I'm really surprised at the poll results. Has TV become that bad?
I kicked the habit in 1999. It got to the point where the national news would lead with something like a celebrity divorce. Nothing personal against celebrities, but I just don't care. Between the endless avalanche of celebrity coverage and little good to watch, I turned it off.
It was one of the best choices I ever made. Began reading lots of books, took up some new hobbies, restored a truck, and got another degree, among other things.
I will watch a sports game here and there with other people. I've flipped it on a few times in hotel rooms, too. But I don't miss TV at all and can't ever see picking up the habit again. If I need non-interactive entertainment, I'll listen to the radio.
Ironically, one project I pursued was the restoration of a 1955 General Electric black and white TV set- it has vacuum tubes! And only $5! Got it working, checked for broadcast reception, then turned it off. Every so often, I'll feed it an old B&W movie off the computer for fun. Love the set (and it was a great learning experience) but it's a shame the medium has become so rotten.