# What handful of cable/satellite channels do you regularly watch? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 14, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248 "2012-07-14T20:31:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/1 "2012-07-14T20:31:42Z")
Like (I assume) most of you, I get a zillion stations with my DirecTV satellite, and I could do without all but a dozen or so. They are FoodTV, the Cooking Channel, HGTV, AMC, TCM, USA and WGN (mostly for NCIS, Law & Order, etc. reruns), Bravo sometimes, ION sometimes, TLC (mostly for What Not to Wear), Smithsonian & History sometimes. That’s about all. Don’t need the various shopping channels or sports channels. I don’t get any of the Premium stations. I do like getting the major networks and the local PBS station. The current flap that DirecTV is going through doesn’t affect me, as I don’t watch Nick, MTV, Spike, or Comedy Central. I miss TVLand a little teeny bit. What channels/stations do you watch most of the time? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/2 "2012-07-14T20:39:40Z")
[Timely artlcle in _The Atlantic_ on this subject.](http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/07/the-end-of-tv-and-the-death-of-the-cable-bundle/259753/) ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/3 "2012-07-14T22:21:35Z")
I watch Teletoon and Comedy a lot (those are Canadian cable channels). To a lesser extent, I sometimes watch History or Discovery. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2012, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/4 "2012-07-14T22:29:49Z")
BBC America, AMC, Comedy, and The Food Channel. OK, I also watch USA for the L&O reruns and A&E for Parking Wars and Storage Wars ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/5 "2012-07-15T00:50:19Z")
Mostly CNN, TCM, SciFi (sic, dammit) and Comedy Central. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Cloud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@Little\_Cloud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Cloud)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/6 "2012-07-15T01:14:45Z")
I like several shows on USA and TNT. The various PBS stations are a staple for Masterpiece shows, Frontline, and Nova. Lately though, I can’t live without the Science channel and watch all those shows that try to explain quantum mechanics, string theory, astrophysics, etc. I’m thinking that, if I watch enough of them and get enough metaphors for explanation, maybe I’ll start to understand it all. This stuff really gives one a sense of perspective. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/7 "2012-07-15T05:00:16Z")
The ones I watch regularly at the moment: Animal Planet - only for Animal Cops (mostly reruns) and It’s Me or the Dog Hallmark Movie Channel - only for reruns of Murder, She Wrote ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/8 "2012-07-15T16:13:42Z")
Me too, for Animal Cops on Animal Planet. HGTV for House Hunters and Property Virgins Whatever channel Storage Wars is on. I like Barry Weiss. AMC for Breaking Bad FX for Justified Destination [something] when they have shows on the national parks or Wild [any country] Whatever channel Rick Steves’ travel show is on ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/9 "2012-07-15T16:30:57Z")
Msnbc, comedy central, HBO, the sports channel the Mariners are on, and sometimes history or science documentaries (I’m not sure of the channels). I don’t need anything about cooking, sewing, fishing, or buying or fixing up houses. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/10 "2012-07-15T17:22:43Z")
CNBC is my regular channel. I also watch sports on ESPN and Comcast Sports. ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/11 "2012-07-15T17:25:36Z")
All of the ESPNs, MLB Network, NFL Network, Fox Soccer Channel, GOL TV, NBC Universal, TLC, Discovery, Discovery Health, Comedy Central, USA Network, HGTV, BBC America, and sometimes A&E. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/12 "2012-07-15T17:51:42Z")
TCM is the default setting, PBS, TV Land, AMC, HBO, FX (waiting for American Horror Story to come back) the Weather Channel, and I listen to the music channels like Smooth Jazz and Solid Gold Hits waaay up in the triple digits. Occasionally HSN or QVC. I used to watch the cooking shows when Good Eats was on, but now, not so much. I used to watch Discovery Channel when Man vs. Wild and Dirty Jobs were staples, but not so much now as I have little interest in motorcycles or guns…Whatever happened to Dirty Jobs, anyway? They must have run out of dirty jobs. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/13 "2012-07-15T19:25:42Z")
Let me think. I watch several shows on USA: _Suits_, _Royal Pains_, _Burn Notice_, and … well, that’s it. Oh, there’s also NCIS reruns. I watch WGN for _How I Met Your Mother_ and _Law & Order: The One with the Bipolar Detective_ reruns. I watch _Mad Men_ on AMC. In theory I’d watch _Clone Wars_ and _Young Justice_ on Cartoon Network, but in practice I usually see those online. That’s it, I think. ---
**Author:** ![FeAudrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7feea3/32.png) [@FeAudrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FeAudrey)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/14 "2012-07-15T23:09:07Z")
Those of us watching strictly over-the-air channels have at least one that cable and satellite viewers generally do not: mHz Worldview – [http://mhznetworks.org/option,com\_worldviewchannels/mode,showlist/Itemid,146/](http://mhznetworks.org/option,com_worldviewchannels/mode,showlist/Itemid,146/) (typically carried as a PBS sub-channel; link is to list of currently running programs) They have English-language newscasts from all over the planet and nightly broadcasts of sub-titled mystery series, mostly from Italy and Scandinavia, plus the occasional (very non-North American) film or sports event. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/15 "2012-07-15T23:12:50Z")
HGTV, DIY, Game Show Channel, Bravo (for Top Chef), History, History Inter, Dsc and TLC. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/16 "2012-07-15T23:49:07Z")
I know this isn’t GD, but this certainly misses the bitch of the situation. I, like most posters here, probably watch about 10 channels regularly. Since DirectV offers about a 1000, should my hundred dollar monthly bill be reduced to $1 per month? Or is the argument that there are a bunch of shitty channels? I think so, but as we see in this thread, different strokes for different folks. We all only watch OUR ten channels, but they aren’t the same ones that others like. Plus, since you’ve put a giant satellite up there, even if there is a channel that only a handful of people watch, you can still broadcast it without an increase in overhead. If they add, Channel 1001, the “Postmasters Who Rape Little Boys and the Reasons They Do It” Channel, it really doesn’t increase subscription costs, but serves 4 more customers. Having an “a la carte” where you could eliminate that channel wouldn’t be logical. ---
**Author:** ![phxjcc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phxjcc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phxjcc)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/17 "2012-07-16T18:02:52Z")
TCM more than any other ESPN for Tennis and Golf NBCSports (formerly Versus) for Olympics and NHL Hockey CNBC–but really can’t stand anyone on there but Herrera (Note to CNBC HR Dept: Brits with “private school” accents do not impress me) MSNBC for Morning Joe Comedy Central for Daily and Colbert Fox News for Fox and _Fiends_ [sic] during Morning Joe commercials PBS for News Hour, Masterpiece, Nova, Frontline, Antiques RS and Moyers Food Network for D, D & D HBO & Showtime That’s two hand fulls, but if you took away everything else and left me with this I would be happy. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/18 "2012-07-17T12:58:00Z")
BBC America (Top Gear), TBS/TNT (re-runs of Big Bang Theory and The Mentalist), QVC/HSN, TCM, AMC (for Mad Men). Huh. Maybe I should cancel cable since apparently I don’t watch much. ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/19 "2012-07-17T13:59:31Z")
ESPN ESPN2 ESPNU (college football) WGN (for Cubs games) …and shows with storage lockers, pawn shops, and junk pickers. They seem to be all over. That’s it. My wife only watches HGTV and E! That’s it. I wish I could get a cheap ala carte 10-channel package. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248/20 "2012-07-18T01:38:15Z")
Weather Channel (am I really the only one who admits to this?) Discovery History Channel TCM AMC Comedy Central MSNBC TNT Movieplex [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-handful-of-cable-satellite-channels-do-you-regularly-watch/628248.md?page=2)