OT - Cutting Cable

[MeanDean]

Also, if you happen to have Mediacom for your ISP you can just split the cable and run one to your TV. You will get local channels. I've done this at both houses.

Don't have Mediacom but this might work, actually. I've got two sets with set top boxes that are paid for cable receiving sets. But I also have two other sets getting cable direct w/o the boxes. They get some of the channels now, both local and cable. I wonder if that would continue if I dropped the cable TV option? Hmmmm..

 

[3GenClone]

There are some interesting tidbits in this (otherwise boring) article about Disney's organizational changes. Items I thought worth highlighting:

Kevin Mayer, who has served as Disney’s chief strategy officer since 2015, will head Disney’s new Direct-to-Consumer and International business segment as chairman. That will encompass ESPN+, a sport-streaming subscription service slated to launch in the spring of 2018, and the Disney-branded streaming service (as yet unnamed) set for a late-2019 debut.

Mayer also will oversee BAMTech Media, the streaming-infrastructure company founded by Major League Baseball in which Disney owns a majority stake; Disney’s ownership stake in Hulu; and Disney Digital Network (formerly within the Consumer Products and Interactive Media division), which includes Maker Studios.
​

I don't know if I've seen anything about ESPN+ but I would certainly be interested in seeing what a standalone ESPN-service would have to offer. I also thought it was worth noting that Disney owns a majority share in MLB streaming. With the FOX studio merger, Disney would also acquire some (if not all) of those regional sports stations as well, which could mean that a new MLB-streaming package could be offered in the near-future.

 

[dmclone]

I got a new PS4 the other day so I thought I would try out the Vue. For the money, around $40 it seems like the best bang/buck. Using it with the PS4 it works pretty good. Using it Roku, it's not as slick. I also quickly discovered that A&E isn't an option. Both ABC and NBC are "on demand" not live so we'll have to see how that works.

I then called Mediacom to see how I go about canceling. They were charging me about $120 for every single channel (including premiums) and Tivo to 3 tv's. I got rid of the premiums and they lowered the charge down to about $60.

At this point, I just don't think it's worth the extra $20/month to cut the cord. My data would go up, I'd have to rely on Mediacom internet, Tivo works better, and I get more channels. It looks like I'd have to pay $60/month to get what I need for DirectvNow.


I am going to try using Vue for the whole week to see how the overall experience is.

 

[3GenClone]

Disney Sets ESPN+ Launch Date - The Hollywood Reporter https://apple.news/AT_GInVnhR0mj41HWfL0jjA

ESPN+ comes out later this month. $5 per month for the base subscription. Live content is at least 1 baseball game per day during the season, and 1 NHL game per day starting next season. Also access to all out-of-market MLS coverage. For $25 more per month you can upgrade to get the full MLB.TV package for all out-of-market baseball games.

 

[JP4CY]

Disney Sets ESPN+ Launch Date - The Hollywood Reporter https://apple.news/AT_GInVnhR0mj41HWfL0jjA

ESPN+ comes out later this month. $5 per month for the base subscription. Live content is at least 1 baseball game per day during the season, and 1 NHL game per day starting next season. Also access to all out-of-market MLS coverage. For $25 more per month you can upgrade to get the full MLB.TV package for all out-of-market baseball games.

I wonder if that also gets you all the ESPN channels?

 

[Dopey]

Ive done vue, sling, and now YouTubeTV.

You tube is far and away my favorite.

 

[Clonehomer]

Disney Sets ESPN+ Launch Date - The Hollywood Reporter https://apple.news/AT_GInVnhR0mj41HWfL0jjA

ESPN+ comes out later this month. $5 per month for the base subscription. Live content is at least 1 baseball game per day during the season, and 1 NHL game per day starting next season. Also access to all out-of-market MLS coverage. For $25 more per month you can upgrade to get the full MLB.TV package for all out-of-market baseball games.

So no mention of college football makes me feel good I guess. Hopefully they don't pruposely take games off the regular channel to get people to pay for streaming when they already pay for the base channels. But seeing how they did that with the LHN, I'm guessing that'll be a subject on here come the fall.

 

[Clonehomer]

Singed up for the DirecTV Now deal where you get an Apple TV 4K with 3 months of prepaid service. Nice device so far, at least on par with the Roku Premiere+ that we already had. DirecTV Now service on the other hand has a terrible interface to navigate.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

Been using YouTube.tv since the the last half of Big 12 play. For $35/month it got me all of Iowa State's remaining games (besides the cyclones.tv one), local channels, all channels broadcasting the NCAA Tournament, and now with baseball starting, it appears I'll be able to watch most if not all Minnesota Twins games...something I've essentially never been able to do. Pretty excited and happy with the choice, and that's without even mentioning the sweet built-in cloud with unlimited storage of shows/movies/sporting events.

Now I just need to figure out what to about Internet. Still have a bundled deal thru mediacom expiring June 1. It was local cable only, but I'm not even using THAT anymore...

 

[chuckd4735]

Singed up for the DirecTV Now deal where you get an Apple TV 4K with 3 months of prepaid service. Nice device so far, at least on par with the Roku Premiere+ that we already had. DirecTV Now service on the other hand has a terrible interface to navigate.

I'm a beta tester for DirecTV Now DVR. The new interface for that is SOOOOOO much better.

 

[Dandy]

I'm a beta tester for DirecTV Now DVR. The new interface for that is SOOOOOO much better.

Wait. How did you get into this? We are on DirecTV Now too and I miss DVR.

 

[3GenClone]

I wonder if that also gets you all the ESPN channels?

It's my understanding that ESPN+ is a re-branding of ESPN3 and does not include the core ESPN channels.

 

[chuckd4735]

Wait. How did you get into this? We are on DirecTV Now too and I miss DVR.

I got an e-mail back in November asking if I wanted to be a beta tester. It seems to be coming along pretty well, but I have no idea when they will fully release it.

 

[ianoconnor]

... could mean that a new MLB-streaming package could be offered in the near-future.

Hopefully without the absurd blackout restrictions

 

[TXCyclones]

I'm a beta tester for DirecTV Now DVR. The new interface for that is SOOOOOO much better.

I'm beta testing this app too on Fire Stick. Its been pretty glitchy, but I've enjoyed the testing.

 

[chuckd4735]

I'm beta testing this app too on Fire Stick. Its been pretty glitchy, but I've enjoyed the testing.

Oh its been very glitchy, but the improvements they have made in the first 6 months have been pretty quick and good. I can not wait for the new guide. I hate not being bale to go from Z to A without scrolling all the way back up.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

DirecTV must be feeling some pressure from all this cable cutting. I got cornered by a sales rep in Walmart today, telling me he'd wave $600 worth of start-up fees, throw in NFL Sunday Ticket for free, and a $225 gift card to somewhere (he didn't specify). On top of that, he said he could get me the first 2 years at $50 a month, all he needed was a signature and $20 today, on the spot.

I humored him and let him talk to me for 10 minutes before giving him an obligatory, "I don't watch much TV, so no thanks." Why on earth does DirecTV have salespeople harassing innocent Walmart shoppers? Feeling that pressure i would assume.

 

[flynnhicks03]

DirecTV must be feeling some pressure from all this cable cutting. I got cornered by a sales rep in Walmart today, telling me he'd wave $600 worth of start-up fees, throw in NFL Sunday Ticket for free, and a $225 gift card to somewhere (he didn't specify). On top of that, he said he could get me the first 2 years at $50 a month, all he needed was a signature and $20 today, on the spot.

I humored him and let him talk to me for 10 minutes before giving him an obligatory, "I don't watch much TV, so no thanks." Why on earth does DirecTV have salespeople harassing innocent Walmart shoppers? Feeling that pressure i would assume.

There was interesting thread on Reddit about these people. They are contracted by a big sales corporation (not DirecTv), and I guess they operate almost like a cult. Not sure how accurate it was, but it was interesting.

 

[chuckd4735]

DirecTV must be feeling some pressure from all this cable cutting. I got cornered by a sales rep in Walmart today, telling me he'd wave $600 worth of start-up fees, throw in NFL Sunday Ticket for free, and a $225 gift card to somewhere (he didn't specify). On top of that, he said he could get me the first 2 years at $50 a month, all he needed was a signature and $20 today, on the spot.

I humored him and let him talk to me for 10 minutes before giving him an obligatory, "I don't watch much TV, so no thanks." Why on earth does DirecTV have salespeople harassing innocent Walmart shoppers? Feeling that pressure i would assume.

Those people are third party vendors who rely on selling satellite packages. DirecTV has a streaming service, so I doubt they're feeling any pressure.

 

[DollaDollaBill]

Anyone else with PS Vue having buffering issues the last month? I am using a fire tv connected with ethernet cable. Netflix and all other steaming works fine but Vue is horrible.