Cord Cutters

[GemParty]

I’m thinking of a combination of high speed internet, a Roku, YouTube Tv, Philos, & Netflix to kill the cable bill. Viewing their channels they’re missing SNY, YES, & NESN. How do I get those?

 

[J187Money]

Thanks husky1bags. But none of those has the NFL Sunday Ticket. It’s exclusive to Directv. If that changes in the future then I will consider it. Those other streaming options can’t compete with the amount of stuff I get and I love sports

That has always been my reason for sticking with DTV - but just don't want to install it in the new house. So far - I'm digging Youtube TV. Not sure how I'm going to deal with NFL season when it comes around - but will figure something out.

Aside from the expense - I had a lot of issues with DTV equipment. At one point I had 5 receivers, but that cost a ton. Then I went to the Genie model, but had a lot of issues with reception, including the basement Genie, which was apparently "too close" to the main floor receiver (probably 10 feet through the floor) to work properly and DTV was like "sorry" but couldn't offer me a fix. It became a thing where I watched NFL on it, but other than that just used my DTV login to use HBO Max and other apps.

 

[NC_Uconn_Fan]

That has always been my reason for sticking with DTV - but just don't want to install it in the new house. So far - I'm digging Youtube TV. Not sure how I'm going to deal with NFL season when it comes around - but will figure something out.

I'm in the same boat, the only reason I've had DTV is for Sunday ticket. I figure at some point it will be available on other platforms, its a joke that its not. YouTube TV has been perfect for my needs as I really watch little to no TV. But at the end of the day, its tough to justify paying DTV fees for NFL games.

 

[J187Money]

I'm in the same boat, the only reason I've had DTV is for Sunday ticket. I figure at some point it will be available on other platforms, its a joke that its not. YouTube TV has been perfect for my needs as I really watch little to no TV. But at the end of the day, its tough to justify paying DTV fees for NFL games.

Yeah - I was never going to cancel it on its own, but with the move - and that I was going to have to set it all up again - forget about it. Will solve the NFL issue at some point - can't believe that DTV will keep an exclusive forever.

 

[Vuce]

Good info to know. DTV has been fair to me. I have not had any/many issues with the equipment at all, don’t get the rain fade some people do and I get the Sunday Ticket for free every couple years when I call. If that package does move I will def consider other options but right now it serves everything I need

 

[NC_Uconn_Fan]

can't believe that DTV will keep an exclusive foreve

It won't.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Yeah - I was never going to cancel it on its own, but with the move - and that I was going to have to set it all up again - forget about it. Will solve the NFL issue at some point - can't believe that DTV will keep an exclusive forever.

I'm in the same boat, the only reason I've had DTV is for Sunday ticket. I figure at some point it will be available on other platforms, its a joke that its not. YouTube TV has been perfect for my needs as I really watch little to no TV. But at the end of the day, its tough to justify paying DTV fees for NFL games.

Thanks husky1bags. But none of those has the NFL Sunday Ticket. It’s exclusive to Directv. If that changes in the future then I will consider it. Those other streaming options can’t compete with the amount of stuff I get and I love sports

Direct TV is dying. The new TV deal will move the streaming rights for Sunday Ticket to ESPN+. There is no way the NFL wanted to continue to tie it to a satellite only service in the current environment. So now you all need to buy the service you didn't want when the AAC TV deal was announced. I've got it in a package with Hulu and Disney+ anyway now.

BREAKING: Craig Carton has details of new NFL TV deal (audacy.com)

NFL's new TV deal will bring some major changes: Here are 10 things to know, including flex games on Monday - CBSSports.com

 

[Chuck]

It was even better before with YES and NESN. Late last year they got rid of it. I wonder what’s next to go ? Think they switched their target audience to more towards family and less on sports. Next sports channel that goes and I am done.

We cut the cord and went YouTubeTV at the beginning of the pandemic. I have 0 regrets. It's a bit cheaper all in, but it's also significantly better. But you can already see shifts. 95% of our YouTubeTV usage is sports and news (and news is only for big events). There is an occassional show on a cable channel that we'll watch, but we're usually watch on NetFlix or Hulu so it's a series that is over, or we're a season or two behind.

Every month, a channel/network takes some of its content premium. It's $5 here, $5 there. None of it has made me sign up, but at some point YouTubeTV will be too expensive to justify if there is nothing on it but sports. I could see there being major contraction in television. TV may look more like the 80s with dozens of channels rather than the 2000's with seemingly hundreds.

The biggest losers that I've seen so far are YES, MSG and the teams on those channels. We're a Yankee household, but we'll do without YES. But if you're a kid just getting into baseball, there's more opportunity to see the Mets than Yankees. Hardcore fans may stick with cable to keep access to their teams, but they'll lose plenty of other viewers, and it will be harder to get new hardcore fans.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

I’ve been anti-cord cutting for a long time but even I have had enough. Paying $187 when we stream 95% of what we watch and can catch the other 5% on Hulu the day after it airs is no longer justifiable.

 

[J187Money]

Direct TV is dying. The new TV deal will move the streaming rights for Sunday Ticket to ESPN+. There is no way the NFL wanted to continue to tie it to a satellite only service in the current environment. So now you all need to buy the service you didn't want when the AAC TV deal was announced. I've got it in a package with Hulu and Disney+ anyway now.

BREAKING: Craig Carton has details of new NFL TV deal (audacy.com)

NFL's new TV deal will bring some major changes: Here are 10 things to know, including flex games on Monday - CBSSports.com

I suppose with all of the flexing - and if the Packers are good (which is what I care about) they will probably be on an accessible channel.

 

[Vuce]

Question on all the streaming stuff. So almost everything I watch is via DVR (not UConn games of course). Is there a way to record football games, other shows, etc.? How does that work? The other problem is guess is just a me problem. Wife has no idea or interest in learning to use streaming or different devices to watch stuff.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

After now a full year of streaming I haven't looked back. I just added HBO Max and got rid of Showtime bc "Billions" doesn't seem to be returning anytime soon. Being able to just swap around what extras I want on the Hulu phone app is great. Having to scroll through channels is a little bit annoying but not having to call Cablevision once a year to haggle over 'promotional rates expiring' for an hour is worth it alone.

Still need to buy my own modem to cut the costs even more but part of me is hesitant because I don't want to hear the "well we can't do anything because you don't use our modem" routine in the event that something goes wrong.

 

[pepband99]

Question on all the streaming stuff. So almost everything I watch is via DVR (not UConn games of course). Is there a way to record football games, other shows, etc.? How does that work? The other problem is guess is just a me problem. Wife has no idea or interest in learning to use streaming or different devices to watch stuff.

Channels — Watch TV Your Way

Watch and record your favorite programs on every TV and device. A joy to use and simple to set up.

getchannels.com

at the cost of $80/year, it gives you the ability to save streamed content, and playback on iOS/Android devices at will. A fabulous product that has eased my cord cutting tremendously.

 

[Chuck]

Question on all the streaming stuff. So almost everything I watch is via DVR (not UConn games of course). Is there a way to record football games, other shows, etc.? How does that work? The other problem is guess is just a me problem. Wife has no idea or interest in learning to use streaming or different devices to watch stuff.

Typically, the dvr capacity is app based. Hulu Live and YouTubeTV have dvr capabilities that are as good or superior to the cable dvrs. There's no box and you can watch your recorded stuff on any device. You can also get separate profiles so that you can keep stuff in your dvr, and your wife in hers. I watch some shows separate from the rest of the family. I typically dvr stuff and watch on my ipad. YouTubeTV's dvr is unlimited size (but I think you lose the content after a few years).

The other apps will depend. You obviously don't need dvr capability for watching prerecorded stuff from Netflix, Hulu, HBO, etc. My issue is that you may want it for other live things and that's not alwasys available so you'd need what pepband99 referenced. For example, my son is a big Premier League fan. We gave in and got Peacock for a couple months for specific games. It bugs me that you can't pause/rewind their live content.

 

[SamIamCassell]

We cut the cord and went YouTubeTV at the beginning of the pandemic. I have 0 regrets. It's a bit cheaper all in, but it's also significantly better. But you can already see shifts. 95% of our YouTubeTV usage is sports and news (and news is only for big events). There is an occassional show on a cable channel that we'll watch, but we're usually watch on NetFlix or Hulu so it's a series that is over, or we're a season or two behind.

Every month, a channel/network takes some of its content premium. It's $5 here, $5 there. None of it has made me sign up, but at some point YouTubeTV will be too expensive to justify if there is nothing on it but sports. I could see there being major contraction in television. TV may look more like the 80s with dozens of channels rather than the 2000's with seemingly hundreds.

The biggest losers that I've seen so far are YES, MSG and the teams on those channels. We're a Yankee household, but we'll do without YES. But if you're a kid just getting into baseball, there's more opportunity to see the Mets than Yankees. Hardcore fans may stick with cable to keep access to their teams, but they'll lose plenty of other viewers, and it will be harder to get new hardcore fans.

Or you can just stream YES illegally which is what I plan to do to watch baseball. The dumb networks don’t get ratings when you do it this way so they are only hurting themselves.

 

[ZenConn]

Question on all the streaming stuff. So almost everything I watch is via DVR (not UConn games of course). Is there a way to record football games, other shows, etc.? How does that work? The other problem is guess is just a me problem. Wife has no idea or interest in learning to use streaming or different devices to watch stuff.

I bought the Amazon FireTV Recast a year and a half ago. Works well for OTA channels. Works seamlessly with Amazon FireStick.

 

[Vuce]

Typically, the dvr capacity is app based. Hulu Live and YouTubeTV have dvr capabilities that are as good or superior to the cable dvrs. There's no box and you can watch your recorded stuff on any device. We gave in and got Peacock for a couple months for specific games. It bugs me that you can't pause/rewind their live content.

Ok that is good info on the ap based DVR stuff. The part about the Premier League type thing would drive me nuts. That’s like going back to 1978 or something where you better watch live or you miss it. Definitely need to do more research and get this all set up before I go for it. There is also one part of the house - mancave area - where the internet signal is horrible and we’ve tried everything. That would be a huge issue with anything streaming

 

[mbr33ct]

After now a full year of streaming I haven't looked back. I just added HBO Max and got rid of Showtime bc "Billions" doesn't seem to be returning anytime soon. Being able to just swap around what extras I want on the Hulu phone app is great. Having to scroll through channels is a little bit annoying but not having to call Cablevision once a year to haggle over 'promotional rates expiring' for an hour is worth it alone.

Still need to buy my own modem to cut the costs even more but part of me is hesitant because I don't want to hear the "well we can't do anything because you don't use our modem" routine in the event that something goes wrong.

When I had Comcast, few years back now, I purchased my own modem to get that extra $10 or so rental fee off my bill. At the time I bought the same model Comcast had installed for my cable/internet. Frankly I haven't had any issues with what I purchased and still have. If you still using Cablevision (is it now called Optimum?) supplied modem, a good place to start is buying the same model you currently have, as long as you are not having issues with it. The link below is of Optimum/Cablevision approved modems.

Optimum typically activates any certified DOCSIS 3.0 modem but it is better to stick with Arris or NETGEAR since many other people have purchased them.

Approved Modems for Optimum / CableVision Internet Service - Pick My Modem

PickMyModem provides you list of all the compatible/approved modems for your Optimum/Cablevision internet for all the packages (including 300/200/100 packages). Buy your own modem and increase your internet speed

pickmymodem.com

 

[Chin Diesel]

We cut the cord and went YouTubeTV at the beginning of the pandemic. I have 0 regrets. It's a bit cheaper all in, but it's also significantly better. But you can already see shifts. 95% of our YouTubeTV usage is sports and news (and news is only for big events). There is an occassional show on a cable channel that we'll watch, but we're usually watch on NetFlix or Hulu so it's a series that is over, or we're a season or two behind.

Every month, a channel/network takes some of its content premium. It's $5 here, $5 there. None of it has made me sign up, but at some point YouTubeTV will be too expensive to justify if there is nothing on it but sports. I could see there being major contraction in television. TV may look more like the 80s with dozens of channels rather than the 2000's with seemingly hundreds.

The biggest losers that I've seen so far are YES, MSG and the teams on those channels. We're a Yankee household, but we'll do without YES. But if you're a kid just getting into baseball, there's more opportunity to see the Mets than Yankees. Hardcore fans may stick with cable to keep access to their teams, but they'll lose plenty of other viewers, and it will be harder to get new hardcore fans.

My main reason for keeping You Tube TV has been multiple user logins and availability of local news stations. I have two networks I can't get with OTA antenna.

I realize I am only one in my house who regularly watches You Tube TV.

I think in next few months I'm switching to Hulu Live packaged with Hulu and ESPN+.

It's strictly cost. You Tube TV is getting stupid with price raising,but until they start losing customers they'll keep on raising.

 

[mbr33ct]

Ok that is good info on the ap based DVR stuff. The part about the Premier League type thing would drive me nuts. That’s like going back to 1978 or something where you better watch live or you miss it. Definitely need to do more research and get this all set up before I go for it. There is also one part of the house - mancave area - where the internet signal is horrible and we’ve tried everything. That would be a huge issue with anything streaming

I also wanted a better wi-fi coverage throughout my place. I have tried them wifi extenders, the plug-in ones to outlets supposedly using the electric powerlines within the walls...etc...etc but none of them really worked until a year or so I heard of this wifi mesh network systems (whole home wifi systems). Check out the link below for a much better explanation.

These wifi mesh systems are more pricey but they work great. Usually they come in 2 or more. There are few brands out there but I chose eero (now owned by Amazon). I will say once you install one of these mesh systems in house your "mancave" will get good internet signal.

Best mesh Wi-Fi systems of 2025: say goodbye to Wi-Fi dead zones for good

Cover your whole house with a strong Wi-Fi signal with this one essential upgrade

www.tomsguide.com

Article about best wi-fi mesh network systems below.

The Best Wi-Fi Mesh Network Systems for 2024

Working from home by day, gaming and streaming by night? Defeating Wi-Fi dead zones is more important than ever. A mesh network system can help, and these are the best we've tested.

www.pcmag.com

 

[M.S.G.]

Bill just went back up to $200 with DirecTV, maybe on Friday I call and threaten to cancel.. If they are willing to offer me $75 or so off the bill I'll stay but it's just so hard to justify paying that much for just regular cable plus HBO. I mean, yes, convenience is a big deal but I can get 90% of what I need from YouTubeTV at $125 lesser. At this point in my life a $200 bill isn't the end of the world, really at this point it's more about the principle than anything.

Question for YouTubeTV people, I have that Hulu/Disney/ESPN bundle - will my YouTubeTV login give me the OTA ESPN stuff on the app, or will I need to login with my in-laws Spectrum account to get that?

 

[M.S.G.]

I also wanted a better wi-fi coverage throughout my place. I have tried them wifi extenders, the plug-in ones to outlets supposedly using the electric powerlines within the walls...etc...etc but none of them really worked until a year or so I heard of this wifi mesh network systems (whole home wifi systems). Check out the link below for a much better explanation.

These wifi mesh systems are more pricey but they work great. Usually they come in 2 or more. There are few brands out there but I chose eero (now owned by Amazon). I will say once you install one of these mesh systems in house your "mancave" will get good internet signal.

Best mesh Wi-Fi systems of 2025: say goodbye to Wi-Fi dead zones for good

Cover your whole house with a strong Wi-Fi signal with this one essential upgrade

www.tomsguide.com

Article about best wi-fi mesh network systems below.

The Best Wi-Fi Mesh Network Systems for 2024

Working from home by day, gaming and streaming by night? Defeating Wi-Fi dead zones is more important than ever. A mesh network system can help, and these are the best we've tested.

www.pcmag.com

To chime in on Mesh WiFi, I had considered myself pretty router/cable savvy but my router/cable combination was not doing the trick even after I had them activate a cable nozzle on the ground floor to cover that floor plus the man cave in the basement - still inconsistent. I splurged for a Google Nest hub plus one other unit and I have not had any issues since. Speed is way up, no buffering and never bogged down by devices. That being said it's only my wife and I, not like there's 4 people streaming at the same time but I can wholeheartedly say that the Google Nest gets 5 stars from me.

 

[mbr33ct]

Bill just went back up to $200 with DirecTV, maybe on Friday I call and threaten to cancel.. If they are willing to offer me $75 or so off the bill I'll stay but it's just so hard to justify paying that much for just regular cable plus HBO. I mean, yes, convenience is a big deal but I can get 90% of what I need from YouTubeTV at $125 lesser. At this point in my life a $200 bill isn't the end of the world, really at this point it's more about the principle than anything.

Question for YouTubeTV people, I have that Hulu/Disney/ESPN bundle - will my YouTubeTV login give me the OTA ESPN stuff on the app, or will I need to login with my in-laws Spectrum account to get that?

I have YouTube TV, that's pretty much all you need as your "provider credentials" to log into the ESPN app and watch not only ESPN content but also SECN, ACCN. Within the app you will also have the ESPN+ channels from your bundle, you'll have two different login credentials. Hope this helps, can't figure out what "OTA" means...is it Over The Air?

 

[M.S.G.]

That was very helpful, thank you! Yes OTA is over the air. I typed that post before 5am, then later on in the morning at school I realized, oh when my wife is on the treadmill she can just go on the actual YouTubeTV app to watch ESPN rather than streaming SportsCenter off the ESPN+ app - I don't have a cable box on that one since it's attached to the wall next to the treadmill so I'd just use my DTV login so she could watch SC in the mornings.

I'm a dummy. This is not news.

 

[AreBee1969]

I'm going on a year with YouTubeTV and saving money over DirecTV is great, I think it's the best and most cost effective for my family's needs.
Things I like: Local Networks, Unlimited DVR, all channels for NCAA Tournament (including TNT, TBS and TruTV).
Things I don't like: I lost NESN since I signed up which was a major factor in choosing YTTV, no dolby digital which is absurd today, and the price has been climbing rapidly since I signed up with the addition of channels I don't watch (Viacom), there seems to be a stuttering issue with some sports channels. YTTV has recommended that I uninstall the app and reinstall, but it only works for a week or so before you have to do it again.

 

[M.S.G.]

One more question on YTTV, I don't care about YES and NESN because I get the Mets on the MLBTV ala carte package - there were several UConn games on CBSSN, is that on YTTV?

 

[mbr33ct]

One more question on YTTV, I don't care about YES and NESN because I get the Mets on the MLBTV ala carte package - there were several UConn games on CBSSN, is that on YTTV?

Not only CBS Sports but also NBC Sports, FS1 (Big East affiliate) and FS2...and of course SNY for UConn games. Are you in the Tri-State SNY home market? If not you will be able to see the UConn games on the FOX Sport App, again you need the YouTube TV login credentials to access.

To find which channels you will be getting in your area on YouTube TV, see link below (add your zip code)

YouTube TV - Watch & DVR Live Sports, Shows & News

 

[uconn1999]

I have YouTube TV, that's pretty much all you need as your "provider credentials" to log into the ESPN app and watch not only ESPN content but also SECN, ACCN. Within the app you will also have the ESPN+ channels from your bundle, you'll have two different login credentials. Hope this helps, can't figure out what "OTA" means...is it Over The Air?

I’m not seeing that as a YTTV subscriber, that I have access to ESPN+
I see they want $5.99/month for that privilege

 

[gampelcrazies]

With the rates going up I just don't see the value in switching. I get everything I could ever want with Xfinity and have virtually no issues with it. IMO the cut the cord movement will cost us all in the back end.

 

[Jimdish255]

A little OT but I'm having buffering issues with the ESPN app on FireTV Cube. Device has a great picture but the app fails on Chromecast and now this. Have access to a Roku TV that doesn't seem to have any issues. Really frustrating experience watching any type of match. When you pay for this they really need to make a better effort. No problems on a laptop with chrome browser connected to tv via hdmi.

 

[Waquoit]

I’m not seeing that as a YTTV subscriber, that I have access to ESPN+
I see they want $5.99/month for that privilege

I think ESPN+ is the biggest bargain in streaming. It has West Indies cricket.