Zero TV

What has happened to telephone landline and CD sales is coming to television. And that has got broadcasters worried.

Ryan Nakashima of the AP wrote about TV broadcasters' biggest worry: the people who have no TV whatsoever (not even antenna ones that get free signals over the air). They dubbed this group "Zero TV"

Some people have had it with TV. They've had enough of the 100-plus channel universe. They don't like timing their lives around network show schedules. They're tired of $100-plus monthly bills.

A growing number of them have stopped paying for cable and satellite TV service, and don't even use an antenna to get free signals over the air. These people are watching shows and movies on the Internet, sometimes via cellphone connections. Last month, the Nielsen Co. started labeling people in this group "Zero TV" households, because they fall outside the traditional definition of a TV home. There are 5 million of these residences in the U.S., up from 2 million in 2007.

Link (Image: Retro TV Mouse Pad)


I guess I count as a "Zero TV" person. I live with my family, and we have a family TV, but I never watch it, and I don't have a TV set of my own.
The large majority of TV shows don't interest me at all.
I do, however, watch a lot of YouTube. :)
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
  2 replies
We haven't paid for TV in over a decade. Everything is available online, when I want to watch it. I try to use legitimate sites to watch videos legally (like Netflix), but I can't always do that.

The broadcasters need to catch up with what people are already doing!
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I am one of those, too.
Just, because TV-program annoys me. Stupid shows and advertising all the time.
I rather check out my Youtube subscriptions. If you have enough of those, you have got hours of on-demand quality program that fits exactly your interests. And if you have got an ad-blocker everything is ad-free, too.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Same here, only Netflix and YouTube. Maybe some CATV at the Gym, and only during warmups. Broadcasting industry is behind the trend and day by day risk obsolescence.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Zero TV'er here. I buy the shows I enjoy via amazon, netflix, or vudu. Regular TV is just so much crap. I don't need/want a crapton of boring sports, cooking or reality TV shows and adverts to try and find good sci-fi or fantasy series I enjoy.

When working around the house, TV just bugs me. I prefer OPB (public radio) programs or the news. Radio was designed around not being seen, so if you're a multi tasker who's not really watching the TV anyway, its just ideal. TV requires too much visual attention to get the full gist of whats going on. Radio has TV beat in this dept. Nothing better than a rainy day, working on a craft project, and listening to Moth Radio Hour. BLISS!
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
  1 reply
Once you take this path there is no coming back. You won't miss your regularly scheduled network. I've been doing this for at least 5-6 years, only watch TV for social reasons, as weird as that sounds.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I cut all the cable in January 2012. The TV I have is a 30" widescreen LCD pre-digital era (but with two component inputs and a DVI input, so DVD/Blu-Ray and Roku to the DVI via HDMI converter cable all work fine) so it doesn't even have a tuner for digital, and I'm not inclined to spent money for one. Netflix, Prime and lucky enough to still have a local video rental store. I can't see why I would go back to television.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I've done the Netflix and Hulu and YouTube, etc. thing and ran out of stuff that interested me. I would be happy to pay less for my cable, but I find that it's my one real luxury (as well as high speed internet).

I seldom go to the movie theater (it's been over a year) and I don't do pay per view.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I have been a part of the Zero TV demographic for about 10 years. That would be 20 years had I not had a brief stint living with some roommates who insisted on having cable. This doesn't mean I don't watch shows. I stream Netflix and Hulu and you know... have (other means) of getting shows. And before those existed I just bought a lot of show DVD's.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Click here to access all of this post's 22 comments
Email This Post to a Friend
"Zero TV"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More