Sling TV & Cord Cutting

[kestrel79]

GB area (Oshkosh) now has FS Wisconsin on Vue. No more streaming through the Fox Sports Go app!

[GAME05]

Looks like the usual site I used to stream tv channels is kaput, so now I'll probably want to get YoutubeTV or Hulu.

[TURBO]

Just got yet another increase on my bill from Spectrum/TimeWarner or whatever name they are going by this month.

 

Went from $186 (which is already hard to stomach) to $218 per month.

 

Keep in mind, I was paying $143 in June (less than a year ago), went up to $162 in October, jumped to $180 in January, and $186 in March.

 

Now they expect me to pay $218?

 

Screw them, they are going to drop it down to something reasonable, or this time I am 100% bailing.

 

I have reached my limit.

 

I do not expect them to come down, so if anyone has some suggestions for the fox valley, I'd appreciate it.

 

I am not a sling.hulu.streaming type of guy. I want to turn the tv on and go to the channel I want. Nothing extra. The thought of a dish sickens me, but that is more than likely where I'm headed.

[TURBO]

So I called, and told them I am not "thinking" of leaving, I "am" leaving if they can't give me a better price than what they are doing currently.

 

After asking to speak to a supervisor, then asking for yet another supervisor, I was able to get my current package for $179, far cheaper than the ridiculous $218 they were trying to screw me with. Not much of a victory by any means, I am still paying $40 more than I was a year ago at this time, but was able to get their highest speed internet they offer, plus an upgrade on all the boxes currently on all 4 of our non-main tvs in the house. They will now have all digital capabilities, and show all the channels in my package. The ones I currently have only showed a limited channel package, not like on the main dvr tv.

 

It's a small victory, but I did have to make REAL threats this time, as I was fully prepared to leave. I think the final supervisor sensed that and actually made an effort to keep me.

 

Current offer is good for one year of course, then they will screw me again.

[Vgmastr]

I am not a sling.hulu.streaming type of guy. I want to turn the tv on and go to the channel I want. Nothing extra. The thought of a dish sickens me, but that is more than likely where I'm headed.

 

You do realize all those streaming services are just turn on the tv and go to the channel you want, right?

 

I dropped cable and went to Youtube TV a couple of months ago and couldn't be happier. Spectrum bill went from $190 to $68 for just internet and Youtube TV is $40 a month, so I'm saving about $80 each month.

[nate82]

I am not a sling.hulu.streaming type of guy. I want to turn the tv on and go to the channel I want. Nothing extra. The thought of a dish sickens me, but that is more than likely where I'm headed.

 

You do realize all those streaming services are just turn on the tv and go to the channel you want, right?

 

I dropped cable and went to Youtube TV a couple of months ago and couldn't be happier. Spectrum bill went from $190 to $68 for just internet and Youtube TV is $40 a month, so I'm saving about $80 each month.

 

Seriously this ^^^^^

 

PS Vue review:

 

Youtube TV review:

 

I like PS Vue it is basically just like when you hit the guide on your remote and you select the channel you want to watch. You can also save your favorite shows which is nice because it will record them for you. Plus you can basically just go to your favorite shows instead of searching for them in the guide.

[DHonks]

I'm still very happy with DirecTV Now. Given it costs $10 as an AT&T Unlimited user, it's nice.

[FVBrewerFan]

I am not a sling.hulu.streaming type of guy. I want to turn the tv on and go to the channel I want. Nothing extra. The thought of a dish sickens me, but that is more than likely where I'm headed.

 

You do realize all those streaming services are just turn on the tv and go to the channel you want, right?

 

I dropped cable and went to Youtube TV a couple of months ago and couldn't be happier. Spectrum bill went from $190 to $68 for just internet and Youtube TV is $40 a month, so I'm saving about $80 each month.

 

I have not kept up with the various services, but my promo rate with Spectrum will be up in August so I want to start looking for options. Here are my questions and concerns about Sling, YouTube, etc.:

 

1) DVR available? Really only need it on "main" TV

 

2) How are multiple TVs handled? Do I need a hardware device and remote for each TV? If I have a smart (Wifi enabled) TV is any other hardware necessary?

 

3) In the past, seemed like there was always a hassle with the local channels and FSN-Wisconsin. Do any of the services include those channels? I figure any other channel is pretty much available depending on what package you select.

 

4) How stable is the feed? Always concerned I'll be watching the Brewers in game 7 of the WS and I'll start getting freeze-ups, drops, "stuttering." That's the one good thing about Spectrum I must say. Costs a fortune, but never ever have any issues with the feed.

[Vgmastr]

I have not kept up with the various services, but my promo rate with Spectrum will be up in August so I want to start looking for options. Here are my questions and concerns about Sling, YouTube, etc.:

 

1) DVR available? Really only need it on "main" TV

 

2) How are multiple TVs handled? Do I need a hardware device and remote for each TV? If I have a smart (Wifi enabled) TV is any other hardware necessary?

 

3) In the past, seemed like there was always a hassle with the local channels and FSN-Wisconsin. Do any of the services include those channels? I figure any other channel is pretty much available depending on what package you select.

 

4) How stable is the feed? Always concerned I'll be watching the Brewers in game 7 of the WS and I'll start getting freeze-ups, drops, "stuttering." That's the one good thing about Spectrum I must say. Costs a fortune, but never ever have any issues with the feed.

 

I can answer for YouTube TV:

 

1. You get unlimited Cloud DVR, available on every device you have the app, so if I'm traveling I could watch my recorded shows on my phone. One really nice feature is you just subscribe to a show or a team and it automatically records each showing for you. For example, I just subscribe to the Brewers and Bucks and I get every game regardless of what channel or time they're on. Also really cool is it accounts for long games. If the Brewers go extra innings for example, the recording grabs the whole thing, not just the three hour window the game was earmarked for. The only real negative is if you DVR something that is also available on demand, it forces you to watch the on demand version with the commercials.

 

2. As long as you have the app, you can log into as many devices as you want, including laptops, tablets and phones, though you're only allowed three concurrent streams. If your TV doesn't have the app, you would need some kind of a device like a Roku or an Apple TV to stream it with. You can add up to six friends or family members to your account and they each get their own personal account and DVR, but again only three concurrent streams, so you have to be careful with that.

 

3. This is the big reason I went to YouTube TV. In the Green Bay market they have all five local channels, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and the CW. They also have FS Wisconsin and FS Wisconsin Plus for those days when the Bucks and Brewers are on at the same time. It was the only streaming service I could find that had all of the locals.

 

4. In two months with the service, I haven't had a single issue of buffering or lag or pixilation. It's been a constant HD feed at all times. I have 100 mbps internet from Spectrum, so your mileage my vary if you have slower internet and multiple streams.

[FVBrewerFan]

Thank you! Very interesting, and informative. Edit- Looking over the channels they have, missing some like A&E, History, Discovery, etc. I'm sure they're adding channels all the time though, so who know what they'll have by August when I want to make a change. Even at that, it will be hard for me to justify paying $60 more a month or whatever for a couple of those channels.

[wallus]

With net neutrality going away, cord cutters beware.

[cooprules]

Sorry I wasn't sure where to ask this. According to my zip code, the Brewers are the only team that should be blacked out on MLB.TV...but the last few times I've tried to watch the Cubs (only to root against them) it's saying it's blacked out...

 

I just don't understand. This is the 3rd year I've had it and I don't remember the Cubs being blacked out...

[young guns]

Im at my breaking point with cable. My bill is $190. I called att yesterday because the discount i got from them last year ran out and the retention lady i talked to said i would be eligible for better in a year. Well the first person said there wasnt anything for me but i could drop down a tier and lose litterally all the channels i watch or i could switch my cell plan to them and pay $70 more a month, but it comes with $30 on discounts. She then sent me to the loyalty team guy and all he could offer was the same $20 discount that just expired.

 

Thanks to those reviews, i was looking at the youtube tv and it seems like a good fit. Only about 2 channels i would miss, but with the savings i can pick up netflix and probably not miss anything.

 

So my question is, is that loyalty guy i talked to the last layer of their defense or is there someone with more power to give. I'm not expecting them to match the youtube price, but i thought i would give them a shot.

[logan82]

I have not kept up with the various services, but my promo rate with Spectrum will be up in August so I want to start looking for options. Here are my questions and concerns about Sling, YouTube, etc.:

 

1) DVR available? Really only need it on "main" TV

 

2) How are multiple TVs handled? Do I need a hardware device and remote for each TV? If I have a smart (Wifi enabled) TV is any other hardware necessary?

 

3) In the past, seemed like there was always a hassle with the local channels and FSN-Wisconsin. Do any of the services include those channels? I figure any other channel is pretty much available depending on what package you select.

 

4) How stable is the feed? Always concerned I'll be watching the Brewers in game 7 of the WS and I'll start getting freeze-ups, drops, "stuttering." That's the one good thing about Spectrum I must say. Costs a fortune, but never ever have any issues with the feed.

 

I can answer for YouTube TV:

 

1. You get unlimited Cloud DVR, available on every device you have the app, so if I'm traveling I could watch my recorded shows on my phone. One really nice feature is you just subscribe to a show or a team and it automatically records each showing for you. For example, I just subscribe to the Brewers and Bucks and I get every game regardless of what channel or time they're on. Also really cool is it accounts for long games. If the Brewers go extra innings for example, the recording grabs the whole thing, not just the three hour window the game was earmarked for. The only real negative is if you DVR something that is also available on demand, it forces you to watch the on demand version with the commercials.

 

2. As long as you have the app, you can log into as many devices as you want, including laptops, tablets and phones, though you're only allowed three concurrent streams. If your TV doesn't have the app, you would need some kind of a device like a Roku or an Apple TV to stream it with. You can add up to six friends or family members to your account and they each get their own personal account and DVR, but again only three concurrent streams, so you have to be careful with that.

 

3. This is the big reason I went to YouTube TV. In the Green Bay market they have all five local channels, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and the CW. They also have FS Wisconsin and FS Wisconsin Plus for those days when the Bucks and Brewers are on at the same time. It was the only streaming service I could find that had all of the locals.

 

4. In two months with the service, I haven't had a single issue of buffering or lag or pixilation. It's been a constant HD feed at all times. I have 100 mbps internet from Spectrum, so your mileage my vary if you have slower internet and multiple streams.

How about if you live in market? That is the big issue with any streaming of MLB games.

[Vgmastr]

It's no different than cable, if you live in market you get FS Wisconsin and can watch all Brewer games live.

[JackNicholson1974]

YoutubeTV has me intrigued. I am going to look into it.

[BrewCrewForever]

you might want to check out this page and enter your zip code. Most Milwaukee area zips don't get FSN Wisconsin, just FSN North....

 

http://help.sling.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/How-do-Regional-Sports-Networks-on-Sling-TV-work

 

 

edit: This may be the issue (from that page):

 

"FOX Sports North is a full-time channel, whereas FOX Sports Wisconsin only has programming when there are multiple live sporting events on simultaneously."

 

So does this mean if I live in Southeastern WI my Fox Sports North would show the Fox Sports Wisconsin stuff, they just call it Fox Sports North? I'm a bit confused, the wife and I really looking into cord cutting and I want to make certain I can actually see the Brewers games through Sling first.

[nate82]

I am pretty sure they still have a trial try that first before fully committing.

[reillymcshane]

I am pretty sure they still have a trial try that first before fully committing.

Correct. They give you a week for free.

[Samurai Bucky]

you might want to check out this page and enter your zip code. Most Milwaukee area zips don't get FSN Wisconsin, just FSN North....

 

http://help.sling.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/How-do-Regional-Sports-Networks-on-Sling-TV-work

 

 

edit: This may be the issue (from that page):

 

"FOX Sports North is a full-time channel, whereas FOX Sports Wisconsin only has programming when there are multiple live sporting events on simultaneously."

 

So does this mean if I live in Southeastern WI my Fox Sports North would show the Fox Sports Wisconsin stuff, they just call it Fox Sports North? I'm a bit confused, the wife and I really looking into cord cutting and I want to make certain I can actually see the Brewers games through Sling first.

 

I have PSVue and the only game I didn't see on PSVue was on Facebook Live. They added the Fox Sports Wisconsin "Channel" to the guide. I typically use Fox Sports Go on my Roku devices anyway.

[paul253]

I’d stay away from Directv Now. They’ve shown either zero interest or zero ability to fix the same problems that they’ve had since they started. Tonight my tv is basically unwatchable because it stops to buffer literally every minute. And when you chat with their customer service they offer the same tired troubleshooting tips which don’t work. They recently rolled out an update and now the “guide” portion takes a anywhere from thirty seconds to two or three minutes to load the shows. And you can’t select the channel until it loads so even though you know what you want to watch you can’t actually watch it until the guide loads.

 

I wanted to complain again tonight but since my wait time was 27 minutes, after already waiting ten minutes, I decided to say screw it.

 

Literally my laziness in finding a new tv package is the only reason I still have DirectvNow. What a crappy product. Oh and they STILL don’t offer CBS as a live station in the Milwaukee area.

[Patrick425]

Found it amusing last night seeing a Spectrum commercial with a door to door DirectTV salesman trying to get a Spectrum customer to switch to DirectTV. The salesman keeps bringing up DirectTV features that are obviously worse than Spectrum (fewer channels, a contract that doubles after a year, etc). Hey AT&T, your first order of business now that the acquisition is complete may be to get those commercials off the air.

 

Edit: Realized after talking to someone else that the acquisition does not include the cable portion (Time Warner Cable/Spectrum).

[Invader3K]

FWIW, our family over the past couple years has tried Sling, PSVue, and now YoutubeTV. I find YoutubeTV to have the best interface and most reliability.

 

I actually liked the Sling lineup slightly better, but I was getting various glitches, like the picture cutting out frequently. I have had basically zero problems with YoutubeTV. I just wish they would add Comedy Central and AXS.

 

At any rate, I will never be going back to Charter/Spectrum (aside from their internet service).

[young guns]

Trying to catch the preseason game but youtubetv is telling me its not available for streaming. Please tell me this is just a preseason thing. I'm hoping it is because I was able to watch parts of the hall of fame game last week.

[paul253]

I had the same issue with Directv Now.