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RedDirtTexan
RedDirtTexan

FWIW.....I tweeted at @YouTubeTV and complained about them not carrying LHN. They wrote back and sent a link asking for suggestions on which channels to work on adding to their lineup. Here's the link

WithoutAClue
WithoutAClue
Nice Guy Eddie
Nice Guy Eddie

For me the best part of cord cutting is not that I saved money, I’ve dropped tv viewing by at least 50%.  If I have to drop it closer to 100%, not sure I will miss it.

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ChickenSandwich

ChickenSandwich 9,824

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Posted
19 hours ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

 

I hear ya but my friend will not want to switch between inputs and will get lost trying to do so.  I'm helping her with the most basic option to get a few streaming channels and KPRC.   Hulu Live seems to offer NBC but they are silent on whether it is national only or local broadcast. 

Personally I use a combo of antenna for OTA and a few streaming services.

Well you will be SOL. The local channels are flaky with their contracts. Austin- PS Vue has CBS last year, gone now. There will be no guarantees that any of them keep NBC anyway 

you are better off with OTA, and a TV with a Netflix button on the remote if operation of two inputs is a bridge too far. Or set her up with Grande or TWC basic cable package. 

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Nice Guy Eddie

Nice Guy Eddie 13,507

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5 hours ago, ChickenSandwich said:

Well you will be SOL. The local channels are flaky with their contracts. Austin- PS Vue has CBS last year, gone now. There will be no guarantees that any of them keep NBC anyway 

you are better off with OTA, and a TV with a Netflix button on the remote if operation of two inputs is a bridge too far. Or set her up with Grande or TWC basic cable package. 

Appears that the Houston channels work fine with Hulu live.   She was happy with it.  

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utexas8

utexas8 1,436

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I use my parents vue but it won’t let me watch while they are watching since we aren’t in the same home. I guess with the IP address.

I was researching YouTube tv and they have family sharing but I couldn’t figure out if they have the same restrictions vue has. Anyone know?

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Bash Riprock

Bash Riprock 1,695

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Posted (edited)

doing the hulu trial.

pros:

39.99

espn

espn 2

espnews

espn u

fs 1

fs 2

foxsw

foxsw plus

cons

i only get nbc as a local channel (lubbock)

cant skip commercials when behind or with recordings in your cloud dvr (i will have to upgrade to the no commercial plan)

all in all thats pretty good for 39.99. 

 

youtube tv is not avail in my area, however after reading up on everything i think hulu would be better. with directv now i dont think you can get the same sports channels that you can get with hulu under 50 bucks.

Edited by Bash Riprock
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Hornin04

Hornin04 261

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anyone have any experience with the new Amazon Fire TV cube?   It's on sale today for $90 with Amazon Prime Day.   I've been pretty happy with my new Apple TV this year but I'm also a big fan of the Echo Dots.   
I got one when they had the discounted pre-order price. It's nice as a cord cutter to use it to turn off TV, change volume, switch inputs, etc. Can't use it to change channels on my Tivo (at least not that I've figured out yet). Also functions like a normal echo. Not a must buy but it's useful to me and hopefully becomes more useful with time.
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kevwun

kevwun 15,758

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Posted (edited)

I found out you can't use any android-based devices to get around region or blackout restrictions.  They have a location services feature that can't be disabled.  So no Amazon fire stick/tv, chromebooks, etc.  Luckily I found out about it before I ordered a fire tv.  I'm gonna get a Roku instead.

Edited by kevwun
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RD3

RD3 64

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Posted
On 6/27/2018 at 12:36 PM, Nice Guy Eddie said:

A friend of mine mentioned how his family AT&T bill is >$600/month.  Practically fell out of my chair.  Family of 3.  All of their phones, smart watches, tablets have data plans plus the internet/cable and a handful of on-demand movies each weekend.   I almost felt like staging an intervention with them.   Being entertained/connected 100% of the time with 100% of the options is overkill.      I get that families pay more than me as being single but it shouldn't approach a car payment.

I'm down to $50 for internet, $11 for Hulu plus HBO, and some portion of my Amazon Prime is for their video.    Since I help my dad with his Uverse account, I do admit that I've used his account from time to time to catch a show I could see otherwise.  However I feel that is justifiable since its in my name.  As for my phone, I'm lucky in that my employer picks up the tab.

 
We switched to AT&T for cell service from Sprint last year.  At the time saved $35 but we also got 2 iPhones 8 out of it (Sprint wasn't offering any deals).
 
We switched to Directv Now over Memorial Day weekend and saved $100 on that.  Comparing my bills from a year ago I'm saving $135 a month and we have 2 iPhone 8s out of the deal.
 
June 2018
- $170 AT&T (cell, 2 iPhones including 1 iPhone 8 with installments + 1 free iPhone 8)
- $74 AT&T (internet)
- $38 Directv Now with free HBO (tv)
TOTAL = $282
 
May 2018
- $195 AT&T (cell, 2 iPhones including 1 iPhone 8 with installments + 1 free iPhone 8)
- $186 AT&T (internet + tv)
TOTAL = $381
 
May 2017
- $200 Sprint (cell, 2 iPhones no free phones)
- $216 AT&T (internet + tv)
TOTAL = $416
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orange dream

orange dream 1,246

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On 7/16/2018 at 8:39 PM, Horny04 said:
On 7/16/2018 at 12:48 PM, Nice Guy Eddie said:
anyone have any experience with the new Amazon Fire TV cube?   It's on sale today for $90 with Amazon Prime Day.   I've been pretty happy with my new Apple TV this year but I'm also a big fan of the Echo Dots.   

I got one when they had the discounted pre-order price. It's nice as a cord cutter to use it to turn off TV, change volume, switch inputs, etc. Can't use it to change channels on my Tivo (at least not that I've figured out yet). Also functions like a normal echo. Not a must buy but it's useful to me and hopefully becomes more useful with time.

Bought the fire tv cube on amazon day. Haven't unboxed it yet and leaving town for a week so won't mess with it until then.  I'm hopeful that I can turn on/ff TV / soundbar, etc. and change channels / apps.  Time will tell.

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RD3

RD3 64

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On 7/15/2018 at 7:53 AM, ChickenSandwich said:

Well you will be SOL. The local channels are flaky with their contracts. Austin- PS Vue has CBS last year, gone now. There will be no guarantees that any of them keep NBC anyway 

you are better off with OTA, and a TV with a Netflix button on the remote if operation of two inputs is a bridge too far. Or set her up with Grande or TWC basic cable package. 

Get an antenna. I bought this one for $15 at Target.com delivered to store and it's low profile, you can't see it...  I have all the local channels plus some I had no idea about.  I have Fox via DTV Now but I watched the World Cup final on Fox on the antenna because that is usually the highest quality signal you can get.

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North Austin

North Austin 10

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1 hour ago, RD3 said:
 
We switched to AT&T for cell service from Sprint last year.  At the time saved $35 but we also got 2 iPhones 8 out of it (Sprint wasn't offering any deals).
 
We switched to Directv Now over Memorial Day weekend and saved $100 on that.  Comparing my bills from a year ago I'm saving $135 a month and we have 2 iPhone 8s out of the deal.
 
June 2018
- $170 AT&T (cell, 2 iPhones including 1 iPhone 8 with installments + 1 free iPhone 8)
- $74 AT&T (internet)
- $38 Directv Now with free HBO (tv)
TOTAL = $282
 
May 2018
- $195 AT&T (cell, 2 iPhones including 1 iPhone 8 with installments + 1 free iPhone 8)
- $186 AT&T (internet + tv)
TOTAL = $381
 
May 2017
- $200 Sprint (cell, 2 iPhones no free phones)
- $216 AT&T (internet + tv)
TOTAL = $416

I'm not sure how much data you use but I use straighttalk (walmart service) and it's only $45 per line and you can use whatever phone you want with it.  I haven't had an issues with getting a signal and i'm using wifi most of the time anyways so the data transfer hasn't been a problem.

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msudawg

msudawg 371

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About ready to "cut the cord" myself. I'm in DFW. Have about 25 channels that are core to what I want to keep, LHN is one of them. Hey...I'm a MSU fan first but gotta keep the wife happy and I enjoy watching y'all play most of the time too...especially football and baseball. 

Just trying to decide on what option I want to go with..but I've been thinking about and analyzing my options for the better part of a week...


The leader right now is Playstation Vue Core.But if Youtube TV ever adds LHN or I find another way to access it, I'll go YTTV instead.

PS Vue Core get's me 22 of the 25 (no A&E, History, or CMT). Then I can add on HBO, Showtime and maybe Epix Hits as I need to. 

I can fix those 3 missing channels 2 ways. 1)Philo for $16 or 2) Upgrade my phone unlimited plan and get att watch tv for free (no CMT..damn you Broken Skull Ranch). With Option,2 I can get HBO for free also. But it would not have any DVR support for any of the stations...and very limited streaming support options (no Roku support)

As of now, I'm considering buying a Roku Ultra as my media center device. 

The other thing I'm considering is the Nvidia Shield instead. It's a LOT more powerful system plus has the ability to save things with 32gb or 500gb (plus microsd)., 

Or I just found out about the Channel Master Stream+ which has a tv tuner and dvr built in, doesn't support many people apps like playstation vue, youtube, amazon prime or youtube but all can be side-loaded.  While it sounds awesome.. I don't think I need a tv tuner since I don't need an antenna to get my locals unless I want the secondary stations.. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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nycHorn

nycHorn 2,977

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On 7/15/2018 at 11:49 PM, Bash Riprock said:

doing the hulu trial.

pros:

39.99

espn

espn 2

espnews

espn u

fs 1

fs 2

foxsw

foxsw plus

cons

i only get nbc as a local channel (lubbock)

cant skip commercials when behind or with recordings in your cloud dvr (i will have to upgrade to the no commercial plan)

all in all thats pretty good for 39.99. 

 

youtube tv is not avail in my area, however after reading up on everything i think hulu would be better. with directv now i dont think you can get the same sports channels that you can get with hulu under 50 bucks.

 

I have Hulu Plus or whatever it's called.  It's ok.  Going through the 4k Apple TV,  cat5'd directly from the router, 110+ Mbps connection, and the live TV still freezes at points.  Then it'll fast forward to the live point or you have to exit out of the app and try it again.  That's not going to work for CFB season.

I'm thinking about trying ESPN+  to see how that performs.  

Anyone else have a solid plan for CFB season sans cable?

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SquishMitten

SquishMitten 10,403

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Finally told Uverse to eat my dick. TV and internet weren’t working when I got home Friday. Very long tech-support-and-customer-service-story short, I told them to cancel everything. Feels so good! I think i’ve already got everything I need to join the ranks of cord cutters, but I needed that last kick in the nuts to take the plunge. Got a long range OTA antenna, PlayStation Vue, Netflix, Prime, and Hulu. Just need internet again, but I get Spectrum tomorrow which is an improvement from ATT’s 50mb to 400mb.

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phdhorn

phdhorn 6,224

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(Queen's language) we were not amused at the $5 price hippy-hop on DTVN.  Y'know, 2 blinks and a wag after AT&T bought out Time-Wiener.  Of course we get a note for the good folks, actually I have to hand it to them, they wrapped it up in detailing all the new features (which really weren't) and commitment to the best online entertainment whatever whatever, and really, I was impressed with at least how they knew this would piss people off.

Anyway, I was on Tier 2 and said fuck that, I'll go down to Tier 1 (and I got a thank-you for it anyway!).  I'll miss Fusion, Fuse, Sci. channel, and the 2 "other" ESPN's (U and News) for football season, but honestly most of the time if I'm having to watch a game on one of those 2, it's often shitty or I'm spending to much time in the recliner as it is.

So back to Tier 1, which is now gonna be $40/mo. (the 2nd tier is up to $55/mo.).  At least switching was a fucking breeze - 2 clicks on the site and I'm switched - no going through some trained baboon trying to get me to stay, offering me perks (temporary at that), etc.  So that was good.

SInce I've made the switch, my TV habits are about 45% OTA anyway (I get all the locals very clearly), so fuggit.  I swearz I will not pay, ever again, over $50/month for that there Tee-Vee if I can help it.  

Now to figure out how to not get assprodded on Internet (still with Spectrum, since I'm non-bundled, it's about $75/month, which includes modem rental.  If I ditched the modem/router they give me, it'll be about $375-$300 to buy new equipment, which I might do, but Internet's still at $65/mo.  My only choices where I live are Specturm (by far the best performing), AT&T DSL (horror stories on that), and some satellite internet thing (not EE-ven going there right now).  So I don't have much choice.  Why AT&T can't offer DTVN customers a bundled price yet ("regular DirectTV has it) I don't know.  Of course not sure I'd get it since it's DSL, but c'mon you pricks, give me a decent internet techology option and price!),

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ColoradoHorn

ColoradoHorn 7

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This could make it easier for Cord Cutters!

 

A New Bill Would Make It Easier for DIRECTV NOW, Sling TV, Hulu, & Others to Stream Local

https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/a-new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-directv-now-sling-tv-hulu-others-to-stream-locals/

This week, Steve Scalise introduced a bill in the United States House of Representatives that would make it easier for live TV streaming services to include local TV stations. According to the bill, it would remove any requirements to have retransmission consent from local broadcasters before streaming local TV online.

This would allow companies like Sling TV, DIRECTV NOW, Hulu, and others to stream locals without long contracts. It would also allow services like Areo to stream locals online.

“Innovation tends to follow the path of least government resistance,” Scalise said in a statement. “For proof, look no further than the growth of online streaming services that are operating in a completely free market, while competing against other platforms that are regulated as if they were still monopolies from the 1990s. My legislation will level the playing field so consumers can benefit from even more freedom in the video marketplace.”

Many have asked why services are barred from streaming free over-the-air TV. For now, the current retransmission laws bar anyone from rebroadcasting free over-the-air TV online. This bill would not only push streaming forward but also make cord cutting services cheaper.

Currently, $12 on average of your live TV streaming service bill goes to locals. If this bill goes forward live TV streaming would no longer have to pay locals. This could help push the cost of live TV services down to below $30.

The bill faces a hard, uphill battle. While cable industries may support it, look for local stations to fight back against the bill.

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jofus

jofus 2,266

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2 hours ago, MNLonghornFUKM said:

Hell yeaaa! The 5$ hike isnt gonna cost me to move. 5$ HBO and the best channel line up of streaming services makes me stay. Hope the DVR adds ff and rw here soon

 

 

You can’t FF and RW on your DVR? I can...

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Updawg

Updawg 2,266

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If they add AT&T sportsnet let me know. That’s when I’ll switch.
I eventually gave up and switched back to a uverse promo. I'll gladly pay a few bucks extra to have Astros reliably/easily, a decent DVR and a stable platform. Next year I will be back to deciding what to do. I guess that's the game we will have to play from now on, especially since these cord cutting options are going up in price.
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GottaB

GottaB 594

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Posted
I eventually gave up and switched back to a uverse promo. I'll gladly pay a few bucks extra to have Astros reliably/easily, a decent DVR and a stable platform. Next year I will be back to deciding what to do. I guess that's the game we will have to play from now on, especially since these cord cutting options are going up in price.

Its like you are in my head. I’m calling the retention specialist on the way home.
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gsoda3

gsoda3 3,245

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Posted
21 hours ago, TenaciousTgarden said:

So LHN is still just Vue and DTV Now?  I am having trouble with the DTV app on my Roku. Never have been able to get it to work. Going to uninstall it later and try again.

works well on our roku devices.

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msudawg

msudawg 371

Posted
Posted

 

Well.. screw deciding. I've got 2 tv's so gonna give this a go.

Living Room - Nvidia Shield . Trading in a Chromecast and have a $30gc for Best Buy. Pairing that with a Harmony Elite because I'm tired of playing where's one of my 3 remotes...

along with a Logitech K400 Plus wireless keyboard. 

Going to do PS Vue with Philo. Already have netflix. already have 3 free months to Pandora.  

Bedroom - Roku Ultra. 

Gonna test out Youtube tv for the trial period and use Philo, to see if the user experience make's me figure out just how important LHN is. 

Next week, I'm calling ATT and dumping Uverse. If I keep having internet problems. I'll be running to Spectrum also...

 

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BNB

BNB 100

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Posted (edited)

So, I currently have a Shield TV (mainly so I can stream my PC games, and you can stream from Steam for free currently) and a $20 Fire TV stick.

I had to ditch my old Fire TV's as they are no longer supported by DTVNow, even though they are faster than the current crop Amazon offers...?

The FireStick seems to do its job fine.

The Shield TV is nice for the above benefits.  It doesn't have DTVNow, so I debated changing to another service, but I am grandfathered on their $65 plan for $40 and I researched all the other offerings and think I have the best deal currently.

I found out how to sideload a modified version of DTVNow onto Android TV.

Took me awhile to search and figure it out. So here if anyone needs it:

https://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tv/help/directv-app-shield-tv-t3510829

Somewhere in that thread is a mediafire link that they update the latest version of DTVNOW to.  If anyone wants it, it is bookmarked on my Shield.

 

DTVNow - I had free HBO for the first year, then not.  The other week I clicked on HBO and it has been working ever since, so I guess I have HBO for free (if you have the grandfathered plan, you might check again.)   It doesn't work using my credentials for HBO Go though.

DTV Now just has 20hrs of DVR space so I am going to get a HDHomerun before football.  I've been reading up on prices.  Just getting a refurbished seems like the best deal.

https://shop.silicondust.com/shop/product-category/refurbished-hardware/

For those not familiar.  HDHomerun is a device you plug into your router, then connect an antenna to it and it allows everyone on the network to watch 1-4 different channels depending on the model you choose.  You can also set it up to record shows different ways( Basically have a DVR for OTA channels seperate from your Streaming service).  

 

Also I saw on Slickdeals, Best Buy currently has the Fire TV Stick for $20 and the Fire TV for $35 if anyone needs one.

 

Edited by BNB
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msudawg

msudawg 371

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, msudawg said:

Damnit!!! Didn't see that mentioned anywhere you have to add sports pack to get the LHN for $10 on PS Vue. 

 

 

Or I guess I was confused. It's a local in texas. but the rest of the country it's on the sports pack. 

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jdhorn92

jdhorn92 1,545

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At what point does adding back all the channels with Apps, subs etc.. get you right back to where we are now with more channels than needed.  Add the cost of  Prime $10-$12 per month, Netflix $10-$12 per month, HBO Go $10-$20, Hulu, Roku, etc.... I can see the legacy carriers dropping sub prices to match the exodus and in the end it will be a wash. I need to put a spreadsheet to it.  Not to mention my kids and wife hate changing inputs (doesn't bother me, but they call me at work to ask how to work the remotes).  Internet fees seem to rise too when not bundled with a cable deal, so not sure it will be a better way to go in the end.

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Gator Dave

Gator Dave 14

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Posted
7 hours ago, jdhorn92 said:

At what point does adding back all the channels with Apps, subs etc.. get you right back to where we are now with more channels than needed.  Add the cost of  Prime $10-$12 per month, Netflix $10-$12 per month, HBO Go $10-$20, Hulu, Roku, etc.... I can see the legacy carriers dropping sub prices to match the exodus and in the end it will be a wash. I need to put a spreadsheet to it.  Not to mention my kids and wife hate changing inputs (doesn't bother me, but they call me at work to ask how to work the remotes).  Internet fees seem to rise too when not bundled with a cable deal, so not sure it will be a better way to go in the end.

Well a big plus for a lot of people is the actual streamlining of the channels you have, because you'll realize how much you don't actually watch. Trim the fat and don't try to replace every channel one-for-one. Figure out what you absolutely can't live without, and stick with that. You can get by with a lot less channels/services than you think you can.

I pay for the smallest DirecTV package and Netflix, and have Prime video because I was a Prime member anyway. I have way more quality content than I could ever watch. If you need a certain channel (like LHN), bump up your DirecTV package for the few months you need it (football season), then ratchet it back down in January.

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elfenix

elfenix 34,221

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Posted
8 hours ago, jdhorn92 said:

At what point does adding back all the channels with Apps, subs etc.. get you right back to where we are now with more channels than needed.  Add the cost of  Prime $10-$12 per month, Netflix $10-$12 per month, HBO Go $10-$20, Hulu, Roku, etc.... I can see the legacy carriers dropping sub prices to match the exodus and in the end it will be a wash. I need to put a spreadsheet to it.  Not to mention my kids and wife hate changing inputs (doesn't bother me, but they call me at work to ask how to work the remotes).  Internet fees seem to rise too when not bundled with a cable deal, so not sure it will be a better way to go in the end.

the nice thing about binge watching is you can sub for a month, binge the shit you want, then drop that and go to another service for a month, rinse, repeat.  

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dcbc

dcbc 14,465

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Posted
22 hours ago, jdhorn92 said:

At what point does adding back all the channels with Apps, subs etc.. get you right back to where we are now with more channels than needed.  Add the cost of  Prime $10-$12 per month, Netflix $10-$12 per month, HBO Go $10-$20, Hulu, Roku, etc.... I can see the legacy carriers dropping sub prices to match the exodus and in the end it will be a wash. I need to put a spreadsheet to it.  Not to mention my kids and wife hate changing inputs (doesn't bother me, but they call me at work to ask how to work the remotes).  Internet fees seem to rise too when not bundled with a cable deal, so not sure it will be a better way to go in the end.

Problem for me was I was subscribing to Netflix, Prime, and Hulu already.  I had to kick my internet speed up a bit, but I needed to do that anyway just to remove the data caps.

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