Forum The Longship OT: So why did we all cut the cable cord again?

OT: So why did we all cut the cable cord again?

ST
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Such horseshit.

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/era-cheap-streaming-officially-over-104613955.html

#1 · Aug 10, 1:55 PM
DE
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@"StickyBun" said: Such horseshit.

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/era-cheap-streaming-officially-over-104613955.html


#2 · Aug 10, 2:03 PM
DE
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Deals can still be had but you have to be on it. Last black friday Hulu w/ ads and Disney+ (no ads) was $5/mo for 12 months. For someone with kids who love Disney and Bluey, this was a no-brainer. Wife likes hulu too.
Last holidays Verizon also offered Netflix's top tier for $25 for the entire year.

Great deals that will probably go away, but for now I'm happy. Until these expire ha. Then I'll either find another deal or we'll pair back.
Also have YoutubeTV and love it. Sadly have not found or seen any deals on that one. But I need it for sports so -shrugs-.
EDIT- Since I don't have a time machine I'll say I saw something about AppleTV+ offering 2 free months for new or returning subscribers right now. I didn't do it but that's out there, if that service interests anyone. I've heard good things about Severence and Silo, but can't confirm since I haven't watched them.

#3 · Aug 10, 2:36 PM
DE
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You have to be on the lookout and switch from time to time. It was only a matter of time before cable companies were going to jump on streaming. Although Disney and Netflix seem to be losing. 

#4 · Aug 10, 2:39 PM
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@"Vikergirl" said: You have to be on the lookout and switch from time to time. It was only a matter of time before cable companies were going to jump on streaming. Although Disney and Netflix seem to be losing. 
Netflix smashed their recent earnings report and grew something like 5 million subscribers. All of the consternation over their crackdown on password sharing seems to be a vocal minority. At least for now, Netflix came out smelling like a rose on that whole deal. I read this week that Disney+ is going to follow suit. I assume all streaming services will do the same after seeing the success Netflix has had.
#5 · Aug 10, 2:43 PM
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@"pattersaur" said:
@"Vikergirl" said: You have to be on the lookout and switch from time to time. It was only a matter of time before cable companies were going to jump on streaming. Although Disney and Netflix seem to be losing. 
Netflix smashed their recent earnings report and grew something like 5 million subscribers. All of the consternation over their crackdown on password sharing seems to be a vocal minority. At least for now, Netflix came out smelling like a rose on that whole deal. I read this week that Disney+ is going to follow suit. I assume all streaming services will do the same after seeing the success Netflix has had.
Yep, Netflix was right.....and Costco is doing the same thing, no more sharing membership cards. They are actively looking at your cards now to see if the pic aligns with the person giving it. I don't blame them. 
#6 · Aug 10, 2:44 PM
DE
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It is what it is. 
Cheap prices as they try to get you hooked into their platform.  Then ramp up the prices to maximize
profitability.  I think what will happen
more and more is people being hyper focused on subscribing for only 1 or 2
services at a time, binge watch some shows, and then migrate to the next platform.  I believe I heard that Disney has been losing
money on most of it’s movies recently, so I imagine they’ll have to crank up
streaming profitability to recapture those losses.

I think one redeeming factor here is that unlike cable/satellite,
it appears that companies will have to actually compete and let the market push
prices down.

#7 · Aug 10, 2:48 PM
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@"StickyBun" said:
@"pattersaur" said:
@"Vikergirl" said: You have to be on the lookout and switch from time to time. It was only a matter of time before cable companies were going to jump on streaming. Although Disney and Netflix seem to be losing. 
Netflix smashed their recent earnings report and grew something like 5 million subscribers. All of the consternation over their crackdown on password sharing seems to be a vocal minority. At least for now, Netflix came out smelling like a rose on that whole deal. I read this week that Disney+ is going to follow suit. I assume all streaming services will do the same after seeing the success Netflix has had.
Yep, Netflix was right.....and Costco is doing the same thing, no more sharing membership cards. They are actively looking at your cards now to see if the pic aligns with the person giving it. I don't blame them. 

Does Costco not have self checkouts?  I haven't had someone physically look at my card at Sams in years.

#8 · Aug 10, 3:35 PM
DE
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@"AGRforever" said:
@"StickyBun" said:
@"pattersaur" said:
@"Vikergirl" said: You have to be on the lookout and switch from time to time. It was only a matter of time before cable companies were going to jump on streaming. Although Disney and Netflix seem to be losing. 
Netflix smashed their recent earnings report and grew something like 5 million subscribers. All of the consternation over their crackdown on password sharing seems to be a vocal minority. At least for now, Netflix came out smelling like a rose on that whole deal. I read this week that Disney+ is going to follow suit. I assume all streaming services will do the same after seeing the success Netflix has had.
Yep, Netflix was right.....and Costco is doing the same thing, no more sharing membership cards. They are actively looking at your cards now to see if the pic aligns with the person giving it. I don't blame them. 

Does Costco not have self checkouts?  I haven't had someone physically look at my card at Sams in years.



Yep, they do....and that's where they check and ask for photo I.D.. Obviously, they check at the full service checkouts when you hand them your card. 

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/27/costco-cracks-down-on-membership-card-sharing.html#:~:text=Costco%20said%20it%20has%20always,membership%20card%20has%20no%20picture.

#9 · Aug 10, 3:48 PM
DE
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I have an idea for a business if someone would like to take it to Shark Tank.A wholesale club.
1. Membership fees are $45 a year.2. Our prices will not be great but a person could save a little on a few items. Actually, with coupons people would save more money shopping at Walmart.
3. We will check customers cards on their way into the store. This will cause a jam at the door but people will get used to it.4. We will not have any employees to help customers while in the store.
5. We will sell space for businesses like or AT&T to stop our customers to try and sell them phone and TV contracts.
6. Most merchandise will be on pallets. If something is out of reach a customer should not have to wait more than 3 hours for us to get a forklift there to retrieve it.7. People can check-out at self service check-outs. We will not have any bags for them.8. While leaving the store all customer carts will be checked to make sure they are not stealing. This will certainly cause a jam at the door but we don't care.

#10 · Aug 10, 10:06 PM
DE
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@"FLVike" said:
I have an idea for a business if someone would like to take it to Shark Tank.A wholesale club. 1. Membership fees are $45 a year.2. Our prices will not be great but a person could save a little on a few items. Actually, with coupons people would save more money shopping at Walmart. 3. We will check customers cards on their way into the store. This will cause a jam at the door but people will get used to it.4. We will not have any employees to help customers while in the store. 5. We will sell space for businesses like or AT&T to stop our customers to try and sell them phone and TV contracts. 6. Most merchandise will be on pallets. If something is out of reach a customer should not have to wait more than 3 hours for us to get a forklift there to retrieve it.7. People can check-out at self service check-outs. We will not have any bags for them.8. While leaving the store all customer carts will be checked to make sure they are not stealing. This will certainly cause a jam at the door but we don't care.



If you think this is what Costco is, you really don't understand Club business, lol. 

#11 · Aug 11, 7:38 AM
DE
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@"StickyBun" said:
@"FLVike" said:
I have an idea for a business if someone would like to take it to Shark Tank.A wholesale club. 1. Membership fees are $45 a year.2. Our prices will not be great but a person could save a little on a few items. Actually, with coupons people would save more money shopping at Walmart. 3. We will check customers cards on their way into the store. This will cause a jam at the door but people will get used to it.4. We will not have any employees to help customers while in the store. 5. We will sell space for businesses like or AT&T to stop our customers to try and sell them phone and TV contracts. 6. Most merchandise will be on pallets. If something is out of reach a customer should not have to wait more than 3 hours for us to get a forklift there to retrieve it.7. People can check-out at self service check-outs. We will not have any bags for them.8. While leaving the store all customer carts will be checked to make sure they are not stealing. This will certainly cause a jam at the door but we don't care.



If you think this is what Costco is, you really don't understand Club business, lol. 


Sounds more like sams club 

#12 · Aug 11, 9:56 AM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
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@"StickyBun" said:
@"FLVike" said:
I have an idea for a business if someone would like to take it to Shark Tank.A wholesale club. 1. Membership fees are $45 a year.2. Our prices will not be great but a person could save a little on a few items. Actually, with coupons people would save more money shopping at Walmart. 3. We will check customers cards on their way into the store. This will cause a jam at the door but people will get used to it.4. We will not have any employees to help customers while in the store. 5. We will sell space for businesses like or AT&T to stop our customers to try and sell them phone and TV contracts. 6. Most merchandise will be on pallets. If something is out of reach a customer should not have to wait more than 3 hours for us to get a forklift there to retrieve it.7. People can check-out at self service check-outs. We will not have any bags for them.8. While leaving the store all customer carts will be checked to make sure they are not stealing. This will certainly cause a jam at the door but we don't care.



If you think this is what Costco is, you really don't understand Club business, lol. 


Thats Sams Club for sure. They have a few things that are cheaper. When I do need to get a case of meat theyre cheaper and I can get catering supplies. 

Past that its not great prices.  Aldi is cheaper on most groceries. 

#13 · Aug 11, 9:59 AM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
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Cutting the cord isn't all about streaming.  Sure I use streaming services, and it's nice none of them lock you into contracts so you can drop and add anytime you want.I mainly cut the cord so I can get more OTA free local channel programming.  I added two antennas to my rooftop and I now get over 30 channels of "free" TV.  I also have a Tablo device that hooks up to my antenna as my over the air DVR.I plugged my antenna coax cable into the splitter I had already in place from my prior satellite connection, and now I get crystal clear free TV throughout my house - it's sweet!

#14 · Aug 11, 12:03 PM
DE
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@"Vikergirl" said: You have to be on the lookout and switch from time to time. It was only a matter of time before cable companies were going to jump on streaming. Although Disney and Netflix seem to be losing. 
True on the first part.  Huh, on the Netflix part?
#15 · Aug 11, 12:19 PM
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@"HappyViking" said:
Cutting the cord isn't all about streaming.  Sure I use streaming services, and it's nice none of them lock you into contracts so you can drop and add anytime you want.I mainly cut the cord so I can get more OTA free local channel programming.  I added two antennas to my rooftop and I now get over 30 channels of "free" TV.  I also have a Tablo device that hooks up to my antenna as my over the air DVR.I plugged my antenna coax cable into the splitter I had already in place from my prior satellite connection, and now I get crystal clear free TV throughout my house - it's sweet!

There was a website that let you put in your GPS coordinates to see what type of OTA you might get.  I needed a 2000' antenna to expect to get coverage 80% of the time. 

We did not go forward with the permitting process. 

#16 · Aug 11, 1:05 PM
DE
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@"AGRforever" said:
@"HappyViking" said:
Cutting the cord isn't all about streaming.  Sure I use streaming services, and it's nice none of them lock you into contracts so you can drop and add anytime you want.I mainly cut the cord so I can get more OTA free local channel programming.  I added two antennas to my rooftop and I now get over 30 channels of "free" TV.  I also have a Tablo device that hooks up to my antenna as my over the air DVR.I plugged my antenna coax cable into the splitter I had already in place from my prior satellite connection, and now I get crystal clear free TV throughout my house - it's sweet!

There was a website that let you put in your GPS coordinates to see what type of OTA you might get.  I needed a 2000' antenna to expect to get coverage 80% of the time. 

We did not go forward with the permitting process. 



This is a good one to help you know about antenna signal strength you'd expect by entering in your zip code: https://www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps

#17 · Aug 11, 1:25 PM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
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@"HappyViking" said:
@"AGRforever" said:
@"HappyViking" said:
Cutting the cord isn't all about streaming.  Sure I use streaming services, and it's nice none of them lock you into contracts so you can drop and add anytime you want.I mainly cut the cord so I can get more OTA free local channel programming.  I added two antennas to my rooftop and I now get over 30 channels of "free" TV.  I also have a Tablo device that hooks up to my antenna as my over the air DVR.I plugged my antenna coax cable into the splitter I had already in place from my prior satellite connection, and now I get crystal clear free TV throughout my house - it's sweet!

There was a website that let you put in your GPS coordinates to see what type of OTA you might get.  I needed a 2000' antenna to expect to get coverage 80% of the time. 

We did not go forward with the permitting process. 



This is a good one to help you know about antenna signal strength you'd expect by entering in your zip code: https://www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps



For the best prediction on tv reception, use your exact address!  If I use my zip code, dtvmaps puts my location 25 miles closer to the towers but below a hill which means poor predicted reception.  At my actual location, I have excellent reception and high signal strength with just a bare coax wire, even better with an antenna!

#18 · Aug 11, 1:33 PM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
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Rep: 0
@"AGRforever" said:
@"StickyBun" said:
@"FLVike" said:
I have an idea for a business if someone would like to take it to Shark Tank.A wholesale club. 1. Membership fees are $45 a year.2. Our prices will not be great but a person could save a little on a few items. Actually, with coupons people would save more money shopping at Walmart. 3. We will check customers cards on their way into the store. This will cause a jam at the door but people will get used to it.4. We will not have any employees to help customers while in the store. 5. We will sell space for businesses like or AT&T to stop our customers to try and sell them phone and TV contracts. 6. Most merchandise will be on pallets. If something is out of reach a customer should not have to wait more than 3 hours for us to get a forklift there to retrieve it.7. People can check-out at self service check-outs. We will not have any bags for them.8. While leaving the store all customer carts will be checked to make sure they are not stealing. This will certainly cause a jam at the door but we don't care.



If you think this is what Costco is, you really don't understand Club business, lol. 


Thats Sams Club for sure. They have a few things that are cheaper. When I do need to get a case of meat theyre cheaper and I can get catering supplies. 

Past that its not great prices.  Aldi is cheaper on most groceries. 


Yes, Sams club. If there was a Costco 50 miles from my house I would never go back to Sams club.

#19 · Aug 11, 9:07 PM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
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@"pattersaur" said:
EDIT- Since I don't have a time machine I'll say I saw something about AppleTV+ offering 2 free months for new or returning subscribers right now. I didn't do it but that's out there, if that service interests anyone. I've heard good things about Severence and Silo, but can't confirm since I haven't watched them.
Silo was ok, but Severance is definitely a hit. Can't wait for the next season.
#20 · Aug 12, 11:23 AM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
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@"IDVikingfan" said:
@"HappyViking" said:
@"AGRforever" said:
@"HappyViking" said:
Cutting the cord isn't all about streaming.  Sure I use streaming services, and it's nice none of them lock you into contracts so you can drop and add anytime you want.I mainly cut the cord so I can get more OTA free local channel programming.  I added two antennas to my rooftop and I now get over 30 channels of "free" TV.  I also have a Tablo device that hooks up to my antenna as my over the air DVR.I plugged my antenna coax cable into the splitter I had already in place from my prior satellite connection, and now I get crystal clear free TV throughout my house - it's sweet!

There was a website that let you put in your GPS coordinates to see what type of OTA you might get.  I needed a 2000' antenna to expect to get coverage 80% of the time. 

We did not go forward with the permitting process. 



This is a good one to help you know about antenna signal strength you'd expect by entering in your zip code: https://www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps



For the best prediction on tv reception, use your exact address!  If I use my zip code, dtvmaps puts my location 25 miles closer to the towers but below a hill which means poor predicted reception.  At my actual location, I have excellent reception and high signal strength with just a bare coax wire, even better with an antenna!

Hey, it says I'd get weak coverage of the Nashville stations.  Does anyone else ever get "weak" channels to actually come through?

#21 · Aug 12, 12:18 PM
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Forum The Longship OT: So why did we all cut the cable cord again?

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