Cutting the Cord

[Charles Fout]

I'm contemplating going Internet only.
I think my ISP is charging me way too much for my bundle. I'm paying for Internet, phone, and TV. I don't use the phone, and I think my TV usage will be satisfied by streaming.
Please share any recommendations regarding Google Chromecast, or other streaming devices

currently I utilize the Internet for general surfing and professional Zoom via my Desktop and android phones (via Wi Fi)

[Vle045]

We do have cable, but only in one room. Your choices for streaming are vast and will depend on what you want to watch. I use a Firestick on most of my other TVs and I combine that with rabbit ear antennas. I also have a Tablo so I can record broadcast TV. You attach an antenna to it and get your local channels that way. It’s nice because you can record and pause antenna channels just like cable. Of course, your signal will depend on where you live. I get 45 channels on my antenna. But, I do also have Peacock, Paramout+, Disney Bundle, Apple TV, and Netflix. (A lot give a student discount or are included with my cell phone plan).

[sanantone]

I don't have a landline, and I haven't paid for cable in years. I only had cable at my last apartment because it was included free.

I bought an antenna years ago, but I haven't had to use it because my Samsung smartTV offers hundred of channels for free. Prior to that, I paid for Sling TV. There are mainly three types of streaming services: general movies and shows plus exclusive content (Hulu, Prime, and Netflix), focused only on own content (Disney and Wondrium), and cable TV alternative. Cable TV alternatives offer the same channels you'd get on cable. The last time I compared services, Sling TV gave you the most bang for your buck. You can also get a lot of free content via Roku.

The other types of streaming services are annoying and are getting as expensive as cable. Netflix and Hulu are increasingly producing their own content and putting other content on the backburner. In my opinion, most Netflix shows and movies are mediocre. You have to have multiple streaming services to get good coverage. One movie or show you really want to watch could be on Max and other stuff you want to watch could be spread across Showtime, Hulu, etc. For a replacement for live TV plus newer movies, I prefer Peacock over Netflix, Hulu, and Prime TV. Prime TV comes free with an Amazon Prime membership, though. I like Prime for renting new movies, and Peacock, Prime, and Max seem to get the good new releases more quickly than Hulu and Netflix.

My credit card reimburses most of the cost for my Disney bundle, so that's the only reason why I have Disney and Hulu. If you're into educational content, I highly recommend Wondrium, which is changing its name back to The Great Courses.

[bjcheung77]

I think you've already decided to cut the cord on most of the subscription services you don't use. For me, I have two Amazon Firesticks and Amazon Prime, it works wonders with just an internet connection. No need for telephone or TV as I use a cellphone, and use Amazon Prime Video, heck, I even tried their FreeVee (Free TV option). Here's a previous thread: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid397872

[ltw900rr]

We use an antenna for local TV channels. Got rid of the land line several years ago. We use a fire stick and watch Pluto (free), Our cheapest subscription is Hulu (Black Friday sale). My wife has Netflix, Apple TV and Amazon. I am trying to just get her to pay for one of those each month and cycle through them one at a time. If you can stick to one or 2 paid streaming sites you are good.

I am happy enough with local channels on the antenna, Pluto and Hulu. But the wife wants it all. If you have all the streaming services, it just turns back into another form of cable.

[sanantone]

Oops. I said Prime TV when I meant Prime Video. I totally forgot that I have Paramount free with my Walmart+ membership.

[LevelUP]

If you go with the Fire TV Stick, get the 4k Max one, as that will have 16GB of storage instead of only 8GB.  The OS takes up about 4GB, and some apps like TikTok can take up 1GB by themselves.

You can get a USB OTG Adapter and a micro USB drive to get around storage limitations.

There are many free apps for TV shows and movies, though you can also pay for a service such as YouTube TV to receive cable TV channels.

[bjcheung77]

There are a few Firestick models - Lite, Regular, 4K and 4K Max. I've got both the Firestick 4K and the 4K Max, the main difference is the CPU and RAM, I use the 4K version for a smaller TV and it works fine, used it for travel purposes too, works great. I don't see much difference between the 4K and the Max, but still, for the price, I'd recommend the max just in case for 'future proof'.

[davewill]

I think Roku is a better experience than Firestick, less advertising pushed in your face. I also get good use out of the Roku phone app streaming the TV audio to my earbuds. Although there's a lot to be said for the simplicity of a TV with the streaming apps directly on board, which I also use.

[Jonathan Whatley]

I use Study.com Premium (not College Saver) as a streaming service. I'll watch, and more so listen to, SDC videos on interesting subjects of my choice in spare moments throughout the day.

Underrated content services it could make sense to pay for: YouTube Premium. SiriusXM: it's not the same value proposition it was before high-speed internet and widespread music streaming, but it reaches many locations high-speed internet doesn't, and its news and sports audio lineups might help you cut the cable cord.