Cutting The Cord on Cable/Satellite TV Service?

[kobayashis bail bonds]

Just cut the cord when Spectrum upped the prices of their cable service again. We are Prime & Netflix subscribers, and stream through a Amazon Fire stick.

Due to the spat between Google and Amazon, Youtube TV isn't available on Fire. So I'm probably looking at Vue, DirectTV Now, or Hulu. None of those have NESN as an option.

So, a question -- once the 2018 season starts, should I expect Red Sox games to be available on NESN through YoutubeTV, or will the games themselves be blacked out? I'll go get a Roku stick and sign up for YoutubeTV if it means that I can stream live games, but I'd go with one of the other services if all I'd be able to see is Sportsdesk and Charlie Moore.

 

[jayhoz]

Red Sox games are streamed live on YouTube TV in Massachusetts and I assume the rest of NE.

 

[Marceline]

Red Sox games are available via NESN on Vue as well.

 

[garlan5]

Are there costs with vue or youtube tv. I'm assuming so. My interest I the Sox games. I have ipvanish. Would that help me around any black outs

 

[jayhoz]

https://tv.youtube.com/welcome/

 

[kobayashis bail bonds]

I'm researching this now, garlan5. Looks like YouTube TV has NESN in New England as part of its base package.at $35/month. Joe Sixpack is right, NESN can be an add-on (with several other sports channels for) VUE. That's $55/month total ($45 for core tv, $10 for sports add-on). The others have a range of options but don't seem to have NESN.

 

[Eastchop]

I'm researching this now, garlan5. Looks like YouTube TV has NESN in New England as part of its base package.at $35/month. Joe Sixpack is right, NESN can be an add-on (with several other sports channels for) VUE. That's $55/month total ($45 for core tv, $10 for sports add-on). The others have a range of options but don't seem to have NESN.

Thank you for this!

It looks like YouTube TV also offers CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN— so, it looks like this option could possibly solve my live Pats games need also? It appears the CBS/FOX/NBC/ESPN streams are all live.

Can anyone more tech savvy than myself confirm?That would make YouTube tv the only option that includes all Pats live games in its core package, and definitively cheaper than HD antenna + Vue for NESN which is my next best option

 

[Marceline]

You don't need the sports add-on to have NESN with Vue. At least in New England, not sure about other regions. The 44.99/mo package has it.

In the Boston TV market it also includes live FOX/CBS/NBC (but not ABC) so Pats games are covered.

 

[kobayashis bail bonds]

Joe Sixpack, looks like that's true in Boston, but not all of New England. In the Portland ME market, NESN is at additional cost. Which means that anyone looking at Vue should really check to see what's available locally for them, or do something fancier with IP masking than I know how to do.

https://www.playstation.com/en-us/network/vue/channels/ is the link to check the lineup for your zipcode.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Joe Sixpack, looks like that's true in Boston, but not all of New England. In the Portland ME market, NESN is at additional cost. Which means that anyone looking at Vue should really check to see what's available locally for them, or do something fancier with IP masking than I know how to do.

https://www.playstation.com/en-us/network/vue/channels/ is the link to check the lineup for your zipcode.

It's no additional cost in Lewiston, Maine which is even further north than Portland. Very odd. PSVue covers Bruins, Celtics, Redsox and Pats games. It is perfect.

 

[kobayashis bail bonds]

You know, I've suspected for a while that I'm in the wrong part of Maine...

 

[Cesar Crespo]

You know, I've suspected for a while that I'm in the wrong part of Maine...

Have you tried the free week? You may end up getting NESN anyway. They don't actually list NESN local anywhere. They only list NESN National.

 

[yep]

I’m having a similar issue to yecul, here:

This thread is too big to browse through, but hopefully this wasn't addressed recently.

Any recommendations for HD antenna? Interior, non-attic.

I had a generic Amazon one (25m I believe). When it worked it was great. It would drop sound, drop pixels, etc. So I spent for a Mohu Leaf, which had a 50m range and was powered and... pretty much the same signal results (# of channels, quality, droppage).

I have a recording studio in a big old warehouse space in Norwood. I don’t watch TV there, but we have a great projector and a brilliant sound system, and we would like to host a super bowl party, if the pats are in it.

Problem is, so far, neither of my indoor antennas even register the existence of any of the NBC channels. Both had decent amazon reviews at the time I bought them, a few years back.

I don’t mind spending a bit, but given that this probably the only time anyone will ever watch TV in this space for the next year, I would ideally like to minimize throwing money at non-improvements.

I am wary of the reliability of live streaming services for a mega-event like the super bowl, but happy to consider wisdom from those with experience.

Anyone have experience upgrading from a well-reviewed antenna to a newer one, and getting great reception on channels you never got before? Anyone in Norwood or Walpole getting great OTA reception of channel 8 with an indoor antenna?

Thanks in advance!

 

[HampshireCounty]

What's the best streaming option for watching the Olympics? I have no TV cable service at all. Would something like Hulu Live TV (which includes NBCSN and the Olympic Channel) give me access to the full array of on-demand streaming? Is there a cheaper option (I already have a Hulu account, so bumping it up for a month doesn't seem too bad.)

 

[Bunt4aTriple]

You know, I've suspected for a while that I'm in the wrong part of Maine...

If Lewiston is the right part, I want to be wrong.

 

[GreyisGone]

FYI, Boston Vue users now have ABC as well

 

[kobayashis bail bonds]

If Lewiston is the right part, I want to be wrong.

Could be worse; you've got good bagels.

 

[Red Sox Physicist]

I’m having a similar issue to yecul, here:
Problem is, so far, neither of my indoor antennas even register the existence of any of the NBC channels. Both had decent amazon reviews at the time I bought them, a few years back.
Anyone have experience upgrading from a well-reviewed antenna to a newer one, and getting great reception on channels you never got before? Anyone in Norwood or Walpole getting great OTA reception of channel 8 with an indoor antenna?

Have you tried plugging the address in on antennaweb.org to see what they tell you about expected reception? They give expected antenna size requirements based on location for each station. The estimates they give are for outdoor antennas because indoor reception has too many variables.

The NBC station is broadcast out of Needham, and the broadcast antenna points to the south south east, but it is a low power station. Here is a contour map of expected reception from that station. Some parts of Norwood look a little weaker, likely due to the terrain.

 

[yep]

Have you tried plugging the address in on antennaweb.org to see what they tell you about expected reception? They give expected antenna size requirements based on location for each station. The estimates they give are for outdoor antennas because indoor reception has too many variables.

The NBC station is broadcast out of Needham, and the broadcast antenna points to the south south east, but it is a low power station. Here is a contour map of expected reception from that station. Some parts of Norwood look a little weaker, likely due to the terrain.

Thanks for that!

We are in the yellow on that map, in back of the Winsmith Mill art galleries and antique stores at the end of Endicott St, and I suspect their building is probably blocking easy reception for us. I could theoretically run an antenna and a wire up to the top of our 4-story building, but I would really rather not, and I'm not sure how I would deal with the building penetrations. I would much rather find a way to pick up the signal with a better internal antenna. We have a huge industrial skylight in our space, and high ceilings throughout. I could easily accomodate a rooftop-style antenna, but I'm not sure if that would help, or if it's necessary.

I would love to hear from someone who upgraded from, say, a 4-star amazon antenna, to a 4.5 star antenna, or anything similar. Good or bad.

Amazon seems to be increasingly swamped by fake or paid reviews (I have been offered cash or bribes multiple times to write favorable reviews), and most "professional" review sites don't seem much better. I bought by my first HDTV antenna at Target, because it was the one they had. Reception was terrible, so I bought a second from Amazon, because it was full of 5-star reviews saying how many new channels people got. Now it has 3.5 stars, because the honest reviews seem about on par with the dishonest ones, since the manufacturer is now pumping the newer model.

I don't mind spending money, but I dislike simply throwing it away.

 

[Marceline]

If you've already tried one indoor antenna I doubt another one would be too much different.

I agree it's impossible to find meaningful reviews on Amazon any more. I'm really tired of reading "I was given this product free for my fair and honest review"...

Thewirecutter still seems good, maybe check there if they've reviewed antennas.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Off topic, but to Amazon reviews, I immediately click to the one stars. ‘I didn’t realize this product did/didn’t do xyz, was this size, this color etc’. One star.

Oh you’re an idiot, since it was in the description, so you give it one star? Ok.

I completely ignore them. It goes both ways on the ‘got product for free for good review’ and ‘I’m a fucking moron and can’t read about what I’m buying so it sucks’

 

[jayhoz]

My personal faves are "UPS lost my package. One Star!!"

 

[TallerThanPedroia]

FYI, Boston Vue users now have ABC as well

Yup. NBC is still On Demand only, and the CW just doesn't exist.

Given how often the "DVR" cuts off the ends of shows, however, I generally either wait for things to be on Hulu the next day or download them. At least I'm paying for them, right?

 

[GreyisGone]

Yup. NBC is still On Demand only, and the CW just doesn't exist.

Given how often the "DVR" cuts off the ends of shows, however, I generally either wait for things to be on Hulu the next day or download them. At least I'm paying for them, right?

NBC is live for me? I have all four major.

 

[Marceline]

Yup. NBC is still On Demand only, and the CW just doesn't exist.

Given how often the "DVR" cuts off the ends of shows, however, I generally either wait for things to be on Hulu the next day or download them. At least I'm paying for them, right?

What is your local NBC affiliate? If it's the Boston one you should have it. If they have you in one of the other nearby markets (Providence for example) then you won't. It depends on your zip code. I did not have NBC in Norton, MA as they had me in Providence but I do now in Canton.

 

[Ed Hillel]

FUCK. YES.

Playstation Vue is now streaming ABC live in the DC market, which means all the major local affiliates are up with DVR capability and...

I

GET

JEOPARDY

Yesssssssssssssss.

 

[Montana Fan]

Edit: delete.

 

[TallerThanPedroia]

NBC is live for me? I have all four major.

What is your local NBC affiliate? If it's the Boston one you should have it. If they have you in one of the other nearby markets (Providence for example) then you won't. It depends on your zip code. I did not have NBC in Norton, MA as they had me in Providence but I do now in Canton.

I had everything backwards and am bad at reading. I meant ABC not NBC, but obviously ABC is there now too.

 

[kobayashis bail bonds]

Thanks to Joe Sixpack and bosox79. Because of them, I didn't up with Sling when my free trial ended, (Sling was... fine. The navigation was counterintuitive, and it didn't have NESN or free DVR.), but decided to give Vue a try at the $45 dollar level. And although the sign-up screen says nothing about NESN (indeed, it says that you need to buy the sports pack for NESN), it looks like it does, in fact come with the territory. I'm watching a re-run of yesterday's Bruins game right now. So, yeah, it looks like Vue is the one that'll meet my needs.

 

[Flunky]

I know it's probably not a popular choice on here, but you can airplay YouTube TV to an Apple TV from your iPad/Phone/Pod (assuming you have one). It's not ideal but it sounds like it's the only streaming device that can do all of your content choices. Also, there is now an Apple TV-native Amazon app so you don't have to airplay it anymore.

The thing that sucks is that Apple doesn't have a pared down dongle like device, maybe that even just allows you to only airplay to it. Like a $50 stick I can jam into a TV that isn't a main viewing device (like a kitchen TV). I am stuck with that TV's crap smart interface and options since I can't airplay to it.

 

[TallerThanPedroia]

Anyone using YouTube TV on the Roku yet? How's the functionality? In the past I've found Roku versions of things have been clunkier than the PS4 version, but they are catching up. The difference is the Hulu app - Hulu made an appalling bad update recently, and the Roku version is particularly awful.

And in general, how does the YouTube DVR work? Do shows that brush up against their timeslot get cut off like on Vue?

 

[InsideTheParker]

Like jayhoz said, YouTube.TV has NESN. So does PlayStation Vue.

Unfortunately, I can't get youtube.tv in my part of W.MA. Any other ideas for getting NESN w/o Directv? I am annoyed that they have started charging us $7 and change for something that used to be included. And it's one of the few channels I watch (during baseball season).

Youtube.tv has just about everything I want except mlbn. PlayStationVue has everything for a higher price, but there is something about blackouts that concerns me. The cancellation period is only 5 days. Those using it, have you had any trouble getting the Sox? TIA.

I would happily cancel DTV and get the Sox through mlb.tv if it weren't for blackouts. I thought I read somewhere they were thinking of eliminating them, or did I dream it?

 

[Scott Cooper's Grand Slam]

Unfortunately, I can't get youtube.tv in my part of W.MA. Any other ideas for getting NESN w/o Directv? I am annoyed that they have started charging us $7 and change for something that used to be included. And it's one of the few channels I watch (during baseball season).

Yeah, I can't get Youtube.TV either. But I have had zero issues with NESN through Vue.

If you get NESN, you get everything.

• Sox games
• Bruins games
• Pre-and-post game

The only thing you "miss" is when O'B and Remy throw it to the studio during the game. You don't hear TC or whoever is talking. So you get one-side of the conversation, and just ambient game noises when the studio host is talking. It's kind of funny, not distracting, and infrequent.

If you get NESN National, you get everything *except* games. So it's a pretty crappy deal unless you _really_ like Charlie Moore Outdoors.

 

[edoug]

A question about streaming device browsers, is it secure? I have a Firestick. I also have a couple of Rokus but I don't use a browser on the Rokus. Would anyone sign in here through one those browsers?

 

[Scott Cooper's Grand Slam]

A question about streaming device browsers, is it secure? I have a Firestick. I also have a couple of Rokus but I don't use a browser on the Rokus. Would anyone sign in here through one those browsers?

Can't speak to security, but I wouldn't trust them. TV browsers are generally bad (though I can't speak to Edge on Xbox One). If you're looking for browsing on TV, your best experience will probably casting a desktop/mobile browser to your TV. Use Chrome and a Chromecast, or Safari and an Apple TV.

 

[edoug]

Can't speak to security, but I wouldn't trust them. TV browsers are generally bad (though I can't speak to Edge on Xbox One). If you're looking for browsing on TV, your best experience will probably casting a desktop/mobile browser to your TV. Use Chrome and a Chromecast, or Safari and an Apple TV.

I may get a Chromecast in the future. And thanks for the reply. It's much appreciated.

 

[Frito Tankona]

Any suggestions on what home internet package we should get for our new house in central Connecticut? It's a second home so we'll only be there a few weekends a month and maybe a week at a time over the holidays. We certainly don't plan to get cable tv, so we'll be depending on the internet to stream media (through Apple TV, etc.), as well as allow us to work remotely over VPN. Cox appears to be the only viable option. Here are the tiers. They obviously do this on purpose, as presumably most people fall between "occasional email" and "gamer." Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

 

[gtmtnbiker]

I would suggest starting off with Starter 10 and see how it works for you. If it's not sufficient, you can always go up to the next tier.

 

[glennhoffmania]

I'm looking into cutting the cord for the first time after Spectrum pulled a bate and switch and my rate went up by $55. The first thing I looked at was DirecTV Now. The biggest issue seems to be there is no DVR option and we watch most of our tv on a delay. Is there a reasonable work around for this? My ultimate goal is to get all of the basic cable channels and local channels plus HBO, plus the option to add NFLN, Red Zone, MLB EI (or MLB.tv) and Sunday Ticket, and have the ability to record stuff.

 

[Bunt4aTriple]

...pulled a bate and switch...

Sounds like you need picture in picture, not DVR. Where's the Internet Words thread?

 

[glennhoffmania]

Ha, yeah you caught my screw up.

 

[tims4wins]

Alright, we are moving up to Mass after 4 years in North Carolina, and are strongly considering cutting the cord. Our kids watch a ton of Netflix, and we do too. The only thing we use live TV for are 1) sports and 2) shows that we generally record e.g. Top Chef. We rarely, if ever, live watch TV. Live sports would be the only thing we truly need to watch live.

Here in NC we have DirecTV because I needed Sunday Ticket to watch the Pats. That won't be the case living up in MA.

So I come to this thread for advice: how should I go about this? I really want to cut the cord and just pay for the best quality internet (looks like I can get the Verizon Fios 900 MB where I'll be).

One factor: my parents live in MA and have Comcast. I mention this because perhaps I should get a Slingbox and use that with their cable?

All advice welcome. Thanks!

 

[Time to Mo Vaughn]

Alright, we are moving up to Mass after 4 years in North Carolina, and are strongly considering cutting the cord. Our kids watch a ton of Netflix, and we do too. The only thing we use live TV for are 1) sports and 2) shows that we generally record e.g. Top Chef. We rarely, if ever, live watch TV. Live sports would be the only thing we truly need to watch live.

Here in NC we have DirecTV because I needed Sunday Ticket to watch the Pats. That won't be the case living up in MA.

So I come to this thread for advice: how should I go about this? I really want to cut the cord and just pay for the best quality internet (looks like I can get the Verizon Fios 900 MB where I'll be).

One factor: my parents live in MA and have Comcast. I mention this because perhaps I should get a Slingbox and use that with their cable?

All advice welcome. Thanks!

YouTube TV for $35/month?

https://tv.youtube.com/welcome/

Includes Bravo as well as most major networks for live sports now that they recently added the Turner Networks (TBS and TNT), as far as I can tell the exceptions might be:
NFL Network for Thursday Night Games (non-Patriots since those are broadcast locally still), MLB, NBA and NHL Networks for random out of market games.

Already includes all the major networks plus all the ESPNs, Fox Sports Channels, NBC Sports Channels, CBS Sports Network, NESN and the NBC Sports New England.

 

[tims4wins]

YouTube TV for $35/month?

https://tv.youtube.com/welcome/

Includes Bravo as well as most major networks for live sports now that they recently added the Turner Networks (TBS and TNT), as far as I can tell the exceptions might be:
NFL Network for Thursday Night Games (non-Patriots since those are broadcast locally still), MLB, NBA and NHL Networks for random out of market games.

Already includes all the major networks plus all the ESPNs, Fox Sports Channels, NBC Sports Channels, CBS Sports Network, NESN and the NBC Sports New England.

Thanks I will look into that...

Edit: this is really intriguing, but the lack of NFL Network may be a deal breaker...

 

[Scott Cooper's Grand Slam]

PlayStation Vue for $44.99 a month. Local channels for CBS, ABC and NBC are available based on your region, but you'll get NFL Network, NESN, and most sports networks.

I switch between Vue and Hulu with Live TV depending on what sports are in season. Hulu gets me CBS, NBC, ESPN, and Fox for NFL games - as well as Comcast Sports Network for the Cs. Vue keeps CBS so I can still watch local news, but ads NESN.

It's a weird dance, but switching is pretty seamless.

 

[Marceline]

Thanks I will look into that...

Edit: this is really intriguing, but the lack of NFL Network may be a deal breaker...

You could look at Playstation Vue. $45/month, pretty similar lineup to Youtube but does also include NFL network.

 

[tims4wins]

PlayStation Vue for $44.99 a month. Local channels for CBS, ABC and NBC are available based on your region, but you'll get NFL Network, NESN, and most sports networks.

I switch between Vue and Hulu with Live TV depending on what sports are in season. Hulu gets me CBS, NBC, ESPN, and Fox for NFL games - as well as Comcast Sports Network for the Cs. Vue keeps CBS so I can still watch local news, but ads NESN.

It's a weird dance, but switching is pretty seamless.

You could look at Playstation Vue. $45/month, pretty similar lineup to Youtube but does also include NFL network.

Thanks guys

 

[LoweTek]

I have a Tivo Bolt and an outdoor antenna, MLB TV, Sling with sports and Hulu. Covers a large percentage of what I might watch. I expanded the Sling package for March because I get blacked out of Rays games on MLB TV. I'll shut Sling sports off June, July and September because there are no Rays games in those months. I am thinking of canceling Hulu too because it's used so rarely.

MLB TV is eventually free because T-Mobile sponsors it.

You'd be surprised how much you get with an antenna.

 

[GreyisGone]

PlayStation Vue for $44.99 a month. Local channels for CBS, ABC and NBC are available based on your region, but you'll get NFL Network, NESN, and most sports networks.

I switch between Vue and Hulu with Live TV depending on what sports are in season. Hulu gets me CBS, NBC, ESPN, and Fox for NFL games - as well as Comcast Sports Network for the Cs. Vue keeps CBS so I can still watch local news, but ads NESN.

It's a weird dance, but switching is pretty seamless.

Just to clarify, for tims4wins, in MA you would just get all those (4 local, NESN, NBC Sports NE, NFL Network) on Vue and not need to switch to Hulu.

 

[tims4wins]

Got it thanks. Vue sounds like it might be the way to go