Pulling the TV cord yet staying plugged in

A small but apparently growing number of people are cutting the television service connections from cable satellite and telephone companies in favor of viewing their picks over the computer. For reasons that include saving money, convenience, personal choice and a hatred of commercials, these viewers are cutting the cord from cable, satellite and telephone suppliers of TV service, and even throwing away the rabbit ears and other antennas that brought in over-the-air broadcasts. There have been no mainstream studies on just how many people have cut the cord to established TV program suppliers, and the percentage of viewers who have done it is probably small. But there's plenty of evidence that the number of people who are watching TV shows online is growing. According to a survey released last month by the nonprofit Conference Board, nearly 1 in 4 households in the U.S. have watched television online. Meanwhile, about 20% of responders said they were watching less TV delivered through traditional broadcast or paid cable-type providers.