When the next episode of a hit television show is set to air, many students will make sure to sit down in front of the screen as quickly as possible.
Of course, sometimes this commitment leads to a scheduling crisis.
One relatively old alternative to the television crunch is time-shifting, the process of recording a show with a VCR or digital video recorder and watching it later.
Today, there is another method. Using various online services, students can download their favorite television shows from the Internet, often for as low a price as $1.99 an episode.
Given that price, could downloadable television even be an alternative to traditional cable access?
Third-year College student Chris Birch said increasing Internet speeds are making that option more viable.
However, he said he would need more incentives than just speed in order to make the switch.
"If cable prices really go up, then I think that would definitely be an alternative," Birch said.
First-year College student Katie Becker said the idea might work "if people have a specific show that they always watch."
Becker said downloads could be cheaper than the cable bill when someone like her only watches a few shows.
While some students' housing fees already include cable service, the majority of on-Grounds options can only be equipped by paying an optional monthly fee of $16.50. That is roughly equivalent to downloading two programs a week for four weeks.
That price, however, does not include the investment in equipment.
While television sets are potentially expensive, Birch said they come with advantages.
"On cable you have so many more channels," Birch said, adding that a large quantity of programming is much more easily accessible.
Becker also discussed how getting rid of cable could limit the amount of material available.
For example, downloadable television eliminates channel surfing, Becker said.
According to Birch, sports programming is another possible issue.
"Considering sports is pretty much either half or over half of what I watch, that would definitely be a factor," he said, adding that he would not want to download sporting events if that meant losing out on live broadcasts.
Despite these drawbacks, first-year College student Kevin Dowlen said downloads are particularly useful if someone misses an episode or wants to see it again.
While he would not download programs regularly, he said he did once download a missed episode of "Lost" and would consider doing it again.
First-year College student Michael Kelly said he would not give up his television set even though that might save him some space.
It is good for playing video games, watching DVDs and turning on when he is bored, Kelly said.
On the other hand, downloadable television shows provide the convenience of seeing "what you want, when you want it," Kelly said.
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