Cut the cord
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,300
Likes: 3,429
I could've told you that.
I would have gone with Apple TV deal. Pre-pay 3 months @ $35/month and get a free 32GB Apple TV 4K. Additional savings of up to $48 available too ($22 cash back + $10 bonus for new sign up at BeFrugal and $16 cash back at eBates)
$25 off x 3 months saves you $75 whereas 32GB Apple TV 4K sells on eBay for at least $125 if you don't want it.
I switched to DirecTV. They have 3 plans, $35, $50, $60. The $35 plan was fine but didn't have SNY (Mets), so I had to go with the $50 plan, which ended up being more than YouTube.... I figure I can switch between the $35 and $50 plans in the offseason.
To anyone that's interested, DirecTV is offering 3 months for $25 off /mo.... so $10/mo, if you're on the $35 plan. Code is YESNOW3
To anyone that's interested, DirecTV is offering 3 months for $25 off /mo.... so $10/mo, if you're on the $35 plan. Code is YESNOW3
$25 off x 3 months saves you $75 whereas 32GB Apple TV 4K sells on eBay for at least $125 if you don't want it.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,963
Likes: 811
From: NJ
I called DirecTV and bitched and they threw a free month at me.... Still think we'll end up keeping Hulu over DirecTV though.
DirecTV has the best selection of LIVE content, but the App kept locking up on me, and have had to put in my credentials a couple times already to load the App. Annoying.
Hulu is native on the TV, and the App works similar to DirecTV, except it's more colorful, and it just functions better despite being in "beta."
I stay away from Apple because I don't want to get wrapped up in their web..... it's bad enough being locked into Google, Amazon, and Samsung.
btw... w/ Samsung. They have released a new Smartthings App apparently before they transitioned everything over from the old App. So, I've got two Smartthings apps running with some stuff on one, and some stuff on the other. My automations will only function on the old app, but my new TV would only load onto the new app. Technology is great.
DirecTV has the best selection of LIVE content, but the App kept locking up on me, and have had to put in my credentials a couple times already to load the App. Annoying.
Hulu is native on the TV, and the App works similar to DirecTV, except it's more colorful, and it just functions better despite being in "beta."
I stay away from Apple because I don't want to get wrapped up in their web..... it's bad enough being locked into Google, Amazon, and Samsung.
btw... w/ Samsung. They have released a new Smartthings App apparently before they transitioned everything over from the old App. So, I've got two Smartthings apps running with some stuff on one, and some stuff on the other. My automations will only function on the old app, but my new TV would only load onto the new app. Technology is great.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 28,418
Likes: 1,559
From: Miami, FL
Might cut again. What are the decent options now? Already have Hulu Plus, Prime, and Netflix. Need an antenna. All TV's have some sort of streaming option. Not sure I need more sports except for weekend football. I have AMC A-List so my movies for the most part are covered unless I rent via Redbox.
We have Netflix and Hulu TV. Hulu TV should already cover most of your sports.. especially weekend football, other than NFL Redzone, if you even need it.
I was looking at Direct TV Live but the extra channels they have there compared to Hulu TV I would never watch anyways. Big 10 Network?
The only thing I'm considering adding is Amazon Prime so I can watch The Grand Tour... and a few other things the wifey might like.
I was looking at Direct TV Live but the extra channels they have there compared to Hulu TV I would never watch anyways. Big 10 Network?
The only thing I'm considering adding is Amazon Prime so I can watch The Grand Tour... and a few other things the wifey might like.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 48,302
Likes: 9,172
From: SoCal, CA
Might cut again. What are the decent options now? Already have Hulu Plus, Prime, and Netflix. Need an antenna. All TV's have some sort of streaming option. Not sure I need more sports except for weekend football. I have AMC A-List so my movies for the most part are covered unless I rent via Redbox.
You can also look into SlingTV to see if there's a viable sportsball package for your purpose.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 28,418
Likes: 1,559
From: Miami, FL
Might cut again. What are the decent options now? Already have Hulu Plus, Prime, and Netflix. Need an antenna. All TV's have some sort of streaming option. Not sure I need more sports except for weekend football. I have AMC A-List so my movies for the most part are covered unless I rent via Redbox.
958 & 991
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 1,291
From: South Florida
We haven't had cable since 2014 and we don't really miss it, granted we have my sister's Directv login for apps so we're cheating. That being said, I feel like he streaming options are getting out of control and if you want it all, it will cost more than cable. We have prime, Netflix, and Showtime for Ray Donovan, Billions, Homeland, and Shameless so still cheaper than cable but with the recent price increase on Netflix, we may drop it.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 62
Likes: 13
From: Springfield, MO
My wife and I have never had cable. We've always streamed or used OTA when we lived in an apartment.
We have 50 mb uverse fiber internet, for $40/month. We've been using Sling for $35 with the lifestyle package. We RARELY turn the tv on the OTA, unless bad weather for radar/news.
I stream Sling from my XboxOne, and our 1st gen firestick in our bedroom. I do have issues with their app most the time.
Xbox app, is very grainy when first starting it. Almost like it's not getting good signal, but running a speed test through the Xbox always returns around 55-60 mb.
Firestick, is terrible. We can watch sling for about 20 min, then it blacks out and goes back to the home screen. Opening the app again, it asks you if you'd like to resume watching. Makes watching tv a pain. My wife uses the firestick to watch the ABC app quite often with no issues. Our firestick is DIRECTLY (within a foot) of our router.
All in all we are happy with Sling, minus the inconsistencies with the app itself.
We have 50 mb uverse fiber internet, for $40/month. We've been using Sling for $35 with the lifestyle package. We RARELY turn the tv on the OTA, unless bad weather for radar/news.
I stream Sling from my XboxOne, and our 1st gen firestick in our bedroom. I do have issues with their app most the time.
Xbox app, is very grainy when first starting it. Almost like it's not getting good signal, but running a speed test through the Xbox always returns around 55-60 mb.
Firestick, is terrible. We can watch sling for about 20 min, then it blacks out and goes back to the home screen. Opening the app again, it asks you if you'd like to resume watching. Makes watching tv a pain. My wife uses the firestick to watch the ABC app quite often with no issues. Our firestick is DIRECTLY (within a foot) of our router.
All in all we are happy with Sling, minus the inconsistencies with the app itself.
_
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,300
Likes: 3,429
Currently using Best Indoor Antenna - Winegard FlatWave Amped mounted to window
Got it from Costco https://www.costco.com/Winegard-Flat...100327451.html
but also available from
Got it from Costco https://www.costco.com/Winegard-Flat...100327451.html
but also available from
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 62
Likes: 13
From: Springfield, MO
Currently using Best Indoor Antenna - Winegard FlatWave Amped mounted to window
Got it from Costco https://www.costco.com/Winegard-Flat...100327451.html
but also available from https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BN5Z2WM/
Got it from Costco https://www.costco.com/Winegard-Flat...100327451.html
but also available from https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BN5Z2WM/
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 28,418
Likes: 1,559
From: Miami, FL
Currently using Best Indoor Antenna - Winegard FlatWave Amped mounted to window
Got it from Costco https://www.costco.com/Winegard-Flat...100327451.html
but also available from https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BN5Z2WM/
Got it from Costco https://www.costco.com/Winegard-Flat...100327451.html
but also available from https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BN5Z2WM/
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,102
Likes: 4,421
From: Mooresville, NC
Been using YouTubeTV now for 3 months and love it. Sucked that the price went up but still better by a lot for what I was paying for cable. We watch a lot on DVR so that alone makes it better than DirecTV Now and the amount of sports I get on YouTubeTV vs DirecTV now makes it great too. Went from paying $205 a month for cable and internet for what we watched to paying $53 + $67 = $120 for YouTubeTV + Internet. So net we are saving almost $1000 a year. We watch a lot of showtime shows so might make those into binge watch shows and pay the $7 Showtime price through YoutubeTV 2 months a year rather than watching them when they air or go back to torrenting them.
Wish I could do OTA but we are too far away and in the woods to do it without a huge antenna and I just don't want to deal with that.
Wish I could do OTA but we are too far away and in the woods to do it without a huge antenna and I just don't want to deal with that.
_
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,300
Likes: 3,429
Yay for lower prices/better value.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-ey...ft-11559842992
https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-ey...ft-11559842992
AT&T Eyes $16- to $17-a-Month Streaming Service in Strategy Shift
June 6, 2019
AT&T Inc.’s WarnerMedia has abandoned its plan for a three-tiered streaming service and instead will likely package HBO, sister channel Cinemax and the vast library of Warner Bros. TV shows and movies into one offering at a price of between $16 and $17 a month, according to people familiar with the matter.
The subscription service will debut in “beta” form later this year, the people said, and is expected to be fully up and running as early as next March, according to one of them.
WarnerMedia is also considering rolling out an ad-supported version of the streaming service—at a cheaper price—later in 2020, they said. It is unclear what the content makeup of that version would be.
Further down the road, WarnerMedia could add an additional premium option for people to watch live events or sports, one of the people said.
Discussions around pricing and content are still fluid, and plans could still change. Top executives across WarnerMedia are scheduled to gather in New York next week and details of the as-yet-unnamed streaming service will be discussed, the people said.
AT&T is under pressure to competitively price its service in a landscape where consumers will have many options, including Netflix’s deep library of original and licensed content for $12.99 a month—and a much-anticipated Disney+ service launching in November that will charge $6.99 a month for an array of programming based on the company’s biggest franchises such as “Star Wars” and Marvel.
A price in the $16- to $17-a-month range would be a bold move, given all the programming WarnerMedia is offering. The stand-alone HBO Now streaming service sells for $14.99 a month, while Cinemax, for example, can cost as much as $12.99 a month for cable customers.
WarnerMedia Chief Executive John Stankey, who has been at the forefront of the streaming-service strategy, initially laid out a tiered pricing system that included an entry-level option focused on movies, a second tier with original programming and blockbusters, and a third one with Warner Bros. content. He now is expected to push forward the $16-17 price point for the main subscription offering, one of the people said. The service will also have its own original programming beyond HBO.
June 6, 2019
AT&T Inc.’s WarnerMedia has abandoned its plan for a three-tiered streaming service and instead will likely package HBO, sister channel Cinemax and the vast library of Warner Bros. TV shows and movies into one offering at a price of between $16 and $17 a month, according to people familiar with the matter.
The subscription service will debut in “beta” form later this year, the people said, and is expected to be fully up and running as early as next March, according to one of them.
WarnerMedia is also considering rolling out an ad-supported version of the streaming service—at a cheaper price—later in 2020, they said. It is unclear what the content makeup of that version would be.
Further down the road, WarnerMedia could add an additional premium option for people to watch live events or sports, one of the people said.
Discussions around pricing and content are still fluid, and plans could still change. Top executives across WarnerMedia are scheduled to gather in New York next week and details of the as-yet-unnamed streaming service will be discussed, the people said.
AT&T is under pressure to competitively price its service in a landscape where consumers will have many options, including Netflix’s deep library of original and licensed content for $12.99 a month—and a much-anticipated Disney+ service launching in November that will charge $6.99 a month for an array of programming based on the company’s biggest franchises such as “Star Wars” and Marvel.
A price in the $16- to $17-a-month range would be a bold move, given all the programming WarnerMedia is offering. The stand-alone HBO Now streaming service sells for $14.99 a month, while Cinemax, for example, can cost as much as $12.99 a month for cable customers.
WarnerMedia Chief Executive John Stankey, who has been at the forefront of the streaming-service strategy, initially laid out a tiered pricing system that included an entry-level option focused on movies, a second tier with original programming and blockbusters, and a third one with Warner Bros. content. He now is expected to push forward the $16-17 price point for the main subscription offering, one of the people said. The service will also have its own original programming beyond HBO.
_
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,300
Likes: 3,429
Now they want $65?
https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/30/2...o-new-channels
YouTube TV sharply increases monthly subscription to $64.99
Jun 30, 2020
YouTube TV has announced that it’ll be raising its monthly price from $50 per month to $64.99 as the company starts to offer eight of ViacomCBS’s channels, which are available today: BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, TV Land, and VH1.
The new price takes effect today for any new subscribers, while existing customers should see it on their next billing cycle (either on or after July 30th).
The $15 increase in price marks the latest price hike for YouTube TV, which was $35 per month when it originally launched. The price was first raised to $40 per month in early 2018 as it added Turner networks (including TBS, TNT, CNN, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, truTV, and Turner Classic Movies). Costs went up again in 2019 to $50 per month when YouTube TV added Discovery’s lineup of networks. And now, with the addition of the aforementioned ViacomCBS channels, it’s getting its biggest price leap yet, up to $64.99 per month.
Per the original announcement of the new channels, YouTube TV is also slated to get BET Her, MTV2, Nick Jr., NickToons, TeenNick, and MTV Classic in the future, although they’re not part of today’s launch.
In a blog post announcing the new price and channels, YouTube’s VP of product management Christian Oestlien sympathizes that the increased cost is difficult for some of its members, but that the “new price reflects the rising cost of content and we also believe it reflects the complete value of YouTube TV, from our breadth of content to the features that are changing how we watch live TV.”
For comparison, Hulu’s Live TV plan costs $54.99 (a price that includes access to Hulu’s library of content, but lacks the unlimited DVR storage that YouTube TV offers), AT&T TV starts at $55 per month (with hefty increases after 12 months), and Sling TV’s full plan costs $45 per month. While there may be some concerns that YouTube TV is edging closer to the cost of actual cable, there are some advantages to Google’s over-the-top service, including easy access from nearly any device with an internet connection, a lower barrier to entry when it comes to additional hardware, and a much better UI than nearly any cable set-top box.
Jun 30, 2020
YouTube TV has announced that it’ll be raising its monthly price from $50 per month to $64.99 as the company starts to offer eight of ViacomCBS’s channels, which are available today: BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, TV Land, and VH1.
The new price takes effect today for any new subscribers, while existing customers should see it on their next billing cycle (either on or after July 30th).
The $15 increase in price marks the latest price hike for YouTube TV, which was $35 per month when it originally launched. The price was first raised to $40 per month in early 2018 as it added Turner networks (including TBS, TNT, CNN, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, truTV, and Turner Classic Movies). Costs went up again in 2019 to $50 per month when YouTube TV added Discovery’s lineup of networks. And now, with the addition of the aforementioned ViacomCBS channels, it’s getting its biggest price leap yet, up to $64.99 per month.
Per the original announcement of the new channels, YouTube TV is also slated to get BET Her, MTV2, Nick Jr., NickToons, TeenNick, and MTV Classic in the future, although they’re not part of today’s launch.
In a blog post announcing the new price and channels, YouTube’s VP of product management Christian Oestlien sympathizes that the increased cost is difficult for some of its members, but that the “new price reflects the rising cost of content and we also believe it reflects the complete value of YouTube TV, from our breadth of content to the features that are changing how we watch live TV.”
For comparison, Hulu’s Live TV plan costs $54.99 (a price that includes access to Hulu’s library of content, but lacks the unlimited DVR storage that YouTube TV offers), AT&T TV starts at $55 per month (with hefty increases after 12 months), and Sling TV’s full plan costs $45 per month. While there may be some concerns that YouTube TV is edging closer to the cost of actual cable, there are some advantages to Google’s over-the-top service, including easy access from nearly any device with an internet connection, a lower barrier to entry when it comes to additional hardware, and a much better UI than nearly any cable set-top box.
it's no better than cable now.
People at home now more than ever, a lot need to kill time, watch movies and shows, why not price gouge just like everyone else?
Bottle of sanitizer pre-covid.. $2.99, during covid.. $20.99. Duh. It's the cool thing to do now.
Bottle of sanitizer pre-covid.. $2.99, during covid.. $20.99. Duh. It's the cool thing to do now.
YTTV just added NFL network too. Not that I really care, but I'm sure that feeds into the price hike that occured.
If you've received a survey for YTTV from Google, don't forget to respond. I made it very clear on mine that being able to choose channels a la carte would keep me as a customer. At the current rate, it's becoming increasingly difficult for me to justify it, especially when we only watch about 6-7 channels out of the entire lineup.
If you've received a survey for YTTV from Google, don't forget to respond. I made it very clear on mine that being able to choose channels a la carte would keep me as a customer. At the current rate, it's becoming increasingly difficult for me to justify it, especially when we only watch about 6-7 channels out of the entire lineup.
Disconnected my rabbit ears, no reason to have that
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 37,701
Likes: 3,897
From: Chicago
It is nice to not have any kind of contract for the TV channels. We also avoid extra equipment like cable boxes or cable cards using the streaming services.
Remember how many times over the years the box would get fried. Less hardware is half the battle.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 48,302
Likes: 9,172
From: SoCal, CA
_
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,300
Likes: 3,429
Google Chromecast with Google TV with 6 months of Netflix Standard plan for $89.99
https://store.google.com/us/config/c...gle_tv_netflix
You're basically paying $12.05 for the Chromecast with Google TV (normally $49.99) since the standard Netflix plan is $12.99
[$89.99 - ($12.99 x 6)] = $12.05 for the Chromecast with Google TV
https://store.google.com/us/config/c...gle_tv_netflix
You're basically paying $12.05 for the Chromecast with Google TV (normally $49.99) since the standard Netflix plan is $12.99
[$89.99 - ($12.99 x 6)] = $12.05 for the Chromecast with Google TV
Spoiler
Senior Moderator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 48,302
Likes: 9,172
From: SoCal, CA
Google Chromecast with Google TV with 6 months of Netflix Standard plan for $89.99
https://store.google.com/us/config/c...gle_tv_netflix
You're basically paying $12.05 for the Chromecast with Google TV (normally $49.99) since the standard Netflix plan is $12.99
[$89.99 - ($12.99 x 6)] = $12.05 for the Chromecast with Google TV
https://store.google.com/us/config/c...gle_tv_netflix
You're basically paying $12.05 for the Chromecast with Google TV (normally $49.99) since the standard Netflix plan is $12.99
[$89.99 - ($12.99 x 6)] = $12.05 for the Chromecast with Google TV
Spoiler
Hulu again raising their monthly subscription cost, this time by $10 starting December. Hulu + Live TV now going to be $65, same as Youtube TV.
I see Youtube has more channels and unlimited DVR storage. Considering the constant price increases as well as the annoying troubles we've had with the Hulu DVR and playback etc, it's finally time to ditch Hulu and move on. Youtube TV looks to be the destination. Although Fubo also looks like a good alternative for me since they have tons of soccer channels.
I see Youtube has more channels and unlimited DVR storage. Considering the constant price increases as well as the annoying troubles we've had with the Hulu DVR and playback etc, it's finally time to ditch Hulu and move on. Youtube TV looks to be the destination. Although Fubo also looks like a good alternative for me since they have tons of soccer channels.
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Likes: 3,489
Damn. Sign of the times I guess.
I read that Youtube TV increased their pricing from $50 to $65 this year. I am still using Xfinity but strongly considered cutting the cord too. Paying an outrageous amount for TV and internet currently.
I read that Youtube TV increased their pricing from $50 to $65 this year. I am still using Xfinity but strongly considered cutting the cord too. Paying an outrageous amount for TV and internet currently.
Ex-OEM King
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 17,856
Likes: 7,017
From: Minnesnowta
Cut the cord back in 2012 and haven't looked back. We don't have any live TV beyond what you get via antenna and don't feel like we're missing anything. Hulu for most shows (got the promo rate to prepay a year at $2/mo) just have to wait till the next day to watch, get netlfix free with tmobile, prime because everyone has prime, and pay $10/mo for HBO max.
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,102
Likes: 4,421
From: Mooresville, NC
Yes the unlimited DVR and best sports selection are why I went with YouTubeTV back when it was $35. At that point it was a huge savings of about $100 from my cable bill. That said still saving $70+ a month and being able to access it anywhere is awesome. Not as huge of a benefit right now though obviously.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 28,418
Likes: 1,559
From: Miami, FL
My backroom TV was never used because it's an old non-smart plasma and only a PS3 was connected to it. The PS3 is a dinosaur in speed between booting up and loading apps; so naturally I just didn't use it. Now that TV will get some play as I got a Fire Stick Lite for $18 over the weekend. I can stream YouTube videos while listening to records and 
