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I've considered all the options I can think of, from cable to OTT streaming, to a mix of OTA and OTT Streaming, and I can find alternatives to Dish that save us money, albeit, just a little, not a lot, but I cannot find anything that provides the content we care about, with the features we desire, at a price better than what we currently pay Dish.
Our watching habits have changed over they years. These days, we watch a handful of shows on the big six national networks (ABC, CBS, CW, FOX, NBS, PBS). We also watch shows on TBS and Comedy Central. Other than that, we subscribe to HBO Now via Amazon Channels, Amazon Prime, and Netflix. Once a year, we get Hulu (ad-free), Stars, and CBS All Access for things we can only get that way or don't want to wait for. We really avoid advertising when at all possible. About the only ads we see are on the morning news, which are mostly local. We both download shows using DishAnywhere to watch when not at home.
Now, maybe something will change by September, when our contract is up, but I cannot foresee what that might be. For everyone else's benefit, here are the options I considered and the reasons why am choosing not to pursue each of them. Please keep in mind that the the reasons that are important to me are not necessarily important to others. If there is another option you think might be worth considering, please let me know as I am always looking for a better solution, and I enjoy the conversation.
Spectrum Cable & Internet:
While Spectrum offered significant savings over the two-years their cable & internet offer, I found their DVR offering to be severely limited in functionality and capacity. Their out-of-home viewing option is live-only at this time. Also, there is no provision to download recordings for off-line viewing on a mobile device. Technology-wise, Spectrum's video offering just doesn't meet our needs. Their Internet service would be perfectly acceptable, and we might switch to it if AT&T's prices for Fiber service become less attractive at a later date.
AT&T Uverse:
We are already AT&T Fiber Customers. The channel packages are just awesome value for money (now that Viacom is back anyway). The real downside is the aging platform this runs on plus the lack of off-line, out-of-home viewing. Finally, it is clear that AT&T is coming out with a replacement for Uverse soon. Maybe what they come up with next will be more appealing.
YouTube TV + Philo:
This is appealing as we would get more content for our money, and we wouldn't be paying as much for equipment fees as we do for content, like we do with Dish. We would only be paying for the streaming devices we already have to have for Netflix, Prime, etc. The reality is, we just don't watch all those extra channels anymore. A problem that all OTT "live" streaming services have is the "just turn on the TV and start watching" experience doesn't exist. You have to turn on the TV, then choose the app, wait for it to load, and then you can choose what to watch. Occasionally, the streaming device will decide to reboot or the app will crash unexpectedly. This is not an experience we enjoy, especially compared to the very fast and reliable Hopper3/Joey experience we have now. Also, our current streaming devices (Roku) do not include a mute button. If we cannot skip a commercial, we mute it. They've added volume up/down and TV power, why not mute? This is the other side of paying a lot for equipment: sometimes you get what you pay for. Also, it sounds like CBS recordings still cannot be skipped.
DirecTV Now:
I might consider it once they have a decent DVR solution and their own streaming box, if it ends up being any good, especially as it includes HBO now. The same streaming downsides as YTTV/Philo have.
Hulu Live + Philo:
Once we add the enhanced DVR, this becomes the most expensive streaming option. In fact it would actually cost more than if we keep Dish, albeit with access to more content. We like that it includes the Hulu on-demand service. The same streaming downsides as YTTV/Philo have.
Tablo 4-tuner + Sling or Philo:
The whole paradigm of using streaming devices to watch OTA DVRs is intriguing, especially if Tablo is successful with their ad-skipping tech. Unfortunately, it essentially still suffers from the same downsides as other streaming solutions, and it doesn't offer a download facility for out-of-home viewing. Additionally, my house is located in a location that is difficult to receive OTA without a largish antenna on the roof, which my wife is very much against. It is a brand-new roof, and she likes how out of the way our dish is. Even if I could get her on-board, the other downsides of streaming still exist.
Amazon Fire Recast + Sling/Philo:
Similar to Tablo, but with Amazon tie-in. We'd have to add 3 Fire streaming devices to our TVs, which eliminates price advantage vs. Tablo. I like that the required new FireTV remotes include a mute button, but we haven't had the best luck with our existing 2nd gen Firestick. It is not very responsive to remote inputs compared to our Rokus at times for whatever reason. I am also not confident the Recast is going be to more than a pet project for Amazon anyway. Same OTA and streaming issues.
Tivo Bolt OTA + Sling/Philo:
Too expensive. Same OTA issues.
I can see why people are switching to OTT live services and OTA, but there are definitely trade-offs, and they are still large enough for people like my wife who really doesn't have the time to constantly learn new UIs all the time. Also, the price increases have already started with the OTT services, so it seems like it is just going to turn into something like traditional satellite/cable business, but with higher overhead. Anyway, that is where I am for now.
Our watching habits have changed over they years. These days, we watch a handful of shows on the big six national networks (ABC, CBS, CW, FOX, NBS, PBS). We also watch shows on TBS and Comedy Central. Other than that, we subscribe to HBO Now via Amazon Channels, Amazon Prime, and Netflix. Once a year, we get Hulu (ad-free), Stars, and CBS All Access for things we can only get that way or don't want to wait for. We really avoid advertising when at all possible. About the only ads we see are on the morning news, which are mostly local. We both download shows using DishAnywhere to watch when not at home.
Now, maybe something will change by September, when our contract is up, but I cannot foresee what that might be. For everyone else's benefit, here are the options I considered and the reasons why am choosing not to pursue each of them. Please keep in mind that the the reasons that are important to me are not necessarily important to others. If there is another option you think might be worth considering, please let me know as I am always looking for a better solution, and I enjoy the conversation.
Spectrum Cable & Internet:
While Spectrum offered significant savings over the two-years their cable & internet offer, I found their DVR offering to be severely limited in functionality and capacity. Their out-of-home viewing option is live-only at this time. Also, there is no provision to download recordings for off-line viewing on a mobile device. Technology-wise, Spectrum's video offering just doesn't meet our needs. Their Internet service would be perfectly acceptable, and we might switch to it if AT&T's prices for Fiber service become less attractive at a later date.
AT&T Uverse:
We are already AT&T Fiber Customers. The channel packages are just awesome value for money (now that Viacom is back anyway). The real downside is the aging platform this runs on plus the lack of off-line, out-of-home viewing. Finally, it is clear that AT&T is coming out with a replacement for Uverse soon. Maybe what they come up with next will be more appealing.
YouTube TV + Philo:
This is appealing as we would get more content for our money, and we wouldn't be paying as much for equipment fees as we do for content, like we do with Dish. We would only be paying for the streaming devices we already have to have for Netflix, Prime, etc. The reality is, we just don't watch all those extra channels anymore. A problem that all OTT "live" streaming services have is the "just turn on the TV and start watching" experience doesn't exist. You have to turn on the TV, then choose the app, wait for it to load, and then you can choose what to watch. Occasionally, the streaming device will decide to reboot or the app will crash unexpectedly. This is not an experience we enjoy, especially compared to the very fast and reliable Hopper3/Joey experience we have now. Also, our current streaming devices (Roku) do not include a mute button. If we cannot skip a commercial, we mute it. They've added volume up/down and TV power, why not mute? This is the other side of paying a lot for equipment: sometimes you get what you pay for. Also, it sounds like CBS recordings still cannot be skipped.
DirecTV Now:
I might consider it once they have a decent DVR solution and their own streaming box, if it ends up being any good, especially as it includes HBO now. The same streaming downsides as YTTV/Philo have.
Hulu Live + Philo:
Once we add the enhanced DVR, this becomes the most expensive streaming option. In fact it would actually cost more than if we keep Dish, albeit with access to more content. We like that it includes the Hulu on-demand service. The same streaming downsides as YTTV/Philo have.
Tablo 4-tuner + Sling or Philo:
The whole paradigm of using streaming devices to watch OTA DVRs is intriguing, especially if Tablo is successful with their ad-skipping tech. Unfortunately, it essentially still suffers from the same downsides as other streaming solutions, and it doesn't offer a download facility for out-of-home viewing. Additionally, my house is located in a location that is difficult to receive OTA without a largish antenna on the roof, which my wife is very much against. It is a brand-new roof, and she likes how out of the way our dish is. Even if I could get her on-board, the other downsides of streaming still exist.
Amazon Fire Recast + Sling/Philo:
Similar to Tablo, but with Amazon tie-in. We'd have to add 3 Fire streaming devices to our TVs, which eliminates price advantage vs. Tablo. I like that the required new FireTV remotes include a mute button, but we haven't had the best luck with our existing 2nd gen Firestick. It is not very responsive to remote inputs compared to our Rokus at times for whatever reason. I am also not confident the Recast is going be to more than a pet project for Amazon anyway. Same OTA and streaming issues.
Tivo Bolt OTA + Sling/Philo:
Too expensive. Same OTA issues.
I can see why people are switching to OTT live services and OTA, but there are definitely trade-offs, and they are still large enough for people like my wife who really doesn't have the time to constantly learn new UIs all the time. Also, the price increases have already started with the OTT services, so it seems like it is just going to turn into something like traditional satellite/cable business, but with higher overhead. Anyway, that is where I am for now.
81 Replies
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9519 views
Another dead thread resurrected. 
The funny thing about this being resurrected is that the OP has went to OTT services in the 2 years since the Thread started.Another dead thread resurrected.
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2QtsO2mlXM
Direct YouTube Link - This Web Vulnerability Shook the Tech World
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2QtsO2mlXM
Direct YouTube Link - This Web Vulnerability Shook the Tech World
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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4 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68606 Replies
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2677980 views
Lifetime Supporter
I know HipKat said that they were working on conversions but we got the official news yesterday right from Dish that starting next month all DMA's will be on the western arc, and all customers will be assigned to that. That's gonna mean a lot of customers around here aren't gonna get Dish unless there are exceptions. Too many mountains and trees.
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4351 views
Unfortunately, I don't think my social proximity to Charle Ergen provides any special perks. Maybe if Foxbat, Jr. were to marry his daughter…have charlie buy you a new house
S
.
that would be one hell of a convoUnfortunately, I don't think my social proximity to Charle Ergen provides any special perks. Maybe if Foxbat, Jr. were to marry his daughter…
.
The title was to catch everyone's eye lol! But it is a thought I've been having as I dev a Roku app for a client. You see many MAAANY years ago I got really interested in cable TV channels and even chatted with a regional carrier, Insight about what it took to get a channel number. It was surprisingly easy although prohibitively expensive.
You could petition, reserve a high channel number, they monitored performance and if they liked you, you'd get lower channel number overtime and cut into ad overlays.
Roku has a similar setup. Make an app, if it has a strong, original linear component you could get channel assignment on The Roku Channel.
As mixed as my feelings are on the current media landscape, I can't help but feel a little excited interest when I scope out the apps in the Roku store.
You could petition, reserve a high channel number, they monitored performance and if they liked you, you'd get lower channel number overtime and cut into ad overlays.
Roku has a similar setup. Make an app, if it has a strong, original linear component you could get channel assignment on The Roku Channel.
As mixed as my feelings are on the current media landscape, I can't help but feel a little excited interest when I scope out the apps in the Roku store.
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54 views
Season 2 order already in hand:
'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Renewed for Season 2, Tatiana Maslany to Guest Star in Season 1
I've not been optimistic about this show based on what I've read so far. Seems to be aimed at a younger audience. Interesting though that Tatiana Maslany will have some sort of role.
'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Renewed for Season 2, Tatiana Maslany to Guest Star in Season 1
I've not been optimistic about this show based on what I've read so far. Seems to be aimed at a younger audience. Interesting though that Tatiana Maslany will have some sort of role.
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3734 views
Why are ViP922s So rare? like its crazy how ebay has none, i checked everywhere, also, i got a ViP222k now, which is actually activated!
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1115 views
I remember this in the news too...
www.nbcnews.com
$14,000 spent on rented rotary phone
A widow rented a rotary dial telephone for 42 years, paying what her family calculates as more than $14,000 for a now- outdated phone.
www.nbcnews.com
That is a misnomer. In the old days you subscribed to telephone service. That included the telephone line and one telephone. An extension cost $1 a month extra. So that $14,000 over 42 years was for the service not the leased telephone. There is no way they paid $28 a month for 42 years for a leased telephone.I remember this in the news too...
$14,000 spent on rented rotary phone
A widow rented a rotary dial telephone for 42 years, paying what her family calculates as more than $14,000 for a now- outdated phone.
S
me either. sometimes it seems like things disappear when they start changing sh*t around
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
So...DirecTV advertises the Choice package with 95+ bonus channels for Satellite customers. You don't want 90+ of the 95...
Excluding PPV, premium networks, infomercial, shopping, religion, and non-English programming, there are 7 channels on satellite that are not on streaming:
NFL Network, MavTV, FE TV, Free Speech, NASA, INSP, and Pursuit. I'm pretty sure a couple of those are public interest that they have to carry to meet an FCC quota on satellite.
I hope they get called out for this advertising because that is ridiculous. One big network, NFL, will probably get added to streaming when their next agreement comes up, and the rest are likely very low viewership.
What about streaming, what do you get extra with the Choice package that isn't on Satellite:
Two stations - one of which is an internet TV - Fox Weather, and Heros & Icons (a diginet). Nothing special here to look at either.
If they cleaned up a couple of their agreements, added a few public interest stations to streaming, they could probably have their lineups match. It's close now, if you take out all the garbage on satellite that they earn money on. If they can sell infomercials on satellite, why can't they on streaming, seems like a miss. A bigger miss, including those stations in the "bonus channels just for satellite customers." Pretty sad marketing right there.
Attached is a comparison sheet of satellite vs streaming for the three main packages if anyone is interested.
MOD EDIT: See Post #3 for an up to date list of what channels are available on sat but not on streaming/internet, see Post #21 for an up to date list of what's available in the app for streaming customers, but not for sat customers.
Excluding PPV, premium networks, infomercial, shopping, religion, and non-English programming, there are 7 channels on satellite that are not on streaming:
NFL Network, MavTV, FE TV, Free Speech, NASA, INSP, and Pursuit. I'm pretty sure a couple of those are public interest that they have to carry to meet an FCC quota on satellite.
I hope they get called out for this advertising because that is ridiculous. One big network, NFL, will probably get added to streaming when their next agreement comes up, and the rest are likely very low viewership.
What about streaming, what do you get extra with the Choice package that isn't on Satellite:
Two stations - one of which is an internet TV - Fox Weather, and Heros & Icons (a diginet). Nothing special here to look at either.
If they cleaned up a couple of their agreements, added a few public interest stations to streaming, they could probably have their lineups match. It's close now, if you take out all the garbage on satellite that they earn money on. If they can sell infomercials on satellite, why can't they on streaming, seems like a miss. A bigger miss, including those stations in the "bonus channels just for satellite customers." Pretty sad marketing right there.
Attached is a comparison sheet of satellite vs streaming for the three main packages if anyone is interested.
MOD EDIT: See Post #3 for an up to date list of what channels are available on sat but not on streaming/internet, see Post #21 for an up to date list of what's available in the app for streaming customers, but not for sat customers.
243 Replies
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31890 views
Supporting Founder
Pub Member / Supporter
Apple Fall Hardware Event takes place today, September 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET. It marks the debut of new CEO John Ternus and the expected reveal of Apple's first foldable phone.
132 Replies
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1475 views
. can we say over priced garbage!!!
Lifetime Supporter
Schedule drops tomorrow. Mandatory mini camps in June. Hall of Fame game August 6th.
127 Replies
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2322 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHoCBzfrdmQ
Direct YouTube Link - This Week in Tech 1107
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHoCBzfrdmQ
Direct YouTube Link - This Week in Tech 1107
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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10 views