Someone with more knowledge than me about the state of TV these days suggested getting an antenna for local channels and a roku for anything else.

Got $20 rabbit ears for the local channels from Target.  Works great.  Got all the locals, plus a bunch of junk channels.  Reminds me of the Springsteen song "57 Channels and Nothing On" -- but I can work around that. 

Also got a roku, but haven't set it up yet.  We only watch about 6-7 cable channels -- generally speaking, they are AMC, CNN, Comedy Central, ESPN, Freeform, Hallmark, and HGTV. 

Here's what I think I know so far after spending a few hours yesterday surfing the net.  Anyone with better technical knowledge, please feel free to correct me.

To get streaming services, you need a smart TV (for internet wifi access).  Our 12 year old TV (as with most old ones) is a dumb TV, but does have a USB port.

Roku plugs into the USB port, thereby giving internet wifi access.  The (as of yet uninstalled) roku I bought on sale at Target for $28 has a regular price of $40.

Roku's FAQ page lists several services which provide the actual content -- fubo, hulu, Philo, Sling, and YouTube TV.  From looking at their websites (some helpful, some pathetic unless you agree to sign up), Sling seems to be the best deal. Two options -- blue and orange, both $30/month with slightly different packages of channels.  You can add other packages of channels for an additional $5/month.

So, it looks like for a $60 upfront cost for antennal and roku stick, then $35/month, I can get what I want to watch vs paying $100+ a month for DirecTV.  No wonder cable and satellite companies are losing customers in droves.

On Friday, October 30, 2020, 04:01:41 PM MST, RamDas Singh Khalsa via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm@mailman.swcp.com> wrote:


I dropped cable many years ago and went to satellite.  But the prices kept going up and up. Now I subscribe to YouTube TV which streams via my Internet connection.  Its prices increased some.  It costs around $65 per month.  It includes ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox plus many sports and other networks.  It includes unlimited free DVR service.  All you need is an Internet connection and either a smart TV or a device like Roku Express.  With the same YouTube TV account you can also enjoy programs on your smartphone, your computer and your iPad.  I realize Comcast tends to have every channel possible, but I have my favorites, and they are on YouTube TV.  You can go to https://tv.youtube.com/ to check their lineup and offers.  

On Fri, Oct 30, 2020 at 4:38 PM JRB via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm@mailman.swcp.com> wrote:
Hello All:  It appears that Comcast TV Cable has deleted channel 149 (MPLEX) from my basic plan.  No reduction in monthly price, of course, just less product at the same cost.  Anyone else with Comcast basic plan TV cable experienced this same thing?  I am so sick of Comcast but I can't find an alternative.  Suggestions?  State well and buckle-up.  There is some rough air ahead of us with the election and virus.
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