Educate Me On The Best Way To Cut The Cord...

[SteyrAUG]

Currently I have the "everything" package from a cable provider and it's costing me about $200 a month for high speed internet, internet phone service and all of the premium movie channels.

My most important need is to keep a high speed internet provider (and not one that relies on a dish or antennae) and a DVR service. I'm not available enough for live streaming, I will miss 90% of everything.

I can easily lose the internet phone since I use my cell for just about everything.

But I want to keep my premium movie channels (HBO, Starz, Cinemax, Movie Channel, Showtime, etc) as well as having a local channels option and it would be nice if I could get Amazon as well as Netflix streamed to my DVR. Currently my cable provider only offers Netflix and a could others like Hulu but not Amazon.

Is there really a more cost effective alternative to the above?

[markm]

Shit. I just dumped the basic plan from Direct TV. It was exhausting getting free of those parasites. I've gone to a $20 HD antenna from Amazon and said Fu#k it all to all the providers.

I will never subscribe to any of those providers again... EVER.

[ggammell]

Depending on the provider, you may not be able to down grade without going “a la carte” for Internet at tv. And that’s usually more expensive than keeping the triple package. We just unplugged our phone.

[BoringGuy45]

We got rid of our cable tv plan this past spring. We only use the cable for internet. I don’t really miss it. We mostly just watch Netflix and Amazon prime tv, and we have sling tv for news and local sports, all on my Xbox One. We’re saving about $75 a month and not really missing anything.

[1_click_off]

Can you get YouTube tv where you are? I pay about $40 and get my local channels and unlimited DVR.

You can get a roku and add on just the premium channels you want to that.

I use my cell for a phone and have a cable modem.

If you call and cancel Direct tv they will offer you all kinds of deals and as a last resort they offer the streaming service which is priced ok. They only have about 20hr of DVR storage right now though.

Youtubetv uses your device location to find the local channels, so they change pending where you are viewing. Not sure how Direct tv does it. I only lasted for the trial period and dumped it. Again you can add premium channels to the Direct tv line up.

Both are monthly services with no contract.

So I now just have YouTube tv, Netflix, and amazon.

[RetroRevolver77]

Apple TV with HBO Now and Netflix is all I have along with internet. Eventually either Netflix or HBO will get a movie I've been wanting to see. I don't watch much television though.

[just a scout]

I got rid of cable. Just have Xfinity internet and an AppleTV. I use Hulu Live and Netflix.


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[HMM]

I cut the cord but kept internet. I'm saving $80 a month. I put in a directional antenna and bought a channel master DVR to record the local stuff. I get ABC, NBC, CBS and 10 or so other channels that I rarely watch from the antenna. I picked up Netflix (already had Amazon Prime), we couldn't be happier. Only thing I really lost is ESPN and I've learned to live without it.

[Krazykarl]

The bitch about service providers is all of their equipment rental fees. Comcast Xfinity charged me for their DVD service, main box, digital converter box, and triple play modem/router. 4 months ago I bought a Netgear router, surfboard modem, and 2 amplified tv antennas. I went from $190/month to $110/month to maintain my land line and high speed internet both from Comcast. So far so good. My wife added Amazon prime last month. I like it so far. Forgot to mention that the TV antennas produce 15 channels HD....

[tb-av]

That cord cutting is a bit of a canard. If you want to do everything legal you still have to pay someone.

Comcast / Xfinity has a business class Internet. No phone / TV. It's fast and I think their most affordable.

After that you can got OTA if you live in proximity to a lot of broadcasters. Still won't get you all that premium stuff.

Beyond that you have pay somebody which is sort of deciding do you want an iPhone or a Galaxy or Ford or Chevy.

There is a -LOT- of stealing involved when you hear people talk about having cut the cord and getting everything.

You just have to sit down and do the math. All those companies, NetFlix, Hulu publish their rates. Just make a list of everything you want. Then determine where it can be had, either through bundle or direct from source. Add 'em all up. You may be able to save some money but if you want a variety and no hassle situation, the prices are probably going to be pretty similar.

I gave up on all that NetFlix, Hulu stuff. I actually like watching Youtube videos. There is some really good stuff out there. It's not the same as watching a real movie but the price is right.

I can't think of a TV show that I would need to watch. The really good stuff if you haven't seen it yet can be had at Goodwill for the season DVDs.

I just don't think there is any elegant low cost way to have current premium broadcast content. Other than local OTA which is not HBO, etc..

I have not tried it... but I know at least one one person who's opinion on content delivery I would value very highly and he claims to love this setup. I forget which device he plugs to his TVs but it's just one of those $50 dongles.

https://www.sling.com/

This is growing but beware this is for --your content--.. .they are expanding though. So if you have a library of content it's interesting.
https://www.plex.tv/