Suggestions for cutting the Cable TV cord?

[godisney14]

Sling, YouTube TV, Hulu TV, AT&T TV Now, Philo.
In no particular order.

They all end up around the same price if you want multiple concurrent streams and live sports. Just choose whichever one supports your smart connected device, and whichever user interface you prefer more. I’ve tried all and, IMO, they’re all the same and the same price. Many of these services started in the $25-$35 range, and now they’re all in the $55 to $70 range. It’s a good thing there are multiple options besides just a duopoly with DirectTV and Comcast. But, with many providers and the way channels are priced by the broadcasters, choosing a streaming service has become almost like choosing which toilet paper you like best. This is why so many content providers are trying to push originals. That’s the only way anyone can distinguish themself in the streaming marketplace.

One thing to keep in mind with cutting the coaxial cord and using the Ethernet cord (or WIFI) to watch TV is that all of these streams will count against one’s monthly internet data allowance. The only exception to this is streaming AT&T TV Now to an AT&T wireless smartphone or tablet.

With so many streaming video services that our family is signed up for, in addition to cloud home security, Spotify music, Zoom (school) everyday, and video meetings for work, we’re always over the 1.2TB (was 1.0TB) monthly Comcast internet data allowance and now paying the extra $50 for unlimited data.
Too bad for us that we live in a neighborhood that will probably not get AT&T Fiber laid down for at least the next few decades, and thus no free unlimited data with Fiber service.

 

[firefly_ris]

We are lucky enough to have green light in my area. We went from paying over $250 a month to about $125 a month. Green light has been great for us during the pandemic. When we have issues it is because of the old house not green light.

I heard a rumor it might be coming my way... I don't know where you are in WNY but I'm hoping it makes it to me on the eastern edge of Erie County to give Spectrum a little competition.

 

[godisney14]

Youtube TV is the best of the streaming options due to price and UI but if you want to keep the regional sports network (Fox Sports Florida) to watch the Marlins the only option left is ATT TV Now @ $85/month. YouTube TV dropped all the regional sports networks recently and so did Hulu. The only places to find them now are ATT Now and traditional cable/satellite. I am going to make the switch to ATT Now as soon as the NBA tips off if Youtube TV doesn't get them back by then.

Must be a regional issue with local contracts.
YouTube TV still has all local sports team broadcasts here on the West Coast.

 

[b2k1121]

Must be a regional issue with local contracts.
YouTube TV still has all local sports team broadcasts here on the West Coast.

It's all of the regional Fox Sports networks that were bought by Sinclair that are no longer available. So if you were in an area with a 'Fox Sports Wisconsin' channel that carried all Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks games, those were pulled from everything except ATTNow and Cable. I don't believe Fox Sports owns the regional sports network in California so that would explain why those are still available. The majority of the large sports markets in the country have the Fox Sports regionals.

 

[elgerber]

It's all of the regional Fox Sports networks that were bought by Sinclair that are no longer available. So if you were in an area with a 'Fox Sports Wisconsin' channel that carried all Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks games, those were pulled from everything except ATTNow and Cable. I don't believe Fox Sports owns the regional sports network in California so that would explain why those are still available. The majority of the large sports markets in the country have the Fox Sports regionals.

Yeah, we dropped Dish and got YouTube TV. Dh was thrilled, he was able to watch baseball again! Then a few weeks later, they were gone :-(. In our area Direct TV is the only way to watch them now. Sad, but true.

 

[JimMIA]

Thanks to everyone for the info and suggestions.

I made a call to ATT, and like magic our monthly bill dropped about $60 -- most of it from Direct TV. That's nice and all, but I think I'm still going to cut the cord. Here in South Florida, Direct TV can be problematic in rainy season (May-October) and we're paying $130 per month for that.

I've also made preliminary plans to dump the landline ($50 per month). I have to do some further research to be sure I'm not losing anything but the phone we never use, but I think I'm going to cancel that.

We will probably go with YouTubeTV. We won't have Fox Sports Florida, but we can live without that. It's a "nice to have," not a necessity.

 

[dvcgirl67]

YouTube TV....love it.