I need your help… I love television and still rely on a cable TV box. Unfortunately, my Verizon box broke last night while I was watching and DVR-ing the GOP debate and the Country Music Awards.
I've been without network/cable TV for almost 24 hours and will likely miss "The Golden Bachelor." Frustrated, I'm determined to cut the cord now, but I need your advice on how to make the transition.
Which streaming service is most similar to real broadcast TV? Do you have any recommendations for a subscription with DVR? What equipment should I buy to do this?
PS- I've explored cutting the cord in the past. It seemed like it would actually cost more because I only have one TV set. I’m so frustrated that I’m willing to pay a little more to get rid of these cables.
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PPS- If you haven’t looked back, the Daylight Savings Time poll results are surprisingly close.
Try YouTubeTV (which is not the same as YouTube). If you have a smart TV (ie one that you can connect to your wifi) that was manufactured in the past few years it probably has the app already installed or you can download from the manufacturers store. If you have an older tv buy an Apple tv or similar and run the app on that. Either way you will have all local and national channels plus dozens of others that you will probably never watch, just like your cable service! Has cloud DVR if you need to record, and you can watch on your phone/laptop/ipad etc when you want to.
Thank you! I just signed up for the free trial of YouTube TV so that will get me through tonight and the next few weeks! $72 is more than Verizon though.
I always mark my calendar for when the subscription ends. I either cancel it the day before it ends or I let it go. Be mindful of those trial sub’s they can add up!
Yes it does. It looks and operates just like the cable service you are used to using. Make sure its the YouTubeTV app you look for and not the regular YouTube app.
Google search DIRECTV stream. It’s owned by AT&T. It will take you to the site to sign up.
You can use any kind of set top box like an Apple TV, or other to connect it to your TV permanently. For tonight use an HDMI cable between your laptop and your TV and you’ll be all set!
Love this for you!! I have Roku, with Comcast (Chicagoland area). It is not hard. If you get a Roku box, sign up first on line. Get your box. Then you can add whatever channels you want. You may have to add Sling and Hulu whichever you want. You CAN get LIVE TV with a subscription from either. Like Rick said, you can get all of the main channels. Once you get subscriptions they can get pricey...but just pick the ones that you will use the most. I, like Rick, have Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube Premium..adding Sling and Hulu. It is a rabbit hole of subscriptions you can get. But I think those will cover you nicely. Don't fret, cutting the cord is really easy and nothing to stress over! Promise. I found Tom's Guide to be really helpful. Here is the link: https://www.tomsguide.com/us/cord-cutting-guide,news-17928.html
Jazmin – I’m so glad you’re here for this because this seemed like a guy thing. So Comcast gives you internet and then I order a Roku box for my Verizon and then I order the sling to watch real tv live?
It seems intimidating…it is not. Just take it one step at a time. I know it is new for you, but once you get the hang of it. You will kick yourself for not doing it sooner!!! You got this!!
Oh, happy to help!!! First read Tom’s Guide he gives you step by step. But you have it. Whomever is your internet provider, keep that internet, as that is how you will get all of your access. But cancel all the other station packages, as you will be watching them on your Roku Box. Yes, sign up and get your Roku box. If you already have subscriptions, be prepared to enter you Username and password into the Roku on your TV so you can watch your shows. Like your Golden Bachelor. Each App, like YouTube or Amazon Prime, will be an option for you on the Roku Box. So don’t fret there.
I watched "Golden Bachelor" on YouTube TV app on my "smart" TV. So now I'm one step in the right direction. I don't understand the purpose of the Roku box. Does it pull together my other subscriptions (Netflix, Amazon etc) into one place so I dont have to switch around apps in my TV? Also did you consider Apple TV when you got Roku?
Verizon sent me a new box so I’m back on track but I’m forcing myself to use YouTube TV free trial while I take steps to cut the cord. I am going to see if Roku or Apple boxes are on sale for Black Friday and then I’ll plug in all my passwords for Netflix etc. Thank you for encouraging me. I’ll maybe come back to you when I have to give back the cable box :)
It’s Verizon. I will get the Roku box and then come back to your directions to get back on track. I hate to restart all the DVR stuff but this is so frustrating!
I just download it in time to watch the Golden bachelor. I have a free trial for 21 days so this will give me a good chance to see how this works. Thank you.
Ms Emily, if you were to obtain an Amazon Fire TV Cube for your TV, and a good video system, it would be less of the hardware and more of the entertainment.
I don't watch what you watch. I don't watch much of any thing, network. The little I do, Hulu covers a day or so after broadcast.
My daughter has DirectTV through my WiFi. No idea what it costs but it's got network channels.
Speaking of which, if Verizon provides your Internet, it may be discounted because of your cable. And, I'd bet real money if you call them up and tell them you're switching, they'll come up with a big discount, usually good for a year, to keep you. People are, and have been, dropping cable.
So you can do this many ways. I was letting you know what I do. If your TV is a SMART TV you may not need a Roku box. I just like to have everything in one place. It reminds me of cable. So, NO you don't NEED it. But you do you need to verify if your TV gives you access to all of the subscriptions you may have. I do not have AppleTV, however that is also another option. Think of it like having an umbrella - Roku, AppleTV, Firesticks are the umbrella - Under them are all of the subscription platforms. Hope that makes sense.
I built my dream home & moved to my ranch. I’m in the middle of 1000 acres so I got Starlink. I stream YouTube TV and have Paramount Plus. Around 90 bucks but I get pretty much everything and have super fast and reliable interweb.
So here’s the deal. My husband and I were going through the same thing right now. You’re gonna laugh because we’re doing a beta test. We’re keeping our DIRECTV because of college football and we’re trying out all the channels that we have on our new Roku, smart TV. We are old school and trying to get into the new frontier.
Martha- I'm so glad this thread can help both of us. Read through the comments and ask the people who need sports what they do. I just signed up for a three week free trial of YouTube TV and downloaded the app. It's soo much like real TV. Now I guess I need to get a Roku box or another one like it.
I use fubo.tv and a roku box that uses wireless internet. One thing i dont like about their dvr service is you cant fast forward. Not sure if youtube tv allows fast forward but if you find one that does tell me! Fubo is great for sports but doesn’t carry public tv. I use it only for sports and can watch on my phone in a pinch. Never want to miss the big game!
The channels I watch on broadcast or cable TV that I need to keep are -- ABC, NBC, Fox, Bravo plus all the news channels - Fox, CNN, MSNBC, Fox Bix, CNBC, NewsNation etc. --
You live in an area where most networks have over the air (OTA) available, so get an inexpensive HD antenna and just do it the way we all used to do, get it free over the air. Many DVR devices these days also have models that can take the OTA input to record your shows, I know TiVo does. I live too far from Seattle where most of the stations come from and have two sets of hills in between, so I can't get most of them. I can get the Fox station because their transmitter is in Tacoma which is closer and only one set of hills in between. HD antennas are usually available locally, I know Costco does carry them most of the time and they're relatively cheap compared to the old style of antennas we used to need, also mostly if you live in a good area, they can be hung in a window.
Living in an apartment building doesn't stop you from using an indoor antenna. Like I said, if you're fairly close to the transmitter, you can use the HD equivalent of the old rabbit ears antennas. Depending on the type of DVR, most of them now will let you use over the air as well.
I did this a loooong time ago. So sick of Spectrum so I got rid of cable and just got an antenna. It screws into the back of your TV. You’d be surprised at how clear the broadcast channels are and free like when we were kids!
It’s stupid that Spectrum charges extra for broadcast channels. But it got old so now I have YouTube TV so I get local channels and most of what I used to get. Had Sling TV for a while, I used to just activate it during football season but I missed the evening news and Wheel of Fortune. YouTube TV is about $70/month and about the same as the package I had but not paying the cable company is worth it.
I would just get a new cable box from Verizon. I think they will just exchange for your old one, no charge other than the monthly subscription you are already paying.
I cut the cord 5 years ago and haven’t looked back. DirecTV Stream (includes virtual DVR) for broadcast TV as well as Netflix, Amazon Prime and YouTube Premium cover more than I had with the top package from DirecTV satellite. Cost for all is less than I was paying for Satellite.
Sign up is instant. You won’t even miss your Batchelor show!
Edit: And DTV Stream works on all of your devices anywhere you are! I use an Apple TV connected to my television but you can connect your laptop in the near term.
Check their rates! I ditched DirectTv years ago in favor of Dish Network (for my place in L.A.) because they were so expensive. On the East Coast, it’s FIOS here in Annapolis. Some good suggestions on this thread, YouTube & Amazon Prime (not sure if the fire stick is still in vogue) or a Roku seem the best semi-independent means.
Well, I've got good news and bad news... It depends what channels you watch. If you primarily watch network television, you have the choice between the local cable companies or an antenna. That's basically it. I don't know where you live, but antennas work even in apartments. You can then get a DVR, like a TiVo, to record the over-the-air broadcasts just as it would cable TV.
Personally I'm not a fan of the Verizon box, and I recommended Tivos for my mom and sister. I have Directv, which I like, but it is rather expensive.
Antenna is easy to use and we also have the ROKU for Sling Blue and Orange(lots of sports). I like the antenna because I can watch the old shows, like old movies, westerns, MASH, The Love Boat....:)
Well, most "cable" channels can be obtained via various streaming services. For broadcast channels, you can get Hulu and see things delayed for Fox, ABC, and NBC. For CBS, you need Paramount+. But not every program that is broadcast on television is available on these two services. So we'd actually have to discuss what you watch. Golden Bachelor is available delayed on Hulu. Except for sports I don't watch any broadcast TV anymore.
Try YouTubeTV (which is not the same as YouTube). If you have a smart TV (ie one that you can connect to your wifi) that was manufactured in the past few years it probably has the app already installed or you can download from the manufacturers store. If you have an older tv buy an Apple tv or similar and run the app on that. Either way you will have all local and national channels plus dozens of others that you will probably never watch, just like your cable service! Has cloud DVR if you need to record, and you can watch on your phone/laptop/ipad etc when you want to.
Thank you! I just signed up for the free trial of YouTube TV so that will get me through tonight and the next few weeks! $72 is more than Verizon though.
I always mark my calendar for when the subscription ends. I either cancel it the day before it ends or I let it go. Be mindful of those trial sub’s they can add up!
I do the same exact thing! I cancelled free trial of Apple TV this week after catching up on the “morning show”!
Exactly! If you stick with making sure what you are subscribed to. Then you are golden!
So do you think I should get the Roku box and use sling? I just want to make sure that I can watch live TV all the time.
My TV is just a year or two old so let me to go look at YouTube. But does it let me watch TV live when it’s airing?
Yes it does. It looks and operates just like the cable service you are used to using. Make sure its the YouTubeTV app you look for and not the regular YouTube app.
I already love it!
Google search DIRECTV stream. It’s owned by AT&T. It will take you to the site to sign up.
You can use any kind of set top box like an Apple TV, or other to connect it to your TV permanently. For tonight use an HDMI cable between your laptop and your TV and you’ll be all set!
Love this for you!! I have Roku, with Comcast (Chicagoland area). It is not hard. If you get a Roku box, sign up first on line. Get your box. Then you can add whatever channels you want. You may have to add Sling and Hulu whichever you want. You CAN get LIVE TV with a subscription from either. Like Rick said, you can get all of the main channels. Once you get subscriptions they can get pricey...but just pick the ones that you will use the most. I, like Rick, have Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube Premium..adding Sling and Hulu. It is a rabbit hole of subscriptions you can get. But I think those will cover you nicely. Don't fret, cutting the cord is really easy and nothing to stress over! Promise. I found Tom's Guide to be really helpful. Here is the link: https://www.tomsguide.com/us/cord-cutting-guide,news-17928.html
Jazmin – I’m so glad you’re here for this because this seemed like a guy thing. So Comcast gives you internet and then I order a Roku box for my Verizon and then I order the sling to watch real tv live?
It seems intimidating…it is not. Just take it one step at a time. I know it is new for you, but once you get the hang of it. You will kick yourself for not doing it sooner!!! You got this!!
Oh, happy to help!!! First read Tom’s Guide he gives you step by step. But you have it. Whomever is your internet provider, keep that internet, as that is how you will get all of your access. But cancel all the other station packages, as you will be watching them on your Roku Box. Yes, sign up and get your Roku box. If you already have subscriptions, be prepared to enter you Username and password into the Roku on your TV so you can watch your shows. Like your Golden Bachelor. Each App, like YouTube or Amazon Prime, will be an option for you on the Roku Box. So don’t fret there.
I watched "Golden Bachelor" on YouTube TV app on my "smart" TV. So now I'm one step in the right direction. I don't understand the purpose of the Roku box. Does it pull together my other subscriptions (Netflix, Amazon etc) into one place so I dont have to switch around apps in my TV? Also did you consider Apple TV when you got Roku?
OH, and happy day that you were able to watch your Golden Bachelor!
Verizon sent me a new box so I’m back on track but I’m forcing myself to use YouTube TV free trial while I take steps to cut the cord. I am going to see if Roku or Apple boxes are on sale for Black Friday and then I’ll plug in all my passwords for Netflix etc. Thank you for encouraging me. I’ll maybe come back to you when I have to give back the cable box :)
It’s Verizon. I will get the Roku box and then come back to your directions to get back on track. I hate to restart all the DVR stuff but this is so frustrating!
YouTube TV is one option. You just need Fire TV Cube from Amazon to connect to your TV.
I just download it in time to watch the Golden bachelor. I have a free trial for 21 days so this will give me a good chance to see how this works. Thank you.
Ms Emily, if you were to obtain an Amazon Fire TV Cube for your TV, and a good video system, it would be less of the hardware and more of the entertainment.
You're welcome.
I don't watch what you watch. I don't watch much of any thing, network. The little I do, Hulu covers a day or so after broadcast.
My daughter has DirectTV through my WiFi. No idea what it costs but it's got network channels.
Speaking of which, if Verizon provides your Internet, it may be discounted because of your cable. And, I'd bet real money if you call them up and tell them you're switching, they'll come up with a big discount, usually good for a year, to keep you. People are, and have been, dropping cable.
So you can do this many ways. I was letting you know what I do. If your TV is a SMART TV you may not need a Roku box. I just like to have everything in one place. It reminds me of cable. So, NO you don't NEED it. But you do you need to verify if your TV gives you access to all of the subscriptions you may have. I do not have AppleTV, however that is also another option. Think of it like having an umbrella - Roku, AppleTV, Firesticks are the umbrella - Under them are all of the subscription platforms. Hope that makes sense.
I agree with anyone who is suggesting YouTubeTV. We have been using YouTubeTV for over 3 years and it is great and much cheaper than cable
I just downloaded a free trial of it. But it’s the same price that I was paying for cable. I only have one TV.
I built my dream home & moved to my ranch. I’m in the middle of 1000 acres so I got Starlink. I stream YouTube TV and have Paramount Plus. Around 90 bucks but I get pretty much everything and have super fast and reliable interweb.
It is really a pain. Until it’s not. Just be patient. Do one step at a time. Before you know it. You will be all set up! Glad to help
YouTube TV
So here’s the deal. My husband and I were going through the same thing right now. You’re gonna laugh because we’re doing a beta test. We’re keeping our DIRECTV because of college football and we’re trying out all the channels that we have on our new Roku, smart TV. We are old school and trying to get into the new frontier.
Martha- I'm so glad this thread can help both of us. Read through the comments and ask the people who need sports what they do. I just signed up for a three week free trial of YouTube TV and downloaded the app. It's soo much like real TV. Now I guess I need to get a Roku box or another one like it.
I use fubo.tv and a roku box that uses wireless internet. One thing i dont like about their dvr service is you cant fast forward. Not sure if youtube tv allows fast forward but if you find one that does tell me! Fubo is great for sports but doesn’t carry public tv. I use it only for sports and can watch on my phone in a pinch. Never want to miss the big game!
But it carries all other live tv channels like cable
I never watch sports so not a concern, but Martha in a comment above needs those channels.
And I don’t want to miss Bravo or golden bachelor. Ha !
My cable bill from Versizon Fios is:
Internet $90
TV $78 (discounted from $90)
DVR $12
Equipment $12
=$102 cable TV
$190 - discounts for having mobile phone = -$20
ebill discount $5
total $165 plus taxes
The channels I watch on broadcast or cable TV that I need to keep are -- ABC, NBC, Fox, Bravo plus all the news channels - Fox, CNN, MSNBC, Fox Bix, CNBC, NewsNation etc. --
You live in an area where most networks have over the air (OTA) available, so get an inexpensive HD antenna and just do it the way we all used to do, get it free over the air. Many DVR devices these days also have models that can take the OTA input to record your shows, I know TiVo does. I live too far from Seattle where most of the stations come from and have two sets of hills in between, so I can't get most of them. I can get the Fox station because their transmitter is in Tacoma which is closer and only one set of hills in between. HD antennas are usually available locally, I know Costco does carry them most of the time and they're relatively cheap compared to the old style of antennas we used to need, also mostly if you live in a good area, they can be hung in a window.
I don't really care about getting local news. I just want the simplest solution to keeping the regular TV I like with a DVR. Thanks!
Living in an apartment building doesn't stop you from using an indoor antenna. Like I said, if you're fairly close to the transmitter, you can use the HD equivalent of the old rabbit ears antennas. Depending on the type of DVR, most of them now will let you use over the air as well.
I live in an apartment building so that's not possible for me. Thanks!
I did this a loooong time ago. So sick of Spectrum so I got rid of cable and just got an antenna. It screws into the back of your TV. You’d be surprised at how clear the broadcast channels are and free like when we were kids!
It’s stupid that Spectrum charges extra for broadcast channels. But it got old so now I have YouTube TV so I get local channels and most of what I used to get. Had Sling TV for a while, I used to just activate it during football season but I missed the evening news and Wheel of Fortune. YouTube TV is about $70/month and about the same as the package I had but not paying the cable company is worth it.
I downloaded the Youtube TV app last night to my TV and watched my show- I like it a lot already. Do you have a box of any sort like Roku?
My cable TV bill was $100 and so will be saving unless I need to get more things.
I just use that feature within the app. It can record shows if you set it. That’s nice for network TV so you can fast forward through commercials.
I would just get a new cable box from Verizon. I think they will just exchange for your old one, no charge other than the monthly subscription you are already paying.
Yes, they are sending me a new box but I wasn’t able to watch TV last night until I downloaded YouTube
Hi Emily,
I cut the cord 5 years ago and haven’t looked back. DirecTV Stream (includes virtual DVR) for broadcast TV as well as Netflix, Amazon Prime and YouTube Premium cover more than I had with the top package from DirecTV satellite. Cost for all is less than I was paying for Satellite.
Sign up is instant. You won’t even miss your Batchelor show!
Edit: And DTV Stream works on all of your devices anywhere you are! I use an Apple TV connected to my television but you can connect your laptop in the near term.
Rick, thank you so much for helping me. Where do I find DIRECTV stream to get it into my TV?
Check their rates! I ditched DirectTv years ago in favor of Dish Network (for my place in L.A.) because they were so expensive. On the East Coast, it’s FIOS here in Annapolis. Some good suggestions on this thread, YouTube & Amazon Prime (not sure if the fire stick is still in vogue) or a Roku seem the best semi-independent means.
Pining for the days tv used to be free.
Yes, I have Verizon FiOS! So what do you add onto your FiOS so you don’t need the cable box?
Just your router.
Thank you. I'll ask if I can get a better rate for that too since I'm giving back everything else once I get organized.
Well, I've got good news and bad news... It depends what channels you watch. If you primarily watch network television, you have the choice between the local cable companies or an antenna. That's basically it. I don't know where you live, but antennas work even in apartments. You can then get a DVR, like a TiVo, to record the over-the-air broadcasts just as it would cable TV.
Personally I'm not a fan of the Verizon box, and I recommended Tivos for my mom and sister. I have Directv, which I like, but it is rather expensive.
So, no easy solution.
I’m definitely not getting an antenna. That’s way too confusing for me. So I’d have to cut the cord and then get a TiVo box?
Antenna is easy to use and we also have the ROKU for Sling Blue and Orange(lots of sports). I like the antenna because I can watch the old shows, like old movies, westerns, MASH, The Love Boat....:)
Antenna likely won't work in an apartment building!
Well, most "cable" channels can be obtained via various streaming services. For broadcast channels, you can get Hulu and see things delayed for Fox, ABC, and NBC. For CBS, you need Paramount+. But not every program that is broadcast on television is available on these two services. So we'd actually have to discuss what you watch. Golden Bachelor is available delayed on Hulu. Except for sports I don't watch any broadcast TV anymore.
There’s no way to watch my shows live on any streaming platform?
Well, "no way" is so final. No *legal* way is more like it.
I'm going to write a new comment with all the channels I watch -- networks plus cable news plus Bravo!
I'm so thankful for your expertise here!!!
What is HS ISP ?
I like this YouTube TV app that I just downloaded, so why do I need a box of some sort at all (like Roku)?
Roku lets us get free broadcast and cable TV instead of paying for it?
Is Apple TV a competitor to Roku?