|
|
Post by MichyM on Nov 28, 2017 17:16:23 GMT
I'll preface this by saying that up until 5 years ago I never had to give a thought to anything that plugs in and turns on. That was my husbands area of expertise, and I happily left it to him.
I've had basic cable and Internet through Comcast for the last 5 years. If it matters, I'm in Seattle. Anyhow, I'd like to drop Comcast if possible (will still need to research ISPs), but with the TV stations I watch, I'm not sure that can be done. I'd love your input.
I live on the top of the hill that has the 3 major network's TV towers, so I should be able to get ABC, NBC, and CBS easily with an antenna. I also have a crystal clear view across town to the towers on CapHill, so I should be able to get PBS as well.
My question is can I get the following networks through any streaming or other services? If so, would you please explain it to me like I'm a 5 year old? I don't even have a DVR...let alone any streaming service other than Prime - which I rarely use.
* Bravo
* HGTV
* and most importantly.....Seahawks football....which is broadcast in various stations depending on which day of the week they're playing, etc.
thanks in advance!
ETA: I'm starting to look at ISPs. For those in the know, what is the minimum MBPS you would recommend for streaming TV?
|
|
|
|
Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on Nov 28, 2017 18:45:09 GMT
We cut cable a few months ago. We have our internet service from Verizon. They don't offer great internet packages online, you have to call, I believe it may be the same with Comcast. We have Direct TV Now. There are different packages to choose from that will include the tv stations you are looking for. The smallest package had every channel we watch, except for one, which isn't a big deal. We are saving $150 a month now. We don't have too many issues streaming, though every now and again (not every day) it may buffer for a second or two.
|
|
marimoose
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,282 
|
Post by marimoose on Nov 28, 2017 18:52:59 GMT
I can't help as I need the exact same help. I get so frustrated trying to figure it all out. All I know is I need to save money and cable seems to be one of the easiest ways to go. I am overwhelmed trying to lock down internet. I will be following this thread.
|
|
Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,662
|
Post by Rhondito on Nov 28, 2017 19:12:33 GMT
I think you will have to subscribe to one of the streaming services like Sling tv or DiretvNow to be able to get Bravo and HGTV live. If you don't necessarily have to watch shows as they air, I believe each has apps for Amazon Fire and Roku where you can watch shows on-demand starting the day after they air.
The streaming services are kind of like cable-lite; they stream through your internet, offer a bundle of live channels, and are inexpensive - about $20-30/mo. They also don't require contracts.
|
|
|
|
Post by peano on Nov 28, 2017 19:29:51 GMT
I’m here too. I’d like to keep Charter for internet and landline phone (we need one because of spotty cell coverage).
I’m trying to figure out the most economical way to get full cable which seems to be Sling and then I also want some premiums like HBO and Showtime. Don’t care about sports. Can someone weigh in?
|
|
|
|
Post by Clair on Nov 28, 2017 19:38:01 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 11:25:40 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2017 19:42:58 GMT
Seahawks suck so w you aren't missing much there! For the record : I don't like the mariners, cougs, dawgs and spudnuts.
My son says I could be hung for this.
One thing to be aware of , local stations will switch to another game if the one they are broadcasting is boring. Especially the puddle pigeon games.
|
|
|
|
Post by Crack-a-lackin on Nov 28, 2017 19:54:02 GMT
You can watch the Hawks (Q13 fox comes in clear w/antenna), but not the Mariners (mlb/cable monopoly).
|
|
|
|
Post by Crack-a-lackin on Nov 28, 2017 19:55:54 GMT
Do you know what other internet services you have available? Just internet through Comcast is still expensive, but no real other option where I am (20 min north of you).
|
|
scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,306
|
Post by scrappinghappy on Nov 28, 2017 19:59:24 GMT
I don't know much about it yet - still researching but Kodi looks like a viable option. We like to stay legal and above board which is why we are still researching. I would also give you access to all Canadian TV
|
|
tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,868
|
Post by tracylynn on Nov 28, 2017 20:10:51 GMT
You should look into Hulu. They have a new live streaming service for TV - which includes Sports.
My one hiccup to cutting the cord is football as well (GO HAWKS). But I recently was researching the Hulu option and it seems like it might work. They even have a Cloud DVR option.
|
|
|
|
Post by teacherlisa on Nov 28, 2017 20:28:31 GMT
I am in the same boat and always read these threads with interest. My plan is to cancel the satellite that is in my bedroom at first. Right now, I do not even have any flat screen TVs lol...I have the big box ones. So I am getting a TV for Christmas, dumping my satellite in the bedroom only and then getting myself situated. I will check different services (hulu,prime,sling etc) , check if I need an antenna and all that good stuff. Once I am getting what I want in there, I am going to cut the family room. I realize that I can always call them to turn it back on and that satellite is really a first world problem but I enjoy certain programming and don't want to feel like I am missing out.
The main two things I am worried about are discovery ID and Lifetime Movie Network!
|
|
|
|
Post by compwalla on Nov 28, 2017 21:04:24 GMT
I’m here too. I’d like to keep Charter for internet and landline phone (we need one because of spotty cell coverage). I’m trying to figure out the most economical way to get full cable which seems to be Sling and then I also want some premiums like HBO and Showtime. Don’t care about sports. Can someone weigh in? We have DirectTV Now (a streaming service, not satellite TV) which has been great. We get a nice package of channels + HBO for $25/month. |
|
|
|
Post by **GypsyGirl** on Nov 28, 2017 21:55:07 GMT
You should look into Hulu. They have a new live streaming service for TV - which includes Sports. My one hiccup to cutting the cord is football as well (GO HAWKS). But I recently was researching the Hulu option and it seems like it might work. They even have a Cloud DVR option. We have Hulu Live and DH is able to get nearly everything he wants to see. The only caveat to using Hulu Live is that it is not available in many areas. For Bravo and HGTV, you are going to have to sign up with a streaming service to get them. After cutting the cord a year ago (this month in fact!), we've given every streaming option out there a try. SlingTv is very good, has many different packages you can add/remove as you choose. It also offers DVR for an addition $5 month. Of all we tried, it was my preferred. DirecTv was okay at first, but the longer we had it the more buffering issues we had (we have AT&T Fiber internet so that wasn't the issue). I do like their guide the most as it is most like what everyone is used to. Hulu Live is the latest one and so far, so good. It is the only one that allows us to see all 3 of the local stations, has a wide variety of channels, and offers a DVR option (additional cost). I don't care for their guide interface, but have learned to live with it. It does not get the local PBS channel, but we have a digital antenna that will pick it up. The beauty of cutting the cord is that you can try each of these streaming services for a month at a time to see what works best for you. With no contracts, it's easy to move between them. |
|
|
|
Post by MichyM on Nov 28, 2017 22:01:44 GMT
Do you know what other internet services you have available? Just internet through Comcast is still expensive, but no real other option where I am (20 min north of you). I haven't explored this yet. A friend says that if I want to stream shows that I probably want to stick to Comcast <sigh> as apparently the others aren't as fast. I need to do some research though to be sure. |
|
|
|
Post by *KAS* on Nov 28, 2017 22:45:13 GMT
I almost pulled the trigger on YouTube TV this week...then I discovered that they don't have HGTV, which is one of the few channels that is really important to me. That said, I don't watch anything live, so I'm ok with watching it after the fact. I downloaded the HGTV app via my firestick this weekend, just haven't had time to play with it to see if it works for what I want. |
|
|
|
Post by *KAS* on Nov 28, 2017 22:57:15 GMT
You should look into Hulu. They have a new live streaming service for TV - which includes Sports. My one hiccup to cutting the cord is football as well (GO HAWKS). But I recently was researching the Hulu option and it seems like it might work. They even have a Cloud DVR option. Hulu live might be a good option for me - thank you for mentioning this! They have every channel in my area that I want to watch! My wishlist is the exact same as OP - (well, different teams or sports - Braves/Falcons/NASCAR) + HGTV and Bravo  |
|
|
|
Post by dewryce on Nov 28, 2017 23:00:39 GMT
Our biggest issue with cancelling cable has been watching the NBA. Some games are on the regional Fox station, which you need extended cable for, others TNT which we can watch for free on their app with AppleTV, others on ESPN, and others a paid NBA station, NBATV. So, who broadcasts the Seahawks games? It may be different each week. I tried looking at the schedule for you but the site kept freezing on that page. They do offer a package to purchase for the Hawks games. A good resource could be a local Hawks fan site. eta: I just checked another source and it seems the next game is on NBC and the rest are on Fox for this season. I can't tell if that is a regional Fox station or the big network Fox station. |
|
|
|
Post by **GypsyGirl** on Nov 28, 2017 23:09:06 GMT
I downloaded the HGTV app via my firestick this weekend, just haven't had time to play with it to see if it works for what I want. I have the HGTV app on my AppleTv and my experience has been that it will not work without a subscription to one of the cable companies. When I tried it last, it did not recognize any of the streaming options either. Would love to know if you have success with it. |
|
Judy26
Pearl Clutcher
MOTFY Bitchy Nursemaid
Posts: 2,834
Location: NW PA
|
Post by Judy26 on Nov 28, 2017 23:10:03 GMT
Internet alone through Comcast is quite expensive. (No bundle) by the time you pay for that and a streaming package you may not save very much. I priced out all that were available in our area and it wasn’t worth the hassle. I call Comcast regularly and ask for any promos or price reductions available. I have been able to keep our bill relatively unchanged for the past 5 years. I could live without cable but I need fast reliable internet service so Comcast has me by the you know what.
|
|
MizIndependent
Drama Llama
Quit your bullpoop.
Posts: 5,836
Jun 25, 2014 19:43:16 GMT
|
Post by MizIndependent on Nov 28, 2017 23:30:00 GMT
Freedom No more commercials Money in your pocket  |
|
PLurker
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,744
Location: Behind the Cheddar Curtain
Jun 28, 2014 3:48:49 GMT
|
Post by PLurker on Nov 28, 2017 23:54:14 GMT
Cutting cable seems to be popular but
I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooo far behind I am ahead. (I've never had cable)
|
|
|
|
Post by teacherlisa on Nov 28, 2017 23:57:01 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by MichyM on Nov 29, 2017 0:14:35 GMT
Bumping with a new question in the OP, thanks!
|
|
|
|
Post by MichyM on Nov 29, 2017 0:16:18 GMT
You should look into Hulu. They have a new live streaming service for TV - which includes Sports. My one hiccup to cutting the cord is football as well (GO HAWKS). But I recently was researching the Hulu option and it seems like it might work. They even have a Cloud DVR option. Hulu live might be a good option for me - thank you for mentioning this! They have every channel in my area that I want to watch! My wishlist is the exact same as OP - (well, different teams or sports - Braves/Falcons/NASCAR) + HGTV and Bravo I've decided that Hulu Live is the first one I'm going to try Now just working on which ISP is best for me.... |
|
|
|
Post by MichyM on Nov 29, 2017 0:17:56 GMT
Our biggest issue with cancelling cable has been watching the NBA. Some games are on the regional Fox station, which you need extended cable for, others TNT which we can watch for free on their app with AppleTV, others on ESPN, and others a paid NBA station, NBATV. So, who broadcasts the Seahawks games? It may be different each week. I tried looking at the schedule for you but the site kept freezing on that page. They do offer a package to purchase for the Hawks games. A good resource could be a local Hawks fan site. eta: I just checked another source and it seems the next game is on NBC and the rest are on Fox for this season. I can't tell if that is a regional Fox station or the big network Fox station. Seahawks are primarily the local FOX station, not the national, and NBC a few times a season. I think they also have one game a season on ESPN. |
|
|
|
Post by anneinwa on Nov 29, 2017 0:20:16 GMT
I don’t know much about the other streaming but we have YouTube Tv (for about a month now). Overall it’s working good. However (and maybe I am missing something but you have to cast from a device to the TV and use Google chromecast as well. It doesn’t work with fire stick. My husband was able to cast without google chrome cast (Samsung phone I think) but I could not (IPhone). We have had some hiccups like the app freezing. |
|
tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,868
|
Post by tracylynn on Nov 29, 2017 2:10:22 GMT
I'll preface this by saying that up until 5 years ago I never had to give a thought to anything that plugs in and turns on. That was my husbands area of expertise, and I happily left it to him. I've had basic cable and Internet through Comcast for the last 5 years. If it matters, I'm in Seattle. Anyhow, I'd like to drop Comcast if possible (will still need to research ISPs), but with the TV stations I watch, I'm not sure that can be done. I'd love your input. I live on the top of the hill that has the 3 major network's TV towers, so I should be able to get ABC, NBC, and CBS easily with an antenna. I also have a crystal clear view across town to the towers on CapHill, so I should be able to get PBS as well. My question is can I get the following networks through any streaming or other services? If so, would you please explain it to me like I'm a 5 year old? I don't even have a DVR...let alone any streaming service other than Prime - which I rarely use. * Bravo * HGTV * and most importantly.....Seahawks football....which is broadcast in various stations depending on which day of the week they're playing, etc. thanks in advance! ETA: I'm starting to look at ISPs. For those in the know, what is the minimum MBPS you would recommend for streaming TV?20-25 Some of the ISPs will tell you 15, but to really prevent all buffering, you will be happier with a little higher than that. |
|
|
|
Post by MichyM on Nov 29, 2017 2:41:05 GMT
I'll preface this by saying that up until 5 years ago I never had to give a thought to anything that plugs in and turns on. That was my husbands area of expertise, and I happily left it to him. I've had basic cable and Internet through Comcast for the last 5 years. If it matters, I'm in Seattle. Anyhow, I'd like to drop Comcast if possible (will still need to research ISPs), but with the TV stations I watch, I'm not sure that can be done. I'd love your input. I live on the top of the hill that has the 3 major network's TV towers, so I should be able to get ABC, NBC, and CBS easily with an antenna. I also have a crystal clear view across town to the towers on CapHill, so I should be able to get PBS as well. My question is can I get the following networks through any streaming or other services? If so, would you please explain it to me like I'm a 5 year old? I don't even have a DVR...let alone any streaming service other than Prime - which I rarely use. * Bravo * HGTV * and most importantly.....Seahawks football....which is broadcast in various stations depending on which day of the week they're playing, etc. thanks in advance! ETA: I'm starting to look at ISPs. For those in the know, what is the minimum MBPS you would recommend for streaming TV?20-25 Some of the ISPs will tell you 15, but to really prevent all buffering, you will be happier with a little higher than that. Thank you. I did some reading after I posted that, and some places even say 10-12 (which seems low to me), but then my friend is pushing me that I need 100. I was thinking of compromising and going with 55, but maybe I'll try slower to start and see what happens. It's just me and really the most I have going at the same time is surfing the web on my iPad while watching TV. 100 seems like overkill to me! ETA: tracylynn that's for HDTV, correct? |
|
tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,868
|
Post by tracylynn on Nov 30, 2017 6:49:27 GMT
20-25 Some of the ISPs will tell you 15, but to really prevent all buffering, you will be happier with a little higher than that. Thank you. I did some reading after I posted that, and some places even say 10-12 (which seems low to me), but then my friend is pushing me that I need 100. I was thinking of compromising and going with 55, but maybe I'll try slower to start and see what happens. It's just me and really the most I have going at the same time is surfing the web on my iPad while watching TV. 100 seems like overkill to me! ETA: tracylynn that's for HDTV, correct? Yeah, you should be good. But like you said, you can always increase if it's not enough. |
|
