Did not even have a TV for 8 of those yrs .In my present rental it came with a TV.and originally internet was included. Then I had to pay for it and 75 a month was just to Much. I phoned them to cancel and they gave me a deal $45 a month for unlimited... that was with telus
.
I only watch you tube and open channels on the TV.
And for my phone on Wi-Fi when I am home .

Just have not been interested in being a slave to watching TV series or antisapating the next installment of later and greatest program ever ..
 

Linden

Member
Sep 14, 2007
48
1
8
take a 12' piece of coaxial cable and connect one end to your tv and bare about 3 or 4 " at the other end so just the copper core is visible. Scan the channels, you will find up to 17 channels................CBC and CTV will be the clearest you have ever seen them. FREE
 

Muffdiver69

Member
Sep 27, 2007
182
6
18
get rid of TV completely and use web based things.

Filmon is good for free stuff. Lots of specialty programs and live TV. Some from Canada (just checked Canada stations not listed now)

also sign up for free USTV now. Get a selection of around 13 US channels totally free. Been using it for years with no issue.
 

take8easy

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2014
4,528
721
113
I pay a LOT for this 'bundle' with Shaw (phone, TV and internet). I think it is about $180. For now we are under contract but as soon it ends, I am going to look into other options for internet.

I am not sure what it is called but there is this box that uses internet and you can watch hundreds of channels for free. I believe it is about $200 pm and then there is about $15-20 monthly fee. I was told that the local channels don't show in HD though but there are all sorts of sports, news, movie channels.

Wish I knew what it is called.
 

Kamguy

Member
Aug 24, 2005
44
4
8
get rid of TV completely and use web based things.

Filmon is good for free stuff. Lots of specialty programs and live TV. Some from Canada (just checked Canada stations not listed now)

also sign up for free USTV now. Get a selection of around 13 US channels totally free. Been using it for years with no issue.
I have not had TV for about 8 years and have been using MovieBox on an IPad.

Thank you for the above listings, especially for TV channel options.

What is USTV now? I tried to google it and well there were quite a few hits.
 

Caramel

Banned
Dec 21, 2011
1,086
1
0
I got rid of my TV like 10 years ago, it was one of those huge year 2000 clunky ones, it sat in my room for 10 years, then finally a few days ago it was taken down and dumped outside (had to make room for my new hedgehog child)...there are no strong people in my house, takes a while for large things to be moved. I have been content with my desktop computer and beautiful flat screen monitor ever since!
 

Muffdiver69

Member
Sep 27, 2007
182
6
18
I have not had TV for about 8 years and have been using MovieBox on an IPad.

Thank you for the above listings, especially for TV channel options.

What is USTV now? I tried to google it and well there were quite a few hits.
this is the website for ustv now
http://watch.ustvnow.com/guide

Says it is for "USTVnow offers American expats and military a wide range of live American channels to watch on their computer, mobile device or television."
I have signed up from Canada using a google account. Do not have to "trick" the system by using a VPN and US IP. The free portion gets you six channels
ABC. CBS. CW.FOX.PBS.MY9.
 

Linden

Member
Sep 14, 2007
48
1
8
take8easy.....don't agree to ANY monthly fee......lots of free up there..........Amazon FireTV is the way to go.....not a Firestick......
 

WallyJames

New member
Nov 11, 2017
95
0
0
Manitoba
Best bang for your buck is an amazon fire-stick with kodi loaded on it.
Lots of info on how to do it and the fire stick is about 50$ and your good to go.
You can get everything from live events to regular channels to every movie and tv show ever made .
 

myCompanion

Banned
Oct 29, 2017
681
0
0
mycompanion.ca
Android TV (I use an NVidia shield - make sure you get a unit runs latest android version)
+ side load terrarium: all content, all providers, $0
+ side load mobdro: live tv, $0
+ install haystack tv: news, $0

Done

Kodi is dead. I don't use it anymore and it isn't being updated. Terrarium and Mobdro are the new thing.
 

Linden

Member
Sep 14, 2007
48
1
8
stick is slow compared to box, worth the extra $30 for the box in my opinion.

Kodi is working just fine, IPTV is a fine option on Kodi.
 

felixthecat

Well-known member
Aug 28, 2011
1,581
34
48
You must layoff that shit you've been smoking, you're lacking credibility in many ways.

The fact is Kodi is alive, well, and doing better than fine. Developers/builders are updating their builds regularly.
He gave some concrete actionable recommendations, at least. I could easily try Terrarium by googling for the app, installing it on an Android tablet and watching there / casting to a big screen. It was a good recommendation, I'd say.

Whereas Kodi (and IPTV) are rather generic suggestions. To try them out, I would have to do my own additional research on what exactly to set up.

The truth about Kodi may be somewhere in the middle. It's not dead, but it seems to be still a game of cat and mouse. As said in http://www.wirelesshack.org/top-best-working-kodi-video-add-ons.html
Kodi lost many top repositories and add-ons last year including Colossus, Smash, and Ares Wizard.

Even though some Repos have shut down many others are still up
 

Linden

Member
Sep 14, 2007
48
1
8
Terrarium TV is ok except for annoying pop ups, definitely a reality. Future of Terrarium is not stable, recently rescued and seems fine at present.
 
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