My Streaming Life

The 2024 college football season kicked off last weekend, but this is still Week One. Hey, don't blame me; I didn't come up with this. There are 90 Division 1-A/FBS games this weekend, with 21 played Thursday and six yesterday. Today, 67 games are scheduled, with one each on Sunday and Monday. These games are all part of the two-week long Week 1 . Today's games will be broadcast over several networks. Here are the channels or networks you'll need to watch all the game this season: ABC ACC Network Big Ten Network CBS CBS Sports Network The CW ESPN ESPN2 ESPN U ESPN+ Fox Fox Sports 1 NBC Peacock SEC Network truTV Here's how to get the channels to watch college football this week: ABC Antenna (free) Sling TV ( 8 markets only ) ($45/month) YouTube TV ($73/month) DirecTV (Entertainment) ($75/month) Hulu+Live TV ($77/month) Fubo (Pro) ($80/month) ACC Network Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extr...

Last week, I discussed my though process in determining which streaming service to use for watching college football. As it turns out, I didn't watch games last weekend -- life interfered -- so I didn't subscribe. There were games last night (I didn't watch any) and games tonight (I don't plan to watch; other stuff going on), but tomorrow, I do plan to watch some football. My primary game of interest is on ABC, and I get that over the air (actually, through AirTV and the Sling TV app). I may watch a game later in the day on one of the ESPN channels, and that will be the driving factor regarding when I actually start my subscription. If I watch the 4:00 PM game on ESPNU, then I'll subscribe to the service that will take me through the college football season. And that service will be Sling TV. I'm planning on starting with Sling Orange with Sports Extra. That'll get me ESPN along with SEC Network and such. The cost will be $51....

Yesterday, I got an email from Tablo celebrating the one-year anniversary of their latest devices. Since I'm still using an older model, they offered me a discount on an upgrade. I've enjoyed Tablo for a couple of reasons: it's a solid DVR with a user-friendly interface, and it used to let me watch my antenna TV from anywhere. I also have an AirTV, which runs on the Sling TV app. Initially, it didn't allow out-of-home streaming to devices like Roku or Fire TV, only to mobile devices. Thankfully, that's changed, and now I can stream AirTV anywhere. The main reason I haven't upgraded my Tablo is that the newest models dropped out-of-home streaming, limiting it to devices on the same network. That's a dealbreaker for me. I'm happy with AirTV's out-of-home feature, and recent Sling TV app updates mean I'm no longer bombarded with subscription reminders since I only use it for free content and AirTV. While I appreciate Tablo's interface ...

I'm currently subscribed to a few streaming services: Hulu/Disney+/Max bundle (soon switching to Hulu/Disney+/ESPN+ for football season) Frndly TV I also have access to a few services included with other memberships: Prime Video (with Amazon Prime) Paramount+ (with Walmart+) Peacock TV (leftover from Xfinity, will likely lose access soon) For the college football season, I plan to add either Sling Orange or YouTube TV temporarily. Cutting Costs and Simplifying I'm making some changes to reduce my streaming expenses: Cancelling Frndly TV in November (saving $9/month) Downgrading Hulu to the standard plan after football season (saving $7-9/month) Suspending Hulu periodically when there's nothing I want to watch (saving $8/month) I'll keep Paramount+ as long as it's included with Walmart+. I won't re-subscribe to Peacock TV. I'll keep Prime Video as long as I have Amazon Prime. The Service Rotation In th...

As internet usage explodes, so does the risk of hitting data caps. With 20% of users expected to reach 1TB per month by year's end, ISPs like Comcast see a goldmine in overage fees. Cord Cutters News recently reported that Comcast could make over $160-million a year in overage fees : With this, Comcast and other cable companies stand to make a lot more money as they charge customers who hit their data caps extra money. For each 50 GB of data customers use over the 1.2 TB cap, Comcast will charge you $10 with a max of $100 a month. With the growth of data usage, this could become very profitable for internet providers. If you want unlimited data, Comcast will charge you at least $25 a month as the cheapest way to get unlimited data, but if you use your own modem, it will cost you $30 extra a month. This trend highlights the growing disconnect between internet speeds and actual usage, leaving consumers to grapple with the rising cost of staying connected in the d...

I've used Windows computers since Windows version 2 (Windows 2.03) in 1988 (Windows 2.03 was released in late 1987, but I didn't get it until early 1988). I don't use it much anymore, mostly because of the security and privacy concerns, but many family members do, and most people do. If you use Windows (and most of you do), you should avoid anything that reduces the security or privacy of your device even more. Recently, JayzTwoCents had a video on YouTube talking about software to never install on Windows. He made some great points, and I agree with his recommendations about software to avoid. Note that the ending is a little odd, but the point is valid. [ YouTube ] If you use Windows computers, stay as safe and secure as you can. Avoid the scams. My Streaming Life includes a focus on security and privacy. You should keep security and privacy in mind in all of your online activity.

Conventional wisdom is that multi-factor authentication is a good idea, and makes your logins more secure. But, like everything else, there's more to it than that. Yes, multi-factor authentication is good. But how companies go about it can be a problem, according to privacy expert Rob Braxman: [ YouTube ] Security is very important. Privacy is important. Not everyone understands that. My Streaming Life includes efforts to keep secure and private, and so should yours.

The 2024 college football season kicks off this weekend. There are only four Division 1-A/FBS games this weekend, but there are 21 next Thursday and another six on Friday. Today, number 10 Florida State plays in Ireland, the only ranked team playing today. Five more ranked teams will play on Thursday and Friday. Today's games, along with next weeks, are officially part of Week 1 , although today's games are often called "Week Zero." Today's games will be broadcast over several networks. Here are the channels or networks you'll need to watch all the games: CBS Sports Network ESPN Fox Sports 1 The Thursday and Friday games will be on: ACC Network Big Ten Network CBS Sports Network ESPN+ Fox SEC Network truTV Here's how to get the channels to watch college football this week: ACC Network Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) ($51/month) Hulu+Live TV ($77/month) YouTube TV ($73/month) Fubo (Pro) ($75/month) Di...

I don't normally use live streaming services -- what could be called "streaming cable" but is technically called "vMVPD" (Virtual multichannel video programming distributors) -- during the year. This changes during the fall. I am a big fan of college football, and am looking forward to the 2024 season. With games beginning this weekend, I have a decision to make: Which streaming service to watch sports channels? One option is on hold now: Venu Sports has been prevented from launching . That leaves some other options, and I'll look at those now. Sling TV : This has been my go-to service for sports for one simple reason: cost. Sling Orange is $40/month. That includes ESPN and ESPN2. Additional ESPN channels are available with the $11 Sports Extra, bringing the cost up to $51/month. To get the Fox Sports channels on Sling TV, the base cost is $55/month, and the Sports Extra adds another $15 to that cost, meaning $70 for...

The sports streaming world was buzzing with the news that Venu, the highly anticipated new platform backed by Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery, got its launch blocked by a judge.  As someone who relies on Sling TV for my sports fix, I've got some mixed feelings about this. Venu vs. Sling: What Was the Difference, Anyway? Venu was promising to be a one-stop shop for sports fans, bundling together ESPN, Fox Sports, and TNT, among others. This was appealing because it meant no more juggling multiple services to catch all the games. Sling, while it offers a decent variety, still requires some channel-hopping and add-on packs to get everything. Venu also had the potential to be more affordable. Sling's base packages are pretty cheap, but the cost adds up fast once you start adding sports extras. Venu was rumored to be priced competitively, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious fans. So, the Injunction: Good or Bad? On the one hand, this del...

I loved Tablo for its simplicity and its "Tablo Connect" feature, which let me watch TV from a streaming device at a different location. I could easily take my Tablo to a family member's house and enjoy my home TV setup. Unfortunately, Tablo Connect was discontinued with the launch of their new devices. It's still available on older models, but not on the current lineup, which is a major disappointment. Yesterday, I switched to Air TV by Sling TV and found it to be a superior replacement, at least for now. Setting it up was a breeze - all I had to do was install the app and log in. With Tablo Connect, I had to connect the device to my local network first, making Air TV much more convenient. While Sling TV apps have had their issues in the past, I haven't experienced any problems with Air TV so far. I'll continue testing it over the next few days, but I'm optimistic. I'll miss Tablo, but the effortless setup of Air TV makes the swit...

My streaming journey has involved a wide variety of devices over the years: Roku, Apple TV, TiVo, Simple TV, Chromecast, Mi Box, and more. While I've dabbled with Amazon's Fire TV sticks, I've never fully embraced them. In my experience, Fire TV devices, especially earlier models, were noticeably slower than other options. While some devices like the Simple TV and early Roku Sticks also suffered from sluggishness, Fire TV sticks consistently felt underpowered compared to my top-tier Roku devices and the premium Apple TV. This negative experience soured my opinion of streaming sticks in general, but the Roku Streaming Stick+ proved me wrong. It delivered excellent performance, showcasing that the issue wasn't with the stick format itself, but rather with the specific models' capabilities. I acknowledge that many people love their Fire TV sticks, and I'm glad they've found a device that works for them. However, my experience has bee...

Why do people keep cable TV rather than move to streaming? According to one report from February 2024, the top reason people keep cable TV is to watch live sports: Watching live sports on cable was the main reason that has kept Americans from getting rid of cable as of 2022, according to 19.5 percent of respondents to a survey. Second common factor was watching live entertainment events, such as the award shows, with around 11.7 percent of people interviewed. You may be thinking, "Can't they get live sports and entertainment from a streaming service?" Absolutely. Sling TV was the first live major streaming service, and it offers live sports. YouTube TV is the largest of those services, and it's a good option for sports as well. However, cable can sometimes be cheaper, especially when bundled with internet. Here's why: Bundling discounts: Cable companies often offer significant discounts when you bundle TV and internet together. ...

A couple of months back, Tyler the Antenna Man (who I follow on YouTube) posted about his channel being demonitized. That's been a thing going around. A lot of good YouTube channels that focus on streaming are being demonitized. Lon Seidman of Lon.TV, Michael Timmermann of Michael Saves, and Tyler the Antenna Man are three that come to mind. I wasn't sure what the impact might be, until recently I looked an an older post here and found that the video from Tyler was no longer available. Apparently, that was one of the videos that was part of the demonitizaiton of his channel. Those impacted YouTube channels are removing the posts that YouTube has flagged for demonitizing the entire channel. Here's Tyler talking about it a couple of months ago: [ YouTube ] I know that many people will try to game the system. Years ago, I was approached by a blogger wanting to game the system by trading clicks on each others blogs. We both had pay per click ads, and he wanted to get pai...

I recently made the switch from Xfinity Internet to NOW Internet. It's essentially the same service, but at a lower price. Think of it like Cricket and AT&T, or Visible and Verizon – same network, different brand. The big perk for me is the included modem, which saves me the monthly rental fee I was paying before. I'm still using my own router because my mesh network offers better coverage. If you're already using Xfinity's equipment, the switch is easy, although you'll need to update your network settings. Overall, I'm happy with the change. It's the same reliable service I've had for years, just with a lower bill. My Streaming Life is good.

Is it possible to stream more content while cutting down on streaming services? Absolutely! It's easier than you might think, and more people are realizing its benefits. While some choose to cancel services and stick with a few, I've found a different approach that allows me to enjoy a wider variety of content without breaking the bank. Many popular streaming services offer great content, but subscribing to all of them year-round can get expensive. My solution? Subscribe for one month only. Here's how it works: Choose your services: Select one or two services to start with. If you opt for two, avoid the pricier ones. Subscribe and binge: Subscribe at the beginning of the month and watch as much as you can within those 30 days. Cancel before renewal: Before the month ends, cancel your subscription to avoid being charged for another month. Repeat with new services: Once your subscription ends, choose one or two different services and repeat ...

Venu Sports, a new streaming service launching on August 23, 2024, aims to change the way sports fans consume content. This joint venture from Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery will offer a wide range of live games, highlights, original programming, and documentaries from major professional and college sports leagues. For $42.99 per month, subscribers will have access to channels such as ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ABC, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Big Ten Network, TNT, TBS, and truTV. This extensive lineup provides comprehensive coverage of many popular sports, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, golf, and tennis. Pros for Cord Cutters: Access to popular sports without a cable subscription. Potentially lower cost than cable or some live TV streaming services. A dedicated platform for sports enthusiasts. Potential Drawbacks: Does not include all major networks and leagues (e.g., NBC and CBS). May be...

Google is replacing its Chromecast with the new Google TV Streamer, a set-top box design that aligns with the trend seen in popular streaming devices like the Roku Ultra and Fire TV Cube. This shift brings a more stylish appearance and a redesigned remote for enhanced user experience. Tom's Guide has an article comparing the Google TV Streamer to the now discontinued Chromecast : Google is taking a similar approach with its TV Streamer to that of the Roku Ultra or Fire TV Cube in dropping the dongle design for a small set-top box chic. It comes in a slanted form that looks almost like a Wi-Fi router and will be available in Porcelain and Hazel, the latter of which will only be available in the U.S. The remote is also getting a full redesign, which will be felt most prominently in the change in button layout as well in a new textured back for further ergonomics and comfort. The back and home buttons are now found directly next to each oth...

Tired of expensive cable subscriptions with countless unwanted channels? There's a better way! Cutting the cord and exploring affordable entertainment options saves money and gives you control over your viewing experience. This guide explores how to stream on a budget and enjoy diverse content without breaking the bank. The average American household spends hundreds on pay-TV subscriptions, but streaming services are on the rise. While convenient, these services are also increasing in cost. To counter this, many are turning to free entertainment options, saving money while enjoying a wider variety of content. By ditching cable and traditional streaming services, you open doors to a flexible and affordable entertainment experience. You control what you watch, when you watch it, and your spending. Explore a wider variety of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and live events. Cutting the cord reveals new and exciting entertainment options that were previou...

Many people over-complicate the math when figuring out the cost or benefit of cutting the cord. The key is to focus only on the expenses that change . Think of it like this: You only really care about what changes. If something remains the same before and after, then it doesn't figure into the calculations. If you do county them, they cancel out and don't impact the bottom line. If you do not county them, they don't impact the bottom line. Look for the differences, and only the differences. Here's how this applies to cord cutting: Subscriptions you keep : If you already subscribe to Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, and continue to do so after cutting the cord, don't include them in your calculations. They're the same before and after. Cutting the cord doesn't impact the cost. Ignore any service you already have when you calculate the cost. Internet service : This is often a tricky part. Many cable companies offer bundled discounts, so your internet migh...

If you are concerned about privacy and security for your home computer, you may have considered moving to Linux for your computer. However, there can be issues with moving to Linux. Rob Braxman Tech has some suggestions: [ YouTube ] Why would you switch to Linux? It's a very stable and secure operating system, and doesn't have all the spyware and bloatware of Windows, Mac, or ChromeOS. My Streaming Life utilizes Linux for a local Plex server. I also have a Linux laptop. Consider Linux if you want to get away from the spying eyes of Microsoft.

The streaming world is changing. People have been sharing passwords left and right, and it's costing these companies a lot of money. So, big names like Disney Plus are trying to put a stop to it. This could be a big turning point for how we all watch our favorite shows and movies. Why is Password Sharing a Big Deal? Turns out, a lot of us are doing it. Well, not me, but some of you. One study says 35% of homes with streaming were sharing passwords in 2022, and another says it's as high as 42% now. The reason is simple: it saves money. With so many streaming services out there, it's way cheaper to split one account than pay for a bunch. Mixed Results for Other Companies Some streaming services have already tried to stop password sharing, with mixed results. Some got more subscribers at first, but who knows if that will last. Plus, a lot of people got mad when they couldn't share anymore. Netflix tried to be nice about it, just reminding people of the rules. It worked a l...

Recently, I switched from Xfinity Internet to NOW Internet. Not really much of a switch, as NOW is by Xfinity. This seems odd, but consider that Cricket Wireless is owned by AT&T and that Visible Wireless is owned by Verizon. The big cell phone services also own budget services. Well, Xfinity is a big Internet service that owns a budget Internet Service. I mentioned the other day that it was a pain to set up my NOW Internet service. That's true. It was a horrible experience. However, there were a couple of things going on. First, I did this at night. Now, to be sure, that's not an excuse. If they want to offer 24 hour support, they should offer good support for 24 hours each day. Besides, I don't think any of the people I spoke with were in the USA. It was daylight hours wherever they were, so this wasn't the "night crew" I was talking with. Next, I wasn't exactly a new customer. I had Xfinity Internet, and they were convert...

Now we know the price! This week, Google officially announced their new Google TV Streamer, priced at $99. As a Chromecast fan who's ditched cable for good, I'm equal parts intrigued and hesitant. Let's dive into what this new gadget promises, why I'm excited (and a little nervous), and whether it might be worth the jump from my trusty $49 Chromecast. Why I Love Chromecast: I've been using Chromecast regularly for about a year. It's been my go-to streaming device even since I decided to give it an extended 30-day test usage to compare against my trusty Roku. It's super easy to use, the casting feature from a phone is fairly seamless (though I rarely use it), and the $49 price tag ($29 if you want 1080p and don't care about 4K) has always been good. I used Roku for year, but when I tested Chromecast for an extended period, I never went back. Chromecast (or the Google TV interface) is my platform of choice. What's Got Me Excited abo...

If you're a streaming enthusiast like me, you probably felt a pang of disappointment when Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus announced their upcoming price increases. For many people, this is a great cable TV alternative, and the price was pretty good. these platforms are reminding us that the cost of digital entertainment can creep up too. In this post, we'll break down the new prices, discuss the potential reasons behind the hikes, and explore what this means for consumers. The Price Breakdown: As of October 17th, 2024, get ready to see some changes to your monthly bills, for all individual plans and for most bundles: Individual Plans (Effective October 17, 2024): Hulu (With Ads): $7.99 to $8.99 Hulu (No Ads): $14.99 to $17.99 Disney Plus (With Ads): $7.99 to $8.99 Disney Plus (No Ads): $10.99 to $13.99 ESPN Plus: $9.99 to $10.99 Bundle Prices (Effective October 17, 2024): Disney Bundle Duo Basic (With Ads): $9.99 to $10.99 Disney ...

My PBS journey began way back in the 80s (or maybe the late 70s) when I made my first donation, likely lured in by a Britcom or some such program. In return, I might have received a cheesy gift, perhaps a mug or some dollar store trinket – the memory is fuzzy. Contributing to PBS still offers benefits, ones that have certainly evolved beyond a simple mug. Now, it's about unlocking a treasure trove of content through PBS Passport. PBS has streaming apps for all the major devices – Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android/Google TV. While plenty of content is available for free on the app, some shows are marked with a compass icon, indicating they're exclusive to PBS Passport members. To become a member and access this bonus content, you need to donate at least $5 per month or $60 annually. This might spark two distinct reactions: "Wow, so much free content! And donating unlocks even more? Sweet!" "Ugh, they're hiding the good stuff behi...

Despite initially preferring Roku, I've now crowned Google TV, specifically on a Chromecast, as my streaming device champion. This shift came as a surprise, considering my past frustrations with Chromecast's occasional sluggishness compared to the consistently snappy Roku Ultra. My puzzlement deepened upon discovering that both devices share similar specs – an ARM Cortex-A55 processor and 2GB RAM. One would expect comparable responsiveness, yet my experience proved otherwise. The Roku Ultra consistently delivers swift responses to button presses, exactly as expected from a top-tier streaming device. In contrast, the Chromecast with Google TV sometimes exhibits noticeable delays, a disparity not as often experienced with Roku. What could explain this discrepancy? One factor lies in the distinct operating systems. While Roku utilizes its proprietary OS, the Chromecast runs on Google TV, an Android-based platform. This isn't a criticism of either system...

Are you looking for the best streaming services for family-friendly content? Here are some options. Frndly TV : This live TV streaming service is specifically designed for families. It focuses on wholesome, feel-good programming from channels like Hallmark, Game Show Network, UPtv, INSP, and more. It's a more affordable alternative to traditional cable, with plans starting as low as $6.99/month. Frndly TV offers a variety of features like DVR, multiple streams, and a 72-hour "look back" function. Disney Plus : As the home of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, Disney Plus offers a vast library of beloved classics and new originals. It's great for families with young children and those who enjoy animated movies, superhero adventures, and documentaries. Netflix : While known for its diverse range of content, Netflix also boasts a robust selection of family-friendly movies, TV shows, and animated series. It caters to va...

Rising cable TV costs have been a major catalyst for cord-cutting. Many, including myself back in 2011, chose to ditch cable due to the escalating bills. This trend continues as providers like Spectrum, Comcast, and DIRECTV have implemented multiple price hikes in recent times. A Cord Cutters News survey revealed the financial burden of cable TV for many subscribers. Over 70% of respondents reported paying over $100 per month before canceling their cable subscriptions : Here is how these numbers broke out. Over $200 per month: $19.2% $151–200 per month: 24.6% $101–$150 per month: 27.9% $69–$100 per month: 15.2% With most live TV streaming services costing less than $80 a month, you can see why many Americans are ditching traditional cable TV for less expensive streaming options. Interestingly, the survey also highlighted a growing preference for on-demand streaming services among cord-cutters. Man...

If you're rocking an older Amazon Fire TV device, you might be wondering if it's time for an upgrade. A recent AFTV News article by Elias Saba breaks down which of the current models are worth considering, depending on your existing device. (Note: This applies to plug-in Fire TV devices, not TVs with Fire TV built-in). Saba's detailed guide compares each older model to the latest offerings, including the Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and Fire TV Cube. You'll find a handy chart that tells you whether an upgrade makes sense, and how much of an improvement you can expect. Here's a quick summary of the key takeaways: Older models (1st and 2nd gen Fire TV Stick, 1st gen Fire TV) : Upgrade to any current model for a big performance boost. 3rd gen Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stick Lite : Consider the Fire TV Stick 4K for 4K video, or the Fire TV Stick 4K Max/Fire TV Cube for even better perform...

Comcast's new NOW Internet, promising the same speed at half the price, initially sounded like a great deal. The catch? Existing Xfinity customers had to cancel their current service before switching to NOW. Unlike switching between different providers, where you can keep your old service until the new one is set up, NOW requires disconnecting Xfinity first, leaving you without internet if the new setup fails. I recently visited an Xfinity store to get the NOW equipment. The process seemed simple until I realized activation required calling a number. Following the instructions led to a frustrating night of failed attempts, endless loops with a bot, and multiple transfers to various Comcast representatives. It took over four hours of troubleshooting with different people to finally get the NOW Internet activated. While everyone was polite, the information provided was often outdated or incorrect. The experience was a far cry from the smooth transition I had h...

While the growing trend of cord-cutting suggests a potential for increased demand for new streaming devices, recent data challenges this assumption. Cord Cutters News surveyed their readers, and surprisingly, 80.9% reported no plans to purchase a new streaming player in the next year. This percentage has been steadily increasing since 2017, indicating a growing satisfaction with existing devices. Although historically, cord-cutters frequently upgraded their devices to enjoy enhanced features like 4K resolution and voice control, this trend seems to be slowing down. The market has matured, and the incremental improvements offered by new devices might not justify the expense for many users. The survey results also revealed preferences among those considering a new purchase. Roku led the pack with 8.7%, followed by Google TV at 3.7%. Fire TV and Apple TV garnered 3% and 1.8% of the potential buyers, respectively. This shift in consumer behavior could be attributed to the r...