August 26Aug 26 17 hours ago, NWBuck said: Well, from a business sense, it's a good move: "Let's piss off the two largest and most rabid fanbases in the country". Problem is too many people in both states will take Fox's side for reasons that would be best discussed in CR. My first thought was, "I really don't want Rupert Murdoch to have any more of my money, but I really want to watch football." Then I went to the Fox streaming site and I see Greg Gutfield's and Tom Brady's faces and I realized, "Maybe I don't need FS1 that badly." So if I put up some rabbit ears to get the main Fox station, what would I be missing without FS1 and 2? I looked at the college football schedule and there's no big games on either station for the first couple of weeks. If there is a big game, I might get the Sling one-day pass. I do want to watch the MLB playoffs, so maybe I'll get the Fox stream for just October.
August 26Aug 26 what's the best streaming service on a trial basis we can use and get local channels bc fuck YTTV. I get the antenna thing, but a one week trial on hulu or whatever the fuck might be the easy button for us.
August 26Aug 26 3 hours ago, HornOnTheBayou said: My first thought was, "I really don't want Rupert Murdoch to have any more of my money, but I really want to watch football." Then I went to the Fox streaming site and I see Greg Gutfield's and Tom Brady's faces and I realized, "Maybe I don't need FS1 that badly." So if I put up some rabbit ears to get the main Fox station, what would I be missing without FS1 and 2? I looked at the college football schedule and there's no big games on either station for the first couple of weeks. If there is a big game, I might get the Sling one-day pass. I do want to watch the MLB playoffs, so maybe I'll get the Fox stream for just October. Looks like FS1 just has Big 10 dregs. Judging by your username, I'm guessing you're not an Indiana fan. Note that the Sling daily pass isn't available for Sling Blue, which is their package with Fox and FS1. It's only for Sling Orange (which has ESPN).
August 26Aug 26 16 minutes ago, tokamak said: Looks like FS1 just has Big 10 dregs. Judging by your username, I'm guessing you're not an Indiana fan. Note that the Sling daily pass isn't available for Sling Blue, which is their package with Fox and FS1. It's only for Sling Orange (which has ESPN). Ha ha, you are right. I do not care about the big Purdue/Western Illinois tilt. But that does suck about the Sling daily pass.
August 27Aug 27 Fox One free seven day trial feels like the easiest move for this weekend at least. Hell I bet Fox is doing this just to push folks to the trial and after this weekend the dispute gets resolved.
August 27Aug 27 8 hours ago, thunderlounge said: Try your local fox app, first. I’ve got it and it’s streaming trying to see if it’s the same as OTA can’t tell yet. Seems different but may have to check tomorrow during the day.
August 27Aug 27 Well shit. Maybe there’s a national fox app, that shows your local ota fox feed? If not, there’s the new fox app with a free trial, or there’s other trials for a lot of services. Guess I better go check our little local app myself, and make sure it still shows the main feed. Haven’t used it in a good while.
August 27Aug 27 On 8/26/2025 at 9:16 AM, Dbeasy said: Cross posting from the other thread regarding OTA antennas. Does anyone know someone in Austin that could install an outdoor antenna on the second story of the house and tie into an existing coax cable that runs into all the rooms of the house? I’m interested too. This would be an ideal setup in my house.
August 29Aug 29 So, I've spent the last few days researching and trying out all of the different streaming options to replace my current U-Verse service (headed to $225/month). It's a great service, but it's anywhere from $80-120 more per month tham other streaming options. Functionality-wise, the U-Verse offering provides the most content, especially key state of Texas sports content (Spurs, Mavs, Rangers, Astros), but it's just gotten too expensive. It also has movie channels and some other desirable stuff. I reviewed Hulu + Live, Fubo, DirecTv, Spectrum (a bit), Sling, and cobbling together OTA with ESPN Unlimited, Fox One and HBOMax. The results were disappointing. 1. Fubo - the Elite sports service wasn't bad. The UI is decent, but they flat out lied during the sign-up process of the cost. It's actually $128/month, not $113/month, after the free trial and first month $30 discount. They don't have a lot of non-sports content, but the sports content was excellent. I was just so pissed off about the blatant lying about the price, I cancelled during the trial phase. 2. DirecTv - jesus these people are idiots. There are two different streaming options, the website is a mess, you can't figure out which streaming offer is which, you can't get the final price of what it actually costs. I roughly estimated it at $135, but who knows. For one of the streaming options, there are contracts and they treat you like shit, just like a traditional cable company. Screw that. 3. YouTube TV - pretty nice experience. The UI has a few limitations, but is manageable. However, I have to say goodbye to Astros coverage. This is probably where we are headed. $82/month. For Spurs and Rangers I'd have to add other streaming services (Fanduel, Victory+). 4. Spectrum - people in my neighborhood are constantly complaining about outages. I didn't look at them closely. I want to keep AT&T internet because I have free HBO right now. 5. Sling - too limited. Can't get much of anything we want. 6. OTA, ESPN Unlimited, Fox One, HBO Max - this has some potential, but I'm not ready for the UI hell this would cause, the wiring issues for OTA, and the lack of certain commercial channels. So, to summarize, the option is to either pay $225 and get Astros, Rangers, Mavs, Spurs, and Movies, or switch to YTTV and lose all that but only pay $82+tax. If I didn't go with YTTV, I might go back to Fubo.
August 29Aug 29 For baseball, there’s mlb tv and a vpn. I use an appleTV for my streaming player, they have an app for my vpn. I turn that on, set it to chicago (unless team is playing there, then I switch to another location), then open the mlb app.
August 29Aug 29 13 minutes ago, thunderlounge said: For baseball, there’s mlb tv and a vpn. I use an appleTV for my streaming player, they have an app for my vpn. I turn that on, set it to chicago (unless team is playing there, then I switch to another location), then open the mlb app. Is it as easy to setup and use as it sounds? What app? Just an Apple TV the latest?
August 29Aug 29 Current gen appleTV. And yeah, it’s pretty easy. There are a lot of vpn services. Some are better than others. Find a vpn provider, then see if there’s an apple tv app for it. Your bigger and better players will have apps, and their site will have setup information for their app. Proton, Nord, Private Internet Access, etc, are some of the options out there. PIA works. Granted we’re just talking baseball here, but it works out to a hair less than fan duel per month, or right about there. The benefit is you get every game and on-demand replays, and not just one team. And since you’ll be needing a streaming player anyway, no problem. There are other players out there. Most don’t let you run a vpn app; apple does. I don’t recommend roku at all. About 18 months ago they made a huge update to their privacy policy and really fucked their users over in the process. (They also don’t have vpn apps.)
August 29Aug 29 Fox/YTTV have a deal. Quote We’re happy to share that we’ve reached a deal with Fox to keep their content on YouTube TV. That means you will continue to have access to Fox channels, including the Fox Broadcast Network, Fox News, and Fox Sports, and any Fox recordings in your Library. If you're subscribed to add-ons like Spanish Plus, 4K Plus, Sports Plus, and Fox Nation, access to that content also remains uninterrupted. We're pleased to have reached a deal that preserves the value of our service for our subscribers. That said, we know potential disruptions are frustrating, even when they don't occur, so we thank you for your patience. As a reminder, family managers have the ability to pause or cancel anytime. Thanks again for being a valued YouTube TV member. Sincerely, The YouTube TV team
August 29Aug 29 4 minutes ago, thunderlounge said: Current gen appleTV. And yeah, it’s pretty easy. There are a lot of vpn services. Some are better than others. Find a vpn provider, then see if there’s an apple tv app for it. Your bigger and better players will have apps, and their site will have setup information for their app. Proton, Nord, Private Internet Access, etc, are some of the options out there. PIA works. Granted we’re just talking baseball here, but it works out to a hair less than fan duel per month, or right about there. The benefit is you get every game and on-demand replays, and not just one team. And since you’ll be needing a streaming player anyway, no problem. There are other players out there. Most don’t let you run a vpn app; apple does. I don’t recommend roku at all. About 18 months ago they made a huge update to their privacy policy and really fucked their users over in the process. (They also don’t have vpn apps.) I have Roku and Firestick. I can’t get Fanduel regional sports in Austin for the Astros. They are considered the in-market team here.
September 3Sep 3 StreamEast is gone https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6591670/2025/09/03/streameast-worlds-largest-illegal-sports-streaming-platform-shut-down-in-sting/?source=user_shared_article Streameast, world’s largest illegal sports streaming platform, shut down in sting
September 3Sep 3 4 hours ago, Js1 said: StreamEast is gone https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6591670/2025/09/03/streameast-worlds-largest-illegal-sports-streaming-platform-shut-down-in-sting/?source=user_shared_article Streameast, world’s largest illegal sports streaming platform, shut down in sting Not really. They still have a bunch of mirrors up and running as we speak: https://v1.gostreameast.link/ I only checked one mirror, but I was able to watch mlb games no problem a few minutes ago.
September 3Sep 3 Just now, Blotto said: Not really. They still have a bunch of mirrors up and running as we speak: https://v1.gostreameast.link/ I only checked one mirror, but I was able to watch mlb games no problem a few minutes ago. is this actual streameast though or some knockoff? i think its the second one?
September 3Sep 3 1 minute ago, NoName said: is this actual streameast though or some knockoff? i think its the second one? I'm no expert as I still actually pay for a YTTV subscription like a dummy so I rarely need to use these sites, but I saw a conversation on reddit on the topic where most seemed to think these are legit mirrors. If I had to guess, I'd say its legit as these operations are pretty used to switching domains on the fly and getting back up and running with little delay. Even if its a knockoff, I wouldn't really care, as I run anti-virus/malware blockers/pop-up blockers when I visit any of these sites, and its not like I know the owners personally.
September 3Sep 3 16 minutes ago, tbone_ said: Why am I a dummy for paying for YTTV subscription? Probably a poor choice of words on my part, but the cost of a YTTV seems like it has risen 50% since I started using it and I dont watch anything on YTTV besides sports. The dummy comment was just me acknowledging that I could probably watch sports cheaper by signing up for the new ESPN service and one or two others. Or just say fuck it and return to the seedy underworld of streameast, sportsurge, etc...
September 3Sep 3 My subscription has gone from $65 to about $100. I compare it to the $2 bills or so I was paying for DIRECTV for years so it still seems good to me. Going through the gyrations of this app or that streaming service or whatever seems like a huge pita to me.
September 4Sep 4 There is a hidden YouTube TV promo in the settings. Login to your account. 1) Click on Manage under your base plan. 2) Click the promo at the top here under options:3) Save $33 a month for the next two months. 4) ???5) Profit
September 5Sep 5 I pay way too much for tv service right now, and am finally cutting services as soon as the regular baseball season ends. However, stealing service isn’t my style, so we will pick up YTTV or Hulu Live. And while the cost of tv service can be a waste, in our case it probably keeps us from going out at least 3 nights a month for dinner, which would cost us $300. So, it’s not quite as wasteful is it first seems.
September 5Sep 5 since i signed up for the promo all my DVR stuff has played like VOD with commercials. hmmm...works like it should on my computer. i'll reboot my tv. Edited September 5Sep 5 by 4th&Five
September 12Sep 12 Well, I finally pulled the plug on U-verse. It was only about 5-10 years after I originally planned to drop them. The streaming services finally got close enough to U-Verse in content, combined with a massive difference in price. For now I will stream either YTTV or Hulu Live, but with the constant, regular price increases every year like clockwork, I fully expect to be on an OTA configuration in about a year or two. The U.S. corporate world has realized they can raise prices annually without fear of revenue loss, so I guess I'll do my part to give them some. The final configuration of the foreseeable future after I eventually drop YTTV/Hulu+ will be: OTA Antenna (done) ESPN Package (possibly only during college football season) Prime (because we order from Amazon all the time) Maybe Netflix (if there is compelling enough programming) Maybe HBO Max (if there is compelling enough programming) Maybe Victory Plus (if Rangers are good) Maybe Fanduel Southwest Regional Sports (if Spurs are good) Maybe Disney Plus (until they cut-off login sharing from second locations) All other services can kiss my ass.
September 14Sep 14 On 9/12/2025 at 12:36 PM, Dbeasy said: Maybe Netflix (if there is compelling enough programming) Maybe HBO Max (if there is compelling enough programming) Maybe Disney Plus (until they cut-off login sharing from second locations) For these and Hulu I subscribe for a month or two, watch everything I want then unsubscribe for 4-6 months. During football season I turn all but netfix off
September 15Sep 15 On 9/13/2025 at 9:09 PM, blacklab said: For these and Hulu I subscribe for a month or two, watch everything I want then unsubscribe for 4-6 months. During football season I turn all but netfix off I do this with everything. Amazon Prime is a keeper for reasons stated by others, but everything else gets shuffled so that I only have 2-3 going at a time. I don't see the point in trying to always have access to anything I might possibly want to watch at any given time. I can only watch so much TV, and I find binging more enjoyable than waiting a week for new episodes, with a few exceptions. I also don't need to watch every game of every team I follow live, but I know some of you do, and that's perfectly understandable. Where I do splurge is in paying for the no-ads tier. It doesn't help with live sports, but makes everything else more watchable.
September 15Sep 15 We canceled Prime a year ago. You’ll miss it at first but quickly get used to it. For cheap Chinese shit, Temu is the exact same stuff but cheaper than Amazon. For something you care about, buy local or straight from the manufacturer.
September 15Sep 15 Remember when cord cutting was #winning yeah me too. With spectrum data and YTTV it’s a fucking time Warner cost explosion redo. Assholes.
September 15Sep 15 2 hours ago, idigTexas said: I do this with everything. Amazon Prime is a keeper for reasons stated by others, but everything else gets shuffled so that I only have 2-3 going at a time. I don't see the point in trying to always have access to anything I might possibly want to watch at any given time. I can only watch so much TV, and I find binging more enjoyable than waiting a week for new episodes, with a few exceptions. I also don't need to watch every game of every team I follow live, but I know some of you do, and that's perfectly understandable. Where I do splurge is in paying for the no-ads tier. It doesn't help with live sports, but makes everything else more watchable. I am the same way - I get a few of them free through T-Mobile (Apple TV and Paramount Plus with commercials) and a reduced rate for Netflix's second tier with no-ads. It saves $20/month. Split Hulu/Disney/ESPN+ bundle with two other people - so far, so good. The Hulu app is very annoying about location, but the Disney+ and ESPN+ apps don't ask and anything on Hulu is on the Disney+ app anyhow. Also split Direct TV Stream with two other people, mostly for live sports. Way easier to flip between games on a Saturday than dealing with ESPN app (can't get the Fox games on there) or computer streams. Peacock was $20 (with ads) on a Black Friday sale. Usually just make up a new e-mail address and do that every year in November. I think the only one I pay full price for is HBO Max, but it has the best/most content. Prime is Prime - it has far more benefits than just whatever is streaming. Edited September 15Sep 15 by Js1
September 15Sep 15 35 minutes ago, Js1 said: Prime is Prime - it has far more benefits than just whatever is streaming. Yep. And using my Prime Visa for all Amazon purchases as well as Whole Foods, it more than pays for itself via rewards.
September 15Sep 15 Any opinions about ESPN Unlimited? I was away from home the last few Saturdays so I hadn't had to figure out how to watch more college games yet.
September 15Sep 15 You guys should check out Stremio. I am new to it but it has everything I need and I pay 15 dollars a month for the premuimize/VPN shit and it works perfect. I get OTA stuff plus anything that is on streaming. I have only had it a month so still new but it is great and easy to load on the firestick and the iOS app works good as well. https://www.stremio.com/ Edited September 15Sep 15 by Zepol87
September 15Sep 15 2 hours ago, Nice Guy Eddie said: Any opinions about ESPN Unlimited? I was away from home the last few Saturdays so I hadn't had to figure out how to watch more college games yet. What kind of information are you looking for? if you’ve used the espn app before to watch sports (like espn+) it’s basically the same thing but with all of the main networks. I signed up for a one month promo for Directv steam (that I plan to drop Oct 2 when the espn unlimited/Fox bundle becomes available for $40/month), so I’ve been using that subscription anytime I’ve wanted to watch espn the last few weeks. I don’t remember if the espn unlimited allows you to pause live tv
September 22Sep 22 No CR but there should be some decent retention offers if you look to cancel Hulu or Disney these days. No reason not to try it.
September 24Sep 24 I'm looking to cancel them because Spectrum says they're included in my package now. I am hesitant because I feel like it's too good to be true. Anyone here take advantage of that offer yet?
September 24Sep 24 So I’m using YouTube tv for the next few days. I’ve been using it off and on over the last month. However I can’t figure out how to go right to a channel i want to watch. For example, on cable I would just type in a channel number. How do I go right to cnbc, for example?
September 24Sep 24 There isn’t a way manually. You can sometimes find things you watch frequently on the home tab. You can also rearrange the live guide to put your most watched channels at the top. Not exactly pushing 392 on the remote, but as close as it can get.
September 24Sep 24 You can go back to previous channel by press and hold the middle button for a second Edited September 24Sep 24 by Blutarski
September 24Sep 24 The guide does get very good at learning your favorite shows and channels and having them featured in the home section or the top of the guide. If your TV has a voice command option that works too.
September 25Sep 25 On 9/22/2025 at 2:35 PM, Nice Guy Eddie said: No CR but there should be some decent retention offers if you look to cancel Hulu or Disney these days. No reason not to try it. Instead, they are raising prices.
September 25Sep 25 So I had to rewire my tvs and stereos to handle dropping Uverse and picking up YouTube tv. There are some complicated settings that are very poorly described in the tv and stereo manuals. Anyway, I started running into some issues with sound output to the stereo. Two one minute sessions on ChatGPT immediately solve multiple issues. It was incredible. It told me every setting, step by step, for all devices, to solve multiple sound issues. Amazing. I would have previously spent hours on Google and in the manuals trying to figure out the solution. ChatGPT is a game changer.
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