Is it okay to watch TV without the cable box?

Question

If you are able to get cable TV channels through to your TV without getting the cable provider's cable box, is it okay to watch or is that like stealing cable? Like if you just move into an apartment and hook up the cable to your TV and find that channels come through...

Answer 1

This is a pretty common occurrence. The last owner left and the cable is still hooked up. Eventually the cable company will disconnect things if you don't sign up with them. It's easier for them to leave it hooked up for a while, assuming the new resident will want service. That way they don't have to send a technician out to hook it up again, just start a new account with the new resident. They may even leave it there as a teaser to get you hooked on the service, so you'll sign up.

Whether it's all right to just watch it is between you and your conscience. I have no idea of the legal issues. It seems to me it's kinda like finding a dollar bill on the sidewalk with no one nearby.  

Answer 2

Well, you'll get billed each month, and if you don't pay your bill, you get disconnected.

Probably, the previous owner had a cable subscription that still had a few days left on it.

Not everyone needs a cable box.

You'll need a cable box only if you want to upgrade to the several hundred channels that digital cable gets you.