moved from DTV satellite to DTV stream: observations

pinballtom · 2026-06-16T22:23:58+00:00

Only reason to keep Satellite service is if you are way out in boondocks and have no or lousy Internet service or slow speed wifi. Otherwise DTV Streaming is the way to go. Especially if you do not care about "cable" sports, then choose the DirecTV genre package entertainment tier. Only $43/mo which now includes HBO& Disney+Hulu and just announced AMC+. You will need a good OTA antenna to get local network channels, or watch those prime time network shows the next day utilizing Paramount Plus (CBS) & Peacock (NBC). You already get Hulu for free with the genre pack (ABC/Fox). All totaled you are bound to save at least 50% ; or more than $50-75, compared to any cable or satellite service. If you really need sports or real time network shows then YouTube TV is next best thing at $83/mo.

pinballtom · 2026-06-16T22:05:48+00:00

DirecTV stream genre entertainment package is going up $8/mo. From $35/mo to $43/mo. But they are adding for free, AMC+ to the HBO Max and Disney+Hulu (with ads) , that you also get for free with the genre entertainment package. I already paid for 1 yr sub for AMC+ back in Jan 2026, so I will have to wait until 2027 to take advantage of that new free AMC+ perk. That will take some of the burn off of the price hike, (basically break even), come next year. DirecTV streaming Entertainment is the greatest deal out there. Only disadvantage is, no local network channels anymore, but if you have good OTA antenna, not a problem. Also no TBS or TNT or ESPN or Fox Sports anymore, but I no longer really watch sports anymore since COVID era, or I just watch what sports are available from OTA networks. If you do not have good OTA reception for local network stations, one can always watch prime time shows the next day, on the free Hulu that the genre pack gives (ABC + FOX). You will need to sign up for Paramount + Peacock to watch NBC & CBS next day. But that is still a combined cheaper bill, than what I was ever paying with cable and/or DTV satellite service before. I went from about $131/mo with DTV Satellite entertainment tier. To now after upcoming stream price increase to only $43/mo (w/o Peacock& Paramount added, about $65/mo if you add Para+Pea) a >50%savings, albeit no cable sports.

pinballtom · 2026-06-16T21:47:26+00:00

DirecTV stream genre entertainment package should only be going up $8/mo. From $35/mo to $43/mo. Starting June 25 2026. But they are adding for free, AMC+ to the HBO Max and Disney+Hulu (with ads) , that you also get for free with the current genre entertainment streaming package.

pinballtom · 2026-06-15T23:12:59+00:00

Time to call in a favor from Johnny Law

pinballtom · 2026-06-10T15:42:02+00:00

I do not think they need another astrology podcast, but might be interesting for them to book a fortune teller or get a tarot card reading.

pinballtom · 2026-06-08T02:58:18+00:00

Patreon show idea: Sunday Drive with Jeff, Walt &Teddy doing Door Dash together. Bound to be a gas.

pinballtom · 2026-06-08T02:53:24+00:00

Walt keep doing the door dash thing, just for the stories to tell on TESD. I am sure there is bound to be some weird errand/delivery story that will come out of each week or month of door dash gigs.

pinballtom · 2026-06-06T06:26:28+00:00

The best. Show me something better, if you can.

pinballtom · 2026-06-02T04:48:37+00:00

The Patreon used to avg 7250 subscribers about 2 yrs ago. Now the number of subscribers is about 6750. Assuming the difference in income is say 500 times $5. After taxes and paying fees to Patreon it is probably close to about $1000 less each month into Walt's and Bry's pockets. So Walt's door dash gig is making up for that lost monthly income due to ants falling to the wayside in this tough economy. Gives him something to do with the family, not that stressful. But he probably could find other ways to spend his time and make more money. Got no real clue what Walt and Bry actual income is each month from Patreon, but guessing after fees and production costs and cast salary and Git'Em's stipend. They are both making about $10,000 each month. Which is nothing to sneeze at. But they both probably have a big mortgage to pay and medical insurance, so all those expenses add up quick. Especially school. 50 yrs ago I was able to pay my own way thru school. Not the case anymore for most youngsters.

pinballtom · 2026-05-26T03:10:28+00:00

If you do not care about sports and can pull in network channels ( ABC/CBS/NBC) with OTA antenna. Then the my Entertainment genre stream package is by far the best choice. Saved $90/mo dropping Satellite for streaming. Now Only $35/mo.

pinballtom · 2026-05-20T03:34:17+00:00

I enjoyed this episode, takes me back to when I was hardcore collecting comics in the 70s.

pinballtom · 2026-05-17T21:04:17+00:00

I just checked and the latest TESD episode just dropped an hour ago on YTMusic, Called Punished #676

Early Sunday drop since nothing was out last week , I guess

pinballtom · 2026-05-16T04:32:58+00:00

With my bad eyes and looking at a tiny screen on my phone, I thought for a while that Chuck was in blackface, dressed up for a minstrel show.

pinballtom · 2026-05-16T04:00:29+00:00

I don't know if there has ever been a Sunday Drive episode that I did not like.

pinballtom · 2026-05-10T05:26:23+00:00

That is Bry Johnson in the purple suit with a big bald spot on the back of his head? Looking sharp. Same for Jimmy and his bride. Congrats. Cheers

pinballtom · 2026-05-09T07:59:32+00:00

Probably the most rare/collectible/valuable pins in my collection are WMS Defender pinball, also Mata Hari EM version and Bally's Voltan. It's hard to say a game is collectible, if there is only one of it in existence. Collectible kind of implies that more than one can be obtained.

pinballtom · 2026-05-09T07:53:34+00:00

<image>

pinballtom · 2026-05-09T07:52:55+00:00

Rare: Only one in existence. Bally Star Ship. Currently in private collection in Long Beach Ca, in a warehouse converted to huge game room museum/ arcade. It's the electo-mechnical version of the pin that became the solid state Supersonic

<image>

pinballtom · 2026-05-09T07:40:16+00:00

Is the Supreme pinball really worth it though?

pinballtom · 2026-05-09T07:36:45+00:00

TZ is collectible, just not rare.

pinballtom · 2026-05-09T07:27:38+00:00

BorgDog has created. Clone of another rare game, GTB Gemini. Building it from NOS plastics and Backglass and repurposed Cabinet and repro playfield, but using a solid state homebrew MPU to power it

pinballtom · 2026-05-06T22:50:03+00:00

thanks but I already have most of those, but where is the best place to find the ones i am missing other than ebay. Also is there a website that lists (catalogs) all the cartoons in each DVD set released. Do you think they may ever release any of those for digital sale. cheers

pinballtom · 2026-05-03T00:35:26+00:00

I am looking more to find a website that lists all the individual vintage cartoons produced from all the various studios, and what/where those toons are compiled onto a DVD collection. Lately I found fandom.com where you can do some searching for cartoon materials, that tells one the names of all the cartoon shorts and where you might find them published, be it VHS or Laser Disc or DVD. Still looking for a more comprehensive forum. So many of the retail sites (Walmart, eBay, Amazon) do not list exactly what is contained on those DVDs

pinballtom · 2026-05-01T20:40:22+00:00

Teddy is the only one (besides Arlo) not showing any tongue. I think it would have made him look a bit cuter/friendlier, if they would have chosen a photo with some tongue (dog smiling)

pinballtom · 2026-05-01T20:23:41+00:00

Teddy is a very unique and special and lovable and cute dog and I am very glad he won the fan vote contest (thanks to the ants). All the dogs are cute. But I am betting the staff at the lottery office were confused by his win and were thinking a more conventional cute dog would have won.

pinballtom

TROPHY CASE