I haven't watched TV in 8 months

masteen · Post by **masteen** » September 6, 2005, 4:59 pm

In 2 years time, I went from a network TV regular, to just a few programs, to not even turning my TV on unless it's to watch a DVD.

I'm not sure if it's the sheer volume of shitty programs out there (hello, reality TV), or the fact that "Prime Time TV" is also prime gaming time, or both.

So has anyone else's TV habits changed recently?

Sumdaor · Post by **Sumdaor** » September 6, 2005, 5:41 pm

I still watch tv 7 days a week, but not OMGIAMRETARDEDCAUSEALOTISTWOWORDS of primetime tv. I usually watch CSI, sportcenter, and cartoon network/poker depending on what mood I am in.

I can't remember the last time I watched a primetime program. (I usually catch the late night CSI re-reruns, and late night sportscenter). Like you said, I game during primetime so the tv would just be background noise.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 6, 2005, 5:43 pm

I watch a few HBO series, some documentaries, movies and sports.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » September 6, 2005, 6:03 pm

I try to catch the Fox cartoon lineup on Sundays. I don't even go out of my way to watch, it's only if I remember. I'd rather be online or watching a DVD when it comes to my "sit down" entertainment. I've been that way for at least 5 years, or ever since I had a high speed internet connection

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » September 6, 2005, 6:15 pm

I voted 'I don't watch TV' but then I remembered I watched it while on vacation back in July. But that was at my Dad's house so that doesn't count. I don't have cable at my apartment. The only thing I really miss is The Daily Show. I wouldn't mind finding an online source for that but it's not worth $45 a month for cable.

Dregor Thule · Post by **Dregor Thule** » September 6, 2005, 6:19 pm

I'm in the same boat as you Masteen. I used to be a TVholic I guess, I'd have it on even if I wasn't watching it. But the past few years I just can't bring myself to care. If there's a show I've heard really good things about, I'll download it. Some shows get regularly downloaded: The Daily Show being a prime example. But I can't stand the TV way of life anymore. Downloading shows is more like watching a mini-series to me, a really long movie of lesser production values

The glut of reality-based programming had a lot to do with it I'm sure.

miir · Post by **miir** » September 6, 2005, 6:35 pm

I voted I don't watch TV, but I will occasionally catch the Daily Show or the Sunday Simpsons/Family Guy/American Dad lineup.

I don't have cable, I get like 6 channels.
I watch a lot of DVDs and vary rarely some sports or a movie on TVO (TV Ontario).

Hesten · Post by **Hesten** » September 6, 2005, 6:36 pm

I watched TV once this year. Was the news to see if there were any pictures from NO after the hurricane.

In denmark, if you dont wanna buy a full package (cost the same as 2-3 DVDs, a month, so why bother), you can choose between news (check those on the net, and in newspapers), garden shows, cooking shows, reality shows, house programs, more reality shows, reality shows where someone remodels their house, the "guess what this piece of junk we found in someones cellar" shows, and reality shows that mix all the above.

Our full cable package not much better, think the only thing i would consider watching would be discovery, and ill rather buy 2-3 DVDS a month for the same price

.

As for TV series, denmark get at worst a shitty selection of US tv series (and at even worse, keep sending it. Last time i turned on TVDanmark, one of our lousier channels, for the first time in FOUR years, i managed to see a Spin City had a Frasier i had seen before), and at best a very late showing of the better US series (think the 4400 was 1 season behind, 24 hours 1 season behind, dr who not shown yet, and so on.
Faster to download the series from the net, and evetually buy the DVD version if its worth buying.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 6, 2005, 7:04 pm

Not watching TV at all is a bit extreme. There are still some great documentaries that you aren't going to find torrents for on the Discovery channel and History Channels.

For example, all this week, the History channel is running specials on the Roman Empire. I'm TiVO'ing them all. Tonight the topic is "Roman Vices". woo!

Last night I watched a great two hour documentary on the architects of Rome.

Sirensa · Post by **Sirensa** » September 6, 2005, 7:32 pm

I watched A&E channel for 15 hours yesterday cause it was playing 24 marathon.

I r lewzer!

Farrel · Post by **Farrel** » September 6, 2005, 7:38 pm

the only shows Im really keeping up with are the sopranos and family guy. other than that, its msnbc or the aux channel for ps2 (if that counts).

Zaelath · Post by **Zaelath** » September 6, 2005, 7:42 pm

Aslanna wrote:I voted 'I don't watch TV' but then I remembered I watched it while on vacation back in July. But that was at my Dad's house so that doesn't count. I don't have cable at my apartment. The only thing I really miss is The Daily Show. I wouldn't mind finding an online source for that but it's not worth $45 a month for cable.

I get the daily show from torrents.. you can pick them up individually or some kind soul recompresses them in OGG format and puts them up as a monthly set.

I "watch" TV every day in much the same way that you might watch radio; it's on, I listen while gaming/whatever, but I don't look up much. Things like 'Lost' are among the rare shows I have to actually watch since there's a lot of effort to make use of visuals rather than just showing a radio play with pictures, like most TV.

We don't have cable, but there's literally nothing on cable here. Broadcast television in this country has all the good shows from the US and we're not bothered by swearing and nudity so that includes HBO series. Cable is all re-runs and the filler channels you get in the US.

Leonaerd · Post by **Leonaerd** » September 6, 2005, 8:18 pm

In 2 years time, I went from a network TV regular, to just a few programs, to not even turning my TV on unless it's to watch a DVD.

I'm not sure if it's the sheer volume of shitty programs out there (hello, reality TV), or the fact that "Prime Time TV" is also prime gaming time, or both.

So has anyone else's TV habits changed recently?

I'm almost exactly the same way. The computer is much more entertaining than TV shows of old. My favorites were Seinfeld, Friends, and ER. In recent years, ER's been heavily disappointing, Friends and Seinfeld are obviously gone, and each new show is either "reality" (ugh) or sloppy, with far too much emphasis on sex. If I wanted to watch sex, I'd turn on my computer.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » September 6, 2005, 9:30 pm

I watch almost no t.v. I watch lot's of dvd's if that counts, but I would say once every month I might watch a t.v. show or two. The last show I watched
every episode of on t.v. was Dark Angel. I was very bitter about it being cancelled but still watch it on dvd occasionally

Lisandre · Post by **Lisandre** » September 6, 2005, 9:57 pm

I watch TV about 1.5-2 hours a day on average -- Stargate: SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis, Battlestar Galactica, The 4400, Lost, Desperate Housewives, Monk, and the occassional re-run of Star Trek: Deep Space 9. Of the reality shows, I watch American Idol

, and The Amazing Race. I don't play MMOGs anymore, though.

Sionistic · Post by **Sionistic** » September 6, 2005, 11:11 pm

I love my movie channels. If theres a movie i'll watch more than 5 times on the movie channels, I'll buy the dvd. I havent regreted a single purchase ive made in this fashion.

As for regular tv. Mostly just for Adult Swim on cartoon network, Daily Show. and Cops (still one of my favorite shows)

mia · Post by **mia** » September 7, 2005, 1:11 am

after being in college for 4 years and not having the money for cable (and we would have to buy cable to get any sort of television) i got pretty used to finding other ways to amuse myself.

Bubba Grizz · Post by **Bubba Grizz** » September 7, 2005, 9:54 am

During summer there really isn't all that much to watch. At least until the Sci Fi channel starts up their Friday night lineup with the Star Gates and Battlestar Galactica. Other than that I have been watching the INXS show because it is like watching the old Don Kirschners Rock Concerts (if yer old enough to remember them).

This fall however should be interesting. I'm going to give a number of shows a chance and then probably pick one to follow.

The Surface
Threshold
Invasion
Fathom

Are the new shows I want to check out. I will most likely still watch LOST just to figure out WTF is going on. Also, for my guilty pleasure, American Idol.

However, Sundays and Monday Nights are made for FOOTBALL.

Mr Bacon · Post by **Mr Bacon** » September 7, 2005, 10:25 am

I do watch TV - a lot of it in fact. Though it's more background noise than me actually watching it.

Because I'm in college I have a small (on campus) room. There are only a few things to really do here. Watch TV and use the PC. So this is what is on the TV, though I may not even be in the room at the time:

6:30 Simpsons
7:00 Simpsons
7:30 Seinfeld
8:00 Daily Show
8:30-11 "Whatever the hell's on comedy central" - this is the time that I am definitely NOT in the room or simply not watching the tv at all.
11:00-12:30 Adult Swim
12:35-(sleep) Conan

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » September 7, 2005, 10:38 am

I'll watch TV or a movie when I've absolutely nothing else to do. Generally Discovery, History or the Food Network. Seems pretty dumb to be spending $52 a month on basic cable, when I only watch 3-4 out of 100+ channels, and those infrequently.

The rest of it consists of garbage for the most part.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » September 7, 2005, 1:08 pm

i watch pretty much whatever hbo show is on at 9 on sundays. other than that, adult swim and sportscenter.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » September 7, 2005, 1:43 pm

Kinda funny seeing so many adults mention cartoons in one shape or another. Twenty years ago, who would've imagined?

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » September 7, 2005, 2:04 pm

I don't watch as much as I used to. I rarely catch new episodes of Simpsons/Familly Guy. I catch Law and Order once in a while.

The only thing that is consistent is the Daily Show and my 6 oclock local news.

Xyphir · Post by **Xyphir** » September 7, 2005, 4:58 pm

I watch ~2-3 hours a week. My attention span is very short, and I find there are better ways to spend my time than in front of a TV. I usually work 10-12 hour days, and have lots to do when I finally get home. Typically, by the time the TV is an option it's 10:30. Most weekends, I'm not home anyway. I have basic cable, but no ESPN. I occasionally watch Family Guy, The Simpsons, Iron Chef, Good Eats, Letterman, and the news but I rarely sit through a whole show of anything.

Ennia · Post by **Ennia** » September 14, 2005, 1:04 am

I record a lot of shows, then watch them with my finger on FF or skip buttons, saving a lot of time that way.

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » September 14, 2005, 9:46 am

I guess it works out to a couple hours a week. I can stomach a few of the HGTV shows my wife watches and enjoy a number of shows on Food Network but I only really try and catch the Amazing Race as a show choice. Everything else is just incidental. I usually only listen to sports as it's hard to actually block that much time in front of a tv and I hate not being productive.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » September 14, 2005, 6:11 pm

Does watching football count as TV? Because I watch a LOT of football, both at home and in bars.

a_guide · Post by **a_guide** » September 14, 2005, 6:17 pm

I don't own a TV but I download the good stuff. Currently catching up on Six Feet Under, Deadwood, House, Nip/Tuck, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and missing Dead Like Me and Carnivale.

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » September 14, 2005, 6:25 pm

I watch Smallville, Weeds, Desperate Housewives, and Battlestar Galactica. Also add in an occasional TLC or History channel show.

I wait for DVD's now on anything older than 3 years though.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » September 14, 2005, 10:36 pm

I watch sports of all sorts. About once a month I'll turn on Animal Planet and watch a special on elephant seals or the worlds most extreme animals or whatever. That's about it.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » September 14, 2005, 11:55 pm

Growing up cheetah! RAWR~!

Deward · Post by **Deward** » September 15, 2005, 10:05 am

My wife and I canceled all but the basic cable package when she got pregnant. We get like 12 channels now which is good enough for my football although I miss ESPN. For shows I like on Sci-Fi, i use DC++ to download and watch them. Other than that, I watch the news every morning.

We did this so that our son doesn't become a TV zombie. It is mostly crap on TV anymore anyway.

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » September 15, 2005, 12:18 pm

Kylere wrote:I wait for DVD's now on anything older than 3 years though.

Yeah, I did that for King of Queens. I wouldn't even know what time it's on as I've only watched it on dvd

VeeshanVault

I haven't watched TV in 8 months

Do you still watch TV regularly?

I haven't watched TV in 8 months