Cord Cutting 2020 edition

Submitted by Maize in Cincy on December 27th, 2019 at 2:43 PM

Since there isn't much on topic to discuss, how about another cord cutting thread.  There has to be some others out there looking to finally make the move like me.  Lets hear from those who have already done it about their experience.

The only requirements for me are I want ESPN, BTN, and Fox Sports (live in cincy, for Reds games).  Unfortunately I've had a hard time finding something that offers BTN and fox sports.  Wife wants to be able to watch local channels live for news, etc.  That seems pretty easy since any service with espn appears to offer the network channels.

Thoughts and opinions?

 

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S.G. Rice

December 27th, 2019 at 3:52 PM ^

Depends on what cable company you're with.  The handful of people I know that are with Spectrum for cable and internet definitely pay more than I do, it's amazing how the nickel and diming crap like extra boxes, DVR, whatever adds up.

Spectrum loves to raise the price of bare internet service, but I'm not sure how much higher they can go than the current $70/mo.

I was less than thrilled when YouTube TV went up $10/mo, but I'm still very happy with it.  The only thing I've missed in recent memory is NFL games that are only on lolNFL Network.

Joined: 07/18/2008

MGoPoints: 23272

MGlobules

December 27th, 2019 at 2:55 PM ^

Yeah, we went for it. Never had cable, but tired of trying to find unstable pirate streams for UM sports events, which are mostly what I do. The odd major sporting event always seems to be there. My daughter is a fanatic for the FSU women's soccer team, and the still-new ACC Network is, so far, spottily featured. . .

My wife subscribed me to the Criterion collection for Christmas, and I am pretty much set.

The one kinda pleasant surprise: am watching things like UM soccer, women's hoop, and enjoying it quite a bit. Guess I am a die-hard Michigan fan.

Joined: 11/17/2008

MGoPoints: 47779

Evil29

December 27th, 2019 at 2:48 PM ^

I’m over the cord cutting. Everything is so damn expensive. I went through them all this football season trying each one for the discounted price. I liked YouTube the best. Only downside was some more popular shows I recorded go straight to on demand and had commercials. 

Joined: 08/29/2017

MGoPoints: 158

The Geek

December 27th, 2019 at 2:49 PM ^

I have tried cutting the cord twice and returned to some form of cable/internet provider in the end. The extra cost, to me, is for the convenience. Happy wife = happy life. 
 

I have several other subscription services to augment, but not as my primary. 
 

 

Joined: 09/08/2009

MGoPoints: 24820

ChasingRabbits

December 27th, 2019 at 2:50 PM ^

antenna works for locals in HD no matter the service you subscribe to.  I have Youtube tv which has both BTN and fox here in detroit.  They did hike the rates and give me crap new channels this spring..  very cable like on their part.  overall I pay half of what my cable was and I don't miss out on anything. (that I would have gotten with comcast)

Joined: 01/19/2010

MGoPoints: 1474

Michigan Arrogance

December 27th, 2019 at 2:52 PM ^

Here's how this thread is gonna go:

Suggestions/anecdotal evidence

people saying you're not really cord cutting b/c not having cable is really cord cutting

others saying losing cable IS cord cutting

Suggestions/anecdotal evidence

guy saying how he pirates Netflix/Hulu, etc from the inlaws/GF. pays $20/month total himself

guy countering that that's not really cord cutting

guy saying how that's stealing services

guy accuses this ^^ guy of being a NARC

*one* guy saying he actually likes Cable TV/Infinity/Comcast/TW*

people inserting toughts on post modern capitalism and economic justice

Suggestions/anecdotal evidence

Here's my suggestion:

HD over the Air antenna + Fire TV+ YouTube TV. SLingbox if YT doesn't do it for you

Loing PS VUE so I feel like YT is the next best thing since I already have Fire TV

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 35518

MileHighWolverine

December 27th, 2019 at 2:57 PM ^

I'm not sure cord cutting really makes much sense if you still want all the trappings of cable TV. Youtube is $50 a month, Netflix is $18, Disney + is $15 and Hulu I get for free because of my Spotify......but if you add it all up, you get almost the same as cable and then have to add internet on top of it all. 

Doesn't make much sense to me unless I'm just doing it wrong.

Joined: 09/02/2008

MGoPoints: 7749

username03

December 27th, 2019 at 3:25 PM ^

At my house you're definitely thinking about it wrong. Netflix and Disney+ are non-negotiable for the other people who live in my home. So the options are cable plus those, YouTube TV plus those, or just those and I don't really watch sports anymore. I went with YouTube TV which allows me to watch sports and did save me money.

Joined: 02/12/2016

MGoPoints: 14531

Deancap

December 27th, 2019 at 3:04 PM ^

I'm just about to pull the plug on Comcast - YouTube TV has been the answer (as suggested above).  Only channel I'll miss is History Channel (what if they FIND something on Oak Island!?)

All in all, internet + YouTube TV will save me ~$50/mo


Also, I always feel that those who add 'extra' streaming services they would use even with cable (Netflix, Disney+) to the cost of cutting the cord are creating a specious argument.

Joined: 01/23/2015

MGoPoints: 94

Muttley

December 27th, 2019 at 3:46 PM ^

Hulu w/ LiveTV has the History Channel.

See https://clark.com/technology/tvsatellite-cable/streaming-tv-comparison-best-channel-lineup/

Only YouTubeTV & Hulu have BTN.

I'm actually about to switch from Hulu to YouTubeTV a few days before the end of our current Hulu monthly cycle. Small reasons:

  • It's $5/month cheaper
  • The $54.99 HuluLiveTV restricts you to one device at a time
  • Hulu allows only 50 hours of cloud recording
    • YouTube is unlimited but recordings are erased after 9 months
  • Just FYI, Hulu just introduced a channel viewing grid
    • The lack of it was a tolerable nuisance, a Hulu "Own Goal" if you will

I don't think of it so much as "cord cutting" as optimizing what I get for what I pay.

  • My internet costs $51/month
  • We also subscribe to Netflix

Joined: 07/07/2009

MGoPoints: -73245

evenyoubrutus

December 27th, 2019 at 3:11 PM ^

I'm letting my Vue subscription expire at the end of January and then that's it. We really don't watch TV other than live sports. If Michigan makes the tournament I may just go to a bar or a friend's house. 

I plan to sign up for a streaming service in July so I can catch the Olympics, and then keep it through to December. After that, we'll see.

Joined: 11/04/2008

MGoPoints: 178353

mgolund

December 27th, 2019 at 3:12 PM ^

I just canceled my U-Verse yesterday. Like others, I went with YouTubeTV, as it has all the channels (including sports) that we actually watch. My kids like some shows on PBS kids - well, there's a free PBS kids app. So, that's covered. And, the other shows they like are available on Amazon Prime, which we already had.

I am saving almost $90/month by making this switch.

Joined: 07/23/2008

MGoPoints: 5146

tFerriState

December 27th, 2019 at 3:15 PM ^

Between YouTube tv, Netflix, and redbox we are all set. I have not had satellite or cable service since 2009. If I can’t watch a game at home I’ll go to a bar, which I enjoy quite a bit. 

Joined: 12/04/2018

MGoPoints: 1634

GoBlueBill

December 27th, 2019 at 4:02 PM ^

Firestick, or a smart tv that can load apps.

There are many that are free .

Many that are about 10-20 per month and you get all the channels you want plus PPV and more

Joined: 12/30/2014

MGoPoints: 11999