Anyone Using "Over the Air" Tv, Netflix or Hulu Plus?

Updated on August 07, 2012
L.D. asks from Modesto, CA
14 answers

We are considering ditching DirecTV to save money.
1) Considering getting antenna to get over the air tv. I know it dramatically reduces your choice of stations for live tv. About how many stations does one get on average?
2)Considering buying a Roku box to stream Netflix and Hulu Plus. Selection not a big deal for hubby and me but I'm wondering about childrens tv selections. My kids watch HUB, PBS Sprout, Cartoon Network programming. (Transformers, Dora, Looney Tunes etc). Do either of these offer a lot of childrens tv programs? Doesn't really seem like it but I can't get a complete listing of Netflix kids shows from the website.
3)Anyone who ditched cable/satellite TV - How did you do it and are you happy you did it?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from San Francisco on

We have had an antenna for 4 years and love it. We get 3 out 4 networks, Pbs, ion, etc. We dont watch much beyond that and so far my son, almost 2.5 and daughter 6 months are fine with what we have. I feel better only having a few channels and less trash on the tv.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Yep. Years and years ago.

Combined Netflix & Hulu+ does just about everything, for less than $20, and stations are opening up more and more programming every year.

Zune (through the Xbox), and iTunes does nearly all the rest... Including live sports.

The only thing in still waiting on is HBO. I'd pay them directly if they'd let me.

To know: Our local news is crappola... So I don't do local news at all, so don't know the availability there.

1 mom found this helpful

J.A.

answers from Indianapolis on

We have a smart Tv and use netflix on it. Only thing we watch in fact. Unless we watch something online or a movie we own. Works great for us! I put on educational shows for my girls during the day. And my husband gets his pick of shows at night. Netflix has an entire kids mode now. There are a shitload of cartoons, movies (both animated and real) and educational shows. They have Sesame Street and Barney. Today we watched a show about space, a couple of dinosaur shows, and meerkat manor. Plus my oldest just loves spongebob. I've been a Netflix member for 3 1/2 years. I love it! Best $8 you could ever spend!

1 mom found this helpful

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

I wanted to try doing that. I went and bought an antenna to attach to our set to pick up the local stations. It picked up nothing. I suppose if you live in a metro area, it might work just fine. But we are probably 50 miles from the nearest metro area, and we get nothing.

That is what I would do if I were you.... go buy whatever kind of antenna and try it out. See what you get. If you get nothing, return the antenna to the store and you have the information without losing service or wasting any money.

We do use Netflix, a lot. (more the kids probably than us, be we watch old TV and movies, lately lots of BBC stuff).
We also have Direct TV. I hate paying the monthly bill for it, but it is the only way to get local news and/or national news programs LIVE. And when my husband wakes up at 3:00 a.m. and moves out to the sofa to try to go back to sleep, he doesn't want to spend 15 minutes searching around for something to turn on on Netflix. He just wants to click the TV on and have some sort of talk tv on so he can fall back asleep.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.S.

answers from Boston on

Hi! My mom's house is in an area that has nothing. So while I put off making a dish decision my kids always remember to bring video tapes from home or the library. Yes, I have to remember to get a DVD player too. Anyway, what I wanted to tell you was that when we hooked the box up to the TV I was surprised by how many over the air channels there were that we hadn't gotten before. Find someway to check what you can get over the air in your neighborhood. I honestly would be perfectly content with what comes in but we want to rent to weekenders and since we can't get them cable, internet access, or cell phone reception I think we should get them something, maybe... I think...
Here at home we have Netflix. I think my kids use it more on their computers than we use it here in front of the TV. I don't have little kids but you can get PBS over the air, kid shows all day. And the library is free...

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.R.

answers from Sacramento on

Not sure what you'd get where you live, but in the Sacramento area we are getting ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, ION, PBS, and about three other local stations, as well as a couple of Spanish language stations on our antenna.

J.O.

answers from Boise on

We went with DirecTv just recently.

I don't like Hulu, I have it cause a few of my older kids like to use it every once in a while.

Netflix has most shows only they are older shows and the selection can be meager at times. I still enjoy it and right now my 2 year old is blowing it up with Yo Gabba Gabba (yuck).

On air is determined by where you live.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.F.

answers from San Francisco on

We have Netflix and I love it. My 7 year old never gets bored with what's available. They have a "just for kids" section and it's all kids shows and movies. They have all the shows you mentioned and more. Hope this helps.

N.P.

answers from San Francisco on

We haven't had traditional tv for years. My daughter loves Kidflix, the netflix kids "channel". The selection is huge and between that and our Disney DVD collection, she is never without something interesting to watch. We also have hulu, which is more for me as the kids fare is light, but it has a number of programs I like to watch. I made the switch and don't regret it. We use our Wii and PS3 to stream hulu and netflix, which is just like a Roku box but it plays games as well.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.O.

answers from Sacramento on

That is so funny because we are in the process of doing exactly this. We ordered an antennae and are ditching Direct TV because it is ridiculous to spend so much on TV. We have a Roku box and the kids sometimes watch Cailou, My Little Pony and Care Bears on Netflix. There is Yo Gabba Gabba on it and a lot of good old movies like Annie, Benji and some other good oldies on Netflix instant download. We don't watch Hulu too much. There are also good nature and sea life shows.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Late reply, but we got rid of DirecTV over a year ago. We use Hulu and Netflix exclusively, no cable or satellite. We're very happy. However, neither of us watch sports. I watch the NBC nightly news through a podcast.

The initial catalyst was the price of DirecTV. Our friends got some great deal as new subscribers, so my husband called and asked for that deal. They said No. He cancelled. A month later, we got an offer for that same deal. By that time, we were not missing DirecTV at all, so declined.

So go ahead and cancel. If you are miserable, just wait for the offer to return. We're still getting the "Come back!" offers, nearly two years later.

Oh, to answer your question about kids programming. Netflix may not have the programs your kids are used to, but they have plenty of shows. With the new Kids Only area, they can tool around and find something new they are interested in.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.L.

answers from Dallas on

Yes we dropped FIOS Internet/TV about 5 months ago. Installed an antenna in our attic for local stations. We use Netflix through the Wii and Xbox, and hubby set up a Media center for us to stream Kylo, Hulu and Netflix from. That runs us under $20 per month and our Time Warner internet runs about $45. With Fios we were paying about $145 a month so this will save us over $1k per year. So far after 5 months, I don't missed FIOS or cable at all!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

1. I think I have maybe 20 stations using an antenna. PBS, CBS, NBC, ABC, and my favorite, ION Television.

2. We luv Netflix! Dora, Veggie Tales and plenty of Nick shows like Suite Life are on Netflix. There is a For Kids section with a variety of kids shows like Caillou.... Netflix plays on Wii, Xbox,certain DVD players and online too. Do the 30 day free trial to see if Netflix works for your family.

K.B.

answers from Augusta on

I have DirecTv but I use Hulu and Netflix. I can agree that DirecTv can be pricey but it's the best satellite. Well for me anyways.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions