Want HBO, but there's no freaking way in hell you're going to get cable? And your friends hate you and refuse to let them scam their HBO GO password? And you think piracy is wrong—or you're just too chickenshit to try it? You are not necessarily out of luck! Check out this article from the Wall Street Journal about cable companies finally reading the writing on the wall, and realizing they need to offer packages that are limited to just internet, basic TV and HBO. Apparently, however, the trick is in knowing what secret words to say....

Several [big cable companies] now will sell a package that include just Internet, HBO (and HBO Go) and the most basic of TV. You’re not exactly without cable TV, but you’re with much, much less of it.

It’s like ordering off the secret menu at In-and-Out Burger — you have to know what to ask for:

Comcast: “Internet Plus”

Time Warner Cable: “Starter TV+HBO and an Internet plan”

Verizon: “50/25 Mbps + Local News and Sports + HBO (or Showtime)”

AT&T: “HBO Internet Plus”

Read the rest here for more tips and dealing with persnickity and pushy cable sales representatives.