Cord Cutting???

[RivaDawg]

ESPN thread got me wondering about cord cutting. Those that have done it, how do you watch shows, movies, and sports? What is your setup?

 

[mstateglfr]

We use Roku and tivo.
Tivo for watching and recording anything on over-the-air TV.
Roku for Netflix, hulu, amazon, hbogo, showtime, watchespn, etc.




Also could do slingTV.

 

[8dog]

How do you access watchespn without a cable sub?

 

[Wizard.sixpack]

I saw this title and thought it was a thread about Garrison Brooks wising up. Oh well.

 

[Dawg1979]

Jail Broken Amazon Fire Stick. Free everything. networks, football, movies (in and out of theater), any PPV, Indian One Toed Croquet. whatever you want to watch. all free.

 

[Hoover Dawg]

I think shows in general are pretty easy to get for cheap. Sports is the kicker. From what I've seen, most people have a bootleg password for WatchESPN, but eventually that loophole will get fixed, it's not sustainable. Looks like SlingTV has a 'skinny bundle' for sports too.

I am interested to see how the cost stacks up to a typical $100/month cable bill once you consider the SlingTV/similar cost, DVR/HD Antenna costs, bundle costs, and added data cost. My internet is unlimited right now through UVerse, but if you cut cable suddenly they cap it.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

I've never had cable-- I've not been much into watching TV the past few years. That said, I do have Amazon Prime and recently decided to try out DirecTV Now.

 

[Hoover Dawg]

Appears you can do SlingTV Orange for $20 plus a sports add-on for $5. Then you'd have to add in any additional streaming charges from your internet provider, if any. Then the cost of a Roku or whatever, and HD Antenna for local channels if you want that.

Seems like a good deal, however soon those costs will likely go up, the more people that do it.

 

[Hoover Dawg]

This is my thing - if I cut cable it'll be because I want to watch less TV in general.

 

[josebrown]

Jail Broken Amazon Fire Stick. Free everything. networks, football, movies (in and out of theater), any PPV, Indian One Toed Croquet. whatever you want to watch. all free.

+1

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Yeah. The shows got boring and when I saw the first season of Game of Thrones I was bored because having read the books I knew what was going to happen but now that the show has gone into territory not yet in the books...

 

[Bulldogg31]

" I understand you're a man who knows how to get things.

Yeah, I've been known to locate certain things from time to time."



We cut the cord a few months ago and haven't missed it. We are set up with smart TV's, a sling account, and the ESPN, HBO NOW, and other apps.

Where might I acquire this fiery stick you speak of? El internet?

 

[msstatelp1]

" I understand you're a man who knows how to get things.

Yeah, I've been known to locate certain things from time to time."



We cut the cord a few months ago and haven't missed it. We are set up with smart TV's, a sling account, and the ESPN, HBO NOW, and other apps.

Where might I acquire this fiery stick you speak of? El internet?

Amazon for the Fire Stick then google "adding Kodi to Fire Stick"

 

[The Peeper]

Homemade (free) antenna in the attic gets me 12 network channels in Starkville or 20+ in Flowood. Roku for free content w/ $30 one time purchase price. $10.69/mo Netflix. Hulu free every month using Bing Reward Points (use Bing search engine about 8 minutes a day instead of Google, paid up through October). I use YouTube a lot and cast old movies and shows to TV. For ESPN I use my mother's Comcast email address to log in and use Roku. She didn't know she could do that but couldn't care less and had never used it anyway. So my costs went from $120/mo when I had Comcast to $10.69. I tried Sling when it first came out but only kept it a few months. Internet is $54/mo w/ 25mbps down. Surprisingly I don't miss all of the crap on cable and even more surprisingly my wife doesn't either.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

Apple TV 4 and PlayStation Vue for networks. HD Homerun and Channels app for streaming local stations. ESPN3 sign in with PlayStation Vue account. Other network apps signed in with Vue account for on demand subscribe to CBS and HBO apps. Covers all the basics we need. Going to get the NFL Sunday ticket this year otherwise I was covered for all ball games I wanted to watch football basketball and baseball

 

[VillagepeopleDogs]

I thought it was about stem cell preservation.

 

[Hoover Dawg]

Homemade (free) antenna in the attic gets me 12 network channels in Starkville or 20+ in Flowood. Roku for free content w/ $30 one time purchase price. $10.69/mo Netflix. Hulu free every month using Bing Reward Points (use Bing search engine about 8 minutes a day instead of Google, paid up through October). I use YouTube a lot and cast old movies and shows to TV. For ESPN I use my mother's Comcast email address to log in and use Roku. She didn't know she could do that but couldn't care less and had never used it anyway. So my costs went from $120/mo when I had Comcast to $10.69. I tried Sling when it first came out but only kept it a few months. Internet is $54/mo w/ 25mbps down. Surprisingly I don't miss all of the crap on cable and even more surprisingly my wife doesn't either.

Again, this is not sustainable long term. They'll eventually put a stop to that and most people can't do it anyway. This is what is going to go up in price at some point, to make up for the bundles.

Plus, most people want a few more channels than you have. But I'm not hating, kudos on finding the freebies, you've earned that.

 

[patdog]

Hulu free every month using Bing Reward Points (use Bing search engine about 8 minutes a day instead of Google, paid up through October).

I'd gladly just pay what Hulu costs rather than have to use Bing.

 

[sipDawg98]

Roku and I game one an Xbox One which has similar capabilities of a Roku in terms of streaming.

Services we have to get video -
-Mohu Leaf 50 mile radius antenna. I get about 8 channels in HD over the air. This includes CBS, NBC, and FOX. Which is all I need.
-Sling TV (I only use it for live sports, Food Network, and HGTV)
-Netflix - for obvious reasons
-Amazon Prime Video - It comes with Amazon Prime so sometimes we'll utilize it.
-Plex - pretty technical but a free service to turn a computer into a movie and tv show server.

Through Sling you can use the WatchESPN app and some other apps because you have your "subscription service" through it.

For us it's sports and Food Network. Everything else is gravy.

 

[RocketDawg]

I think shows in general are pretty easy to get for cheap. Sports is the kicker. From what I've seen, most people have a bootleg password for WatchESPN, but eventually that loophole will get fixed, it's not sustainable. Looks like SlingTV has a 'skinny bundle' for sports too.

I am interested to see how the cost stacks up to a typical $100/month cable bill once you consider the SlingTV/similar cost, DVR/HD Antenna costs, bundle costs, and added data cost. My internet is unlimited right now through UVerse, but if you cut cable suddenly they cap it.

Not to mention, it's illegal, unethical, and dishonest.

 

[NWADog]

I use sling tv. Have the sports package which includes (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network and SEC Network+), and the HBO package for GoT. With the sports extra and the HBO extra plus my internet my bill is around 90$ a month. I have an antenna to pick up local channels to watch games on as well.

 

[Wizard of bulldogery]

i've done the same... although i think i may do comcast infinity (it really hurt to say that) because they are running a special now. max internet and cable for 80 bucks for 2 years. that's pretty good. haven't decided whether or not to do so... i also cut the cord because it forces me to get out of the house and do stuff for entertainment.

 

[mstateglfr]

How do you access watchespn without a cable sub?

Family sign in info.
WATCHESPN, HBO, Showtime, TNT, HGTV, Netflix, Hulu, AmazonPrime, CBS AllAccess, etc etc etc all have passwords and families share them.

My Netflix account has a profile for my parents and they use it. I have their info for WATCHESPN.

I also used to burn CDs to give to friends and record NFL games without the organization's written consent. My parents are on our cell plan too. Use is moving towards not being tied to a physical street address(see subscription media use on wifi and cell data) and I dont think it will slow down any time soon.

 

[MSU601Dawg]

I think shows in general are pretty easy to get for cheap. Sports is the kicker. From what I've seen, most people have a bootleg password for WatchESPN, but eventually that loophole will get fixed, it's not sustainable. Looks like SlingTV has a 'skinny bundle' for sports too.

I am interested to see how the cost stacks up to a typical $100/month cable bill once you consider the SlingTV/similar cost, DVR/HD Antenna costs, bundle costs, and added data cost. My internet is unlimited right now through UVerse, but if you cut cable suddenly they cap it.

This is my question too, so is everyone that has cut the cord having to basically use their parents or friends (who still have to have cable) logins and passwords? Can you subscribe and pay for the WatchESPN app and/or the HBOGo app?

I would just think that loophole will be closed at some point, and they'll only allow WatchESPN to be logged in on 3 devices or so. And then what will cord cutters do when they can't use mommy and diddy's password anymore?

Also, with a Firestick or Roku, do channels like FoxNews, CNN, TNT, etc have free apps? Or do you have to have passwords for those too from those who subscribe to cable?

 

[mstateglfr]

This is my question too, so is everyone that has cut the cord having to basically use their parents or friends (who still have to have cable) logins and passwords? Can you subscribe and pay for the WatchESPN app and/or the HBOGo app?

I would just think that loophole will be closed at some point, and they'll only allow WatchESPN to be logged in on 3 devices or so. And then what will cord cutters do when they can't use mommy and diddy's password anymore?

Also, with a Firestick or Roku, do channels like FoxNews, CNN, TNT, etc have free apps? Or do you have to have passwords for those too from those who subscribe to cable?

1- HBONOW is a standalone subscription platform for watching HBO content. HBOGO is the mobile version for those who subscribe thru cable/sat providers. So HBO is available without having cable.
2- If WatchESPN limits the number of devices that can stream something at once, then people will find other friends/relatives who arent currently being used for their info. Also, itll be well past time when ESPN finally cracks down on it, and thats coming from someone who uses family info for WatchESPN. Its absurd how simple it is to use the service.
3- Some networks have free shows and some have subscription shows. Totally varies based on each network's stance on the matter. Most have a 'Watch' app similar to ESPN.

 

[DerHntr]

We have AppleTV and Hulu, Netflix and I built an HD antenna. AppleTV has a YouTube app. I watch a lot of hunting on YouTube and my kids can watch just about any cartoon you can imagine for free. For Mississippi State games, I listen to a lot of them instead.

I expected to watch much less TV is why we did it because we have small children. I was correct in this assumption.

 

[Crazy Cotton]

Same. And ESPN3 comes with sling sports package

 

[VillagepeopleDogs]

17 all that shate. I'm too old to hook up 15 wires just to watch TV. Pay U-verse the $ and all I gotta do is push buttons to watch anything I want.

 

[DerHntr]

Can you subscribe and pay for the WatchESPN app and/or the HBOGo app?

I would just think that loophole will be closed at some point, and they'll only allow WatchESPN to be logged in on 3 devices or so. And then what will cord cutters do when they can't use mommy and diddy's password anymore?

Heard a report on the radio today that ESPN plans to launch a stand alone app in the fall. You can pay for it separate from the cable companies. They are down to 80M subscribers when they used to be well over 100M. The company's contract with service providers averages $7 per month per subscriber. So, if you drop 40M subscribers you lose $280M per month. Pretty good reason to fire some folks. I'm guessing the app will cost around $7 a month as well.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

Homemade (free) antenna in the attic gets me 12 network channels in Starkville or 20+ in Flowood. Roku for free content w/ $30 one time purchase price. $10.69/mo Netflix. Hulu free every month using Bing Reward Points (use Bing search engine about 8 minutes a day instead of Google, paid up through October). I use YouTube a lot and cast old movies and shows to TV. For ESPN I use my mother's Comcast email address to log in and use Roku. She didn't know she could do that but couldn't care less and had never used it anyway. So my costs went from $120/mo when I had Comcast to $10.69. I tried Sling when it first came out but only kept it a few months. Internet is $54/mo w/ 25mbps down. Surprisingly I don't miss all of the crap on cable and even more surprisingly my wife doesn't either.

YouTube has A LOT more good content than the average users know about.

 

[dawgstudent]

I bet it cost more than that and honestly I would pay double

 

[DerHntr]

The main reason it may cost more is to not piss off the remaining cable companies. I could easily see it at $10 a month for just ESPN and ESPN2 and additional charges for their other offerings such as SEC Network.

 

[Rezdog]

What I can't understand is where all the savings is really coming from. You still need internet to stream TV right? That's atleast $50 a month. I have Comcast for both internet and cable and it's only $130 a month. If I remove the cable but started adding all these other streaming subscriptions wouldn't I be right back to where I started? Plus the internet cost will probably go up because it's not bundled.

 

[TrueMaroonGrind]

What I can't understand is where all the savings is really coming from. You still need internet to stream TV right? That's atleast $50 a month. I have Comcast for both internet and cable and it's only $130 a month. If I remove the cable but started adding all these other streaming subscriptions wouldn't I be right back to where I started? Plus the internet cost will probably go up because it's not bundled.

My situation:
Internet- $50
Netflix - $10
Over the air - free
Amazon - included with Amazon Prime
ESPN - parents login

If I would have bundled internet and TV it would have been $80 for the first year then gone up to $110 the second year and $140 the third. I save about $80 a month. Even if I get Sling I will still save about $60 a month.

The saving are there and it adds up over the 4 years I haven't had cable.

 

[Dawg1979]

" I understand you're a man who knows how to get things.

Yeah, I've been known to locate certain things from time to time."



We cut the cord a few months ago and haven't missed it. We are set up with smart TV's, a sling account, and the ESPN, HBO NOW, and other apps.

Where might I acquire this fiery stick you speak of? El internet?

amazon. they are $39 for the stick. thats all you have to pay. you must have good WiFi. i had to upgrade my router, another $45. but now i am all free. its legit and its awesome. best part, you can watch all shows. shows that are only on Netflix or any other channel. ususally about 30 min after a show airs, its updated and you can watch it. let me know if its something that interests you, and i'll PM the instructions on how to jail brake it. takes about 4 minutes and is easy.

 

[mstateglfr]

What I can't understand is where all the savings is really coming from. You still need internet to stream TV right? That's atleast $50 a month. I have Comcast for both internet and cable and it's only $130 a month. If I remove the cable but started adding all these other streaming subscriptions wouldn't I be right back to where I started? Plus the internet cost will probably go up because it's not bundled.

My internet costs $65 with taxes and the modem rental. I would have the same speed even if I still had Directv and it would be the same cost. I would also still have Netflix if I had Directv(as is quite common with those who have sat/cable).

My increased costs are...
- I paid $80 for a digital antenna 3 years ago.
- I paid $220 for a Tivo box 3 years ago.
- I pay $15/month for Tivo service to DVR local TV

So my monthly costs are right at $15 vs $110-120(depending on what our plan was at any given time).

 

[dog12]

Casting stones.

 

[patdog]

That's what I usually come up with. By the time I load up on all the different streaming services to get most of what I want, the money I save and convenience I'd give up just wouldn't be worth it. I'm more concerned with quality and less with price than most people though.

 

[aTotal360]

Agreed. The only way I can see saving significant money is if you borrow mawmaw's account logins.

 

[8dog]

Long term projections say an over the top espn digital option would ha e to be about $30 per month