TELEVISION OPTIONS
Introduction
In the age of Smart Television sets and Fiber Optic Internet, the need for traditional Cable from companies such as Comcast (also known as Xfinity), Spectrum, Midco (Now owned by Comcast and servicing North Dakota and South Dakota), DirecTV and Dish have become completely obsolete. Customers have discovered that they can ditch their cable boxes and their satellite dishes for options either offered on their smart TV's or, if they don't have a smart TV, on a streaming device such as a Firestick, Roku or Walmart's ONN. During Calendar year, Comcast lost TWO MILLION (2,000,000) TV subscribers. https://www.statista.com/statistics/497279/comcast-number-video-subscribers-usa/#:~:text=Similar%20to%20other%20pay%20TV,million%20in%20just%20one%20year. According to cordcuttersnews.com Spectrum lost more than ONE MILLION EIGHTEEN THOUSAND (1,018,000) TV customers during that same period. https://cordcuttersnews.com/comcast-spectrum-lost-more-than-3-million-cable-tv-customers-in-2023/. Bear in mind that most households have 2 or more tv viewers which makes that number more dramatic.
Customers that are hanging on to their satellite dishes and cable boxes, are, for the most part hanging onto that obsolete equipment because they are fearful that the technology to watch television through their TV or through a streaming device will not work as well or will be too challenging or that they will lost recording options.
In Fact, options to watch traditional Television programs, movies or series is more user friendly than those old television options and several have recording options that not only allow you to ditch recording equipment but allow you to view your recordings anywhere you can get a decent internet connection.
HOW TO VIEW SO CALLED "STREAMING OPTIONS"
"Streaming" is nothing more than a hip word for using your smart TV to watch Television viewing platforms. Many people are streaming and don't even know it. If you watch Netflix or Prime Video and the like you are a streamer. Congratulations! You are hip! Knowing some of the terminology is important.
Two of the most commonly known "streaming devices" are the "Roku" and the "Firestick." Each of these devices comes loaded with "Applications" or "Apps." You can think of those apps as Television channels. Clicking on them will either allow you to immediately view the content on those apps or sign up to view the content on those apps. While the Roku Device and the Firestick differ in appearance and layout, they work essentially the same. Additionally, you can use the Roku or Firestick to search for an app that you don't see loaded.
The reason that we like the firestick better than the roku is that you can add additional applications not found on the firestick or the roku simply by using an app known as "downloader."
We're always happy to provide FREE guidance to those trying to get away from costly TV with their questions about streaming.
PAY BUT AFFORDABLE TRADITIONAL TV
Here is a discussion of some of the subscription TV services that we like and what they offer.
FUBO TV - At the top of our list is FUBO TV. Why? First, FUBO TV is not one of the monstrous companies that have been around forever and continues to swallow up smaller companies to grow bigger. Mind you, there is nothing wrong with large companies, but we take comfort in aligning with companies that are small enough to care, but large enough give you a quality service. You can find their information here: https://www.fubo.tv/welcome?irad=366904&irmp=365718
FuboTV offers several options that allow you a generous recording option for series, events and sports you may wish to watch later. You can record, playback and save for a later date to watch on your phone, tablet or television. Fubo's app can be found on the Roku Streaming Device, Firestick and most Smart TV's.
FuboTV provides your local channels and one of the most robust Sports offerings in the industry including ESPN, Bally's and many of the Collegiate League stations such as Big 10.
The cost depends upon what you want, but most people do just fine with their Pro Package which is $79.99 per month (2024Jun10). To sign up, find yourself here https://www.fubo.tv/signup?irad=359590&irmp=365718