Cutting the cord

[Axman59]

still loving AT&T TV. I get all the channels as Directv, but cheaper. The box works nicely. And I'm using the Android TV app for MLB extra innings instead of the Apple TV I've used for about 10 years

 

Are you outside of the Brewers' media market?

 

I get MLB.tv so it looks like I'll get every game this year EXCEPT those being played by the Brewers.

[DHonks]

still loving AT&T TV. I get all the channels as Directv, but cheaper. The box works nicely. And I'm using the Android TV app for MLB extra innings instead of the Apple TV I've used for about 10 years

 

Are you outside of the Brewers' media market?

 

I get MLB.tv so it looks like I'll get every game this year EXCEPT those being played by the Brewers.

 

 

Yep, in AZ

[MrTPlush]

I looked into AT&T TV for about 10 minutes...looks like it is pretty much just expensive as cable, pass.

[DHonks]

I looked into AT&T TV for about 10 minutes...looks like it is pretty much just expensive as cable, pass.

 

that's kind of what I wanted. Everyone I know that's tried YouTube TV has liked the price (until lately) but hated the interface. I tried DirecTV NOW a few years back and loved the price and packages, but hated the interface.

 

What I love with AT&T TV is that I have no box rental fees, I can split one package between two locations, I get the exact same channel numbers as DirecTV. For someone with a home and condo, it amounts to massive savings but still gives the overall feel of cable/satellite.

[MrTPlush]

I think it is generous to call it a cable alternative. Technically you are “cutting the cord”, but its still the same concept. It appears to be cheaper, but still waaaaay more expensive than other streaming services. Offer like $200 to sign up, stuck in two year contract, massive increase in the second year. From a Google search it looks like after the first year it is almost double YouTube TV cost wise.

[adambr2]

I looked into AT&T TV for about 10 minutes...looks like it is pretty much just expensive as cable, pass.

 

Isn't it all by this point? Hulu Live just gifted me my annual Christmas 10 dollar price increase. By the time you add in an add on or two, pretty much paying what I was paying for Dish Network a couple years ago.

[pacopete4]

What I didn't like about AT&T TV was they wanted to give me a low price for the first 12-months and then jack up the price for the next year. I hate contracts so they don't get my business.

[igor67]

I'm trying something different in the new year, I'm pretty much giving up all paid services. Had been doing Sling for awhile, and its a solid value but I mostly watch network. I basically get Netflix for free via my phone, and For that extra bit of cable like indulgence I'm trying Pluto TV. Sure it means commercials again, but my TV watching has actually gone down this last year. With everybody doing their own little channel we plan to sign-up here and there for a month or two and binge things.

[DHonks]

I think it is generous to call it a cable alternative. Technically you are “cutting the cord”, but its still the same concept. It appears to be cheaper, but still waaaaay more expensive than other streaming services. Offer like $200 to sign up, stuck in two year contract, massive increase in the second year. From a Google search it looks like after the first year it is almost double YouTube TV cost wise.

 

To support what I've said, using this is saving me around $1800 over having DirecTV in two locations. Maybe I'm different from all of you, but I love the cable/Satellite experience. What I hate are poor customer service, box rental fees, HD fees, DVR fees, and that I had to pay for service in two locations. Yes, I'm still using a giant telecom company, but I love that I can use one service in both locations, pay no box rentals, HD fees, DVR fees, etc.

[pacopete4]

It's not TV but I saved a bunch of money on my shared AT&T cell plan with being a teacher. You have to show proof of employment but it saves you about 30% off the unlimited plans.

[TURBO]

It's not TV but I saved a bunch of money on my shared AT&T cell plan with being a teacher. You have to show proof of employment but it saves you about 30% off the unlimited plans.

 

Do they offer that same discount for TV/Internet plans, or just cell service?

[DHonks]

It's not TV but I saved a bunch of money on my shared AT&T cell plan with being a teacher. You have to show proof of employment but it saves you about 30% off the unlimited plans.

 

I was already at 15% at a teacher, but when I applied for the new 25% offer, it never updated. Maybe I'll try again

[pacopete4]

As far as I know, there is no teacher discount for TV/Internet. -There should be for internet.

 

We selected the middle Unlimited Data package and we have 4-phone lines using it. We are at $136 per month total with taxes included or $34 per line. Much better than I was paying previously.

[DHonks]

What I didn't like about AT&T TV was they wanted to give me a low price for the first 12-months and then jack up the price for the next year. I hate contracts so they don't get my business.

 

I get it, but there's also no box rentals. So if you finance several "Osprey" boxes the first year, the price increase is negligible.

[owbc]

In COVID times my wife’s company now pays for our gigabit Internet. As a public sector employee I’m kind of irritated that the “at least we have good benefits to make up for the low salary” thing is no longer true. I even switched to her health insurance this year since it is both better and cheaper than what the state offers.

 

For Hulu I think we lasted about 3 days before we started paying for no commercials. When Internet is free and you don’t have cable it’s not a big deal to have a handful of subscriptions. I also benefit from being out-of-market for the Brewers.

[GAME05]

I keep thinking that for folks who watch the Brewers via internet connection and are subject to blackout dates, one solution could be to get a VPN and just say you're in a different state/country.

 

Regular free Youtube has really upped the number of commercials they show. I'd pay $15/mo just to get those removed.

[Baldkin]

I keep thinking that for folks who watch the Brewers via internet connection and are subject to blackout dates, one solution could be to get a VPN and just say you're in a different state/country.

 

Regular free Youtube has really upped the number of commercials they show. I'd pay $15/mo just to get those removed.

 

MLB.tv blocks 98% of VPNs and actively block new IP addresses.

 

As does the NBA.tv package.

[CheezWizHed]

Living in MN, I'm only blacked out when the Brewers play the Twins, so it isn't that often. I've thought about a VPN, but good thing I didn't bother.

[BrewCrewForever]

I to was thinking of a VPN. Did not know MLB.TV can block up to 98% of them. That stinks. Looks like I will only be seeing the Brewers when they're on Fox, FS1 or TBS this season. Rest will be radio listening and hopefully games in person at some point. I refuse to get Spectrum or DirectTV. Switched back to Sling when YouTube TV dropped FSWI.

[TURBO]

I still have spectrum, and I don't miss a game.

 

It costs more, but I like the reliability.

 

My price deal ends in May though, if they contine to raise their price, I might be forced to look elsewhere, even though I don't want to do so.

[FVBrewerFan]

They'll figure it out. You've heard of win/win? This is lose/lose/lose for Sinclair, the streaming services, and the NBA/MLB. May not happen before regular season of NBA starts, but shortly after. There really hasn't been a reason to have to get a deal done until now.

[Baldkin]

They'll figure it out. You've heard of win/win? This is lose/lose/lose for Sinclair, the streaming services, and the NBA/MLB. May not happen before regular season of NBA starts, but shortly after. There really hasn't been a reason to have to get a deal done until now.

 

Sinclair's goal is to release it's own streaming & gambling service.

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-18/sinclair-is-said-to-rebrand-sports-networks-with-bally-name

 

 

 

The agreement is part of a larger initiative to create more revenue streams for the regional sports networks, which are highly dependent on fees paid by cable-TV distributors. Ripley said he wants more direct connections with consumers, whether through online betting, daily fantasy sports or social gaming. Eventually, revenue from gaming-related sources could exceed that of traditional advertising, he said.

 

“More people gaming translates into more people viewing,” Ripley said. “You create this virtuous cycle of higher engagement. That will lead to not only more advertising dollars but also more subscribers.”

 

Those subscriptions could include online ones made directly with Sinclair. On a conference call with investors Thursday, Ripley said he hopes to launch an app in the spring that will allow cable subscribers to watch games in local markets live and “shortly thereafter” -- an option that would let fans without cable subscriptions sign up directly so they can watch local games.

[wallus]

I still have spectrum, and I don't miss a game.

 

It costs more, but I like the reliability.

 

My price deal ends in May though, if they contine to raise their price, I might be forced to look elsewhere, even though I don't want to do so.

 

Exactly. The few dollars saved isn't worth the hassle.

[TURBO]

I still have spectrum, and I don't miss a game.

 

It costs more, but I like the reliability.

 

My price deal ends in May though, if they contine to raise their price, I might be forced to look elsewhere, even though I don't want to do so.

 

Exactly. The few dollars saved isn't worth the hassle.

 

agreed.

 

The hassle of changing streaming sites on a constant basis isn't worth it to me either.

 

I like turning on the TV, finding the channel and watching the game, not worrying from day to day, week to week, month to month, if I can watch a damn Brewers game.

 

I am a cable guy, and don't feel I'm missing out on what the other 1000 services have to offer. There is only so much time in a day...

[FVBrewerFan]

They'll figure it out. You've heard of win/win? This is lose/lose/lose for Sinclair, the streaming services, and the NBA/MLB. May not happen before regular season of NBA starts, but shortly after. There really hasn't been a reason to have to get a deal done until now.

 

Sinclair's goal is to release it's own streaming & gambling service.

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-18/sinclair-is-said-to-rebrand-sports-networks-with-bally-name

 

 

 

The agreement is part of a larger initiative to create more revenue streams for the regional sports networks, which are highly dependent on fees paid by cable-TV distributors. Ripley said he wants more direct connections with consumers, whether through online betting, daily fantasy sports or social gaming. Eventually, revenue from gaming-related sources could exceed that of traditional advertising, he said.

 

“More people gaming translates into more people viewing,” Ripley said. “You create this virtuous cycle of higher engagement. That will lead to not only more advertising dollars but also more subscribers.”

 

Those subscriptions could include online ones made directly with Sinclair. On a conference call with investors Thursday, Ripley said he hopes to launch an app in the spring that will allow cable subscribers to watch games in local markets live and “shortly thereafter” -- an option that would let fans without cable subscriptions sign up directly so they can watch local games.

 

I understand that's their goal. Pretty much the same goal of every content provider, develop their own streaming service. Disney, Peacock, HBO, etc. But that will take time, and they're not going to want to lose the revenue from the NBA season, and likely won't be ready for start of the MLB. Last time this happened they made an agreement and kicked it down the road. I fully expect the same thing to happen now, but we'll see.

 

Otherwise, I'll bit the bullet and go back to cable if this drags out into January. Live sports is really the only reason I even need a provider, so if I can't watch the Bucks I'm dumping YTTV.