In a time when most people are trying to budget their money wisely, some things can be considered luxuries. Cable television, which can cost as much as $100 per month on average, can be considered a luxury to some people. Fortunately, if you own a computer and have access to the Internet, you no longer have to miss your favorite shows and movies if you have to forgo the cable service.

There are some television websites like ABC that will allow you to watch their most recent episodes. If you're a fan of "Lost", you never have to worry about missing it again. There is not software to download. Unfortunately, they generally only show the latest broadcast and you have to be in the US to be able to view it.

You can also download many shows from iTunes. You generally have to pay around $1 for them, but once you download the episodes they stay on your computer, just the music you download. You can do this from anywhere in the world and you only have to download the iTunes application.

There are also some websites that offer software that allow you to receive all of the cable channels right there on your computer. These programs charge you a small fee, usually around $50. However, once you pay it you don't have to pay it again. These programs are known as "streaming-media." They basically decode the airwaves that the television stations transmit and put them right onto your computer in picture format.

The good thing about most of these programs is that you can download them and install them on various computers. So you can have the program on your PC in your office, as well as on your laptop for when you're on the road.

There is a downside to watching TV on your computer however. Normally, your computer is set up in an office setting and the chair might not be comfortable. It's also a little less relaxing than the cozy stetting of your living room. But some people find it just as enjoyable and others have found it easier to connect their computer up to their TV screen itself.

On occasion, you might also find it more difficult to drift off into the show then if you were watching TV. There are also a lot of things to take your attention from the show on the Internet, whereas with a TV you just have to surf the channels during the breaks.

However, when you are watching TV on your PC you normally don't have to worry about commercials. There are many sites where you can download TV shows and movies without the commercial breaks.

The new operating system, windows Vista, even offers users a DVR function that many people find works well for them. You can also add a DVR to your own system as well as a HDTV antenna so you can record and watch your shows on your PC. Websites like Fox, ABC and other popular channels also have streaming videos on their sites. All this could help reduce your household need for cable.

The main advantage of using your computer for your television viewing needs is cost. It is definitely cheaper to watch TV from your PC, even if you choose to download and pay for the software that lets you watch thousands of channels. Those programs tend ro run around $50, and that is a one-time fee. Compared to spending over $1200 per year in cable, it can be a real money-saver.

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