I can somewhat equate with that and I occasionally dip in and out of "televised" races (although I have never subscribed to any "pay" channels") but I always prefered watching racing "live" and the banter one could have with regular collleagues on the terraces and the general atmosphere that creates. Even during the heady days of "World of Sport" (which I viewed religiously) it never replaced actually being present and all that entails.
On a seperate issue I tend to avoid watching sport on TV because of all the hype, over analysis with all those studio "experts" and screaming commentators.