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In the beginning of the television industry, television programming was free. The only expense to watching television was the purchase price. Everyone had rabbit ears or an outside antenna. In the 1960s, cable television came along. While cable seemed inexpensive at first, the prices have risen. Basic cable cost almost 400 dollars annually in many places and full connections can cost over 100 dollars monthly. Quick calculations will tell you that you could easily spend 1200 dollars or more yearly on cable television. In all of this, there is some good news. Television programming can still be free and free television is better than ever.

When all televisions were analog sets, cable grew in popularity because reception was often bad. Pictures often had shadows or snow and in some cases were not viewable. Recently all television was changed to digital broadcasting. Television stations still send out their feed through the airwaves, they are at different frequencies than before. The good news about digital television is that pictures are always clear if there is any reception at all.

Free, local television broadcasts will allow you to see many of your favorite daytime or nighttime shows at no cost. Most local stations also offer local as well as national news.

If you are addicted to movies, then a less expensive option is to join an online movie rental. The fee is in proportion to the number of movies you wish to check out at one time, but begins at only 5 dollars per month. Within two days of sending one movie in, you will have another in your home. You can watch the movies at your convenience, mail the back and get the next movie in you cue.

Some of the online movie rentals offer you the ability to download older movies immediately for viewing. This is included in your monthly agreement.

Families are watching less television than they did in previous years. Teens and young adults use personal listening devices for music. Video games have become very popular, and many people are spending much more time in front of a computer than the television.

Think of what you can do with all the money saved by cutting the cable. In a few months time you will have saved enough to buy the big screen you have been wanting.

What if you pull the plug on cable and there is one evening when you cannot find anything to watch. Here is some great news, there is always another option for television. It is called the off button. Turn off the TV, and visit with your family. Get to know your children or spouse. Have a family game night. If the weather is agreeable, go to the park and spend time together, without television, video games or iPods.