Cutting The Cord on Cable/Satellite TV Service?

[Curt S Loew]

I’ll just leave this here

https://www.boston.com/sports/media/2024/08/24/nesn360-app-more-glitches-than-pitches-chad-finn-media/?p1=hp_secondary

Yep. Started for me here:

http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?threads/8-18-getaway-day.43622/post-6291811

Went to Xitter to see if it was site wide and saw some other friends messaging @Chad Finn and added my comments.

This really was the first major issue I can recall this season involving a game not being available, but It really is an inferior product for what they charge. I got the yearly deal for $150.00 or there's no way I would have signed up.

 

[Fratboy]

I'm doing it. I'm finally cutting the cord. I've been waiting for the right circumstances to hit for me and it finally did. I'm getting TMobile Home Internet and moving from Google Fi to TMobile, cancelling XFinity. Including new Google Pixel 9 Pro XL costs, not including new streaming costs, I'm at 6800 (Xfinity + Google Fi) vs 3400 (TMobile + TMobile) for two year costs. My adventure begins tomorrow morning. Wish me well, my brothers and sisters.

 

[Fratboy]

I did the thing, and the cord is cut. I'll see how my streaming adventure goes. Missing baseball and doorbell aren't a big deal for now.

But everybody, let me tell you: do not be gaslit by Xfinity. Their speeds SUCK SO, SO, HARD. Tmobile is double the speed. No messy coax cables. Just a few cat 5e cord and USB power cables. That's it. This is incredible.

 

[cgori]

The TMobile is 5G/LTE internet? Any data caps?

 

[SumnerH]

The TMobile is 5G/LTE internet? Any data caps?

No cap but:
(a) heavy data users are prioritized lower, which matters more when the network is congested. You get switched to “heavy user” when you exceed a given amount of bandwidth for the month (they set that based on network usage in your area, usually 50–100 GB), and get reset at the start of each billing cycle; and
(b) they do “video optimization” (which means video streams may be downgraded to SD when streaming, depending on network bandwidth usage and which plan you have).

Both the Home Internet Unlimited and Home Internet Plus levels say “Video streaming resolution depends on available speeds.”

Anecdotally, my friend who uses it has not had problems with video resolution being downgraded, but he's using it at a lake house way out in bumfuck—dunno if that's more common in more congested areas.

https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/policies/internet-service/network-management-practices

For most T-Mobile-branded rate plans, a "Heavy Data User" is defined as a customer using more than a set amount of data on a billing cycle (generally 50GB or 100GB). As of May 8, 2024, T-Mobile Internet customers using more than 1.2TB of data in a billing cycle are also considered Heavy Data Users. The threshold number is periodically evaluated across our rate plans and brands to manage network traffic and deliver a good experience to all customers while offering a range of customer choices. You can always check the threshold amount for a rate plan by speaking with a representative, review our rate cards on T-Mobile.com, or by logging in to my.t-mobile.com, or the T-Mobile app.
...
T-Mobile uses streaming video optimization technology. Streaming video optimization improves overall data usage management of the network, resulting in greater network speeds and throughput for other customers using data because less network payload is dedicated to video. For customers on limited high-speed plans, optimization also helps customers stretch their high-speed data while streaming video. For video that is not self-optimized by the video provider, we adjust the delivery rate for streaming video, which causes the video to be delivered in lower resolutions and to use less data...Video streaming optimization, when connected to the cellular network, delivers a SD-quality (up to 2.5 Mbps) video experience instead of a higher resolution version (e.g. HD, typically 1080p or Ultra HD, max 4K), which is better suited for larger screens...Customers can choose plans where SD-quality video optimization is always enabled, or may choose to activate and enable a feature or plan where video streams at speeds that provide up to UHD video capability (max 4K), in the United States

 

[kfoss99]

I did the thing, and the cord is cut. I'll see how my streaming adventure goes. Missing baseball and doorbell aren't a big deal for now.

But everybody, let me tell you: do not be gaslit by Xfinity. Their speeds SUCK SO, SO, HARD. Tmobile is double the speed. No messy coax cables. Just a few cat 5e cord and USB power cables. That's it. This is incredible.

It was amazing how quickly I didn't miss the Red Sox when YouTube TV dropped NESN. There's so much entertainment, you'll find something else to fill those entertainment hours. I did miss the Celtics when I cut YouTube TV, but I was able to get a FM signal that carries them, I keep ESPN Gamecast open on my phone, and follow the SoSH game thread. So, I was able to follow the team that way.

If you're out-of-market and want to listen to your teams you can get Sirius XM and listen on the app.

 

[RSN Diaspora]

If you're out-of-market and want to listen to your teams you can get Sirius XM and listen on the app.

Honestly, the streaming era is arguably best for out-of-market fans. Aside from when they play the Nationals or Orioles, I get every Sox game. I also get every Pats game through Sunday Ticket, every Bruins game through ESPN+, and every Celtics game through NBA League Pass. Those combined with YTTV still cost me less than my DirecTV+Sunday Ticket subscription I had before.

 

[kfoss99]

Honestly, the streaming era is arguably best for out-of-market fans. Aside from when they play the Nationals or Orioles, I get every Sox game. I also get every Pats game through Sunday Ticket, every Bruins game through ESPN+, and every Celtics game through NBA League Pass. Those combined with YTTV still cost me less than my DirecTV+Sunday Ticket subscription I had before.

Yeah, you're right. I should have written in market and out of FM range.

 

[OfTheCarmen]

Had a strange occurrence tonight where a game was blacked out for my both on the local channel, MSG, and the national channel NHL network. That seems like it shouldnt be able to happen.

I've got DirecTV Stream in Central CT. When I previously had Cox and then Fubo, I was able to watch MSG with no issues. Anyone had something similar to that happen? Any thoughts? I tried contacting DTV support and they were as helpful as a doorknob without a door.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

DirecTV buying Dish Network

https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/directv-acquires-dish-merger-1236159244/

For a dollar.

 

[Yo La Tengo]

Any love/hate reactions to watching NESN on DirecTV streaming (as opposed to via a physical dish on the roof)?

 

[OfTheCarmen]

I haven't had any issues watching NESN via DTV Streaming thus far. Started at the end of last hockey season.

 

[Curt S Loew]

I didn't enjoy the DTV interface at all when i tried it last year so went with Fubo for the Celtics season. Looks like it's YTTV for me this year for Celtics.

Sucks you can't get NBC Sports Boston stand alone. Even NESN has an app as crappy as it is.

 

[Salem's Lot]

I did the thing, and the cord is cut. I'll see how my streaming adventure goes. Missing baseball and doorbell aren't a big deal for now.

But everybody, let me tell you: do not be gaslit by Xfinity. Their speeds SUCK SO, SO, HARD. Tmobile is double the speed. No messy coax cables. Just a few cat 5e cord and USB power cables. That's it. This is incredible.

Thank you for the information! I was wondering how TMobile internet would work In Tewksbury.

I’m fucking done with Comcast. Last straw hit today when I went home for lunch and my cable is out. I’m paying $300 a month for this shit, and I can’t even get anyone on the phone.

I’m going to switch to TMobile. @Fratboy do you have the $30 or the $50 a month plan? It’s just my wife and I in the house. She does minutes for public meetings over Zoom, and I VPN in to do side work (but never at the same time) do you think the $30 plan could handle that.

I figured if I could get a TMobile, I could also get Fubo TV with the sports add on, ESPN+, and Netflix and it would be $150.

Does anyone know if you can watch the Bruins in the Boston market on ESPN+ the next day? I never get to watch the game live anyway. If I can, I might not even order Fubo.

 

[Fratboy]

Thank you for the information! I was wondering how TMobile internet would work In Tewksbury.

I’m fucking done with Comcast. Last straw hit today when I went home for lunch and my cable is out. I’m paying $300 a month for this shit, and I can’t even get anyone on the phone.

I’m going to switch to TMobile. @Fratboy do you have the $30 or the $50 a month plan? It’s just my wife and I in the house. She does minutes for public meetings over Zoom, and I VPN in to do side work (but never at the same time) do you think the $30 plan could handle that.

I figured if I could get a TMobile, I could also get Fubo TV with the sports add on, ESPN+, and Netflix and it would be $150.

Does anyone know if you can watch the Bruins in the Boston market on ESPN+ the next day? I never get to watch the game live anyway. If I can, I might not even order Fubo.

I got the $50 plan as a bundle with moving my mobile service to T-mobile. With a family plan, you'll have higher costs, but here's what I'm getting:

* Home Internet Plus for the price of regular Home Internet ($40)
* Go5GPlus mobile ($90) with a fully subsidized Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

(I am slightly fuzzy on the prices; I just know I'll pay $130 per month for both, and before I was paying $256.)

 

[E5 Yaz]

(I am slightly fuzzy on the prices; I just know I'll pay $130 per month for both, and before I was paying $256.)

Is that just the "first year" price?

 

[Fratboy]

Is that just the "first year" price?

Nope! No games like that with T-mobile.

 

[ColdSoxPack]

Any love/hate reactions to watching NESN on DirecTV streaming (as opposed to via a physical dish on the roof)?

I tried watching the Red Sox on my patio by just bringing my Roku box out instead of the hassle of dragging my cable box and a 20 foot cable cord out. No dice. The Roku doesn't tell DirecTV that I bought the center ice package. Yes I am out of market.

 

[Curt S Loew]

Does anyone know if you can watch the Bruins in the Boston market on ESPN+ the next day? I never get to watch the game live anyway. If I can, I might not even order Fubo.

I'm not sure, but if you're getting Fubo just for NESN, I would just get the NESN360 app. It has it's issues, but I'm happy with it for the most part. Although, I did get the annual deal at 12 bucks a month. Even at 30, it beats the 90 you'll pay with Fubo if you only want it for NESN.

 

[Salem's Lot]

I'm not sure, but if you're getting Fubo just for NESN, I would just get the NESN360 app. It has it's issues, but I'm happy with it for the most part. Although, I did get the annual deal at 12 bucks a month. Even at 30, it beats the 90 you'll pay with Fubo if you only want it for NESN.

Thanks, that’s good to know. For some reason I had it in my head that it was $50 a month.

 

[Salem's Lot]

I got the $50 plan as a bundle with moving my mobile service to T-mobile. With a family plan, you'll have higher costs, but here's what I'm getting:

* Home Internet Plus for the price of regular Home Internet ($40)
* Go5GPlus mobile ($90) with a fully subsidized Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

(I am slightly fuzzy on the prices; I just know I'll pay $130 per month for both, and before I was paying $256.)

Did you sign up online and then they mailed you the equipment? Or did you have to pick up the router somewhere? I’m just try to figure out if I can do this this weekend without any internet down time.

 

[Fratboy]

Did you sign up online and then they mailed you the equipment? Or did you have to pick up the router somewhere? I’m just try to figure out if I can do this this weekend without any internet down time.

I signed up online and they mailed me the equipment first, but I got the phone in person at the Tmobile store at Wamesit Plaza on the north side of town.

Super easy to install.

 

[Curt S Loew]

Thanks, that’s good to know. For some reason I had it in my head that it was $50 a month.

I just checked now and they still have the annual plan but it's 180 for the year. That's still half price. So you'll get full season of B's and Sox for 15 bucks a month. That's a pretty good deal if all you need is NESN. Just remember to cancel right way like I did so it doesn't renew at full price.

 

[Curt S Loew]

So what do all you VPN users recommend for a VPN? I'm new to the VPN game and thinking of getting it for NBATV instead of paying a streaming service for just NBCSN.

There are several out there and wondering what you all are using.

 

[Archer1979]

Any love/hate reactions to watching NESN on DirecTV streaming (as opposed to via a physical dish on the roof)?

The only issues that I have are:

1) There's a lag between the signal and the actual event that's about 30 seconds longer than it were actual cable. In some cases, ESPN's Game Cast will show a hit recorded before I've seen it happen on DTV. The days where you could watch the game with the sound off and turn on the radio are LONG GONE now.

2) For the older TVs, I've had to upgrade to FireStick as the older SmartTVs can't process the signal quick enough for streaming services. Watching sports was a drag as any fast motion was fuzzy.

 

[Curt S Loew]

The only issues that I have are:

1) There's a lag between the signal and the actual event that's about 30 seconds longer than it were actual cable. In some cases, ESPN's Game Cast will show a hit recorded before I've seen it happen on DTV. The days where you could watch the game with the sound off and turn on the radio are LONG GONE now.

Not sure about DTV, but I still do this for NESN on the app. WEEI on Audacy lags longer than the broadcast so I can sync it up. You may want to try it for DTV next time.

 

[Dollar]

So what do all you VPN users recommend for a VPN? I'm new to the VPN game and thinking of getting it for NBATV instead of paying a streaming service for just NBCSN.

There are several out there and wondering what you all are using.

I've been using Surfshark for a while now and it's been great. Sometimes the cash back sites (Rakuten, Topcashback) pay you back 90-100% on a Surfshark subscription, so I effectively got mine for free. I'm not seeing anything that good right now though.

 

[Curt S Loew]

I've been using Surfshark for a while now and it's been great. Sometimes the cash back sites (Rakuten, Topcashback) pay you back 90-100% on a Surfshark subscription, so I effectively got mine for free. I'm not seeing anything that good right now though.

Thanks. I'll check it out. There's quite a few out there.

 

[RSN Diaspora]

So what do all you VPN users recommend for a VPN? I'm new to the VPN game and thinking of getting it for NBATV instead of paying a streaming service for just NBCSN.

There are several out there and wondering what you all are using.

Living out of market, I will say that I've tried VPN services as a way around subscribing to NBA TV/Sunday Ticket/MLB.tv and haven't made it work. My guess is that services like YTTV have figured out a way to thwart that.

 

[Curt S Loew]

Living out of market, I will say that I've tried VPN services as a way around subscribing to NBA TV/Sunday Ticket/MLB.tv and haven't made it work. My guess is that services like YTTV have figured out a way to thwart that.

I am "in market" and looking for a VPN in order to subscribe to them. So, the opposite. Seems others have had good luck with it.

 

[Ale Xander]

Why doesn’t ESPN+ have like a cheap ad-supported offer for like 4.99 a month or something?

I don’t have kids and have zero use for Disney
This is a dumb bundle

 

[Gambler7]

I just put together a table of our internet and TV monthly costs and am sick. Someone please help me out on which direction to go here...

We currently have Xfinity for internet and TV and pay $315 per month. This includes MAX+ and Peacock.

We also have Hulu ($19/month) and Paramount ($13/month). I plan on cancelling Paramount. Hulu is Hulu and Disney + combined.

We have T-Mobile for cell service that includes Netflix.

We currently have 4 TVs. I would be looking for something to replace what we have and include DVR options. I also would like local channels and as many sporting events as possible (including NESN and NBC Sports Boston).

Is Hulu plus Live TV + NESN + my best option? It unfortunately doesn't appear to be that much in savings if I need all of that.

 

[Ale Xander]

I would get rid of anything non-Netflix that’s not on a intro rate of at the most single digits
Deal with the commercials by doing errands during them (bathroom, cleaning etc) Hulu you can do that with because it tells you the time

Cycle through the streamers.

There got to be a cheaper cable and internet cost (could be wrong but who knows) and honestly if you have cable you have less of a need for streaming

Try the library to borrow media

(What state are you in?)

 

[Chuck Schilling]

YouTube TV is about $80 a month, Astound(RCN) broadband with an older generation eero is $60 for 500mb. No device rentals, just add the Roku/Firestick/dongle of your choice to each TV and add up the monthly charge for the premium channels you feel you need. NESN isn't included in YouTube TV, so there's another $30.

 

[CantKeepmedown]

Keep an eye out on black Friday for streaming deals. The last few years I've done Hulu, Max, and some others for .99 a month for six months/year.

 

[Max Power]

I just put together a table of our internet and TV monthly costs and am sick. Someone please help me out on which direction to go here...

We currently have Xfinity for internet and TV and pay $315 per month. This includes MAX+ and Peacock.

We also have Hulu ($19/month) and Paramount ($13/month). I plan on cancelling Paramount. Hulu is Hulu and Disney + combined.

We have T-Mobile for cell service that includes Netflix.

We currently have 4 TVs. I would be looking for something to replace what we have and include DVR options. I also would like local channels and as many sporting events as possible (including NESN and NBC Sports Boston).

Is Hulu plus Live TV + NESN + my best option? It unfortunately doesn't appear to be that much in savings if I need all of that.

My Xfinity package includes HBO and Netflix with one box and internet for $267 per month. You can use their cloud DVR and streaming app on 3 of the TVs to eliminate the cost of the other boxes. If you're happy with T-Mobile, switch that to Mint Mobile. They use the same towers for like 1/3 the price.

 

[Curt S Loew]

I just put together a table of our internet and TV monthly costs and am sick. Someone please help me out on which direction to go here...

We currently have Xfinity for internet and TV and pay $315 per month. This includes MAX+ and Peacock.

We also have Hulu ($19/month) and Paramount ($13/month). I plan on cancelling Paramount. Hulu is Hulu and Disney + combined.

We have T-Mobile for cell service that includes Netflix.

We currently have 4 TVs. I would be looking for something to replace what we have and include DVR options. I also would like local channels and as many sporting events as possible (including NESN and NBC Sports Boston).

Is Hulu plus Live TV + NESN + my best option? It unfortunately doesn't appear to be that much in savings if I need all of that.

Disney is currently offering a bundle of Disney/Hulu/Max for 17 bucks with ads, 30 bucks without.

Depending on how long you have been with Xfinity, you should be able to get Peacock for free(with ads)

NESN Plus usually offers an annual deal for half price. Otherwise 30 bucks a month.

That leaves you with NBC Sports Boston which you will need a cable or streaming service for. I would just go YTTV for Celtics season.

As far as locals, depending on where you live you can get an indoor antenna for around 30 bucks. Otherwise keep YTTV year round.

All this is significantly cheaper than what you are paying now. Also, negotiate your Internet price over the phone with Xfinity when you cancel cable. With 4 TVs, 300 Mbps should be fine.

Definitely ditch that cable subscription though. Sometimes it makes sense to keep it rather than paying for everything else separately. Definitely not for the price you are paying.

 

[YTF]

Cross posting here from a new thread that I started in the media forum. Fingers crossed that this may be a good option for those of us who have or are considering cutting the cord and are struggling with finding a choice to keep NESN at a reasonable cost.

NESN is planning on offering a new digital, streaming service. NESN Nation will be a new FAST (Free Ad Supported TV) channel. Given their recent track record with quality of broadcast, I've no idea how this may work out, but it might be an answer for some of us looking to retain NESN while cutting the cord and not shelling out $30 per month for NESN 360.
https://www.sportico.com/business/media/2024/red-sox-bruins-rsn-prep-fast-channel-nesn-nation-1234817277/

 

[bradcote]

Disney is currently offering a bundle of Disney/Hulu/Max for 17 bucks with ads, 30 bucks without.

Depending on how long you have been with Xfinity, you should be able to get Peacock for free(with ads)

NESN Plus usually offers an annual deal for half price. Otherwise 30 bucks a month.

That leaves you with NBC Sports Boston which you will need a cable or streaming service for. I would just go YTTV for Celtics season.

As far as locals, depending on where you live you can get an indoor antenna for around 30 bucks. Otherwise keep YTTV year round.

All this is significantly cheaper than what you are paying now. Also, negotiate your Internet price over the phone with Xfinity when you cancel cable. With 4 TVs, 300 Mbps should be fine.

Definitely ditch that cable subscription though. Sometimes it makes sense to keep it rather than paying for everything else separately. Definitely not for the price you are paying.

If you are looking for cheap Hulu and/or Disney+, take a look at this Black Friday deal: https://www.reddit.com/r/blackfriday/s/acJgE2C3MC

 

[Curt S Loew]

If you are looking for cheap Hulu and/or Disney+, take a look at this Black Friday deal: https://www.reddit.com/r/blackfriday/s/acJgE2C3MC

Yeah. I got my annual Black Friday Hulu for .99 cents a month for a year. Third year in a row. Really can't beat that. I'll deal with the ads for that price. You can add Disney with ads too for 2 bucks a month, but I don't really watch that. MAX is doing the 2.99 with ads for 6 months.

If you absolutely hate ads and want all three, the Disney, MAX, Hulu bundle is the way to go for 30 bucks a month without ads.

 

[Ale Xander]

If you are looking for cheap Hulu and/or Disney+, take a look at this Black Friday deal: https://www.reddit.com/r/blackfriday/s/acJgE2C3MC

Thank you Brad, appreciate. Have to get a new account as just ended my Hulu a couple weeks ago after binging Murder.
Wish there was a similar deal for ESPN+ (instead of Disney) but this Hulu will do.

 

[Curt S Loew]

Thank you Brad, appreciate. Have to get a new account as just ended my Hulu a couple weeks ago after binging Murder.
Wish there was a similar deal for ESPN+ (instead of Disney) but this Hulu will do.

I cancelled last month and it allowed me to use the same account. They just added a Starz add on for .99 cents a month for a year if you signed up for Hulu.

There's not much on there that interests me, but for a buck a month it's worth it. I had a free trial last year and watched High Town which was pretty good.

 

[Ale Xander]

I cancelled last month and it allowed me to use the same account. They just added a Starz add on for .99 cents a month for a year if you signed up for Hulu.

There's not much on there that interests me, but for a buck a month it's worth it. I had a free trial last year and watched High Town which was pretty good.

I’m getting “ineligible” but it shouldn’t be a problem

 

[Ale Xander]

Sweet that the AFC CG will be within the 2 month Paramount Plus special