Wed May 25, 2022, 09:13 PM
Laura PourMeADrink (41,105 posts)
Any recommendations? - cutting the cable cord and getting streaming services
We are in the midst of doing that
Direct stream and YouTube Cable highest ranked. Sling good too. Naturally some TVs aren't smart... ![]() And of course cable companies are upping their internet costs
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21 replies, 534 views
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Author | Time | Post |
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Laura PourMeADrink | May 2022 | OP |
OAITW r.2.0 | May 2022 | #1 | |
Joinfortmill | May 2022 | #2 | |
Laura PourMeADrink | May 2022 | #13 | |
highplainsdem | May 2022 | #15 | |
Laura PourMeADrink | May 2022 | #17 | |
WheelWalker | May 2022 | #3 | |
Laura PourMeADrink | May 2022 | #14 | |
CottonBear | May 2022 | #4 | |
AZSkiffyGeek | May 2022 | #9 | |
highplainsdem | May 2022 | #12 | |
underpants | May 2022 | #5 | |
highplainsdem | May 2022 | #6 | |
MacKasey | May 2022 | #7 | |
Doc Sportello | May 2022 | #8 | |
Ptah | May 2022 | #10 | |
multigraincracker | May 2022 | #11 | |
CloudWatcher | May 2022 | #16 | |
roamer65 | May 2022 | #18 | |
rurallib | May 2022 | #19 | |
Elessar Zappa | May 2022 | #20 | |
Demsrule86 | May 2022 | #21 |
Response to Laura PourMeADrink (Original post)
Wed May 25, 2022, 09:17 PM
OAITW r.2.0 (18,454 posts)
1. My Vizio has all the apps you could ever want on the power up screen.
Once you connect the TV to your wifi, then it's just signing up for the premium services. There are a lot of great channels that you can access for free...but, you need to watch commercials.
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Response to Laura PourMeADrink (Original post)
Wed May 25, 2022, 09:18 PM
Joinfortmill (10,651 posts)
2. Depends...
If you want a ton of channels (think they also offer ABC, CBS, NBC). Youtube has it. If you want more of tailord choice, Sling is good. I've used both.
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Response to Joinfortmill (Reply #2)
Wed May 25, 2022, 10:57 PM
Laura PourMeADrink (41,105 posts)
13. Not sure what you mean - difference
Response to Laura PourMeADrink (Reply #13)
Wed May 25, 2022, 11:06 PM
highplainsdem (43,165 posts)
15. Sling requires you to use an antenna to get local ABC, CBS and NBC stations.
I think you can get NBC with one of their levels of service but not all.
https://www.sling.com/help/en/subscription-programming-questions/channels-programming/local-channels#stream As I said in an earlier reply here, you can probably get those three plus Fox and CW with an indoor HD antenna, with no need to use streaming services for that. |
Response to highplainsdem (Reply #15)
Wed May 25, 2022, 11:49 PM
Laura PourMeADrink (41,105 posts)
17. Got you!
Response to Laura PourMeADrink (Original post)
Wed May 25, 2022, 09:19 PM
WheelWalker (8,486 posts)
3. I recently got Youtube TV. Very happy with it.
I like the ability to build a library of favorite programs and the live/on demand flexibility. I think it's reasonably priced but someone else is paying so not certain. Not using any add-on subscriptions like HBO, Showtime or Starz, but I already have Netflix and Prime for movies. I have 1 gig fiber optic internet which runs $118/mo. but I have a shitload of users so need a very wide band.
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Response to WheelWalker (Reply #3)
Wed May 25, 2022, 11:00 PM
Laura PourMeADrink (41,105 posts)
14. Just got 1gig AT&T fiber optic internet too - $80/mo plue HBO max
Free for a year. All these company pull you in and then slowly raise your bill every month
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Response to Laura PourMeADrink (Original post)
Wed May 25, 2022, 09:21 PM
CottonBear (21,477 posts)
4. Amazon Prime & HULU+ (live TV feeds)
Add Apple TV to watch Ted Lasso. You can always cancel after the season is over.
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Response to CottonBear (Reply #4)
Wed May 25, 2022, 09:32 PM
AZSkiffyGeek (8,672 posts)
9. That's what we do
Unless it’s something we use a lot (Netflix, Disney, Prime) we’ll subscribe, binge and unsubscribe. There are a ton of cool channels available through Prime, some even have free trials for a week or two.
But there is quality programming on all the services I’ve used… |
Response to AZSkiffyGeek (Reply #9)
Wed May 25, 2022, 10:25 PM
highplainsdem (43,165 posts)
12. I do that, too, subscribe just for a while, then unsubscribe.
Response to Laura PourMeADrink (Original post)
Wed May 25, 2022, 09:21 PM
underpants (175,289 posts)
5. Sling has a lot of channels we watch.
HD antennas will pick up your locals and networks. Those aren’t available here on Sling.
We also have HBO, Peacock, Hulu, and Netflix. Really good programs. Almost a golden age. |
Response to Laura PourMeADrink (Original post)
Wed May 25, 2022, 09:24 PM
highplainsdem (43,165 posts)
6. Get a Roku device, which pretty much turns any TV into a smart TV.
Check out indoor HD antennas to see how many local channels you can get, since if you can pull in very many it's likely you'll be able to get ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, the CW, and probably your local PBS stations. Those will also have a LOT of sub-channels that won't have much in the way of new programming but might have a lot of older shows you'd want to watch again, or maybe watch for the first time. If you can get them you'll probably have perfect HD reception most of the time (nothing like old antennas from decades ago), and with an indoor antenna you won't have to worry about weather interfering, unless it's something like very heavy rain or fog or a snowstorm and the station is very far away. These can typically pick up stations 50 miles away or more.
Then decide what streaming services you need on top of that. |
Response to Laura PourMeADrink (Original post)
Wed May 25, 2022, 09:25 PM
MacKasey (860 posts)
7. Love YouTube tv
It's costly but I have unlimited dvr that will stay for 9 months
Don't watch anything in real time so I can ff thru commercials |
Response to Laura PourMeADrink (Original post)
Wed May 25, 2022, 09:27 PM
Doc Sportello (6,889 posts)
8. I like YouTubetv through a Roku streaming soundbar
It depends on what your interests are. YTTV is good for sports and getting local channels, including PBS. It doesn't have the History channel but otherwise it is the best choice for me. Hulu or Sling might fit your interests better. I cut my Direct tv almost in half when I cut the cord. Also, flat screen tvs have small speakers, so I like the soundbar not just for shows but also for streaming music.
Edit to add: YTTV allows for recording and fast forwarding through commercials, which the other services either don't have or charge more it. |
Response to Laura PourMeADrink (Original post)
Wed May 25, 2022, 09:33 PM
Ptah (31,956 posts)
10. Kill it.
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Response to Laura PourMeADrink (Original post)
Wed May 25, 2022, 10:09 PM
multigraincracker (29,796 posts)
11. We are 100% free now.
Cut the cable, got a $60 rotating aerial for all the free on air stations. Have free Samsung TV plus and Pluto on our phones. free, free, FREE.
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Response to Laura PourMeADrink (Original post)
Wed May 25, 2022, 11:10 PM
CloudWatcher (1,671 posts)
16. Sling info
We had Sling for several years. The DVR function was a challenge to use (delays between
hitting a button the response). And we really only used it for BBC-A and MSNBC. It worked well enough if you were willing to put up with the funky DVR interface (we always skipped the commercials). But then we dropped it like a hot rock a year ago when they added Fox News to the same package that we needed for MSNBC. Nope -- not a dime from us to Fox News or Amazon, thanks anyway. Since then we're happy enough with Netflix & Hulu & HBO & Britbox. Don't miss sports, don't miss the "news". Get our news from various web sites, we don't need to sit through endless MSM nonsense. Bonus -- my wife no longer rolls her eyes every weeknight when I used to complain about just how much Rachel repeats herself! Btw we happen to use Apple TV boxes. You don't need a smart TV. Apple or the others work fine. |
Response to Laura PourMeADrink (Original post)
Thu May 26, 2022, 12:06 AM
roamer65 (33,989 posts)
18. All I wanted was History.
Found a streaming service called FrndlyTV.
Has History, and a few others and NO Fox lies crap. $9 a month! |
Response to Laura PourMeADrink (Original post)
Thu May 26, 2022, 09:05 PM
rurallib (60,490 posts)
19. We just dumped DISH and got YouTubeTV - we love it
Dish damn near doubled my bill and wanted a contract give me a decent price. I told them what to do with their dish.
We got youtubetv on the rec of our daughter. We get most of the channels we got before including locals and a much sharper picture. I think with taxes it is $70/ month, but no contracts. We also got Britbox as an add on for $7/month? I think. Mrs. Lib just loves it. Great comedies and mysteries + documentaries for me. |
Response to Laura PourMeADrink (Original post)
Thu May 26, 2022, 09:08 PM
Elessar Zappa (10,626 posts)
20. YouTube tv or Hulu tv.
Both good.
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Response to Laura PourMeADrink (Original post)
Thu May 26, 2022, 09:46 PM
Demsrule86 (65,514 posts)
21. do you want news? do you need local channels? I reccomend a roku as it has a great channel
and has a search feature that will search apps. I like Peacock, Paramount plus, and HBO max...which is free if you have ATT internet. I also have Netflix and Hulu (with commercials) And Peacock. If you want cheap TV, I recommend Philo. If you want news I recommend sling...local channels depending on where you live are on Fubo and you can get an antenna.
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