I still get the regular question about how my cord cutting experiment is going — just fine, thanks — so I thought I’d share this article about it than an alert reader sent my way.
For what it’s worth, after trying several options, I’ve stuck with YouTube TV and been quite happy about it.
But, then again, I’m not this guy:
Steve Young of Holly Springs is an N.C. State fan with nine TVs in one room. He says he has researched cord-cutting and it doesn’t make sense for him. “These cord-cutting features are designed for using one TV at a time,” he says.
Shit, dude, nobody’s got a brain designed for nine at once.
Get The Picture 
That’s what she said
LikeLike
I gave up on it after about a year with Vue. I’d rather pay more for cable. I like having a remote with number buttons to make channel changing quicker/easier. Plus I don’t have to deal with a 45 second delay with live TV.
I’ve found changing cell phone providers (going with an MVNO e.g. Pure TalkUSA) gave me more of a savings per month than cable vs streaming.
LikeLike
I agree about cable (for me, DirecTV).
I don’t like losing the signal in storms, but their enhanced coverage of the golf majors is pretty darn good. I really hope the PGA puts together something like that for the Ryder Cup next month.
LikeLike
I have the minimal package from Xfinity that allows me to catch UGA football. I also have one of those Amazon Fire TV thingies. That coupled with KODI is amazing.
LikeLike
Add one of these to your Amazon Fire TV w/ Kodi.
https://www.tablotv.com/
LikeLike
Somewhat sad to say, but “Cowdog’s Under the Deck” with it’s five screens and well stocked bar is closing for good this season.
The grand opening of “Cowdog’s on the Lake” is scheduled for Saturday, September 1 2018 @3:30 pm. Only one big screen and a well stocked refrigerator available at this time.
Still on cable, tho.
LikeLike
We’ve saved a lot of money dumping the cable. There were some issues with streaming to begin with but once I ditched the Comcast modem/router and bought a better one 99.99% of those issues evaporated. We can run three separate TV’s at once. Since we have no children in the house we have no issues. We use the Hulu beta product for live TV. Otherwise, our content comes through Netflix and Amazon. We were already Prime customers so their video content comes packaged with that. I have to be honest, I find the lack of commercials to be the most enjoyable aspect of streaming. They’re not completely gone but there are probably 75% fewer of them. And I pay far less to see them. Sweet.
LikeLike
Mind sharing what kind of modem you bought? I’m terminally low tech and use Roku but the x finity modem needs to be refreshed, rebooted almost daily.
LikeLike
https://www.amazon.com/Next-Generation-ARRIS-SURFboard-SB8200-DOCSIS/dp/B01N6SKK1G
not necessarily that one, but you want at least a DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1 modem. You’ll be set for years if you buy that model above*
*I am not a paid sponsor of Arris or Arris networking products, though for a small sum, I will also pitch your product in this space.
LikeLike
Get a DOCSIS 3.1 if you have the choice. It will “future proof” you better and will provide more through put capacity for higher downstream speeds.
LikeLike
A +1 for the Surfboard line of modems. We also got the 8200 in order to use gigabit service and haven’t had a problem with it in the few months we’ve had it.
LikeLike
I apologize for not revisiting this thread. However, I actually bought the Arris as well. Not only does it work, Comcast supports it. That way, if ever there is an issue, and there hasn’t been so far, they won’t tell you you’re on your own because you purchased equipment they don’t support.
LikeLike
Been using directtv now for about a year and love it. Get a 50% discount because we have unlimited data with our ATT cell plan. Use Ruku streaming sticks and have a Netfix subscription. Got every away game last year and have more tv choices than we could ever watch. The key I think to successful cord cutting is having access to a fast and dependable internet connection. 9 tvs? Dude must be an air traffic controller.
LikeLike
I guess you need a lot of screens and a lot of content to distract from the fact you’re an NC State fan.
LikeLike
My cord cutting is unique in the sense that I am in rural North Georgia where powerful internet (Xfinity, etc) are not available. We tried Sling, YoutubeTV and both were bad. Blurry screens and a lot of buffering. We then tried Hulu TV and it has been amazing. Crystal clear HD and sports have been great. I watch the Braves games and they are HD and no delays/buffering or anything. Also we paid $62 a month for Dish and had 1 TV and no Golf Channel. We now pay $39 and get 2 TVs we can watch on, 4 profiles (me, my wife, and our kids) and the live channels include Golf Channel, and more that I was not getting. Even channels like TBS, TNT and TCM give me East and West. I get FS1, FS2, FX, FXX, FXM, Fox Sports, Fox Sports Southeast, all local channels, etc. It has been better than I expected.
LikeLike
I recently bought a 4k HDR TV, and Charter’s cablebox-thing can’t do 4k. So now I use PlayStation Vue on my PS4 Pro, and it’s beautiful. With PlayStation Vue I can DVR things and watch what I’ve recorded anywhere I log into my account. And now, I don’t have 5 different apps on my phone for different sports stations. I watch everything through Vue. Those features probably aren’t exclusive to Vue, but they’re pretty damn sweet either way.
LikeLike
guarantee you that Mrs Snoop Dawgy Dawg could effectively watch Bachelor, Bachelor in Paradise, Bachelorette, HGTV, DIY, and Keeping up with the Kardashians all concurrently.
LikeLike
Senator, two words: Phil Steele. Believe hae must have about 20 screens (and no life.)
Am with ee on this one, Direct TV has been great for me the past 6+ years, and especially since I changed to their Genie, wireless system. Currently adding it to my new location (technician is due within the hour to install) because I have been so pleased with quality, service, and available options. Understand the angst many have against the cable/satellite providers, but for me it is the best option. I do expect this to evolve and I may feel differently in another 2 years. Appreciate hearing all the different opinions and feedback on the experiences folks here have as they explore the different formats.
LikeLike
Should have said, Genie 2 system.
LikeLike
I took the Senator’s rec on YouTube.tv back in January and cut the cord (right after the football season was over). I’m very happy, overall. I use Roku sticks in each room. Figuring out how the Roku remote navigates was the biggest (unexpected) hurdle. One peeve is the spinning white balls delay when you change channels, there is always a second or two lag when switching. I’m on fios fiber, so it’s not my connection.
One recommendation I’ve been making to anybody in a big house or large property is to get a mesh network. Mesh networks are far superior to boosters, repeaters, adapters, etc., for improving both signal strength and range. You’ll spend $200 – $400, but they are well worth it (if you continually have issues with your wifi).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I second the mesh WiFi network. Some ISP’s offer them but I purchased the Google WiFi product and love it. I got it on sale for $220 I think which included three access points which covers about 4500 sqft. It was easy to install with the app for your smart phone and the app has some great features to control when your kids’ devices have access, safe search, priority devices, etc.
LikeLike
I have heard good things about the Google product, I need to check it out. I love the idea of turning access off for certain devices, oh the fun I could have with my wife and kids….”I don’t know honey, it’s working fine for me”
🙂
LikeLike
I live in a 1930’s house with wire mesh holding plaster for most walls. TV and wireless phones can not get more than one room away. Any insights for me?
LikeLike
Mesh network
https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/350795/the-best-wi-fi-mesh-network-systems
LikeLike
Didn’t see this mentioned. The great part about the streaming services are they are month to month. So during football season subscribe to as many as you need to see as much as you want then end the subscriptions come January. As long as you have a streaming device that handles them then you are ready to go football Zombie. I’m old so I can only handle 3 games at once.
LikeLike
Like the Senator, I’ve been very happy with YouTube TV, after trying a couple of other streaming options. The fact that it ties into your Google account is kind of nice. Also, it automatically “DVRs” shows you like whether you request it or not–it’s cloud DVR, of course, so it’s just letting you know that something you like is still available on the Net. If you come in halfway through a show, you can start from the beginning, then forward through commercials. I have no complaints.
LikeLike
Howdy gents. Apparently, Steve is a neighbor (that I should get to know).
I remain happy with dropping the cable company. I also have fiber in my front yard so, bandwidth isn’t a concern. These days, even with cable modems bandwidth isn’t a concern.
It’s a matter of choosing which options you want and going with that.
At the moment we only have Netflix/Amazon in Roku. Plus random specific channels. Canceled Sling TV for the summer, and I’ll turn a football channel back on in a few weeks.
LikeLike