Haven’t watched TV in over a year. Does anyone else here not watch TV at all? Why not?

[44267547]

I make very little time for TV, and rarely watch anything, even though I do have cable. I Find myself not generally interested what’s broadcasted on TV, unless it’s a sporting event. But I rather invest focus/prioritize my time in more important things like weightlifting/running takes precedence for me on a daily basis, I enjoy my peformance cars, car shows, shooting ranges, I’m very dedicated to my work life for my agency, attending training events to Improve my craft.

There is nothing wrong with TV watching, sometimes I think you have those who watch/invest *way* too much into TV watching, but to each their own.

I do genuinely enjoy a good movie if it has a decent cast and the ratings are good, but I find there’s so much garbage on TV, a lot of is distasteful and unappealing to me. But I also understand everyone has different appreciations for various content.

I found myself watching more TV when I was younger, but now at age 33, it’s interesting to see how I have transitioned away from that entirely and changed my preferences completely to other healthier habits I find more refreshing.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

So you do watch TV?

For one hour, this morning. For the rest of the week, probably nothing.

When I am abroad, I don't watch TV at all for months on end.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Football and F1 I watch live.
Most other things we watch have been recorded on the DVR so we can skip the adverts or pause for a tea break etc.

When were first married we had no TV (or computer or other online device) for about two or three years.
Probably did us the world of good getting to know one another as we hadn't lived together before.

But I find there is less and less on I want to watch.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

......

But I find there is less and less on I want to watch.

This is also key.

 

[MBAir2010]

I have a question, do I really need an Apple TV?

The macmini stores my mp4 files and QuickTime sends these to a Samsung tv.
Since I’m a guy weened on sports, I do watch games as now I’m trying to watch Spain-Russia on telemundo.
I watch and enjoy baseball daily streaming mlb games from safari.
Working at home means lotsa of music is being played were I use a Bose and iTunes either airplay or just headphone jack.

How would an Apple TV improve my set up now?

 

[cobracnvt]

I find myself mostly watching shows streaming from the internet versus watching cable TV. I still have cable TV though, since it's a cheaper package instead of just internet for myself as well.

 

[Matz]

For one hour, this morning. For the rest of the week, probably nothing.

When I am abroad, I don't watch TV at all for months on end.

A few years back I had a contract which required commuting, on a 10-day on, 4-day off rotation. Except for those four days home out of two weeks, I lived in a hotel. During the three and a half years I was there, I turned on the TV twice, at the beginning of my stay. But when I went home, I’d watch TV.

Come to think of it, when I stay at a hotel now, I don’t turn on the TV. Not out of some anti-TV sentiment; it just doesn’t occur to me to do so.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A few years back I had a contract which required commuting, on a 10-day on, 4-day off rotation. Except for those four days home out of two weeks, I lived in a hotel. During the three and a half years I was there, I turned on the TV twice, at the beginning of my stay. But when I went home, I’d watch TV.

Come to think of it, when I stay at a hotel now, I don’t turn on the TV. Not out of some anti-TV sentiment; it just doesn’t occur to me to do so.

Likewise.

Around twenty years ago, when I first travelled extensively for work, I used to switch on the TV; most of the shows were in the local language, sometimes the news was excruciating - some of these places were authoritarian states, and there were far too many porn channels (well, most guests were male; I'm not).

Anyway, unless Al Jazeera and the BBC were available, I concluded that I was better off checking news sources online.

So, now, I never watch hotel TV - again, it just doesn't cross my mind to do so.

On airlines, especially long journeys, I never watch movies: Instead, I look at the flight path, which is something I always find fascinating.

 

[Tech198]

Probably the wrong one to ask.... I'm on my Mac more than watch TV... Sometimes a good 3-4 hours a day.

I can never watch TV when flying.... Even at night i just like starring out the window, as i can't get much sleep either.

 

[Clix Pix]

I’m another who never turns on the TV in a hotel room! Just doesn’t even occur to me. One of my priorities in choosing a hotel, though, is the availability of wireless internet, which most do provide these days. Usually when checking in, first thing I do is fire up the computer or the iPad to check email, etc., especially if I have been on the road for several hours.

 

[skottichan]

I will use TV as background noise when I work or draw for fun. I prefer listening to CreepyPastas, but sadly, most of those are only updated 1-2 a week (and are generally less than 30min).

What I actively watch is stuff like Legion, the MCU stuff on Netflix (Daredevil, Jess Jones, Luke Cage, etc), Stranger Things, Lost in Space, Black Mirror and then quite a bit of anime with my GF.

I find it kinda strange how people are afraid of relaxing and just enjoying entertainment.

 

[Clix Pix]

To me, “relaxing” does not involve background noise and I am much happier without that kind of distraction.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

To me, “relaxing” does not involve background noise and I am much happier without that kind of distraction.

Agreed.

I can "relax" to the sort of "background noise" that is audio - in other words, music - but not if a TV screen is operational, or a human voice is talking (i.e. radio).

In general, as @Clix Pix has said so aptly, I am happy without that kind of distraction, and, for writing or thinking, I prefer silence, or - occasionally - some music.

 

[decafjava]

Likewise.

Around twenty years ago, when I first travelled extensively for work, I used to switch on the TV; most of the shows were in the local language, sometimes the news was excruciating - some of these places were authoritarian states, and there were far too many porn channels (well, most guests were male; I'm not).

Anyway, unless Al Jazeera and the BBC were available, I concluded that I was better off checking news sources online.

So, now, I never watch hotel TV - again, it just doesn't cross my mind to do so.

On airlines, especially long journeys, I never watch movies: Instead, I look at the flight path, which is something I always find fascinating.

Huh, I do that too, and if I have a window seat and the weather and time of day are right I try to match what I see outside with what is one the map. When I was a student would flightsim (civlian sims) long-haul commercial flights and leave the plane fly on autopilot on real time or at most 2x compressed time when I went to class and would hopefully calculated the timing (and fuel) correctly. No time or desire for that now, I do have Xplane but just putter around once a week or so or practice takeoffs and landings.

As for TV, only follow as I mentioned before a few series - otherwise news which I can get online or the odd documentary.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Huh, I do that too, and if I have a window seat and the weather and time of day are right I try to match what I see outside with what is one the map. When I was a student would flightsim (civlian sims) long-haul commercial flights and leave the plane fly on autopilot on real time or at most 2x compressed time when I went to class and would hopefully calculated the timing (and fuel) correctly. No time or desire for that now, I do have Xplane but just putter around once a week or so or practice takeoffs and landings.

As for TV, only follow as I mentioned before a few series - otherwise news which I can get online or the odd documentary.

Ah, yes, if I have a window seat, and it is daytime, yes, I have great fun matching the map with what is unfolding below in front of my eyes. It is absolutely fascinating.

 

[D.T.]

The relaxing comment wasn't in the context of background noise

 

[Mildredop]

For one hour, this morning. For the rest of the week, probably nothing.

I think it's become trendy to declare that one doesn't watch TV when, in fact, I think the vast majority do. You are a good example - in the same post declaring you never watch it and then stating that you will watch it this weekend.

And a lot of people who say they don't watch linear broadcasts also conveniently forget that a lot of the shows they watch online/on catch-up originated from traditional broadcasters.

A huge amount of popular content on Netflix (even some that say "Netflix Original") are actually bought from broadcasters.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I think it's become trendy to declare that one doesn't watch TV when, in fact, I think the vast majority do. You are a good example - in the same post declaring you never watch it and then stating that you will watch it this weekend.

And a lot of people who say they don't watch linear broadcasts also conveniently forget that a lot of the shows they watch online/on catch-up originated from traditional broadcasters.

A huge amount of popular content on Netflix (even some that say "Netflix Original") are actually bought from broadcasters.

I don't think I have been accused of being "trendy" in my life.

In any case, it is not fashion, but personal preference (there is nothing other than occasional news stories or documentaries that I wish to see) that determines that I don't watch TV.

When I am home, (which is not most of the time), I try to remind myself to watch Andrew Marr's programme, a rare example of good current affairs broadcasting.

Besides, I think that you have missed the point made by many of the posts on this thread which is that a sizeable number of people no longer watch TV on any sort of a regular basis - or rather, that watching TV is no longer a regular part of their lives in any meaningful way.

Social media has undoubtedly contributed to this, but, before that, the atomisation of the audience with cable and the ability to record programs also served to split any potential audience.

But, anyway, I don't - in general watch linear broadcasts - and I don't even know (other than having read about it here) what Netflix is; I've never watched a program online (usually, I'll admit because when abroad my internet connection is abysmally slow, and buffering and stuttering images drive me nuts).

I'd rather read what I need to know, and that includes about current affairs.

 

[Mildredop]

In any case, it is not fashion, but personal preference (there is nothing other than occasional news stories or documentaries that I wish to see) that determines that I don't watch TV.

Why do you keep saying this? You do watch TV. You might not watch it every day, or even every week. But you do watch TV.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Why do you keep saying this? You do watch TV. You might not watch it every day, or even every week. But you do watch TV.

Oh, dear.

TV is not something that plays a part in my life.

I watch it occasionally when home, but never when abroad, which is often for months on end at a time.

But, I read books all the time.

 

[Clix Pix]

Why do you keep saying this? You do watch TV. You might not watch it every day, or even every week. But you do watch TV.

Why do you keep picking at this point? Good grief! In the overall scheme of things, what difference does it make? Probably the only people who truly never watch television at all are those who don't have one in their home, and even at that they might watch it when visiting friends or relatives or staying in a hotel.....

In summary: a few people never watch TV, some rarely watch TV -- to the point where the number of times per year can be counted on one hand -- while others watch it infrequently but occasionally throughout the year and still others watch the news or certain programs regularly....

People's lives vary and so do their choices and options for how they like to spend their leisure time.

There! That's settled.....just a matter of semantics, eh?

 

[TheSkywalker77]

What do you mean by “tv”? Like live tv? Netflix? Or just you don’t use the tv set at all?

 

[D.T.]

What do you mean by “tv”? Like live tv? Netflix? Or just you don’t use the tv set at all?

Right, I thought that was an interesting distinction, in fact, in a post above I wrote:

One thing I'd clarify: I hear people saying how they don't "watch TV", but then go on to discuss shows on Netflix, Prime, etc.

I think some people call "TV", watching as aired shows via a network broadcast source, but really - anymore - there's theatrical releases and everything else that's targeted to a delivery mechanism, that includes: real time broadcast via network, cable, premium, streaming sources via all sorts of devices (TVs with a "box", tablets, computers, phones). I had a former business partner of mine proclaim proudly how he didn't watch TV, then went on to talk about some Prime original, I said, "That's TV", he said, "No it's not, I watch Prime on my Mac" ... BZZZZT, sorry, you're watching television, aka "TV programming"

I'd suggest that "TV", in any discussion of content delivery, is no longer limited to OTA, or a sat or cable provider through a "box", or even using a viewing device that's sold as a "television".

i.e., if you're watching Peaky Blinders on Netflix on your iPad ... you're "watching TV".

 

[1madman1]

I haven't had cable TV in about 8 years, way too much advertising relative to content especially considering it's a paid service. I do have a Netflix subscription, but these days it's mostly just for when I have visitors.

There are televisions with cable boxes in the mess hall and gym at the facility where I'm stationed, but I can't even be bothered to turn them on.

 

[Clix Pix]

Skywalker, not sure to whom you were addressing that question, whether it was to the OP or to one of the responders in the thread...... My personal definition of "TV," or "Television," is, yes, live television, a scheduled broadcast of a show such as a regular series or a one-off special show or a news program that is on daily or weekly. When I watch a DVD either on the television set or on the computer, I consider that watching a movie. I think of Netflix as movies. If I watch a televised drama series on the TV set (say, "Downton Abbey"), I consider that pretty much the same as watching TV, as it was originally presented as a television broadcast both in the UK and in the US. I bought all the DVDs and watched some episodes on the computer or on the television set to catch up with episodes I'd missed when they were initially broadcast.

These days I'm moving away from purchasing movies on DVD and instead purchase and download them from iTunes and watch them on the computer. That's watching movies, not watching TV. So, yes, I seldom turn on the TV set in my home, either for watching actual live television or for watching movies on DVD. This year so far the few times I've had the television on was to watch some of the figure skating at the Winter Olympics and the Academy Awards.