I realize that there is a big thread on cutting the cord. However, it contains many pages and is a little overwhelming. Please help steer me in the right direction.

We'd like to get rid of Comcast. It is too expensive, consistently goes out, and has horrendous customer service.

We currently have a Netflix account and an Amazon Prime account.

I like to watch: Food Network, Travel Network, news stations, and sports (particular in the fall -- ESPN, ESPN 2, NFL, ESPN U, Big Ten, SEC Network, etc.)

My wife likes to watch: Bravo, TBS, TNT.

In your opinion, what would be the best option for us to cut the cord and get most of these channels? Honestly, if we can get ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, Fox, Food Network, Travel, Bravo, ESPN/2/U/NFL/SEC/Big Ten, we'd be pretty damn content.

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by TigerinATL

Member since Feb 2005

62437 posts

Posted on 6/4/17 at 2:35 pm to Forkbeard3777

There are 3 main streaming cable packages. SlingTV, PlayStation Vue, DirecTV Now. Look them up, they all have slightly different channel lineups. Most of them are lacking local ABC/NBC/CBS/Fox channels but it varies by city. One of those services + an antenna for local channels should get you most of what you're watching now minus the DVR. There are some solutions for that, and PS Vue does have a DVR.

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by gobuxgo5

Member since Nov 2012

10117 posts

Posted on 6/4/17 at 3:04 pm to TigerinATL

All of the online options are contract free and many come with "Free Trials" take advantage of this and use your free trials on all of the options. It might be the easiest way to see what fits you the best. You can enjoy probably 2 months of free trials if you try all options.

Then establish what your goal is budget wise. You can be anywhere from $0/month to $100/month and still be in this "cutting the cord" category.

I started following many "cut the cord" handles on Twitter and it has been really helpful.

Establish a good signal via an Antenna for local channels from you house LINK / will show you where you are in relation to the towers. You can use a compass to position your directional antenna to the broadcast stations or buy a omnidirectional antenna. If you install one and aren't having great reception, you should try a new antenna or an amplifier to boost its strength.

This should give you NBC, ABC, Fox & CBS (among others)

If you want a DVR/Guide function to go along with your antenna tv you can purchase something like a TabloDvr.

This will allow you to watch your antennatv on any device like a Roku, FireTv, Android, Iphone. It also gives you a 2 week guide so you have the "feel" of a cable provider's guide even though its your antenna feed.

To go along with your local channels, you can then decide what are "must haves" for live tv or on demand.

If you don't need to watch many shows live, Hulu can give you a huge database of on demand shows from several networks. They usually are available about 24 hours after it airs.

TV Packages that are similar to your current programming but allow you to watch on devices like FireTv, Iphones, Rokus are:

SlingTv -
Hulu & Hulu Live
Youtube Live (or whatever they want to call it)
DirecTv Now
PS Vue - (Usually a great value for channels)

Just look at them all, including prices & channel line up and see what fits you.

Also for more content, many people purchase Netflix & Amazon Prime for original series and thousands of movies.

If you polled the tech board I think the overall consensus would be following:

Device to Buy: FireTV

Use an Antenna for local Tv with a digital tuner/DVR (like a tablo or tivo)

PSVue usually has the best bang for the buck for standard pricing.

Also have Netflix & Amazon Prime

All in you are in the $50-$60/month range but can change this at any time (up or down) depending on your wants.

We usually scale back drastically in the summer

This post was edited on 6/4/17 at 3:07 pm

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by seawolf06