replacement for cable TV

[Lionel Mandrake]

I hear there's a streaming service that does just about everything cable does but costs less. What's the name of it?

[Permanut]

1. We're using Roku..

Haven't had it very long: not sure what all's on it, but there's a lot.

[Lionel Mandrake]

13. As I understand it, Roku is a device

which allows you access to streaming services such as Apple TV+, Netflix, Prime Video, etc. You can sign up for as many streaming services as you want.

The best Roku devices have ethernet ports. The cheaper devices work only via WiFi. If you have ethernet cables installed in your home, that's the best way to hook up your Roku device.

[bahboo]

2. try YouTube....

I haven't yet, but may soon...

[Lionel Mandrake]

14. Good luck.

[CountAllVotes]

3. I don't have cable tv

I am able to stream many channels with my new wireless connection via this link:

https://ustv247.tv/cnbclive/

I also watch with rabbit ears and a converter box on an old television set that belonged to my late mother. It was made in the 1990s and plays VCR tapes.

Best of luck watching television FOR FREE!

[jalan48]

4. I have youtube tv. It's $65 a month and I get cable tv stations

[Lionel Mandrake]

15. Does it include a virtual DVR?

In other words, can you save a program and watch it later?

[jalan48]

17. Yes, and you can skip through commercials on recorded shows that have them.

[Lionel Mandrake]

19. I signed up for YouTube TV.

I'm experimenting with YouTube TV. It has all the channels I'm interested in, including TCM & PBS. Very soon I will drop the overpriced and under-performing Fios TV service, which I think of as a type of cable TV. I will keep the Fios telephone and internet services.

Is there a way to delete a movie or show that I previously recorded? If so, I haven't found it.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

20. It's hard to record or even find what you recorded, I mean

compared to cable. And you really miss just plugging in a channel number and jumping back and forth. Now it's a long guide in no order with no numbers. But, after a while, you realize there are other things that are better than cable.

Actually don't record really anything anymore. Because it's like everything is there or you can search for it and watch it from beginning or live. Like on Saturdays... All the NCAA football games are all there together. Love too how you can always pause and back up.

One thing we don't like is that unlike cable, pause goes away quite quickly and you have to drill down all over again. There's no " just watched" a second ago.

I wouldn't mind trying another service like YouTube. What's the next best?

[old as dirt]

5. We cancelled our cable right after the 2020 election.

It's been a tremendous improvement of our quality of life.

Before that we had cable for four entire years.

[Ferrets are Cool]

6. We just removed Directv satellite after 25 years...

and went with Directv Streaming. Personally, I would have gone with Hulu, but wifey doesn't like that much change, so just talking her into ANY streaming service was a huge step.
Our bill went from 160 month to 80. I have been really satisfied for the week we've had it.

[Lionel Mandrake]

16. Does Directv Streaming include a virtual DVR?

In other words, can you save a program and watch it later?

[Ferrets are Cool]

18. Yes, it does, for up to 9 months.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

21. You don't really have to "save" anything

Because it's all there.... U just search for it.

Hulu is nothing like YouTube TV or Direct TV. These two are the most like cable or satellite was.. just streaming. Where you will find typical channels you are used to like ESPN, CNN, networks, PBS, Bravo, weather, etc.

Services like Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Max etc are more of a way to see lots of movies and older TV Series. Each has original programming too.

I want to experiment more with staggering them out. Since they don't have contracts you can cancel whenever you want. Read that you should catch up on all the original stuff and switch to another do the same then switch back Want to try maybe Peacock, Discovery +. For a while.

[vanlassie]

7. But can you get MSNBC? I think the only sure option is Sling?

[Auggie]

8. YouTubeTV offers MSNBC

[Cuthbert Allgood]

9. Hulu Live also has MSNBC.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

10. Depends on the specifics you want. Sling, Hulu, and YouTubeTV are all solid options.

Each has their pros and cons. I didn't like YouTube for their platform, but it was a solid service if you were using it just for live. I currently have Hulu. Biggest problems I have is that Hulu doesn't have AMC nor Bally sports. I haven't solved the AMC problem, but I get a season pass to watch the Bucks games on NBA.com.

[Lionel Mandrake]

11. Thank you all for your replies.

Please let me explain my situation and what I'm looking for in greater detail.

I have two Roku devices with ethernet ports, one for each TV set. Ethernet is more reliable than WiFi. I use the Roku devices for the Apple TV+, Netflix, and Prime Video streaming services. I also have Frontier Fios (in California - elsewhere it's Verizon Fios) which I use only to record PBS programs. I used to use Fios to watch Turner Classic Movies (TCM). Fios is an expensive version of cable TV and no longer includes TCM unless I want to pay an extra $100 or more per month! What I'm looking for is a streaming service available through the Roku devices that will record PBS programs for me and let me watch them at any later time - sort of a software equivalent of a DVR.

I'm wondering which of the streaming services mentioned in this thread will do what I want.

[bif]

12. If you're into movies

Be sure to check out Kanopy.com and Hoopla.com. Tons of great movies for free with your library card.