Some years ago, in the early 2000s, I got mad at the ugliness of something Idol with that creepy nasty guy on the end, and finally asked myself just why on earth was I paying good money to watch what I could see just as well on Video or CD or on my computer. Cancelled the whole thing and have not been sorry yet. I have masses of videos, bought and copied from TV years ago, and lots of CDs. Last movie I saw was a copy of Avatar, loved that one, and ET.
The rare times i see TV in other's homes I find that I have no desire to even start my own cable again. I read, I sew, I work around the house and read news on the daily paper and on computer.
It's been years, and my house is soothing and peaceful without all that violence and filthy mouthed actors they think is vitally necessary for them to be seen on TV.