Monday 12 November 2012

Connecting Internet TV. Easy to do, saves a fortune (no more cable sub), greater choice and the licence fee goes. Not a bad day's work then.




In a recession, one way to reduce your costs is to switch from cable TV to internet or "connected" (as it's called) TV.

After all, the channels that you currently have are all online and about a million more. Plus you get your videos on demand (like Netflix), YouTube content, Facebook/Social Media, a music centre through itunes and a whole lot more. So it makes sense anyway - but when money is that bit tighter, now's the time to make the move.

What you do need is a good, strong internet connection which most of us already have and are paying for anyway. The better the connection the better the download speeds but generally things are improving all the time.

Next you need a "smart" TV. Don't have one? No problem. Most Blue Ray players and gaming consoles have this capability of internet connection but failing that, buy a streaming box (like a Roku box as illustrated circa 100 euro) in somewhere like Peats in Dublin. Easy to buy, easy to connect and job done.

It's as simple as that.

Some obscure programming is not online but that's more than compensated by what is and you'll just have saved yourself that monthly cable subscription as well as, the licence fee if you're in backward Ireland.

So internet connected TV makes sense economically as well as by choice. It's cheaper and better, which are the watchwords of Irish businessman, Denis O'Brien. Make it cheaper and better and it's a winner.

So a little trip to the electrical retail store to buy a streaming box (if you don't already have a connected device) and you're up and running.

It's going to happen anyway so you might as well get in first and impress your friends as well as save some money. And in Ireland, I'm guessing you don't have to pay a licence fee either? Why would you. After all you're using a computer not a TV and you're watching other stations rather than the national broadcaster, RTE. Because if you've choice, you'll move on.

So does this mark the end of the licence fee? I can't think why it doesn't. Apart from anything else, you'd have a monitor on your wall and a laptop - not a TV in sight. So it would be impossible to police. Maybe RTE would like to correct me?

Another saving.

Is this the start of the end of licence fee income?
It's sure going to have a massive impact on viewership.

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