The New York Post ran a story today claiming that "22% of all viewers rely exclusively on over-the-air broadcasting for their television viewing". The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) said that
those figures jive with their tally as do those of the Government Accountability Office and the Consumers Union. The NAB has long complained about...

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I'm one of those who still rely on most of my TV viewing via C/Ku band "big dish". As for HDTV I use both the BUD and OTA. At present my HDTV is 95% OTA.
While BUD HDTV is limited I still find the picture quality beats DirecTV and Dish by far. I'll be a BUD user as long as there's signals in the air to be picked up. There's lots of choice in satellite C/KU band coming down from the sky.
And subscriptions are cheaper than DirecTV and Dish, too!

It is hard to believe that the "average" person pays more than $200/mo. for cable or DBS + phone + internet combined. Even if you pay top dollar to the phone company for unlimited local/LD calling, that's only $50. You can get virtually everything DISH or D* offers for probably $100. Even with cable it would be hard to spend over $120. DSL or cable internet is less than $40.
I guess we are really in the minority in that we have two DBS services and cable!. We have BEV w. a movie pkg. and HD for $60US, D* middle range pkg. (no HD), $50 and, temporarily, Comcast cable w. an HD DVR for about $60. Phone line is $15. LD is less than $10.
The only way I can see the "communications" bill running over $200 for many people is if you include their cell phones.

...mike

Hi,

Fortunately I subscribed to an LD package from my Cable provider (Rogers) in Toronto that provides for a 1000 min anywhere in Canada and continental US for $5.00 because the remainder of my Cable bill which includes HI-Speed Internet and the SA8300hd HD decoder/pvr is $170.00 with "The Ultimate Movie Package" which is the highest tier bundle, but still does not include the several HD sport packages which would send my bill into the stratosphere.

The $200.00 level could also be reached if I were to invest in an even Higher, High-Speed modem for Internet.

Having a HD capable display is the factor that justifies High Tier programming. Recently Rogers offered me and I took advantage of a second digital decoder (free for 2yrs) which is used on a second non HD capable tv. This unit rents for $10.00 per month but would not have been a priority if it were not free.

The preceeding example of how what i call"Techno-Rent' does not suggest (because I have no idea) that our household is typical. Our dem ographic has been identified as "DINKs" Dual income no kids.

I'm an early adopter. I purchased a lifetime subscription to HDTV Magazine as part of my due diligence prior to purchasing of my HD Ready display. I was the first one in line when Rogers offerred HD decoders and subsequently PVRs (which do nop allow for outboard HD recording to a second hd/drv)

Anyway, (since my PC is a significant part of my HT) I've recently purchased the ATI HDTV WONDER OTA decoder card complete with antenna. Toronto is the only city in Canada whose major networks broadcast from places like "The CN Tower". Aside from our proximity to Buffalo and Rochester our CRTC has given US Networks permission to install repeater towers close to Toronto.

I wouldn't say that receiving these signals is easy for all, (I'm in a second floor condo with an east facing window) but I still get about 9 channels clearly. I'm definitely not reay to give up my cable connection but that day may not be far off.

If OTA reception of Canadian and US HD becomes easy and stable the Sat and Cable companies may have some worries which could mean lower prices.

Peter M.

Our all in one bill (cable TV, cable internet, and telephone) from Insight in Louisville, Ky is $138.00. That includes an HD DVR but no movie channels.

Unfortunately Cable and Sat are now the standard. If you want anything interesting or entertaining you must have cable or sat. We have come to expect alot of channel choices now.

I'm 44 years old and remember when you only got 5 or 6 channels max. They didn't all come in very clearly either. OTA is not an option unless you have SAT and don't want to pay(as I understand it) extra for local channels. But you still have to buy extra equipment anyway(I think).