Planning what to watch

[bibblebub]

I'm just about to get cable tv after a break of 6 years - 6 years in which I have only had the 4 terrestrial channels to watch, and low signal strength has meant that quite often not all of those are viewable.

So when you have a choice of dozens or hundreds of tv channels from which to choose, how do you end up watching the programmes that you do?

Do you stick to the programmes you know, occasionally trying something different?

Or, do you spend time with the tv guide, planning what you are going to watch in each half-hour slot?

Or, do you find yourself flicking through all the channels a lot of the time just to see what is on? (I'm guessing that this is probably the least likely if you're not on your own)

[Francis Asis]

We tend to stick to the main 5 and only look at the others if there's nothing on or if we know there's something on a "digital" channel that we particularly want to watch.

[barb1314]

We've had cable for about 6 years and I only watch BBC1/2,ITV and Channel 4! But it's a package for Broadband and phone too. Very rarely I might watch More 4 but that's about it.

[redman41]

Sport and Documentaries are the main Channels that I watch.
I watch Films on DVD rather than the ones shown on TV

[Maydup]

I watch BBC1, 2 and 4, some channel 4 and that's about it. The rest tend to be repeated stuff from way back which I wasn't too keen on first time round.
If i want to watch skysports I do that online, even though the sites do have a tendancy to crash just at the crucial moment!

[bibblebub]

One thing that I do remember about having lots of channels is that a quick look through all of them is a welcome alternative to having to sit through advert breaks.

[gingejbee]

Only have, and want, Freeview. Can't beat Radio Times for pointing you in the right direction, IMO.

[chelle7272]

We have cable mainly for the sports, but for day to day tv, I have my regular things to watch - usually from the channels 1 -5 but also shows I know which are also aired on other channels.
As you say it's always good to be able to flick around during ad breaks, and there's a comedy classic somewhere if nothing else appeals.

[Jemisa]

After a while you get to know whats on where, I use the planner a lot, and if an ad comes on for a prog that I think I'll like I make a note and try to fit it in. Or record it.
I'll even watch some shopping channels because they amuse me.
Enjoy 'flicking', you come accross some great stuff now and then.

jem

[shaneystar2]

We recently had cable put in after dire picture quality for ages .We live on the nearly most easterly point in the country and woe betide if the wind is in the wrong direction .Having tried a new aerial and freeview ( kept breaking up,hit and miss ) nothing worked hence we got cable .
I only watch what interests me .The main channels plus the bonus of BBC4 and Channel 5 which we couldn't get before .
Mr S. likes it for sport and I can feed my Law &Order ,SVU addiction .
I just watch what interests me and mark it in the RT .
I'm not a channel hopper/flicker and just stick to what I like watching .
I'm just happy to have a good quality picture after peering through snow for ages .
Wish we had it put in sooner :)

[razza]

Shaneystar,you must live in East Anglia then,whenever we went there on holiday TV reception was c**p

[bibblebub]

I know what you mean shaneystar2. On Saturday the signal disappeared altogether at 7am and didn't return until 24 hours later. I was going to wait to for the digital switchover (which is due next year here) to see what things were like then but being without any channels all day, especially since I wanted to watch the football, made me go for cable now.

Fortunately I was able to get good streaming of the footie on my laptop.

[4getmenot]

ive got freesat, lots of channels and hd for free. Mainly watch 1 to 4, and e4 but good things on cbs

[shaneystar2]

Yes I live in East Anglia Razza and our nearest transmitter is Tacolneston. By the time it beams over the bump that is Norwich and gets to us you may as well forget it :)

[shaneystar2]

Oh yes ..they switch us over to Digital in November bibblebub .
I'm really happy that I talked the old chap into getting cable.
If the offspring hadn't bought us an all singing all dancing TV for Christmas I'd still be peering through the snow :)