Cutting Cable... What to get instead

[skyywalker]

We cut AT&T Uverse a few months ago and are now using Playstation Vue for live TV (Sling TV was way too glitchy with the picture freezing and the audio not matching the video), Netflix, and Hulu. I'm saving approximately $100 per month by cutting cable (a little less than $100 if you factor in Hulu and Netflix but we had those before cutting cable). I'm still trying to figure out a way to watch live NFL football as my digital antenna is kind of flaky when it comes to our local channel that will broadcast most of the games. We're not big TV watchers so we don't miss all of the channels that Uverse provided, but let's face it... how many of those channels do you watch anyways?

 

[skyywalker]

I should mention we kept our AT&T internet. With the Uverse package it was unlimited data but since we got rid of Uverse we're allowed 600gb per month. We currently have 7 days left in our billing cycle and have only used 227gb. If I had to guess, the tv is on for approximately 3 hours per week day and a bit longer on the weekends.

 

[DawnM]

It is hard at first but you get used to it... then you never go back... because you won't be able to stand writing the check to the cable/directv folks.

We cut the cord for 4 solid years before we decided to get cable back. So, we did go back. I pay $35/mo for it, and I am fine with that.

 

[osopecoso]

Nobody here uses a firestick with Kodi?

 

[Sandy61]

A lot of those boxes are "Android TV" and running a flavor of Kodi with add-on's. Another option is to install Kodi on your computer/laptop for free.
https://kodi.tv/download/

Warning.... Kodi and some Android TV require you to figure out how to install the add-on's after googling the instructions on the web. For a few hundred dollars, some Android TV boxes will have it configured for you.

I would like to get one but I think I have slow internet. How fast does it have to be?

 

[xlxo]

If your internet is slow.... some products allow you to Kodi download to your box/computer for smoother playback.

 

[crazelion]

Nobody here uses a firestick with Kodi?

I have it on one TV firestick woith kodi. The rest kodi is set up on the various tablets, desktops, laptops and phones.

 

[OneThree]

Anyone using an external OTA antenna for locals? I picked up the Moho Sky 60 (http://store.gomohu.com/sky-60-attic-outdoor-hdtv-antenna.html). I've had it for about a week and so far so good. It picked up the local ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and Fox affiliates plus a few others. Perhaps the only complaint I have is the included wood screws were poor quality.

 

[ThisIsJason]

Anyone using an external OTA antenna for locals? I picked up the Moho Sky 60 (http://store.gomohu.com/sky-60-attic-outdoor-hdtv-antenna.html). I've had it for about a week and so far so good. It picked up the local ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and Fox affiliates plus a few others. Perhaps the only complaint I have is the included wood screws were poor quality.

I wish I could pick up our locals with an antenna. Live in dead zone. Might be able to pick up PBS when the wind is blowing from the right direction.

I am honestly thinking about switching to Dish Network because of the Flex package they came out with today. Only would be paying around $80 a month for TV compared to the $96 I am paying for DirecTV right now (which will go up to $136 in another month due to promos going away).

 

[BridgeBuilder]

I'm in Louisville. Here's what I did:
Eliminated TV from TWC and went with just 300 Mbps Internet for $55/mo.
Signed up for Sling TV for a base of $20 and then added $25 of upgrades (big sports fan) for a total of $45
Digital Antenna for local channels (~$35)
New Apple TV ($149) with Sling app + a lot of other streaming apps available

Total of $100/mo. for 300 Mbps Internet and 70+ live channels (including almost every sports channel) and on demand shows.
Startup cost: $184

So I have every live channel I could ever want. It feels "natural" on the tv with how the app works (with a lot of extra advantages, as well). The picture quality is better than "HD" cable ever was (less dot noise and 1080/60p).

There was startup cost in purchasing the new Apple TV (I had the older version, which still works for this purpose, but I moved it to the bedroom), but there's a deal with Sling right now to get 3 months free. Plus, the new Apple TV is amazing for a lot of different other reasons.

 

[OneThree]

I'm in Louisville. Here's what I did:
Eliminated TV from TWC and went with just 300 Mbps Internet for $55/mo.
Signed up for Sling TV for a base of $20 and then added $25 of upgrades (big sports fan) for a total of $45
Digital Antenna for local channels (~$35)
New Apple TV ($149) with Sling app + a lot of other streaming apps available

Total of $100/mo. for 300 Mbps Internet and 70+ live channels (including almost every sports channel) and on demand shows.
Startup cost: $184

So I have every live channel I could ever want. It feels "natural" on the tv with how the app works (with a lot of extra advantages, as well). The picture quality is better than "HD" cable ever was (less dot noise and 1080/60p).

There was startup cost in purchasing the new Apple TV (I had the older version, which still works for this purpose, but I moved it to the bedroom), but there's a deal with Sling right now to get 3 months free. Plus, the new Apple TV is amazing for a lot of different other reasons.

I've been looking at Sling, particularly since they are planning to add NFL Red Zone. Sling only works with the latest generation of Apple TV correct?

 

[BridgeBuilder]

I've been looking at Sling, particularly since they are planning to add NFL Red Zone. Sling only works with the latest generation of Apple TV correct?

It only works natively with the latest generation Apple TV, yes. But you can AirPlay the app with any of the older models.