TV and Movies

[Ainhisg]

Several past threads on this that you might find interesting to read:

https://community.qvc.com/t5/forums/searchpage/tab/message?advanced=false&allow_punctuation=false&q=... 

We switched from DISH (horrible experience) to YTTV and never looked back.  My husband watches a variety of programs--sports, nature, old westerns, etc.  We love it.  I love it, because to my knowledge, it's one of the very few streaming services with live channels that offers PBS and also HSN.  Everything streams, records, and works flawlessly with it.  There is even a Facebook group for YTTV to help people with it if they need it or if they have questions.  There are also some really good beginner "how-to" videos on YouTube by a YouTuber named Michael Saves.  

YTTV is $72.99 a month right now.  They don't offer a yearly plan like a lot of streaming services do where if you choose that, you are locked in but do save some money.  It does go up in price from time to time, but new subscribers can get a break on the price for the first three months, and you get a free trial before that to see if you want it.  (That was the current promotion in December--not sure what it is now.)

We also always have Netflix, Prime Video, and at different times during the year depending on if a show comes on we want to watch--Paramount+, HBO Max, Starz, etc.

Streaming is the way to go!

[Group 5 minus 1]

We stream all the time. We bought the Roku device needed for the TVS. i refuse to pay for all those other things. There are many,many things on streaming that are free.

[Estellee]

I know nothing about streaming but my sister has YouTube TV and is happy with it. She has a few add on subscriptions. I think her total is around $85 per month. She said it is better than what she paid with cable over $200 per month.

[dobiesrule]

Spoiler

I think YouTube TCV is great. The increases have been minimal compared to cable. With satelite dish, I always lost service in the rain,even a sprinkle.  That has not happened to me with YouTube. Highly recommend.

[Sugipine]

I just now signed up for Directv STREAM. They gave me a free streaming box with a remote which is made just for Directv streaming. It's just like using a regular kind of cable/satellite remote with all the features. They also gave me unlimited cloud dvr storage at no extra charge for as long I reamin a customer. I'm under no contract either.

I get to use it for two weeks before they charge me. I picked their 'Ultimate' package which has 140 channels just like my satellite service has now but the price is almost half, about $120 including tax. There are no fees.

[nwbabs]

Cut the cable tv cord awhile back and now pay $78 (includes taxes) for internet only. Use an Amazon FireStick purchased through QVC for $30 a many years ago to easily download free apps such as PBS and Kanopy. And, set up and own my equipment (no monthly rental fee for a modem/router). 

I have not enrolled in the streaming PBS Passport programming $60+ per year, so no  binging PBS shows. But, I can watch for free many of the latest episodes for PBS programming. Shows such as All Creatures Great & Small, Miss Scarlet & The Duke, Finding Your Roots, etc. 

Kanopy is a free app used in conjunction with my local library system. I've been able to binge watch old tv series, movies, and documentaries with Kanopy. It is not an unlimited number per month unless you are viewing the kids programming. But, I'm happy to find this free service that granted my property tax dollars help pay as a library card holder.

Other free platforms such as QVC are of course readily available streaming. All the local news and weather if/when I want to watch are accessed through various internet platforms.

It was an adjustment, but I'm happy not to pay almost $200 monthly to Xfinity. 

[cornicopia]

The $125 that I pay is for Cable TV only.  Internet is just under $90 and $35 for 

phone service.  The rest of the bill that adds up to just under $400 is taxes and fees.

[seehorse]

You'll still need to have internet service of some kind besides the streaming device.

[Sugipine]

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@seehorse wrote:

You'll still need to have internet service of some kind besides the streaming device.

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@seehorse 

Yes, of course you need internet service and it needs to be fast internet otherwise there will be a lot of buffering.

I think these days most people have internet service already. But some people don't have fast internet to handle streaming services. That's when an upgrade is needed.

[Icegoddess]

I compared a bunch of streaming services several months ago when my husband was talking about cutting the cord.  However, if I remember correctly, YouTube TV didn't have any sports and I like to watch college football.  The other thing YouTube TV didn't have was Reelz.  I spend Friday and Saturday nights watching On Patrol Live on Reelz, so that's a major part of my television viewing and it's something I very much look forward to, so I'm not willing to give that up.  There's not a whole lot I actually look forward to on TV anymore.  

Also, I don't think Amazon Prime carries that program live, only re-casts after 24 hours.  The only one I could find that you could get Reelz as an add-on was Sling TV.  

As far as Smart TV's, it seems some of the older Smart TV's, which is what we have, are not compatible with some of the streaming services, so you'll have to get a box to make it work.