I have seen some excellent TV in recent months, and the cost trivial.
Why would anyone deprive themselves?

News and current affairs alone are worth having it.
I am following Jericho and Deutchland 1983.
I have watched the Homeland series, and any number of histories-Wars of The Roses, Tudors, Naval histories, Shipwrecks (current series).
Historical fiction- the series based on Cornwells stories of Alfred and the Danes, his Sharp stories, etc.
Cutting edge Science, archeology, it is all there.
Grab it.