My Streaming Life

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One Antenna, Many TVs: Which Signal Distribution Method is Best for Your Home?

When you decide to cut the cord, installing a quality Over-the-Air (OTA) antenna to grab your local channels is essential. But then comes the immediate physical problem: how do you get that strong signal from the antenna, often located in the attic or on the roof, to every television in your house? There are generally three core ways to solve this problem. A recent article from Tablo TV outlined these methods , and they serve as an excellent starting point for comparison. I've been down every one of these paths: re-using old cable, installing new cable, and using a network DVR . I'm going to take those three options (wired, rewired, and wireless) and compare them based on effort, cost, and the most critical factor for a cord-cutter: long-term reliability . Option 1: Re-Using What You Have (The DIY Bargain) This is the simplest and cheapest solution, provided you previously had cable or satellite television. The Method: You locate the main cable splitter, usually in a uti...

TV Answer Man Website Changes: An Unfortunate Necessity

If you're deeply invested in the world of cord-cutting, you know the name Phillip Swann, the man behind TV Answer Man . For years, he has been a consistent source of insightful, in-depth coverage on the complex business and technology side of television. His dedication has made his site a daily read for me, and for many who rely on accurate and consistent reporting to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of streaming and satellite TV. Phillip recently announced a significant decision regarding the future of his website . While the site didn't meet its subscription goal to sustain the incredibly demanding level of business and tech reporting he's been doing, the good news is: TV Answer Man isn't going away! Instead, Phillip is making a change he feels he needs to. Starting soon, the site will shift its focus from the nitty-gritty of industry business and technology to entertainment and programming . This means we can look forward to even more content designed to help ...

Plex Puts Remote Streaming Behind a Paywall

Plex Puts Remote Streaming Behind a Paywall A significant change is coming to how Plex treats your personal media library when you are away from home. I received a copy of an email sent this week to a family member's Plex account, who is a non-Pass server owner. The message clearly announced that one of Plex's longest-standing free features -- remote streaming of personal media -- is being phased out and placed behind a paywall. For the vast majority of Plex's free users, this shift will mean paying a subscription fee if they want to access their movies, shows, or recordings when they are traveling or simply away from their home Wi-Fi network. For long-time users like me, this change simply reinforces the strategic value of the Lifetime Plex Pass. The Full Text of the Email Here is the email sent to affected Plex users this week: Hi Plex User, As of April 29, 2025 , we’ve changed how remote streaming works for personal media libraries, and it is no longer a free feat...

Streaming Christmas Movies on a Budget

December is the busiest time of year for streaming, dominated by the constant loop of cheerful Christmas movies. For the savvy cord-cutter, the challenge isn't finding a movie, but finding all the movies -- the new Hallmark premieres, the timeless classics, and the streaming originals -- without paying a cable-sized bill. The great news is that you can cover every major Christmas programming source for well under $40 a month. This guide breaks down the essential services you need, focusing exclusively on those budget-friendly options that replace cable. The Major Channels: Budget Live TV Streaming (Under $40/Month) These live TV services are the only way to watch the new Christmas movie premieres live on the same day they air. We focus only on packages priced under $40 per month. Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Mystery, and Hallmark Drama The king of Christmas programming. All three Hallmark networks are required for the full "Countdown to Christmas" experience. Frnd...

The Computer Upgrade Dilemma: Weighing Compatibility Against Privacy and Cost

The end of support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, has left millions of users facing a critical decision. Since many of those devices do not meet the strict hardware requirements for Windows 11 -- such as the mandatory Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 and specific CPU generations -- they are suddenly deemed obsolete. My recommendation for anyone with a perfectly functional Windows 10 machine is clear: do not rush out to buy a new computer. If spending money on a new PC is not an option, and you want to maintain a safe and secure computing environment, the most reliable and cost-effective solutions are to install ChromeOS Flex or a supported Linux distribution. These free operating systems can provide the necessary security updates and breathe new life into older hardware, keeping it out of the e-waste stream. However, my approach is not universal, and I admit that not everyone agrees with it. For many users, the idea of leaving the Windows environment presents a sig...

Streaming College Football: 2025 Week 14 Weekend Games

The final week of the 2025 college football regular season concludes with a massive Saturday slate. Most teams are fighting for bowl eligibility, rivalry bragging rights, or a final spot in the College Football Playoff rankings. On today's schedule, 51 games are scheduled to be played. Thirteen of those games involve a team ranked in the College Football Playoff Top 25. Ranked Team Matchups This week delivers with three games featuring ranked opponents squaring off. No. 1 Ohio State at No. 15 Michigan No. 12 Miami at No. 22 Pittsburgh No. 14 Vanderbilt at No. 19 Tennessee How to Watch Most of the games are available for viewing live by streaming, or with an antenna. Here are the networks carrying the games this season: ABC Antenna: Free DirecTV Stream MySports (in select markets): ($70/month) YouTube TV: ($83/month) Fubo: ($85/month) DirecTV Stream Entertainment: ($90/month) Hulu+Live TV: ($90/month) CBS Antenna: Free Paramount Plus Premium: ($13/month) You...

Streaming Deal Alert: Disney Plus and Hulu Black Friday

A Disney Plus and Hulu bundle deal is currently running for Black Friday, and Michael Timmermann of the Michael Saves channel has all the details. For a full breakdown of the deal's terms, including the price and expiration date, see his first video below. [ YouTube ] The Ad-Free Option Michael says that it is possible to upgrade that deal to an ad-free experience. Since many people prefer viewing their content without interruptions, knowing this option exists allows a streamer to choose the viewing level that best suits their habits. For a clear, step-by-step guide on how to upgrade to the ad-free tier, watch his follow-up video below. [ YouTube ] The Black Friday deal is a great example of how streamers can save money on content. I am always looking for the best way to manage my subscriptions and get the most value for my family, and I often take advantage of Hulu deals on Black Friday. My Streaming Life is built on flexibility and finding those deals that make cord cutt...

Thanksgiving 2025

Thanksgiving Proclamation Issued by President George Washington, at the request of Congress, on October 3, 1789 By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation. Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and—Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:” Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or th...

Streaming College Football: 2025 Week 14 Early Games

The final week of the 2025 college football regular season is officially underway, with two games already played on Tuesday. While most of the action will be reserved for a packed Saturday slate, the next few days deliver with rivalry and holiday matchups. Between now and Saturday, 14 games are on the schedule: one tomorrow, and 13 on Friday. Six of those games involve a team ranked in the College Football Playoff Top 25. Ranked Team Matchups This week delivers with three games featuring ranked opponents squaring off. No. 4 Georgia at No. 23 Georgia Tech No. 3 Texas A&M at No. 16 Texas No. 25 Arizona at No. 20 Arizona State How to Watch Most of the games are available for viewing live by streaming, or with an antenna. Here are the networks carrying the games this season: ABC Antenna: Free DirecTV Stream MySports (in select markets): ($70/month) YouTube TV: ($83/month) Fubo: ($85/month) DirecTV Stream Entertainment: ($90/month) Hulu+Live TV: ($90/month) CBS An...