Any recommendations? - cutting the cable cord and getting streaming services

[Laura PourMeADrink]

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

[OAITW r.2.0]

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.

[Joinfortmill]

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.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

13. Not sure what you mean - difference

[highplainsdem]

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.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

17. Got you!

[WheelWalker]

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.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

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

[CottonBear]

4. Amazon Prime & HULU+ (live TV feeds)

Add Apple TV to watch Ted Lasso. You can always cancel after the season is over.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

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…

[highplainsdem]

12. I do that, too, subscribe just for a while, then unsubscribe.

[underpants]

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.

[highplainsdem]

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.

[MacKasey]

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

[Doc Sportello]

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.

[Ptah]

10. Kill it.

[multigraincracker]

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.

[CloudWatcher]

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.

[roamer65]

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!

[rurallib]

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.

[Elessar Zappa]

20. YouTube tv or Hulu tv.

Both good.

[Demsrule86]

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.