Cutting the cord

[Anonymous]

I’m sick of dealing with cable companies and their on going rate hikes and equipment charges and problems. I’ve settled on Roku for streaming and YouTube TV for my channels plus Netflix and Amazon Prime. What have others done and are you happy with your decision?

[Anonymous]

We cut the cord 5 years ago. We do basically what you describe and haven't missed a beat. As a family we watch less because you have to actively choose something instead of just mindless flipping. The lack of commercials is a bonus. The amount of viewing options now compared to 7-8 years ago when we bought our first Roku is amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m sick of dealing with cable companies and their on going rate hikes and equipment charges and problems. I’ve settled on Roku for streaming and YouTube TV for my channels plus Netflix and Amazon Prime. What have others done and are you happy with your decision?

This is exactly what we do. I also added the 99cent Hulu deal but don’t use it. I’ll add HBO for Big Little Lies this summer.

[Anonymous]

We bought an antenna and have it hanging in a window.
We bought this one:
https://store.antennasdirect.com/ClearStream-4MAX-Outdoor-TV-Antenna.html
I have it suspended in the window on a tension curtain rod.

We also have Roku.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We cut the cord 5 years ago. We do basically what you describe and haven't missed a beat. As a family we watch less because you have to actively choose something instead of just mindless flipping. The lack of commercials is a bonus. The amount of viewing options now compared to 7-8 years ago when we bought our first Roku is amazing.

You can absolutely mindlessly watch/flip with any number of streaming services like YouTubeTV, SlingTV, DirectTVNow, etc. It sounds like you’re happy with whatever service you’re using. I just wanted to provide clarification.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely love the Roku. Don't feel like I have missed out on anything. We have amazon prime, Netflix, playstation vue, add on HBO and Hulu as needed like for GOT and Handmaid's Tale.

[Anonymous]

We cut the cord about a month ago. We use Roku on our main TVs . Our primary streaming service is Direct TV Now. We got the full package which is probably more channels than we need. We can record somethings on the cloud DVR. We also as Netflix, Hulu, and Prime. All of that is still cheaper than cable.

I haven't 100% adjusted to the new setup. It is forcing me to change how I watch TV (less browsing). I miss the cable TV DVR -- for rewinding live TV. The Direct TV Now had the best "TV guide" or menu of all the services we tried but it is still not as nice the cable guide. We still haven't sorted out how to watch Nationals games.

Still, I'm glad we made the change. And maybe once we adjust we can cut back even more -- like drop Netflix or Hulu.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We cut the cord 5 years ago. We do basically what you describe and haven't missed a beat. As a family we watch less because you have to actively choose something instead of just mindless flipping. The lack of commercials is a bonus. The amount of viewing options now compared to 7-8 years ago when we bought our first Roku is amazing.

You can absolutely mindlessly watch/flip with any number of streaming services like YouTubeTV, SlingTV, DirectTVNow, etc. It sounds like you’re happy with whatever service you’re using. I just wanted to provide clarification.

Thanks for clarifying because I was wondering about this.

OP, I'm about to cut the cord, today actually. I've got Roku's for our TVs and have Amazon Prime, Netflix, and DirecTV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We cut the cord about a month ago. We use Roku on our main TVs . Our primary streaming service is Direct TV Now. We got the full package which is probably more channels than we need. We can record somethings on the cloud DVR. We also as Netflix, Hulu, and Prime. All of that is still cheaper than cable.

I haven't 100% adjusted to the new setup. It is forcing me to change how I watch TV (less browsing). I miss the cable TV DVR -- for rewinding live TV. The Direct TV Now had the best "TV guide" or menu of all the services we tried but it is still not as nice the cable guide. We still haven't sorted out how to watch Nationals games.

Still, I'm glad we made the change. And maybe once we adjust we can cut back even more -- like drop Netflix or Hulu.

This is what we did - but I got the cheapest DirectTVNow package + HBO/Showtime/Starz. We get everything we want to watch + the DVR. = $71
Still have Verizon for 50/50 internet - no issues with lagging = $55

Already had Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime so I didn't factor them into the cost.

So we have all the channels we previously had + internet for $126 (previous cable bill was $226) - we did get rid of our landline.

The interface takes some getting used to and finding things can be a challenge sometimes (I find searching on the phone app and bookmarking is easier than searching on the tv) and we don't tend to mindlessly flip channels - which is fine. We get all local channels (actually get DC and Baltimore) so I can watch the news when I have time.

It took me a year to cut the cable cord, but it has been worth it to save the $100/month and we don't feel like we are missing anything.

[Anonymous]

YouTubeTV has unlimited DVR capabilities. It’s not as slick as cable but I love having 20+ shows, movies, events and sports teams set to “record”.

The only downsides cuttingcable is that there is no way to watch the Nats on MASN. Astonishingly, MASN can only be viewed on cable (it’s not over the air so an antenna won’t pick it up). If anyone has a workaround please let us know.

[Anonymous]

With Roku make sure you get the unit that controls power and volume otherwise you have to use two remotes. I bought the entry level one to try it out and I immediately regretted it but it was only a $30 mistake and I will use it on a guest room tv so no real loss.

[Anonymous]

We use log ins from our families with Comcast and Verizon tv service for our Apple TV, plus pay for Hulu (no ADs), Netflix, Amazon Prime. Works really well. HD Antenna for live TV on local channels (award shows, sports).

[Anonymous]

Here's what we have:

Roku hardware with lots of free channels, mostly free YouTube videos for the kids
Sling (blue package - $40/month)
Amazon Streaming (free with our Prime subscription)
Netflix (use our brother's log-in)
Hulu (use our brother's log-in)

We will probably add HBO-GO for upcoming episodes of Game of Thrones

[Anonymous]

DirectTVNow just f'ed up their packages and took away a ton of channels. I wouldn't recommend them now.

[Anonymous]

Cut the cord in 2012. We have 2 TVs each of which has a Roku (just added the 2nd Roku this past Christmas), and a Mohu HD Indoor Antenna (for the main networks/local news). We have Amazon Prime and added the 99 cent Hulu deal on Black Friday. May add HBO for a couple shows, but then cancel when they're over.