Cutting The Cord on Cable/Satellite TV Service?

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

After 20 years, I dropped our Directv crap off at UPS today and we're done.

YTTV so far has been pretty good. It has been a bit of a challenge for me to figure out the navigation. My fingers are so used to the directv remote, and I'm old, so it's not going smoothly. I don't like extra clicks to find the grid and not being able to jump to channels by typing in the channel number. Same with not having the same previous button option. I'm guessing all that stuff is possible to set up, but I haven't figured out how yet.

 

[PortlandSoxFan]

After 20 years, I dropped our Directv crap off at UPS today and we're done.

YTTV so far has been pretty good. It has been a bit of a challenge for me to figure out the navigation. My fingers are so used to the directv remote, and I'm old, so it's not going smoothly. I don't like extra clicks to find the grid and not being able to jump to channels by typing in the channel number. Same with not having the same previous button option. I'm guessing all that stuff is possible to set up, but I haven't figured out how yet.

To go to a previous channel, hit the directional pad down, and it will show you your last few channels watch that you can pick from.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

To go to a previous channel, hit the directional pad down, and it will show you your last few channels watch that you can pick from.

Thanks. Yeah, that's how I've been doing it, but I have to think about it. With Sunday Ticket it hasn't always been seamless, but I'm getting there.

 

[Humphrey]

I bet someone's figuring out how to make money off of some kind of remote that organizes the (streaming) channels better than they are now.

 

[jayhoz]

I bet someone's figuring out how to make money off of some kind of remote that organizes the (streaming) channels better than they are now.

The remote is the easy part. The streaming stick needs to have an IR/RF code for each service programmed into it so the remote can launch each app.

Roku does this now for four services and my Chromecast has one button that you can choose the service for.

 

[Humphrey]

...I'm thinking of something where it's more or less numerical. I'll still probably ditch Comcast in another year when the price returns to being astronomical.

 

[Jim Burton]

How long is the delay watching local channels through the app versus directly from the antenna? Is it noticeable?

I've used Channels DVR since January, still run NextPVR too.

The apps and browser interfaces are clunky when changing channels, because they go back a page (which stops the video). I would strongly suggest using Kodi as a frontend. With Kodi, I just checked and see about a second and a half, to maybe 2 seconds when changing (local, OTA) channels on the networked HDHomerun. Kodi will also bring up the guide while still playing the current channel while you browse and until you commit to the channel change. To pile on the Channels DVR (android) app, it tends to occasionally lose the antenna signal and just stop, which has never happened to me while using Kodi (with the Channels DVR PVR add-on installed, so still being run thru Channels).

To be honest, I would never have continued with Channels over NextPVR if my wife hadn't immediately fallen in love with that interface (both app and browser). She records a lot of shows, so, happy wife happy life and all that. They both have the same functionality, but the (optional) EPG service for NextPVR (SchedulesDirect) is $35 for the year, while the (mandatory) Channels EPG is $80 to 100.

Both also have PVR add-ons for Kodi that make for a better frontend experience than anything else I've used, and I've tried a bunch. My wife has also started watching live stuff on Kodi, but finds the Channels app fine for recordings from the in-home LAN.

Both DVR packages do well with IPTV as well, (adding recording functionality there too), and can be run from either a Windows or Linux box. I use Chromecast with Google TV on the rest of the TV's for the family, but actually prefer a RaspberryPi 4 on my office TV, runs all the same TV apps, without the walled garden that is AndroidTV/GTV.

 

[Montana Fan]

It’s funny, I’ve gone from cutting the cord to cutting what I cut the cord for: stopped Netflix, MAX, and Apple — will jump in if and when there’s something worth watching. We’ve got the Hulu/Disney+/ESPN package — and NBA League Pass (thanks to my son’s NBA 2K purchase). We’re heading into the time of year when my limited TV viewing hours shift to live sports (baseball playoffs, football, and a shit-ton of hoops), so I don’t need much else.

Next on the chopping block: Amazon Prime — although free shipping may keep us tied into the ecosystem. At the very least, there’s no way I’m paying $3.00 a month to avoid ads. Bezos doesn’t need that stream of revenue the way Netflix does — he’s just being greedy. Fuck that guy.

Likewise, I cut Netflix a couple months ago and Disney is going after the wife finishes up Ahsoka October 4th. Also switched from YTTV to Sling for 4 months after the NBA season ended for a savings of $32/month. Back on YTTV now as I wanted NFL Network and NBA Network back for the seasons. I think the Celts are only on NBA Network once this season so may switch back to Sling after NFL season wraps up. FWIW, I use the NFL Network to watch Giants’ replays if they’re not on national TV any given week.

 

[kfoss99]

I love the Celtics. Like watching F1. My wife likes a few things, especially the evening news. But, it's getting hard to justify the price of YouTube TV.

I have the Disney+ bundle and think I can still follow F1 on ESPN+.

Does anyone know if Sirius/XM has the radio broadcasts of Celtics games? With that and gamecast, I could still follow the team live.

 

[Matty005]

The link below is talking about how Caesers and Fanatics both signed an agreement to allow streaming in their app if you bet on the game. Does that technically mean if I bet 10 cents on the Pats to win in a state that allows gambling I will be able to stream that Pats game? (10 cents is the minimum bid requirement for Fanatics).

https://www.actionnetwork.com/legal-online-sports-betting/fanatics-caesars-live-betting-streaming

 

[fieldslikebuckner]

I love the Celtics. Like watching F1. My wife likes a few things, especially the evening news. But, it's getting hard to justify the price of YouTube TV.

I have the Disney+ bundle and think I can still follow F1 on ESPN+.

Does anyone know if Sirius/XM has the radio broadcasts of Celtics games? With that and gamecast, I could still follow the team live.

Yes. I have the Platinum Advantage Plan and it has the radio play-by-play home/away for all four major sports. I listen to the games through the SiriusXM app on my phone.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

The link below is talking about how Caesers and Fanatics both signed an agreement to allow streaming in their app if you bet on the game. Does that technically mean if I bet 10 cents on the Pats to win in a state that allows gambling I will be able to stream that Pats game? (10 cents is the minimum bid requirement for Fanatics).

https://www.actionnetwork.com/legal-online-sports-betting/fanatics-caesars-live-betting-streaming

Seems so, but only if the game is on network in your area.

 

[tonyandpals]

For those cutting the cord and wanting NESN, they've partnered with Fubo. If you're a Bruins STH you can get $50 off a month for 2 months. They also have a 2 week trial. If you're good at churning email addresses and virtual CCs, you can go a while without paying.

https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruins-announce-partnership-with-fubo-for-2023-24-season?fbclid=IwAR2o3MFpKJpPsnJ2Awgba_M66xsyXGKD9Cn3C2vzWvZP1bzSXZem0X_-mBc

 

[Curt S Loew]

Sorry if this has been discussed, but my recent trial of Fubo is about to expire, so shopping around again. I'm having a real hard time justifying $70+/mo for full live streaming that we barely use. My stumbling block is Celtics. I know Peacock has NBC Sports, but unclear if that includes regional channels. If not, any other work around besides streaming on PC and casting?

What are you streaming from and casting? Peacock does not carry NBCSports Boston. I am actually considering going with Fubo now that Celtics season is starting. I can justify it now with both Bruins and Celtics. This was the only real option for both other than DirecTV Stream which was awful last time I tried it. My lone stumbling block was no TNT/TBS for other games, but I just found out MAX now has TW Sports add on which has all sporting events on TNT/TBS. It's free to subscribers until February and then 9.99 a month. I already have MAX so this works for me.

 

[bohous]

What are you streaming from and casting? Peacock does not carry NBCSports Boston. I am actually considering going with Fubo now that Celtics season is starting. I can justify it now with both Bruins and Celtics. This was the only real option for both other than DirecTV Stream which was awful last time I tried it. My lone stumbling block was no TNT/TBS for other games, but I just found out MAX now has TW Sports add on which has all sporting events on TNT/TBS. It's free to subscribers until February and then 9.99 a month. I already have MAX so this works for me.

We use Roku, and I did figure out that Peacock does not cover regional NBC Sports channels.
I ended up signing up for Hulu+Live for $50/mo for 3 months, even though we were already getting Hulu/Disney package free with Verizon. I prefer it to Fubo but we are dealing with some audio lag issues. We will re-evaluate once the 3/mo is up.

 

[Curt S Loew]

We use Roku, and I did figure out that Peacock does not cover regional NBC Sports channels.
I ended up signing up for Hulu+Live for $50/mo for 3 months, even though we were already getting Hulu/Disney package free with Verizon. I prefer it to Fubo but we are dealing with some audio lag issues. We will re-evaluate once the 3/mo is up.

I would do Hulu but no NESN. I meant what are you streaming from your PC and casting for Celtics?

 

[Yaz4Ever]

I'm looking at OTA antennas for my smart tv. We've canceled cable and life has been fine. With world events unfolding as they are right now, I'm missing being able to watch things live. I know I can connect my iPhone or Macbook to the TV, but I still wouldn't get local channels.

Several of these antennas show HBO, ESPN, FoxNews, CNN logos and say in the description that you will pick up these channels. I'm assuming there's a 0% chance this isn't bullshit and that I'll only get my local ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS channels and maybe something like MYTV with old Andy Griffith reruns. They all appear to be similar in construction, but are there any manufacturers or styles (stick, flat panel, etc) that will make the experience better for me? I've looked at the dtv.gov website to see the signal strength and it looks like I'll have plenty of signal no matter what I choose. I just don't want to buy something for $19 because it was half the price of something else that may actually be better. I don't trust most of the reviews I'm reading on these and a couple have actually mentioned things like ink cartridges or other items that are obviously not related to the product being sold.

Thanks in advance

 

[joe dokes]

I'm looking at OTA antennas for my smart tv. We've canceled cable and life has been fine. With world events unfolding as they are right now, I'm missing being able to watch things live. I know I can connect my iPhone or Macbook to the TV, but I still wouldn't get local channels.

Several of these antennas show HBO, ESPN, FoxNews, CNN logos and say in the description that you will pick up these channels. I'm assuming there's a 0% chance this isn't bullshit and that I'll only get my local ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS channels and maybe something like MYTV with old Andy Griffith reruns. They all appear to be similar in construction, but are there any manufacturers or styles (stick, flat panel, etc) that will make the experience better for me? I've looked at the dtv.gov website to see the signal strength and it looks like I'll have plenty of signal no matter what I choose. I just don't want to buy something for $19 because it was half the price of something else that may actually be better. I don't trust most of the reviews I'm reading on these and a couple have actually mentioned things like ink cartridges or other items that are obviously not related to the product being sold.

Thanks in advance

We dont have an OTA antenna, but if we were looking, we'd check wirecutter, the NYT reviewers. Been reliable for the 5 or 6 things we've followed through on. (air purifier, handheld vac, etc)
The 3 Best Indoor HDTV Antennas of 2023 | Reviews by Wirecutter (nytimes.com)

(site is kind of clunky; scroll down for more than just the top 3)

 

[Yaz4Ever]

We dont have an OTA antenna, but if we were looking, we'd check wirecutter, the NYT reviewers. Been reliable for the 5 or 6 things we've followed through on. (air purifier, handheld vac, etc)
The 3 Best Indoor HDTV Antennas of 2023 | Reviews by Wirecutter (nytimes.com)

(site is kind of clunky; scroll down for more than just the top 3)

Thank you.

 

[bohous]

I would do Hulu but no NESN. I meant what are you streaming from your PC and casting for Celtics?

I haven't actually used this method, but recall somebody suggesting this as a workaround, which I don't love as my only option.

 

[Curt S Loew]

I haven't actually used this method, but recall somebody suggesting this as a workaround, which I don't love as my only option.

Ah. I was just curious what the method was. If it was available on PC via NBCSN.

 

[LoweTek]

I'm looking at OTA antennas for my smart tv. We've canceled cable and life has been fine. With world events unfolding as they are right now, I'm missing being able to watch things live. I know I can connect my iPhone or Macbook to the TV, but I still wouldn't get local channels.

Several of these antennas show HBO, ESPN, FoxNews, CNN logos and say in the description that you will pick up these channels. I'm assuming there's a 0% chance this isn't bullshit and that I'll only get my local ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS channels and maybe something like MYTV with old Andy Griffith reruns. They all appear to be similar in construction, but are there any manufacturers or styles (stick, flat panel, etc) that will make the experience better for me? I've looked at the dtv.gov website to see the signal strength and it looks like I'll have plenty of signal no matter what I choose. I just don't want to buy something for $19 because it was half the price of something else that may actually be better. I don't trust most of the reviews I'm reading on these and a couple have actually mentioned things like ink cartridges or other items that are obviously not related to the product being sold.

Thanks in advance

I would have different recommendations depending on your mount intentions and distribution, e.g. more than one TV, etc. Or are you looking for an indoor antenna directly attached to the TV?

 

[Yaz4Ever]

I would have different recommendations depending on your mount intentions and distribution, e.g. more than one TV, etc. Or are you looking for an indoor antenna directly attached to the TV?

I was only planning on it for one TV. Mostly just looking at the cheap indoor/outdoor antennas. My friend is a Saints fan and brought his over so we could watch the Pats game. It was fine, but occasionally affected by the wind.

 

[JerBear]

https://www.antennaweb.org/ has a resource where you plug in your address and it will tell you which channels you can get and show where they transmit from. Also give you a guideline for what type of antenna you would need.

https://www.tvfool.com/ also has a similar resource.

 

[Curt S Loew]

I was only planning on it for one TV. Mostly just looking at the cheap indoor/outdoor antennas. My friend is a Saints fan and brought his over so we could watch the Pats game. It was fine, but occasionally affected by the wind.

What type of antenna did your friend bring over? if it worked for you, get one of those.

If you've been to the DTV site and your signal is strong, as long as you don't live where there are a bunch of obstructions, an indoor "mouse pad" antenna should work fine. I have one similar to this:

View: https://www.amazon.com/LUPATDY-Antenna-2023-TVs-Ultra-Amplifier-Booster-HDTV/dp/B0BVQTCXVM/ref=asc_df_B0BVQTCXVM/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=673749469400&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6259251829053632779&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9002090&hvtargid=pla-2204539314698&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx9mprdTwgQMVD_zICh2Lkg5zEAQYByABEgIK-vD_BwE&th=1


I am on Upper Cape Cod and I get Boston and Providence locals plus other OTA stuff.

 

[tims4wins]

Need some help here.

I'm a cord cutter. YTTV, as well as the Hulu/Disney/ESPN+ bundle.

For those who don't know, ESPN+ has the NHL Power Play - so all out of market games. Which means I can't watch the Bruins because I am local.

I'm not paying for NESN+ in addition to my current services.

Is there a way - VPN or otherwise - to be able to get the Bruins games through ESPN+?

Explain it to me like I'm 5.

Edit: doing this through a smart TV, to be clear. Not on a laptop or tablet or smart phone.

 

[Curt S Loew]

Need some help here.

I'm a cord cutter. YTTV, as well as the Hulu/Disney/ESPN+ bundle.

For those who don't know, ESPN+ has the NHL Power Play - so all out of market games. Which means I can't watch the Bruins because I am local.

I'm not paying for NESN+ in addition to my current services.

Is there a way - VPN or otherwise - to be able to get the Bruins games through ESPN+?

Explain it to me like I'm 5.

Edit: doing this through a smart TV, to be clear. Not on a laptop or tablet or smart phone.

I have no VPN suggestions. Have you considered switching to FuboTV from YTTV? You won't get TBS/TNT but you could sign up for MAX and get those games if any of the content on MAX interests you. That is the route I am going as mentioned above.

 

[tims4wins]

I have no VPN suggestions. Have you considered switching to FuboTV from YTTV? You won't get TBS/TNT but you could sign up for MAX and get those games if any of the content on MAX interests you. That is the route I am going as mentioned above.

I could, but A) I like TBS/TNT and B) I'm already paying for the NHL via ESPN+

 

[Curt S Loew]

I could, but A) I like TBS/TNT and B) I'm already paying for the NHL via ESPN+

Makes sense. I already have MAX so it works for me. I don't watch anything else on TBS/TNT.

 

[jayhoz]

Need some help here.

I'm a cord cutter. YTTV, as well as the Hulu/Disney/ESPN+ bundle.

For those who don't know, ESPN+ has the NHL Power Play - so all out of market games. Which means I can't watch the Bruins because I am local.

I'm not paying for NESN+ in addition to my current services.

Is there a way - VPN or otherwise - to be able to get the Bruins games through ESPN+?

Explain it to me like I'm 5.

Edit: doing this through a smart TV, to be clear. Not on a laptop or tablet or smart phone.

I can't speak to ESPN+ specifically, but a VPN will typically work. You can test out the theory by adding a VPN to a laptop and then trying to stream a local Bruins game. Assuming that works you then have to figure out the more difficult part of getting the VPN between your smart TV and the internet. You'd have to investigate whether your TV, streaming stick, or your router has VPN capabilities. I tried to load a VPN on my router, which has the capability, and it didn't work. I didn't have an important need so I didn't try very hard admittedly. If you got it to work on your router you'd also need to go into the settings and toggle it on for games and then off for local broadcasts which can be a little clunky.

The simplest workaround is to load the VPN on the laptop and then cast that to the TV. You'd have to determine if the quality / reliability of the cast video is acceptable.

 

[tims4wins]

I can't speak to ESPN+ specifically, but a VPN will typically work. You can test out the theory by adding a VPN to a laptop and then trying to stream a local Bruins game. Assuming that works you then have to figure out the more difficult part of getting the VPN between your smart TV and the internet. You'd have to investigate whether your TV, streaming stick, or your router has VPN capabilities. I tried to load a VPN on my router, which has the capability, and it didn't work. I didn't have an important need so I didn't try very hard admittedly. If you got it to work on your router you'd also need to go into the settings and toggle it on for games and then off for local broadcasts which can be a little clunky.

The simplest workaround is to load the VPN on the laptop and then cast that to the TV. You'd have to determine if the quality / reliability of the cast video is acceptable.

Thanks, I think I can download a VPN on my smart tv. Hopefully that will work.

 

[Rice4HOF]

Can I talk/ask about IPTV here, or is that a taboo subject due to the grey legality of these services in some jurisdictions?

 

[begranter]

Does anyone know if Sirius/XM has the radio broadcasts of Celtics games? With that and gamecast, I could still follow the team live.

You should be able to listen directly via the radio station's online presence:
https://985thesportshub.com/listen/

 

[kfoss99]

You should be able to listen directly via the radio station's online presence:
https://985thesportshub.com/listen/

Thanks. I believe that's blacked out. I was able to listen to a quarter and a half of the last preseason game, then it switched to the studio.

I know the Red Sox are blacked out from the various radio station sites

 

[OfTheCarmen]

Noticing something odd lately, I'm in Fubo and the coverage of the Houston/Texas series is the Spanish broadcast. I've double and triple checked the language settings and they're set to English.

Noticed it with the game the other night and then whatever replay is on right now.

Ses very strange, curious if it's just me or if others are seeing anything similar.

 

[Dollar]

Noticing something odd lately, I'm in Fubo and the coverage of the Houston/Texas series is the Spanish broadcast. I've double and triple checked the language settings and they're set to English.

Noticed it with the game the other night and then whatever replay is on right now.

Ses very strange, curious if it's just me or if others are seeing anything similar.

Are you watching on TBS or TruTV? Or MLB Network? I read somewhere that MLBN is showing the games in Spanish.

 

[begranter]

Thanks. I believe that's blacked out. I was able to listen to a quarter and a half of the last preseason game, then it switched to the studio.

I know the Red Sox are blacked out from the various radio station sites

I don't think that's how it works. There's no separate "studio" broadcast for 98.5 during games. You should be able to listen via any number of radio apps -- TuneIn, the 98.5 one directly, iHeart Radio. I suppose I could be wrong here, but I've never run into a radio blackout.

 

[kfoss99]

I don't think that's how it works. There's no separate "studio" broadcast for 98.5 during games. You should be able to listen via any number of radio apps -- TuneIn, the 98.5 one directly, iHeart Radio. I suppose I could be wrong here, but I've never run into a radio blackout.

Thanks. I'll try again. I was using the Tune In app. I'll try the website proper or their app.

I'm not sure what happened, exactly. It was my first attempt. I do know the Sox blackout the radio streams, so I figured the Celtics are similar. I'm in a valley and a dead zone for TV and radio reception that requires an antenna. So, I'm always on the lookout for working Internet streams.

Go Celtics!

 

[OfTheCarmen]

Are you watching on TBS or TruTV? Or MLB Network? I read somewhere that MLBN is showing the games in Spanish.

It was MLBN, thanks.

 

[tonyandpals]

Just want to share a gripe that has come along with cutting the cord, probably shared and or mentioned already.
This time of year there is lots of channel flipping. Bs to MLB Playoffs, between NFL games...etc. You could have a night where you want to flip between three things and they all on different aps. Totally sucks for hopping around during commercials. Last night I resigned to watching the last few innings of NLCS on sling on the main screen, with the Bs on my phone. Not ideal.

 

[Montana Fan]

I recently cancelled my NBA LP sub, signed up for Sling Orange and ordered the NBA package through Sling. $40/mo for Sling. $15/mo for NBA LP. They throw in NBA TV and since Sling Orange has all of the ESPN’s and TNT/TBS, if basketball is one of the key drivers in how you choose to stream, this is a solid, cost effective path. PS - I don’t really care about the NFL even though my Giants are on a roll and watch the Sox through the MLB App.

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

The president of DirecTV said the other day that the Charter/Disney is absolutely the template for MSO/Programmer deals going forward. Which is no surprise, but the next few years with renewals will be tumultuous.

• Look for non must-have cable networks to get shifted off basic tiers and on the fast train to oblivion. Disney dumping Freeform in the Charter deal was the first big one to fall. In addition to a shit-ton of smaller networks you've probably never watched and maybe only barely heard of, I expect these to find their heads on the chopping block:
  • DISNEY: Stay: Disney Channel, FX, Nat Geo. On the way out: Freeform, FXX, FXM, Nat Geo Wild. ESPN will go eventually all DTC, but ESPN News will remain a cable service.
  • NBC/COMCAST: Stay: USA, CNBC, MSNBC, Bravo, Telemundo. On the way out: E!, Syfy, Oxygen.
  • PARAMOUNT: Stay: Nickelodeon/Nick-at-Nite, MTV, BET, Paramount Network. On the way out: MTV2, VH1, TV Land, CMT, Logo, Smithsonian. Showtime is also on fumes.
  • TURNER: Stay: TBS, TNT, CNN, Headline News, Cartoon Network, Boomerang/Adult Swim. I think TCM hangs in there. On the way out: TruTV.
  • DISCOVERY*: Stay: Discovery, TLC, Food, HGTV, Discovery ID, Animal Planet. Go: OWN, Cooking
  • A&E: Stay: A&E, History, Lifetime (I think). On the way out: Lifetime Movies, FYI, Viceland
  • AMC: Stay: None. On the way out: AMC's gonna have to get sold to someone to survive. They have zero leverage.
  • FOX: Stay: Fox News, Fox Business, Fox Sports. On the way out: Nothing significant.
  • SONY: Stay: none. On the way out: Game Show Network
• That will trim the basic bundle from hundreds of channels to perhaps 30-40 you've heard of. Of course, the price won't be any lower!
• What you will get alongside this thinner bundle is Disney+ as a basic service.
  • I expect Peacock to follow suit (at the expense of E!, Syfy and Oxygen), unless it combines with Max.
  • ...and then Paramount+ (sayanora VH1, TVL, CMT et als), unless it combines with Max or Peacock.
  • I think some version of Max also goes into the bundle as a basic service, but not one that includes premium HBO content. HBO remains a standalone, available for a premium price.
  • Amazon Prime and Apple TV+ remain distinct from the cable bundle as those businesses are linked to big non-TV businesses. But they do try to assemble and market bundles of premium services themselves.
  • Hulu is an interesting one... you'd guess it'd follow Disney+, or it could remain standalone to be a platform for non-bundled D+ and ESPN.
  • Netflix ain't going anywhere near the MSO bundle, but again could fall into marketing agreements with Apple or Amazon outside the larger bundle
• The MSOs will market packages in 12-month (or longer) subscriptions, so it won't be easy to dip and and out of content as series come and go... unlike the SVODs.

Bottom line: Consumers will have fewer choices than they did in the bundle glory days, and pay a lot more for it. With all the downside of subscription inflexibility.

* - Yes, Discovery is the same company as Turner, but their cable network negotiations are on different cycles.

 

[Ale Xander]

Thank you very Mugsy for your post. Even though it makes me both depressed and angry.

 

[HoyaSoxa]

I have a code for 3 free months of NBA League Pass from FanDuel, and have never used it before. I am a YTTV subscriber, and would like to be able to access NBA LP from within the YTTV app for ease of navigation and perhaps the 4 game screen option. Does anyone know if I can sign up for League Pass via NBA.com (as I am directed to do with the FanDuel code) then link it to my YTTV account? I see an option to add NBA LP directly from YTTV, but it only prompts me to purchase at $14.99/month, which would then be added to my bill, and does not suggest an option to link to a pre-existing account or to use a promo code.

 

[The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa]

HBO Max removing 4k/HDR/Atmos from its standard ad-free plans for legacy customers. To keep 4k/HDR/Atmos, one must upgrade to their Ultimate package amounting to a 33% price increase. This is obnoxious.

LINK

 

[LoweTek]

HBO Max removing 4k/HDR/Atmos from its standard ad-free plans for legacy customers. To keep 4k/HDR/Atmos, one must upgrade to their Ultimate package amounting to a 33% price increase. This is obnoxious.LINK

+1. I got the email today. Bad business.

 

[Ale Xander]

Don’t think anyone except Netflix has the market power to do stuff like this. Pound foolish to piss off your customers like this.

 

[johnmd20]

Don’t think anyone except Netflix has the market power to do stuff like this. Pound foolish to piss off your customers like this.

No, it's not.

They are trying to get people into their ad tier.

One of the things that has killed the profitability of streaming is that without ads, the companies lost out on 50% of the potential revenue.(with cable, you got the transmission fees PLUS advertising) Turns out, giving your product away for free isn't profitable.

So all the streamers are getting ads back in the game. That is all this is.

 

[Zedia]

Just got emails from Apple and Netflix about their upcoming price increases. And, maybe not coincidentally, got a fairly convincing spam email pretending to be Hulu and asking for cc info. Be careful clicking on stuff.

 

[cgori]

This seems relevant: https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/28/23934629/streaming-price-hikes-netflix-hulu-disney-plus-expensive