Update on Cord Cutting (Cable TV) - 2021 version

[SmallCityDave]

After a couple years I went back to Dish, I wanted to watch a bit more racing and YouTube TV worked but it was a bit clunky and I was using too much data.


After everything was said and done my bill will be less than YouTube I will get more channels(190) and I will be locked in for 2 years which is good and bad. If/when I cut the cord again I'm going back to Philo.

 

[Midpack]

After a couple years I went back to Dish, I wanted to watch a bit more racing and YouTube TV worked but it was a bit clunky and I was using too much data.


After everything was said and done my bill will be less than YouTube I will get more channels(190) and I will be locked in for 2 years which is good and bad. If/when I cut the cord again I'm going back to Philo.

You must have better Dish pricing where you are than where I live, and don’t have more than 2 TV’s. Or you wouldn’t have an internet subscription if not for YTTV so you’re considering the internet subscription part of your TV viewing package. That’s legit if true, I just don’t know anyone anymore who doesn’t depend on an internet connection regardless of TV.

 

[ncbill]

I'd like to reduce my $200/month "triple-play" cable bill...starting with porting out the "landline" phone number to a cheaper service.

Had anyone gone from Ooma to Obihai (via Google Voice) or vice-versa, and why?

 

[SmallCityDave]

You must have better Dish pricing where you are than where I live, and don’t have more than 2 TV’s. Or you wouldn’t have an internet subscription if not for YTTV so you’re considering the internet subscription part of your TV viewing package. That’s legit if true, I just don’t know anyone anymore who doesn’t depend on an internet connection regardless of TV.

It took a couple of calls but my monthly bill is $76.52 they threw in a $400 gift card so that brings down the bill by $16.66 just under $60 per month with taxes and everything for 2 years that includes 2 tv's plus fire sticks and they upgraded the dvr and gave us a bit of extra programing plus a few free movie certificates.


No I wasn't including the internet with YouTube TV but since YTTV streams everything it was pushing the limits of our data cap (1.25tb). YTTV was $65 per month with taxes it was $68.95.

 

[Musica40]

Starting 2021 with the following paid services:

Locast (58 local channels/23 HD)- $60/yr donation
CBS All Access - $60/yr
Peacock - $60/yr
Disney+ $68/yr
HBOMax - $14.99/mo
Philo (63 cable channels) $20/mo

Average $50.65/mo

Locast? I assume these are local channels?

 

[explanade]

And fast-forward or skip forward 30 seconds is even better!

On streaming content?

What about skip forward on the commercials in those streaming plans which are ad-supported?

That would be a huge deal.

 

[RonBoyd]

On streaming content?

What about skip forward on the commercials in those streaming plans which are ad-supported?

That would be a huge deal.

I am unsure what you are asking. Is it that you want to skip forward in something that is being shown live? How would that work? Is it like being in a theater watching a movie and asking the projectionist to jump forward? Would the rest of the audience protest?

In other words, streaming (other than "on demand") is the same as "Over The Air) OTA. How would you have Channel 4 skip past commercials during the nightly news?

Again, I am confused what it is you are asking for.

 

[Katsmeow]

Just got back from turning in my box to Spectrum. I had a reservation and was in and out in less than 5 minutes. I was able to confirm that if I come back in 31 days the price will be $128 including tax for Spectrum Select(125 channels) with DVR plus 100 mbps internet. Bundled internet with cable is $44.99/mo. Unbundled it is $74.99/mo - $30 bucks more. That's how they are competing and beating the streaming aggregators. Unless you have another option for internet, their service is actually less expensive than Hulu Live, YTTV, and AT&T TV. I signed up for Sling Blue(47 live channels) also this morning ($25 for the first month, once the 3 day trial is over). Their dashboard is decent, but no local content and fewer channels. It will work for a month, no problem.
.

All I will say...is be careful. When YTTV was going to raise its raise we had just gone off our 2 years on Frontier FIOS so decided to switch to Spectrum for Internet and TV. We liked Frontier FIOS more but it was going up a lot and if we got internet with Spectrum with a TV package it was going to be a lot of cheaper.

So we signed up. We were clear we wanted to be able to watch TV on any of our 4 TVs in the house plus on our computers. Spectrum said it was over WiFi and there were no cable boxes (just the modem) so that all sounded great.

Then we got it. There was no DVR function. On YTTV that function is there and you can DVR anything you want and it stays there a year (I basically record virtually any shows I have any interest in at all). Well on Spectrum it would be extra money. OK fine. But if I wanted it to be available on all the TVs (not just one that we attached a physical DVR box to) it was going to be even more money. Enough money that Spectrum wasn't very competitive on price any more. But, OK.

But then I started watching TV and the ability to do things like fast forward or skip commercials was really limited compared to YTTV. So we cancelled the TV part and just kept the internet (which is now $75 but is still a bit cheaper than Frontier FIOS).

 

[ivinsfan]

FYI on the new Paramount Plus, apparently if you sign up for CBS all access by Wednesday you will automatically be switched to Paramount plus and right now you can get a year streaming for half prices.

Use code PARAMOUNTPLUS at checkout.. good for add supported and add free version.

 

[Yoheadden]

So today was the day I was going to switch out my Comcast modem for my Netgear one and set up my Roku. After 4 1/2 hours and now no landline, I still have my old modem hooked up.

I switched everything around. Called Comcast to disconnect the old modem and register the new one. Everything seemed fine, but of course as soon as I got off the phone, I had no internet connection. All the tests seemed good. The Wifi was working, but we just couldn’t get the internet connection, even though Comcast said it was fine on their end.
After multiple calls to Comcast and Netgear, plus a little online sleuthing, We still couldn’t figure the issue. It is either a defective modem or something on Comcast’s end. The set up an appointment with a tech for tomorrow.
I get a call from Comcast about an hour later, saying my case was escalated. Long story short, after more trial & error, they still couldn’t figure out why my landline isn’t working .
Has anyone experienced anything like this? Specifically having your device (roku in my case) all set up, appear to be okay, but not having an internet connection to it.
Bear in mind, I have a second roku working fine on a second tv for the past 2 days that I have working off of the Comcast modem.

 

[disneysteve]

I switched everything around. Called Comcast to disconnect the old modem and register the new one. Everything seemed fine, but of course as soon as I got off the phone, I had no internet connection. All the tests seemed good. The Wifi was working, but we just couldn’t get the internet connection, even though Comcast said it was fine on their end.
Has anyone experienced anything like this?

I encountered something kind of similar. I returned the rented Comcast modem and connected one I bought myself. I called Comcast and got it activated and everything worked. No problems at all - until the next morning when nothing worked.


I called Comcast again and they said everything looked good on their end. The problem must be with the modem and to call Netgear. I knew that wasn't true, but I did it anyway. Sure enough, Netgear said everything was fine.


I called Comcast again and eventually got someone in the right department who actually listened to what I was saying. It turned out that although the modem was receiving a signal, their system had automatically switched my account back to the old modem at midnight and inactivated the new one. All it took was a few clicks on my account to switch it back and I was good to go.


Call Comcast and have them verify which modem they are showing as the active one on your account.

 

[Yoheadden]

They were definitely getting confused by having 2 modems in the system. It was even more frustrating when every time there was a pause in the conversation, such as waiting for the modem to reboot for the umpteenth time, they would throw a sales pitch at me for a security system or phone upgrade. I mean, let’s focus people.

Netgear couldn’t verify the modem was working properly, because when They looked up the serial #, it was already registered to someone else (I bought it through Amazon Warehouse) and the warranty time period was over. When I logged on directly to check the specs of the modem, everything seemed okay and I even saw the devices that were connected to it by WiFi. For some reason, it just wasn’t uploading the internet to the devices.

The last Comcast person I spoke with suggested hooking the Netgear box back up before the tech comes since they test it on the outside before they come in. I think she just felt sorry for me at this point. Lol

 

[Buckeye]

Took the first steps towards cutting the cord today. Ordered a modem, 2 Rokus and Ooma service for my landline. I’m excited to join the money saving community of cord cutters and finally saying good bye to cable

Go big and order T-Mobile internet (internet over cell signal) too! Or maybe your cable provider is not your internet provider. I am very happy to be sending $0 to Spectrum every month after cancelling both TV and internet.

The T-Mobile gateway is a combined modem and router, with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. If you (or anyone) decides to try T-Mobile internet, feel free to PM me. You have to start by going to their website to determine if it is available in your area as they are controlling capacity at this point. I did a speedcheck on my new laptop a couple of times today and the speed was at least 145 Mbps download and 13 Mbps upload. Not bad for $50 per month.

 

[smihaila]

Go big and order T-Mobile internet (internet over cell signal) too! Or maybe your cable provider is not your internet provider. I am very happy to be sending $0 to Spectrum every month after cancelling both TV and internet.

The T-Mobile gateway is a combined modem and router, with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. If you (or anyone) decides to try T-Mobile internet, feel free to PM me. You have to start by going to their website to determine if it is available in your area as they are controlling capacity at this point. I did a speedcheck on my new laptop a couple of times today and the speed was at least 145 Mbps download and 13 Mbps upload. Not bad for $50 per month.

Looks so tempting, to ditch Comcast and get T-Mobile internet. But it doesn't seem to be available in my area :-(.

 

[Yoheadden]

This was a classic example of it’s all who you talk to.

So after spending 4+ hours with Comcast and Netgear the previous day and ending up worse than when I started, because now I had no internet and landline. Their escalated support couldn’t help when they gave me a call back later and I had a scheduled appointment with a tech to come out the next day.

Before the tech was to show up between 12-2, I decided to give it one more shot. I connect the Roku and what do u know, it works. So I decided to call Comcast again, fingers crossed, that I get an agent that can help switching the modems. Long story short, 30 minutes later, modems switched, internet and landline was working fine.
They canceled my appointment with the tech and all has been good since.
It was like night and day between the techs. Unbelievable.

 

[Midpack]

This was a classic example of it’s all who you talk to.

So after spending 4+ hours with Comcast and Netgear the previous day and ending up worse than when I started, because now I had no internet and landline. Their escalated support couldn’t help when they gave me a call back later and I had a scheduled appointment with a tech to come out the next day.

Before the tech was to show up between 12-2, I decided to give it one more shot. I connect the Roku and what do u know, it works. So I decided to call Comcast again, fingers crossed, that I get an agent that can help switching the modems. Long story short, 30 minutes later, modems switched, internet and landline was working fine.
They canceled my appointment with the tech and all has been good since.
It was like night and day between the techs. Unbelievable.

AT&T is the same. Some techs clearly don’t know much and they’re just parroting from a scripted flow chart, others really know how to diagnose and fix problems. As you might guess, the latter folks are MUCH fewer and farther between. Disabling the AT&T router (garbage) from my AT&T gateway and using my own Netgear Nighthawk 1.2Gb router has made a world of difference - most AT&T techs don’t know that...

 

[Yoheadden]

So, TBH, I’m a little disappointed that I am not seeing the savings, that I thought I would. I am paying, give or take a dollar, almost the same amount $250/month, that I was paying to Comcast, plus I purchased almost $500 in equipment.
Comcast 300Mbps $100
Fubo. $ 65
Disney+ $70
Discovery + $ 7
Ooma $ 7
Total $249
This being said, I am more excited about our viewing options, than I have in a long time. There are more than a few shows that we couldn’t watch before and have already watched the entire Echo Challenge on Discovery +. Lol
I still think $100 is quite expensive for a 300Mbps connection. I saved $5.00 by dropping from 600Mbps.
I did check T Mobile and it is not available in my area. I checked AT&T and high speed isn’t either.
Any other suggestions for a household with 4 adults (2-50s, 2-70s)?
2 TVs, 2 IPads, 2 IPhones and a desktop computer.
How low is too low in terms of Mbps ?

 

[disneysteve]

So, TBH, I’m a little disappointed that I am not seeing the savings, that I thought I would. I am paying, give or take a dollar, almost the same amount $250/month, that I was paying to Comcast, plus I purchased almost $500 in equipment.
Comcast 300Mbps $100
Fubo. $ 65

Have you compared Fubo to Sling with or without Locast?


We have Sling for $30/month which gives us pretty much every channel we had with Comcast.


We added Locast for the local channels for $5/month, but that isn't available in every market.


We're also paying $95.95 for internet with Comcast but the net savings still comes to $105/month for us.

 

[zinger1457]

So, TBH, I’m a little disappointed that I am not seeing the savings, that I thought I would. I am paying, give or take a dollar, almost the same amount $250/month, that I was paying to Comcast, plus I purchased almost $500 in equipment.
Comcast 300Mbps $100
Fubo. $ 65
Disney+ $70
Discovery + $ 7
Ooma $ 7
Total $249

Disney+ is $70 annually, not monthly.

 

[pb4uski]

Disney+ is $70 annually, not monthly.

+1 ... so that is $186/month and $64/month savings.

How did you spend $500 on equipment? My modem/router cost $110 and Ooma Telo is $80.

 

[W2R]

So, TBH, I’m a little disappointed that I am not seeing the savings, that I thought I would. I am paying, give or take a dollar, almost the same amount $250/month, that I was paying to Comcast, plus I purchased almost $500 in equipment.

I can understand your disappointment! I wonder if you really watch and value all of those services. If not, maybe you could drop some and not miss them much.

Some people are really better off with everything imaginable, and don't really want to cut back on anything. I understand how that can be. Maybe you would be happier with cable?

Personally I am at the opposite end of the spectrum, where I actually DID cut the cable back in May of 2014, other than cable internet. In my case I didn't have any desire to replace cable TV with a ton of services and equipment, and went OTA. I am saving a huge amount of $$ every month (paying $0.00/month for TV) while I enjoy exploring other fun things to do. I don't really miss watching what Hollywood creates for us when I have so many other options in life. But not everyone finds this as liberating as I do and that's OK.

 

[pb4uski]

....Personally I am at the opposite end of the spectrum, where I actually DID cut the cable back in May of 2014, other than cable internet. In my case I didn't have any desire to replace cable TV with a ton of services and equipment, and went OTA. I am saving a huge amount of $$ every month (paying $0.00/month for TV) ...

Hence, your reputation as the queen of LBYM!

 

[SloHan]

For those who have TMobile Internet how is it working for you? Any difficulty installing or streaming?

 

[Freedom56]

Today our CBS All Access became Paramount+. We see no difference in the service other than the name change. They have started to broadcast new shows and movies in 4K HDR which is good.

We are going dump HBO (HBO Max). Their content has become pretty terrible as AT&T cuts costs. We dumped Netflix a few years ago for the same reason. So our paid services are down to:

Locast.org (for 52 local OTA channels - $60 per year donation)
Peacock Premium ($60 per year)
Paramount+ ($60 per year)
Disney+ ($60 per year)
Philo (for all the cable channels $20 per month)
Amazon Prime ($119 per year plus tax which we make up with free delivery)

 

[W2R]

Hence, your reputation as the queen of LBYM!

Thanks, but hey, I think I'm the only person here that has a separate spending category for video games.... That's my weakness, more than TV.