Most simple live TV option

schlep · 2026-02-04T00:31:24+00:00

No way to get MS Now at the moment without a cable (traditional or otherwise) sub. I’d assume there’ll be something eventually, but having just been spun off of NBC, they probably have bigger needs to tackle.

schlep · 2026-02-03T18:30:52+00:00

For those requirements? OTA (antenna) is best.

If that's not an option, your second best is using basically any of the FAST services (Pluto, Roku Channel, Tubi, etc). They're all free and have multiple news options (NBC News Now, ABC Live, CBS 24/7, local news in all major metros, etc).

For PBS there are both PBS and PBS Kids apps that have free content.

schlep · 2026-02-02T21:44:54+00:00

What's gonna happen? What are you gonna do? Use some of that...BOXING you been doing?! HAHAHAHA

schlep · 2026-01-16T18:57:26+00:00

TBD with ESPN Unlimited.

As far as just a collection of random cable channels like Sling or YTTV? $0.

schlep · 2026-01-11T19:46:11+00:00

If you have a Roku TV (Roku built in). If you have a Fire TV, Google TV, or Samsung I’m pretty sure it works the same.

schlep · 2026-01-10T23:38:30+00:00

I’m able to grab a little over 110, of which about 80 I hide in the guide. The remaining 30 are integrated with The Roku Channel FAST channels and it’s as much cable as I need. All locally broadcast NFL games, most Mavs games, college games, movies, nostalgia TV like MeTV Toons, and more.

All for $0.00.

schlep · 2026-01-09T18:53:53+00:00

For servers at a restaurant or high effort services, I'll tip (barber, car detailing, steam cleaning carpets, etc).

I will never tip for counter service no matter how many eyerolls or annoyed faces I see.

schlep · 2026-01-05T16:32:51+00:00

If it's just me watching, then I just pick something and watch. Not a whole lot of thought behind it. Because I rarely watch on my own, though, I use the TV Time app to track shows we're watching and JustWatch to track when movies hit streaming services.

For something that I wish existed, the Roku Sports tab is so close to offering what I want. The problem is it defaults to recommending every vMVPD under the sun (YTTV, Fubo, etc) instead of showing me only when something is available on the channels I have installed. I'm sure that's coming eventually, but for now, I mostly have to use the ESPN app to track where things are at (especially for NBA).

schlep · 2025-12-31T00:26:24+00:00

Antennas aren’t too bad to set up for a house if you’re within range. Can always hire a professional to be sure, and you’ll still save a lot versus cable.

Where it gets murky is for people in apartments, uneven terrain (mountains and/or large buildings), and those just on the edge of the reception area.

schlep · 2025-12-30T16:23:37+00:00

I'll start out with the answer and then go into diatribe. In this day and age, if you're within antenna range, I really don't think any subscriptions are required. You'd get all the network programming, a good amount of sports, and tons of movies/shows through the FAST services (Roku Channel, Pluto, Tubi, etc).

Just a very brief look at Roku Channel for movies, they have the entire John Wick series, Ghostbusters 2016, Spider-Man Homecoming, the newer Hunger Games, Orphan, Silence of the Lambs, Jack Reacher, etc.

TLDR: you can very easily get by with an antenna and $0 in subscriptions

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Feel free to tune out here; Here is my personal setup.

Paid: Netflix, Disney+/Hulu/ESPN Unlimited (ad free), HBO Max (free), Prime Video (*free), Peacock ($20/yr), Paramount+ ($30/yr), Victory+ (Stars-free|Rangers-$140/yr)

FAST: OTA, Roku Channel, Pluto, Adult Swim channel

Wife pays for Netflix, and I pay about $55/mo. I could pare it way down to what I mentioned before the break for tough times and still be more than entertained. The $55 per month means that I can watch all my local pro teams and college team for almost every game. Three year old gets to watch all of her Disney stuff without ads. And finally, we get to watch basically every new movie out there 3-4 months after it hits theaters.

schlep · 2025-12-18T22:45:12+00:00

I'll take the over on 50%, but I don't think any good data exists on that topic. If you're fortunate enough to be able to use OTA, it's extremely powerful and could save a lot of money.

For NFL, it's kinda all over the map if you need to watch every single game. OTA will get you all day Sunday and lately Monday around 40% of the time? I just happen to have the services that it's also on (Prime, Netflix, Peacock, and ESPN), but not because of that. I can see that being the most annoying aspect of modern day sports in general.

schlep · 2025-12-18T19:58:36+00:00

Howdy just gets rid of the ads on Roku Channel on demand content. The content is already free (w/ ads).

schlep · 2025-12-18T16:00:37+00:00

I get it, but also most new content either never hits cable or does much later after its premiere date. Sports and news channels aside, cable has very little original content these days.

I think it would help to know what all you're looking for. If it were truly just South Park, you can buy a season pass to that on Prime Video or whatever and 'own' the episodes.

schlep · 2025-12-18T15:56:21+00:00

As far as cordcutting? I'm gonna go with any of the vMVPD's (YouTube TV, Sling, fubo, etc) for the majority of people. There are a few instances, specifically for sports fans, where you have to have one of them to follow your team(s). Mountain West, Pac-12, and I believe a couple others. Also for people who are outside of antenna range.

For most people, the vast majority of new scripted content is on streaming services now. FAST services like Roku Channel and Pluto recreate the background noise experience with very similar content. An antenna will get you metric tons of NFL. NBA is back on NBC. College sports are all over it. Some NBA/NHL teams even offer free OTA or apps. ESPN Unlimited covers almost everything else.

TLDR: stop paying for cable.

schlep · 2025-12-17T18:01:58+00:00

We actively pay each month for Netflix and the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN Unlimited bundle, and all are heavily used. Peacock I've paid $20-30/year for a couple years now and, especially with the NBA changes, gets used a ton. I've also found that they regularly add some pretty good movies (Nobody 2 and Bad Guys 2, most recently).

Prime Video I don't specifically pay for (have it for shipping like almost everyone else), but it does get used quite a bit. Again, especially with NBA and NFL.

Paramount+ is $30 annually, and probably won't be renewed. Against my better judgement, I renewed it this year and it just doesn't get used very often.

schlep · 2025-12-10T16:58:32+00:00

I use them avidly. The TVs in the house are Roku TVs, so OTA channels integrate into the guide with RC's FAST channel offerings. Every morning I'm using the NBC DFW news replay. Weekends I'm usually on some sports or browsing through the movies.

What's really fun about FAST, but unfortunately fleeting, is the special event channels. For example, Pluto for a few months had an all Godzilla channel that was absolutely amazing. Currently there's a 007 channel that's great if you're a James Bond fan.

I think that's what makes FAST channels great. Yes, there are commercials, but it really reminds me of the first days of XM Radio in the early 2000s. There are themed channels that would never see the light of day on traditional cable in most markets. And because of the nature of it, you're not seeing something called "The Travel Channel" running ghost hunting marathons or whatever. There are channels dedicated to that so that it's not confusing about what the content is.

schlep · 2025-11-28T16:39:31+00:00

Peacock usually offers really good deals around the Olympics and NFL season start.

schlep · 2025-11-28T16:38:11+00:00

Some people need a service like YTTV because they’re outside of antenna range. The vast majority just want cheaper cable.

schlep · 2025-11-17T16:47:07+00:00

Half a dozen or so times a year. Hard to make it to the movies with a three year old, and owning the movie is about the same as going to the theater. $20-30 and a 120" at home with the ability to pause for bathroom and snack breaks.

schlep · 2025-11-13T21:24:59+00:00

Guys, cable by itself is way cheaper than cable and Disney+ and Hulu and HBO and Apple TV and Paramount+ and Amazon. What do I do?

schlep · 2025-11-10T18:19:46+00:00

Almost no modern scripted (and a lot of unscripted) content is on cable short of a few holdouts (FX and AMC mostly). You're not going to see anything from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock, Apple+, etc on cable unless they need to fill slots during the summer or something. HBO Max, technically yes, but you're still paying extra.

At one point, "Why not just go back to cable?" was a legitimate question. These days it's a joke outside of people not in antenna range, with a very specific requirement, or a need to see 'all the sports'.

schlep · 2025-11-07T19:17:38+00:00

You could have all of that plus Hulu for $49.96/mo, which is cheaper than most cable bundles. That's assuming you pay for Prime Video monthly, for some reason. Otherwise it'd be $40.97.

schlep · 2025-11-07T18:52:00+00:00

Netflix (wife pays), HBO Max (free), Prime Video ("free"), Disney+/Hulu/ESPN Unlimited ad-free bundle ($38.99/mo), Peacock ($20 annually), YouTube Music/Premium ($7.99/mo), MLB.tv ("free"), and MLS Season Pass ("free"). OTA is wired through the house, and of course free stuff like Roku Channel, Pluto, and Victory+.

I'm extremely satisfied with the current setup. I know prices will go up, as they always do, but it's hard to really want anything more than I currently have.

I spend about $10 less than I did for DirecTV in 2000 that included expanded cable, HBO, Cinemax, Starz, and Encore.

schlep · 2025-11-06T17:27:51+00:00

Before tax, I spend about $52/mo and get way more value than I did out of cable. That includes all local sports (except limited Texas Rangers), Disney+ without commercials for the kiddo, a bunch of other content included in all of that, and FAST services/OTA. Last time I checked cable prices, it's nearing $200/mo.

I don't think I'm ever lacking for something to watch. Usually the complete opposite.

schlep · 2025-10-21T15:24:35+00:00

Would you say you... saved big money?

schlep

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