Need cable tv in Toronto (Bell and Rogers need not apply).

October 29, 2009 6:27 AM

Torontofilter: Can anyone recommend a good cable tv provider that is not Bell or Rogers?

I've finally had it with Rogers and Bell. Their customer service is appalling. I did a metafilter search on internet providers and found a good company, now I need to find someone that can handle cable tv.
HD, is not necessary, but would be a bonus if they provide it.

posted by jmmpangaea to Shopping (5 answers total)

I'm pretty sure that you're not going to find a telephone provider or a non-satellite Internet provider that isn't using Bell or Rogers infrastructure. (If you have DSL, it's going over Bell's wires at some point, no matter where the bill comes from.)
posted by oaf at 7:44 AM on October 29, 2009

Best answer: Does it have to be cable? Two of my neighbours have put up small antennae and seem pretty happy. More info here.
posted by bonobothegreat at 8:08 AM on October 29, 2009

Yeah, what you want does not exist. Outside the GTA cogeco operates, but basically it's not that different.

In the core your options are Rogers, Bell, or free OTA HD via antenna.

Hooray for the market, which CLEARLY is always operating in the best interests of the population...
posted by modernnomad at 8:38 AM on October 29, 2009

Best answer: Get yourself a nice OTA antenna, you'll be able to pick up all the local Toronto stations in HD, as well as most of the American stations in HD from Buffalo/NF. Any local satellite store and many computer shops can get you on the right path here.

Recent articles in The Star have talked about this.
(The store mentioned in the article, Save and Replay, is great.)
posted by smitt at 8:53 AM on October 29, 2009

Response by poster: Thanks, I'm going to look into an OTA antenna.
posted by jmmpangaea at 9:14 AM on October 29, 2009