Cable TV Versus Everything Else

[SoTier]

On 5/30/2019 at 2:19 PM, Johnny Hammersticks said:

Directv.  Simple and easy.  Pick your package of channels, and any supplementary channels you want (i.e., HBO, Cinemax).  

 

I disagree.  I had Directtv for about 7 years but I went back to Spectrum (cable) because it had gotten so expensive.  I was paying as much just for Directtv (with 4 tvs)  as I now pay for tv and internet plus HBO and Showtime.   I only have to pay for 1 tv because I use basic ROKUs to stream from the Spectrum app for the other three  -- and I don't have to go out in the cold to clean snow off the satellite dish after a snowstorm.  I can also add more tvs simply by purchasing more ROKU units.

[teef]

3 hours ago, SoTier said:

 

I disagree.  I had Directtv for about 7 years but I went back to Spectrum (cable) because it had gotten so expensive.  I was paying as much just for Directtv (with 4 tvs)  as I now pay for tv and internet plus HBO and Showtime.   I only have to pay for 1 tv because I use basic ROKUs to stream from the Spectrum app for the other three  -- and I don't have to go out in the cold to clean snow off the satellite dish after a snowstorm.  I can also add more tvs simply by purchasing more ROKU units.

i use the spectrum app on half of our tvs as well.  i have the boxes for the family room and bed room, mostly to record and watch the recorded shows.  i just refuse to keep paying for those boxes.  samsung tvs also have the app as part of them, which could prevent you from even having to buy a roku.  the app can be quirky, (i have a weird color change on certain channels and it can freeze on occasion) but still well worth it.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

3 hours ago, SoTier said:

 

I disagree.  I had Directtv for about 7 years but I went back to Spectrum (cable) because it had gotten so expensive.  I was paying as much just for Directtv (with 4 tvs)  as I now pay for tv and internet plus HBO and Showtime.   I only have to pay for 1 tv because I use basic ROKUs to stream from the Spectrum app for the other three  -- and I don't have to go out in the cold to clean snow off the satellite dish after a snowstorm.  I can also add more tvs simply by purchasing more ROKU units.

 

Wow.  No Spectrum here.  Comcast is the only game in town.  We already get internet through Comcast which costs us around $85/month.  Having done some research, we wouldn’t be able to get nearly the amount and quality of programming through Comcast that were are getting through Directv for what we’re paying now.  I’ve also found DTV to be more flexible in terms of offering deals and incentives.  Call Comcast and ask for “loyalty discounts” and they laugh at you.

 

Also, I’ve never had to brush snow or ice off my satellite dish.  Every once in a while the signal will go out if we get a huge thunder storm, but I’ve never lost my signal during the winter.

[Ittakestime]

37 minutes ago, teef said:

i use the spectrum app on half of our tvs as well.  i have the boxes for the family room and bed room, mostly to record and watch the recorded shows.  i just refuse to keep paying for those boxes.  samsung tvs also have the app as part of them, which could prevent you from even having to buy a roku.  the app can be quirky, (i have a weird color change on certain channels and it can freeze on occasion) but still well worth it.

 

Same situation with myself.  The boxes are much more reliable,  but if you don't watch a TV consistently, the app does just fine.

 

I just changed the name of the person on my spectrum bill and signed up for the 2 year deal.  $110 with taxes/fees for fast internet and enough TV for me (2 boxes).

[Misterbluesky]

4 hours ago, SoTier said:

 

  -- and I don't have to go out in the cold to clean snow off the satellite dish after a snowstorm.  

I spray my snow blower chute and dish with Pam{TM} every November...no worries.

Good Luck.

[shrader]

I know people are really put off by their service and price, but it couldn't have been any easier for me.  I called and told them I was looking to change since my contract was up.  They put me on hold for a bit and then immediately offered to cut my price down to right around $70 without a new contract.  I might top that through a combination of streaming services, but it would take more work than it's worth.  The price change is only for a year, but once that's up, since it's not a new 2 year contract, I can just repeat the process.  Maybe I just lucked out and got the right person, but I don't have any complaints.

[apuszczalowski]

I hate the way all of these companies will give you a lower price if you just waste your time calling them and playing the 'i will leave and go somewhere else' game. How about just give me the better price all the time and not jack up the price when your not a new customer.....

 

As for cable/dish, as everyone gets rid of it or switches to streaming services, either they will need to adapt and drop prices, or they will slowly die off. The only thing that's going to help them is that people will soon get frustrated with the streaming services because there are going to be so many of them, all specialized in what they have and it will involve you paying for multiple services just to get a few shows you want to watch. This will eventually lead to pricing being similar to what you would have with cable and people looking for alternatives again.

[The Jokeman]

20 minutes ago, apuszczalowski said:

I hate the way all of these companies will give you a lower price if you just waste your time calling them and playing the 'i will leave and go somewhere else' game. How about just give me the better price all the time and not jack up the price when your not a new customer.....

 

As for cable/dish, as everyone gets rid of it or switches to streaming services, either they will need to adapt and drop prices, or they will slowly die off. The only thing that's going to help them is that people will soon get frustrated with the streaming services because there are going to be so many of them, all specialized in what they have and it will involve you paying for multiple services just to get a few shows you want to watch. This will eventually lead to pricing being similar to what you would have with cable and people looking for alternatives again.

and this will then realize why cable costs so much, it's not just the cable companies that are hungry for their money but the channel themselves too. It's why many are worried about the demise of Netflix, with more and more stations pulling their content from it and now adding their own apps costs will just go up and up or streaming services will be just like cable tv and filled with more and more commercials (see Hulu). 

[apuszczalowski]

6 minutes ago, The Jokeman said:

and this will then realize why cable costs so much, it's not just the cable companies that are hungry for their money but the channel themselves too. It's why many are worried about the demise of Netflix, with more and more stations pulling their content from it and now adding their own apps costs will just go up and up or streaming services will be just like cable tv and filled with more and more commercials (see Hulu). 

That's true about commercials. I used to find it funny how when Sirius/XM satellite radio came out they would push the fact that it was commercial free. Then when I had it (free subscription for a period of time with a new vehicle) they would have commercials for either content on other channels, or for actual products or services (the machines for sleep apnea, or cleaners for them, Alan Thicke promoting a debt management service, some supposedly really good underwear, and ED medication). I think there was the one service, Crackle, that started Jerry Seinfeld Commedians in Cars show that would have commercials before or during a show or movie sometimes because it wasn't a pay service.

[Gugny]

@mrags

[Ned Flanders]

Just wasted an hour on a DirecTV chat with two different CSRs, asking about an extension of my current $60/month credit, which ends August 21st.

 

The final "response" was to "contact us on August 21st to see about possible promotions" as I am "not eligible at this time, since I already have a promotion."

 

AT&T lost over two million TV (DTV, DTV Now, AT&T Universe) subscribers in the last year.  The company feels no obligation or loyalty to long-time customers.  Be assured, that barring the unlikely extension of my current credit, I will reciprocate the favor on August 21st.   

 

DirecTV is dead to me.

[Misterbluesky]

23 minutes ago, Ned Flanders said:

Just wasted an hour on a DirecTV chat with two different CSRs, asking about an extension of my current $60/month credit, which ends August 21st.

 

The final "response" was to "contact us on August 21st to see about possible promotions" as I am "not eligible at this time, since I already have a promotion."

 

AT&T lost over two million TV (DTV, DTV Now, AT&T Universe) subscribers in the last year.  The company feels no obligation or loyalty to long-time customers.  Be assured, that barring the unlikely extension of my current credit, I will reciprocate the favor on August 21st.   

 

DirecTV is dead to me.

We are still without CBS and CW  here in B-low.

 

[/dev/null]

17 minutes ago, Misterbluesky said:

We are still without CBS and CW  here in B-low.

 

 

[thenorthremembers]

Moving to a new house in a few days.  Got rid of direct tv two months ago and have just been using roku for the kids.

 

Wife ia convinced we need to keep streaming at the new house.  I want to get driect tv back for football.  Any streaming options for the Bills games?  

[BeginnersMind]

8 hours ago, thenorthremembers said:

Moving to a new house in a few days.  Got rid of direct tv two months ago and have just been using roku for the kids.

 

Wife ia convinced we need to keep streaming at the new house.  I want to get driect tv back for football.  Any streaming options for the Bills games?  

 

If you’re lucky enough to have a tree that blocks the direcTV or live in a home or building where satellites are not allowed, they will give you Sunday Ticket streaming access. You of course have to pay for it. But a tech has to go to the house and verify. 

 

There is no way this crap offering survives another round of bidding to the NFL. They are losing revenue for sure. 

[Whatnot78]

13 hours ago, Ned Flanders said:

Just wasted an hour on a DirecTV chat with two different CSRs, asking about an extension of my current $60/month credit, which ends August 21st.

 

The final "response" was to "contact us on August 21st to see about possible promotions" as I am "not eligible at this time, since I already have a promotion."

 

AT&T lost over two million TV (DTV, DTV Now, AT&T Universe) subscribers in the last year.  The company feels no obligation or loyalty to long-time customers.  Be assured, that barring the unlikely extension of my current credit, I will reciprocate the favor on August 21st.   

 

DirecTV is dead to me.

 

Same here...and then I waiting and called back.  They gave me $40/mo to keep my bill where it was. 

 

I wouldn't give up on them just yet.

[May Day 10]

To me, that isnt worth it.  I stuck with them due to the ease of getting a better rate and I felt appreciated.  I almost felt like I owed the effort they made to meet in the middle and stick with them at a rate a little higher than it would be for a triple-play introductory package with Spectrum/TW.

 

Now, the apparent need to go to the mat with them every year like i'm buying a car... that isnt something i want/need.   

 

They wouldnt give me much of a discount, and didnt resist when i cancelled.  Only after the fact, i received emails with decent deals, but a lot of small print and a contract term, and also didnt include all the equipment and hidden fees. 

 

I tossed the directv and im so glad i did.  Havent missed a thing other than paying lease on antiquated receiver boxes.  Its liberating

Edited July 25, 2019 by May Day 10

[The Jokeman]

14 hours ago, Misterbluesky said:

We are still without CBS and CW  here in B-low.

 

I'm pretty sure the CW offers free content via their app if you stream at all. CBS is another matter as they make you pay for their app but you should get it live over the air with a digital antenna. 

[PetermansRedemption]

This DIRECTV CBS blackout is starting to get annoying. Luckily I had CBS All Access already for the Twilight Zone. I have been watching my CBS shows on there. 

[shrader]

5 hours ago, BeginnersMind said:

 

If you’re lucky enough to have a tree that blocks the direcTV or live in a home or building where satellites are not allowed, they will give you Sunday Ticket streaming access. You of course have to pay for it. But a tech has to go to the house and verify. 

 

There is no way this crap offering survives another round of bidding to the NFL. They are losing revenue for sure. 

 

Do you really even need that tree?  Can't you just tell them that's the case and they'll give you the streaming version?  I didn't think they'd actually check on any of these claims.  But then again, if it's a house that previously had DirecTV, that might kill that option.

[BeginnersMind]

28 minutes ago, shrader said:

 

Do you really even need that tree?  Can't you just tell them that's the case and they'll give you the streaming version?  I didn't think they'd actually check on any of these claims.  But then again, if it's a house that previously had DirecTV, that might kill that option.

 

They came out twice with technicians before giving me the bypass Ok. 

[/dev/null]

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/07/att-loses-nearly-1-million-tv-customers-after-raising-directv-prices/

 

Sunday Ticket is the only thing keeping DirecTV on life support

[Cripple Creek]

On 5/30/2019 at 3:01 PM, ShadyBillsFan said:

In my area and HIGH speed.   Its the norm.  I switched from Verizon Broadband (slow) to Comcast (fast) for the same price. 

 

4 gig download  15 minutes MAX 

That includes Land Line (phone) and International calling for 90 minutes per month 

 

 

basic internet alone around $50 (includes taxes) 

Still have the human trafficing gig for some extra spending money?

Edited July 26, 2019 by Cripple Creek

[Cripple Creek]

On 7/24/2019 at 5:20 PM, Misterbluesky said:

We are still without CBS and CW  here in B-low.

 

DTV Now.  I have had NFLN removed plus CBS/NBC are blocked due to a "dispute" between the networks and AT&T.  I don't know what's next, but my time with DTV Now is coming to an end.

 

Looking at Sling and Comcast Streaming.

[Ned Flanders]

1 hour ago, Cripple Creek said:

Looking at Sling and Comcast Streaming.

I'm pretty sure at this point I'm going with YouTube TV and getting Sling w/NFLN and RedZone for the football season.

[May Day 10]

About 3 weeks in, between Hulu Live, Prime, and Netflix, I havent missed a thing.  I have actually watched more television (with Directv I was watching almost nothing).  

[Ittakestime]

4 hours ago, May Day 10 said:

About 3 weeks in, between Hulu Live, Prime, and Netflix, I havent missed a thing.  I have actually watched more television (with Directv I was watching almost nothing).  

 

It's also not sports season. 

 

Sports is what keeps me tied to these companies.  Tough to find good alternatives for NHL, NBA, College BB, College FB, NFL and soccer.  There is no easy alternative with streaming that isn't more than the traditional cable/satellite companies.

[May Day 10]

29 minutes ago, Ittakestime said:

 

It's also not sports season. 

 

Sports is what keeps me tied to these companies.  Tough to find good alternatives for NHL, NBA, College BB, College FB, NFL and soccer.  There is no easy alternative with streaming that isn't more than the traditional cable/satellite companies.

 

I get the Indians games on Hulu Live.

 

I have a way to get the Sabres games.

 

Most of what I want should be available on Hulu Live

 

 

Its almost where I am angry and dont care about sports enough to pay upwards of $200 a month for the ability to watch.... which I find myself doing less and less.  If the sports leagues want to collude with the telecom companies so they can continue to enjoy their government-sanctioned monopolies and racketeering.... then I could do without the sports leagues.  

 

If Im going to miss a Bills game that is on NFL Network 1x, it isnt worth $X,XXX in cable bills for the year.  

 

Edited July 26, 2019 by May Day 10

[Misterbluesky]

6 hours ago, Cripple Creek said:

DTV Now.  I have had NFLN removed plus CBS/NBC are blocked due to a "dispute" between the networks and AT&T.  I don't know what's next, but my time with DTV Now is coming to an end.

 

Looking at Sling and Comcast Streaming.

I will have to get a antenna box because DTV will charge my CC over 200 bucks (May contract) and Sling and Hulu don't show Mets games..

Bottom line..you,me and mega other folks are paying for the networks like CBS/NBC and they are blacked out...not sure about you but my bill didn't drop in price.

It's a crooked operation now since AT&T took over and when you shop around..I feel like I'm giving to Peter while taking from Paul.

[Ittakestime]

2 hours ago, May Day 10 said:

 

I get the Indians games on Hulu Live.

 

I have a way to get the Sabres games.

 

Most of what I want should be available on Hulu Live

 

 

Its almost where I am angry and dont care about sports enough to pay upwards of $200 a month for the ability to watch.... which I find myself doing less and less.  If the sports leagues want to collude with the telecom companies so they can continue to enjoy their government-sanctioned monopolies and racketeering.... then I could do without the sports leagues.  

 

If Im going to miss a Bills game that is on NFL Network 1x, it isnt worth $X,XXX in cable bills for the year.  

 

 

I feel you, but I also think you are being aggressive on the price.  I never paid more than 100 dollars a month for just TV.  Finding games on the internet for free is becoming hard and is just full of viruses that cause more aggravation than the cable company.

 

One night out to watch some games becomes expensive too.

 

I enjoy sports so paying the 1200 a year, I can justify.  If you don't care about sports, I can see why people go to other services.  Streaming has never worked like it should for me, even when I'm streaming from the cable company.  Always some issue.

[Nextmanup]

I know very little about this new trend of "Unplugging" and watching TV on a computer.

 

I still have cable and about 10 million channels on it; I think we pay like $120 a month including internet.

 

Here is my point: I am a big time general sports fan.  I am interesting in almost everything that might be on TV at any point in the calendar year.  And different live sporting events are broadcast on a huge array of TV channels.

 

I don't know how only have a handful of channels would allow a sports fan to watch sporting events live.

 

I want to see college football on any channel a game may be broadcast on; all the big bowl games; all MLB playoff games for sure and as many Red Sox games I can see; F1 racing on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN News, and ESPN U, tons of different European soccer stuff, on and on.

 

At any point in time, I am scouring the channels or internet trying to figure what obscure channel the sporting event I want to watch is located on.  I couldn't imagine going to an internet based TV approach where I have a handful of channels.

 

I think that works for the non-sport fan.

 

 

 

[BeginnersMind]

1 hour ago, Nextmanup said:

I know very little about this new trend of "Unplugging" and watching TV on a computer.

 

I still have cable and about 10 million channels on it; I think we pay like $120 a month including internet.

 

Here is my point: I am a big time general sports fan.  I am interesting in almost everything that might be on TV at any point in the calendar year.  And different live sporting events are broadcast on a huge array of TV channels.

 

I don't know how only have a handful of channels would allow a sports fan to watch sporting events live.

 

I want to see college football on any channel a game may be broadcast on; all the big bowl games; all MLB playoff games for sure and as many Red Sox games I can see; F1 racing on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN News, and ESPN U, tons of different European soccer stuff, on and on.

 

At any point in time, I am scouring the channels or internet trying to figure what obscure channel the sporting event I want to watch is located on.  I couldn't imagine going to an internet based TV approach where I have a handful of channels.

 

I think that works for the non-sport fan.

 

 

 

 

I unplugged a while ago and watch TV on Hulu. The only channel I don’t get that is related to sports is the NFL Network. And if I had a different streaming service, I’d have that too. 

 

$45/month. 

 

And I don’t watch on my computer (though I can if I want to). I watch on my TV. 

 

If you like your cable, that’s great, but there isn’t an appreciable difference between plugged and unplugged anymore except that one costs less. 

[Ittakestime]

3 hours ago, BeginnersMind said:

 

I unplugged a while ago and watch TV on Hulu. The only channel I don’t get that is related to sports is the NFL Network. And if I had a different streaming service, I’d have that too. 

 

$45/month. 

 

And I don’t watch on my computer (though I can if I want to). I watch on my TV. 

 

If you like your cable, that’s great, but there isn’t an appreciable difference between plugged and unplugged anymore except that one costs less. 

 

I don’t consider a thing like Hulu live as getting rid of cable or satellite TV. I would put it in the same category as Cable or Satellite. 

 

When people say unplugging or cutting the cord, I think of antenna TV and bootleg streams/cheap streaming service like Netflix. 

[May Day 10]

On 7/27/2019 at 4:51 PM, Ittakestime said:

 

I don’t consider a thing like Hulu live as getting rid of cable or satellite TV. I would put it in the same category as Cable or Satellite. 

 

When people say unplugging or cutting the cord, I think of antenna TV and bootleg streams/cheap streaming service like Netflix. 

 

 

It is similar, but also different.  

 

I could turn the service off or on at any moment with a few clicks from a smartphone.  With Directv, I wanted to put my account on hold for a couple months (which their website says you can) and I got into a fight and 15 minutes struggle with the CS rep who didnt speak very well because they wanted me to tell them "why" I am putting it on hold.  I said it wasnt any of their business and it concluded with me cancelling.  Directv also has the service agreement terms people can get jammed up in.

 

With Hulu, I am not paying any sort of peripheral charges, rent on receivers, billing fees, technology fees, etc.  

 

It is also where everything is going and will be within 5 years.  Home cable boxes are going to be the next VCR.

 

You said my Directv bill at $200 was aggressive.  It was $190.  We had 2 boxes, apparently a service protection plan on those.  Home DVR, and a middle-high package.  We had the movie channels for free, then they started billing at a high price and I couldnt get the deal again.  I kept them due to Game of Thrones, then Chernobyl.  The way the packages are designed, for the NHL, they have NHL Network, MSG, and NBC Sports on different tiers, so in order to truly get all the games, you need to have an upgraded package with a hundred additional channels you have no interest in.  I am sick and tired of that game they play.

 

For the NHL, I do not stream on a computer, playing whack a mole with feeds.  I found an app that works on my smartphone.  It is full HD and I can cast it to my TV.  100% dependable.  

Edited July 29, 2019 by May Day 10

[PetermansRedemption]

On 7/26/2019 at 1:43 PM, Ittakestime said:

 

It's also not sports season. 

 

Sports is what keeps me tied to these companies.  Tough to find good alternatives for NHL, NBA, College BB, College FB, NFL and soccer.  There is no easy alternative with streaming that isn't more than the traditional cable/satellite companies.

This is my issue as well. I tried, but could not find a streaming service that allowed me to have Sabres games on MSG and NFL Red Zone. Sure, I could go with multiple companies, or go with NHL Center Ice package and a VPN. But those aren’t really the solution I am looking for. 

[/dev/null]

35 minutes ago, May Day 10 said:

It is also where everything is going and will be within 5 years.  Home cable boxes are going to be the next VCR.

 

Even DirecTV agrees with you.  They launched a satellite a year or two and some AT&T big wheel said that it was likely the last satellite DTV would ever launch.

Cable companies that are also Internet Service Providers (such as Spectrum and Cox) have started their own streaming services for customers like me that have Internet but not a cable subscription

 

The "last mile" of service is what costs cable and satellite providers the most.   The cost of labor, parts, vehicles, and fuel adds up fast.  Cable/Satellite providers can eliminate the "last mile" of service by delivering their content over the Internet. 

 

The customer provides the delivery thru a third party (Internet) and the customer provides all of the necessary equipment (Roku, Firestick, etc).

 

57 minutes ago, May Day 10 said:

We had the movie channels for free, then they started billing at a high price and I couldnt get the deal again.  I kept them due to Game of Thrones, then Chernobyl.  The way the packages are designed, for the NHL, they have NHL Network, MSG, and NBC Sports on different tiers, so in order to truly get all the games, you need to have an upgraded package with a hundred additional channels you have no interest in.  I am sick and tired of that game they play.

 

Enjoy the days of cheap streaming services while you can.  It will soon go the way of the VCR as well

 

 

All the big media production companies are getting into the streaming business and in the process have been pulling their content from Netflix, Prime, Hulu, Vue, etc.  Eventually we are going to need accounts for each.

[CookieG]

On 7/26/2019 at 6:35 AM, Cripple Creek said:

DTV Now.  I have had NFLN removed plus CBS/NBC are blocked due to a "dispute" between the networks and AT&T.  I don't know what's next, but my time with DTV Now is coming to an end.

 

Looking at Sling and Comcast Streaming.

We still have a few days of Uverse left. We're going to try Playstation Vue, it seems to have the best channel lineup. We'll probably give Youtube Tv a try also.

 

Its going to be $80 less per month plus we get the 2 local channels back that ATT won't pay for and the NFLN back.

 

The ATT sponsored "support forums" are hilarious.  They just blame everyone else and tell their subscribers to suck it up.

 

It actually reminds me of when we dumped AOL for DSL in the 90's. When cancelling, AOL was asking "why are you leaving?" 

 

I could only respond, "idk, because service is 5 times faster, doesn't tie up your phone and is less than half the price."

 

Ah, the memories.

[/dev/null]

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/07/att-kills-directv-now-brand-name-as-tv-subscribers-leave-in-droves/

 

[May Day 10]

At&t tv now is an awful name

[BeginnersMind]

On 7/29/2019 at 10:27 AM, /dev/null said:

 

Enjoy the days of cheap streaming services while you can.  It will soon go the way of the VCR as well

 

All the big media production companies are getting into the streaming business and in the process have been pulling their content from Netflix, Prime, Hulu, Vue, etc.  Eventually we are going to need accounts for each.

 

Yes and no. I don’t need more than 2 decent content providers. 

 

Sure I’m curious about the CBS Star Trek series and Twilight Zone reboot but whatever. I get enough content elsewhere. Netflix and Prime Original content is about all I have time for. 

 

Eventually CBS will sell access to just their shows (to get money later) and I can buy just them. The days of urgently knowing what is happening on any show are over. TV shows are now like books. You can talk to people who have seen them and recommend them to people who haven’t. 

 

Occasionally there may be a huge breakthrough show like GoT where people will obsess over live or near live viewing but mostly no one cares about that anymore. 

 

The splintering of content is fine with me as long as it remains easy to switch. If providers go to a true ala carte model, that will be interesting.