Cutting The Cord on Cable/Satellite TV Service?

johnmd20

mad dog
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Dec 30, 2003
61,996
New York City
For those YouTube TV Subscribers since June of 2018 (I am not, only since 2019, but my buddy sent me this:

For the rest of December, Google is giving loyal YouTube TV subscribers a free Chromecast with Google TV (normally $49). The catch? You will need to have subscribed to YouTube TV
since June 2018 with no pauses or cancellations to qualify for the complimentary Chromecast.

Google is notifying eligible customers through their YouTube TV account’s email address, so check your inboxes if you’re part of that dedicated crowd. The offer is only valid until December 31, which gives you just a few weeks to claim the free Chromecast before the deal is over.
I got the offer and I took it. I have a Chromecast, it's an excellent device.
 

mostman

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Jun 3, 2003
18,738
What are our options for the Bruins now? I’m not going back to cable. Does NESN have its own app for streaming devices? I’m assuming I can’t use NHL TV because they would black out the local team?
 

teddykgb

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Jul 16, 2005
11,016
Chelmsford, MA
I switched to fubo. As a soccer nut, it’s been phenomenal as I don’t have to stream as many matches with the Spanish channels included. The usability is worse than YouTube tv and the app can be slow to refresh in background when you come back on tablet but it’s been overall on par with YTTV with just a bit less polish. Roku app works fine as does android tv.
 

The Gray Eagle

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Aug 1, 2001
16,720
Fubo is just as expensive as YouTube TV at $65 a month. And I can't even find if that tier would include NESN or not. Either way, it's not for me.

NESN and Google being too greedy to work out an agreement might make me bail on the Bruins regular season games. Even if hundreds of other people did the same, that would not impact Google in the slightest, so I can see why they won't budge. Seems like a shortsighted approach for NESN but I guess we'll see.

Personally, I won't go back to cable. I'd rather follow on the radio or streams and try to just wean myself off of some of the sports that spend too much time on anyway.
 

daburgaman

New Member
Apr 3, 2007
298
I’m still holding out the slimmest of hopes that an agreement comes together before the puck drops. I’d really prefer to not switch from yttv to fubo but I don’t want to miss all the Bruins games.
 

cornwalls@6

Less observant than others
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Apr 23, 2010
6,247
from the wilds of western ma
I’m still holding out the slimmest of hopes that an agreement comes together before the puck drops. I’d really prefer to not switch from yttv to fubo but I don’t want to miss all the Bruins games.
I'm in the same boat. I really, really, really, don't want to go back to cable, or switch from YTTV. There was some chatter a couple of months ago that this was basically a game of chicken between some of the streaming services and regional sports networks, one that was being played largely without any live-game content going on. And that once the NBA and NHL seasons started, agreements would start to fall into place. But we're getting perilously close to puck drop, and I haven't seen or heard anything about any progress between NESN and YTTV. Echoing others above, I wish NESN would just offer a streaming app. I'd gladly subscribe, and wouldn't bother me at all to drop Netflix or HBOMax if I wanted to keep my monthly entertainment charges relatively the same.
 

Omar's Wacky Neighbor

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Jul 14, 2005
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Leaving in a bit to the studio :)
Wanted to pass along a free little Android/Fire/Roku app called Stremium (formerly FitzyTV). It gives you all the OTA/broadcast digital channels in your local area in one handy UI. Burner email accounts welcome.

https://www.stremium.com/
WARNING: it's been wonky as hell the past few days, but prior to that, I've had no issues with the app. Or it may be nothing and the real issue MAY be that the FireTV in our kitchen that I've watching it on may be going bad.
 

begranter

Couldn't get into a real school
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Jul 9, 2007
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As I started looking into options for streaming NESN I came across this article from October, which makes it seem like YTTV dumped regional channels to save money during the pandemic and didn't really try to maintain the agreements. Of course this is just one side of the story, but it is disheartening. After reading the article I submitted a help request saying that without regional sports, I'll be forced to find an alternative solution as live sports are the only reason I have for live tv.
https://www.boston.com/sports/media/2020/10/31/nesn-extremely-disappointed-dropped-by-youtube-tv
As much as I dislike ESPN/Disney, I'm surprised they haven't come out with some type of sports bundle, or even integrate it into to Disney+. Is NESN still an ESPN sub-channel? I know it used to be.

Not having access to the Bruins games during the pandemic is going to make me very sad. I can't even go out to watch them at the bar or whatever. I can deal with listening to the Red Sox only, especially if they're garbage as expected. I'll probably end up watching more White Sox and Padres games on mlb.tv than the hometown team.

*sigh*
 

taxmancometh

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Jul 15, 2005
331
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We cut cable a couple years ago. We had YTTV for a short while, but switched to Fubo for NESN and have been there since. Honestly, I thought that YTTV was easier to use. However, I've gotten used to Fubo at this point. And, I need to be able to watch the Sox. They dropped TNT and TBS in the summer as someone else noted. As such, I can't get most NBA games. On the plus side, I find the NBA unwatchable, so that isn't a real problem for me.
 

Rusty13

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Nov 3, 2007
5,346
NESN is on the $65 tier of Fubo.

However, it doesn't have CNN, TNT or TBS which pretty much puts NBA viewing out the door.
Oh yikes. And I just looked at their website, as I watch AEW Dynamite pretty much weekly. And their "remedy" for that is: "Similar programming (WWE) on FOX, USA Network"

Ugh. So I'm now in a bit of a bind.
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

RIP Dernell
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Mar 24, 2008
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Oh yikes. And I just looked at their website, as I watch AEW Dynamite pretty much weekly. And their "remedy" for that is: "Similar programming (WWE) on FOX, USA Network"

Ugh. So I'm now in a bit of a bind.
You should check out FiOS or XFinity....and we've gone full circle!
 

daburgaman

New Member
Apr 3, 2007
298
Sigh. I’ll be back to Fubo. I much prefer the YouTube TV interface and UX, but NESN > UX. I’d get cable except for the fact that Xfinity wants to charge $3,000+ to run cable to my house.
What’s your main problems with Fubo? Currently have Yttv but potentially will be switching to Fubo so interested to hear your gripes about it.
 

daburgaman

New Member
Apr 3, 2007
298
Also - just an FYI - the nesn app is available to download on the roku. And then if you know someone that still has cable, you can use their log in info to be able to use the app. My dad still pays for cable (Comcast) so I was able to log into the nesn app with his Comcast username and pw. Haven’t really tried out the app yet but I’m hoping it works with no issues.
 

TFP

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Dec 10, 2007
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Also - just an FYI - the nesn app is available to download on the roku. And then if you know someone that still has cable, you can use their log in info to be able to use the app. My dad still pays for cable (Comcast) so I was able to log into the nesn app with his Comcast username and pw. Haven’t really tried out the app yet but I’m hoping it works with no issues.
This is also my plan.
 

daburgaman

New Member
Apr 3, 2007
298
This is also my plan.
Have you tested out the nesn app yet? I had a buddy say it was a tad glitchy/laggy but that was when he has the app loaded right on the tv. Now that it’s available through the roku, I’ve heard it’s running much smoother. Hoping for the best.
 

TFP

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Dec 10, 2007
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Have you tested out the nesn app yet? I had a buddy say it was a tad glitchy/laggy but that was when he has the app loaded right on the tv. Now that it’s available through the roku, I’ve heard it’s running much smoother. Hoping for the best.
I haven’t but I’ve used it on my phone/iPad in the past and it worked fine.
 

Marceline

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Sep 9, 2002
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What’s your main problems with Fubo? Currently have Yttv but potentially will be switching to Fubo so interested to hear your gripes about it.
YouTube TV really has the superior interface. Navigating around and finding shows is much easier. For sports you can select a team and just record all games etc.

Fubo doesn't work as well with that stuff. The dvr is less intuitive to manage and make sure it's recording everything you want, the guide is somewhat of a pain, etc.

It's not horrible but it's definitely not as good or user friendly if you're used to youtube TV.

If you need nesn it's worth the switch but just be prepared for a slightly less smooth experience.
 

begranter

Couldn't get into a real school
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Jul 9, 2007
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Crap. It doesn't look good. Guess I will be changing to FUBO tv come April if this doesn't get resolved. Does FUBO allow you to change things around and cancel your subscription whenever you want like YTTV?

View: https://twitter.com/GlobeChadFinn/status/1346545797589041156?s=20
Their "Watch like a fan" tag line is feeling more and more dubious.

Looked at Xfinity, starting cost that includes NESN is an additional $XX ontop of what we pay for internet now. Then add one up to $15 in gov't fees, up to $20 for local sports fees, other fees, and the cost of the set-top boxes and like, fuck that


At this point, I'm probably just cancelling YTTV, not replace it, and adopting (an)other team(s) for my baseball fix and watching their games via MLB.tv. The White Sox and Padres probably? Makes it easier that the Red Sox have quite a ways to go to be competitive again.
Not having the Bruins just blows though.
 

ColdSoxPack

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Jul 14, 2005
2,351
Simi Valley, CA
Pray tell, those of you discussing streaming NESN, you're talking about Bruins games, yes no? I live in So Cal and I think my only option is Center Ice. As I'm about to retire, I would like to spend less than the small fortune for Center Ice, Extra Innings, Sunday Ticket, and what not. Then again, maybe that's all I will do in retirement is watch sports.
 

cornwalls@6

Less observant than others
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Apr 23, 2010
6,247
from the wilds of western ma
I'm probably going to switch from YTTV to FUBO sometime in February, as the Bruins start to heat up. Can make do with NBC and NBCSN games until then. NBC sports Boston will get me whatever Celtics fix I want, which is the extent of my interest in the NBA, and I couldn't care less about CNN.
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
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Oct 31, 2013
72,428
Is there a way to get Pac-12 Network standalone/efficiently? I have DIrecttv until the late spring, have ACCN, SECN, even Longhorn Network, but it seems this has been a 10 year problem with the network and DTV.
 

Marceline

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Marceline

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Thanks, I do not, but good thought. I should check AMEX and see if anything similar being offered.
They've had a $20/off for 3 months deal through Amex in the past (I used this offer 3-4 months ago)...I don't see it now on any of my Amexes, but it may be because I've already used it.
 

4 6 3 DP

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Oct 24, 2001
2,370
Very low-tech question - I have amazon sticks and fire TV that I bought years ago. I am going to my winter place and this year didn't activate cable because I plan to stream my xfinity/Netflix/Amazon down there. I haven't done this in the past. I am wondering if a 2014-15 fire stick has all of the tech of the streaming machines (stick, chromecast, roku, etc) so that I have the best experience i can. Any help appreciated.
 

StuckOnYouk

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Jun 26, 2006
3,538
CT
I love YTTV but just cut it due to no NESN. Went with ATT TV Now over Roku since it has HBO and other channels included in its package for 80 bucks. Not as user friendly as YTTV but I'll adjust.

YTTV jacking up prices and cutting RSNs just doesn't sit well with me so adios. But I'll miss it.
 

cornwalls@6

Less observant than others
SoSH Member
Apr 23, 2010
6,247
from the wilds of western ma
I love YTTV but just cut it due to no NESN. Went with ATT TV Now over Roku since it has HBO and other channels included in its package for 80 bucks. Not as user friendly as YTTV but I'll adjust.

YTTV jacking up prices and cutting RSNs just doesn't sit well with me so adios. But I'll miss it.
Signed up for 5 day free trial of FUBO today. Will watch football and bruins on it over the weekend. If the stream quality is good, I'm done with YTTV immediately. I liked it, but dropping NESN, and all the other RSNs is a deal breaker for me. And I can live without CNN and Turner channels very nicely.
 

daburgaman

New Member
Apr 3, 2007
298
Signed up for 5 day free trial of FUBO today. Will watch football and bruins on it over the weekend. If the stream quality is good, I'm done with YTTV immediately. I liked it, but dropping NESN, and all the other RSNs is a deal breaker for me. And I can live without CNN and Turner channels very nicely.
I’ll prob be doing a Fubo trial this weekend too. Used the nesn app on the roku last night and was not happy with the feed. Pretty choppy and not great quality. Hopefully Fubo will be much more similar to YTTV.