I know there was a topic on streaming services a year or so ago on here but I wanted to receive some updated opinions. Back during the government shutdown (federal civilian) I dropped HULU and being the football team was so bad I never picked it back up to watch. I didn't enjoy the Hulu platform but it was sufficient. Now with baseball season starting up I need to decide what to get, Hulu, Youtube, etc. I don't really watch TV so all I care about is ESPN+ and the SECN. My wife watches alot but she's been cooking all along with paramount and peacock since we dropped HULU back in October. So six packers, what is the best bang for the buck that a non tech savy can actually figure out how to use the app without cussing.
OT: Streaming service of choice
- Thread starter peewee.sixpack
- Start date
If all you want is ESPN+/SEC+, then get the ESPN Unlimited package at $29.99 per month. You get all of the ESPN networks, which includes ESPN+ and SECN+. For at least the next 12-months, you can get ESPN Unlimited, Disney Plus and Hulu (but not Hulu Live TV) for the same $29.99 a month.
Just realized that F1 is going to be exclusively on Apple TV. This fragmentation is getting ridiculous.
This is what I do.
I pick up YoutubeTV or something similar during football season, but during basketball/baseball, all I watch is MSU and the ESPN/Disney package works for that.
Yea, all the people sure that a la carte options for TV was going to save a lot of people money really had a lack of imagination on how it was going to evolve. Even in the best case scenario, it was going to be good for some people with niche interests and bad for people that like a broad spectrum of entertainment types. But this bastardized version where you get competing, mutually exclusive packages is going to suck for most people. I assume at some point somebody will be able to rebundle a lot of content that approximates what the prior tv packages did, with streaming heavies holding fewer and fewer shows for exclusive streaming. Amazon would be an obvious entity to do this but having their own studio is probably going to make it harder to negotiate for the content from others. Or maybe they will all just offer reciprocity. I'm already seeing more services offering content from unrelated services, so maybe that is the route it will go.
It was a great idea when all the introductory prices 4-5 years ago were $9.99/month. You could get a few bundles and come out ok. But now all the bundles are supersized, and they cost $19.99-29.99/month.
I switched to ESPN unlimited when football season started and have enjoyed saving some money. You realize real quick how many channels you used to have that you never watched.
We already had a lot of the other streaming services so that usually covers me if there is a big event on a non-ESPN channel. For example, I watched the Super Bowl last night on Peacock. And watched some of the AFC playoff games on Paramount+
We already had a lot of the other streaming services so that usually covers me if there is a big event on a non-ESPN channel. For example, I watched the Super Bowl last night on Peacock. And watched some of the AFC playoff games on Paramount+
I cut youtube tv back in the late summer and didn't think it would last - I've barely missed it. I was able to watch State's football games over regular youtube, or listened on the radio. I haven't tried to watch any basketball games but from what I hear, that's quite the blessing.
If you like multiple sports, the streaming era is the devil.
ESPN and Fox have a bundle with espn unlimited and Fox One that covers most sports options as well as your local Fox affiliate.
Lotta Chinese "free" TV boxes out there that will get you nearly anything, along with a digital STD...
YouTubeTV is expensive but they have the best user interface and DVR out of anyone. Ive tried Sling, PlayStation TV when it was around, Hulu, and FuBo and always end up back at YouTubeTV. However now it has so many unecessary channels playing reruns you can watch on Pluto.
I tried ESPN Unlimited and content is good but their app and user controls are absolute garbage.
Im REALLY looking forward to YouTubeTV coming out with smaller packages that are hopefully less expensive.
I tried ESPN Unlimited and content is good but their app and user controls are absolute garbage.
Im REALLY looking forward to YouTubeTV coming out with smaller packages that are hopefully less expensive.
I do this:
The only streaming I have access to is Amazon Prime, and I rarely use it
When Amazon decides to make streaming cost extra, I won’t pay for it
Option 1: ESPN Unlimited.
Option 2: Superbox
for your wife: if you haven’t already, get a Walmart+ subscription (you can pay monthly or annually) in addition to the store delivery and free shipping you get your choice of a free subscription to paramount or peacock with the ability to switch between services every so often. We use Walmart+ more than Amazon now. It’s super convenient if you have a Walmart close by.
Option 2: Superbox
for your wife: if you haven’t already, get a Walmart+ subscription (you can pay monthly or annually) in addition to the store delivery and free shipping you get your choice of a free subscription to paramount or peacock with the ability to switch between services every so often. We use Walmart+ more than Amazon now. It’s super convenient if you have a Walmart close by.
It didn't take a genius to see that in the end a la carte streaming is not going to be a good deal for the consumer. You're adding layers upon layers of complexity (different interfaces, different logins depending on what you want to watch, less flexibility) and at the end of the day not saving much. I priced it out a couple years ago and I think I might have saved about $50/month with a lot of inconvenience to deal with on my part.
I cut everything about 15 years ago and as you said "didn't think it would last" but I've never looked back. I managed for years by using my in-laws cable log in for ESPN but that was all I used it for even. I did try the new ESPN Unlimited back during football season and liked it fine but I dumped it after the Egg Bowl. I've debated if I want it back or not for baseball, I go to all home games in person but I kind of like listening to baseball road games on the radio for some reason more so I may be done with ESPN for good. Also like you said, for some strange reason I was able to watch all our road football games on regular YouTube free this season and for home games we tailgate and watch on satellite there.
I rotate 1 streaming app at a time for a few months then cut it. Currently its Netflix, plus I have Prime mainly for the free shipping, free unlimited photo storage, free music, free reading materials, but I do watch some of the free streaming stuff too. Plus I've got an antenna w/ all the networks and w/ Pluto, Tubi, PBS, etc etc etc no reason to pay for anything.
I have Fubo Sports for $40. It includes all fox channels, espns, secnetwork, big10 network. I wanted to keep foxnews so it was perfect for me.
We rotate based off what we are currently watching. Amazon is usually always there just due to Amazon Prime. We rotate the rest : Hulu, Disney, HBO, Apple, Netflix, etc. We usually don't have more than 3 at a time and really don't have any issues.
We've debated getting rid of all of it, going back to the DVD/VHS days. Sure would be a lot simpler, that's for sure. Plus, don't have to worry about our kids accidently seeing an image/video of a beloved cartoon duck, performing...unspeakable acts upon a certain cartoon mouse that a lot of people like. I've never been a fan.
We've debated getting rid of all of it, going back to the DVD/VHS days. Sure would be a lot simpler, that's for sure. Plus, don't have to worry about our kids accidently seeing an image/video of a beloved cartoon duck, performing...unspeakable acts upon a certain cartoon mouse that a lot of people like. I've never been a fan.
The key is to share. Maybe your parents/in laws have cable or satellite TV, but don’t stream, they likely have access to a streaming service or two they are paying for. Same with grown kids, they may have a Disney/ESPN account and you have Netflix. You likely already have Prime and get the networks OTA.
They're cracking down on that a little bit. This was THE way up until recently. They got netflix under wraps pretty good...it's tough to have in multiple areas (but it's only like $5 to get multiple places, so not the end of the world). I feel like eventually they'll have it locked down pretty good.
Speaking of YouTube tv they’ve come out with a few different plans that might work for some but they don’t look great to me. See below. What I have done is to buy a Tablo device that I hook my antenna into and I can record, pause, rewind and it looks similar to what you get with any cable box or streaming service product. I get 26 locals and 100 or so internet channels. A lot of them are garbage but I’ve found lots of movies I record with them. The Tablo device works great for me but ymmv. I also have Paramount + and Peacock Prem I get for free from other subscriptions…..via Walmart+ and a Comcast internet deal. Oh yes…I do pay for ESPN Unlimited which takes care of my sports needs. So I’m perfectly happy and don’t have to pay much for it all.
Seems like everything eventually turns up on Netflix if you wait long enough.
I currently have the Hulu/Disney+/Espn+ package for 29.99, Netflix at $18.99, and Prime. I just ended 4 months of Paramount+ at 2.99, and switched over to Peacock for the Olympics. In the next few months I will swap Peacock for Apple and then HBO so I can catch up on stuff. I might drop Netflix for a few months when I do that.
Uncertain how Im going to watch March Madness. I might go Pirate.
I currently have the Hulu/Disney+/Espn+ package for 29.99, Netflix at $18.99, and Prime. I just ended 4 months of Paramount+ at 2.99, and switched over to Peacock for the Olympics. In the next few months I will swap Peacock for Apple and then HBO so I can catch up on stuff. I might drop Netflix for a few months when I do that.
Uncertain how Im going to watch March Madness. I might go Pirate.
The only one Coach Leach would approve of. I just pirate everything.
That shiit mostly legal? If so, somebody should make an app where you create an account and then somebody else has done whatever the 17 you just described, and charge $35/month for that
What if I told you that you're eventually going to get listed in a federal court case for using pirated content and that every VPN and "dark web" can be seen by the FBI
What if I told you that you were wrong. Streaming content inside the USA violates the laws of the country. Receiving streamed content does not. Yes they see it. They know it's happening. But no laws are being broken since the streaming is coming from Vanuatu of Mumbai or something.
I continue to stay with YTTV, and waiting on the "packages" that are coming out.
Will do some analysis of it, when I see the info.
But, currently with SEC sports, I can get anything that is available in a SEC venue, and I think ACC.,
via ESPN, it's part of the package, so far.
Waiting to see the options.
Will do some analysis of it, when I see the info.
But, currently with SEC sports, I can get anything that is available in a SEC venue, and I think ACC.,
via ESPN, it's part of the package, so far.
Waiting to see the options.
$64.99 per month Sports plan, a Sports + News plan for $71.99 per month, a less expensive Entertainment plan for $54.99 per month, and a $69.99 per month News + Entertainment + Family plan, which includes kids’ content.
The Sports plans include all major broadcasters, plus networks like FS1, NBC Sports Network, all of the ESPN networks, and ESPN Unlimited. This plan is $18 cheaper per month than the main plan.
YouTube TV’s news channels include CNBC, Fox News, CNN, MS NOW, and Bloomberg, along with other national news channels. Combined with Sports, the package is priced $11 lower per month than the main YouTube TV plan.
The entertainment-only plan is $28 cheaper per month than the main plan, and includes major broadcasters as well as FX, Hallmark, Comedy Central, Bravo, Paramount, Food Network, and HGTV. Families with small kids can add other channels like Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, National Geographic, Cartoon Network, and PBS Kids for a bit more.
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Thanks, I'll chew on it few days, so I can study the details, Hallmark, and a few others may get kicked to the curb.$64.99 per month Sports plan, a Sports + News plan for $71.99 per month, a less expensive Entertainment plan for $54.99 per month, and a $69.99 per month News + Entertainment + Family plan, which includes kids’ content.
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Media & Entertainment
YouTube TV introduces cheaper bundles, including a $65/month sports package
Sarah Perez
7:47 AM PST · February 9, 2026
Image Credits:YouTube
YouTube on Monday introduced lower-priced YouTube TV plans that will allow subscribers to better tailor their plans to their own interests in areas like sports, news, and entertainment. The company said that it will offer more than 10 different plans to choose from, all priced below the $82.99 per month main YouTube TV plan that has access to more than 100 networks. The new plans will start rolling out this week.
While that main plan will not go away, the new plans will allow customers to pick what matters most and what they could do without in return for cost savings.
Image Credits:YouTube
Among the new plans are a $64.99 per month Sports plan, a Sports + News plan for $71.99 per month, a less expensive Entertainment plan for $54.99 per month, and a $69.99 per month News + Entertainment + Family plan, which includes kids’ content.
The Sports plans include all major broadcasters, plus networks like FS1, NBC Sports Network, all of the ESPN networks, and ESPN Unlimited. This plan is $18 cheaper per month than the main plan.
YouTube TV’s news channels include CNBC, Fox News, CNN, MS NOW, and Bloomberg, along with other national news channels. Combined with Sports, the package is priced $11 lower per month than the main YouTube TV plan.
The entertainment-only plan is $28 cheaper per month than the main plan, and includes major broadcasters as well as FX, Hallmark, Comedy Central, Bravo, Paramount, Food Network, and HGTV. Families with small kids can add other channels like Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, National Geographic, Cartoon Network, and PBS Kids for a bit more.
Have not seen anything out of YTTV. (looked yesterday)
Traversing United States internet still violates the US law. Domestic streaming rights don't exclude VPN tunnels. Hence the exclusive streaming rights over the domestic transport. Matters not where it originates from. That's another international legal issue. You'd be right if you were not on US soil.
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I got this off the OT on tiger droppings - to save $20/month off 4 months of YTTV, Go to the desktop website and go to settings -> Membership -> Manage
Those all feel like YTTV will make even higher margins than on their current plan.