For years I used to churn between most streamers, keeping one for a month or two before jumping to another. I've got all of the ones I intend to use now because they're either free with something else (Max, Netflix w/ads, Apple TV+, Paramount+) or I've paid a cheaper price for an annual deal (Peacock, ESPN+, Disney+/Hulu bundle). The only major one I don't have is Prime Video. At the moment I'm paying w/tax: YouTube TV - $79.03/mo (going up $10 next month - dropping temporarily in April) Frndly TV - $8.80/mo ($105.68 for the annual deal - expires in December) Peacock - $1.80/mo ($21.64 for the annual deal - expires in June) ESPN+ - $8.99/mo ($107.99 for the annual deal - expires in December) Disney+/Hullu bundle - $3.23/mo (Monthly rate for 12 months - expires in December) Hallmark+ - $6..48/mo (Discount through Walmart+ - expires in March) Netflix w/ads - Free with T-Mobile Apple TV+ - Free with T-Mobile Max - Free with AT&T Fiber Paramount+ - Free with Walmart+ The monthly rates on those annual deals are just the total divided. Other than Disney+/Hulu, they were one time payments. My actual monthly payment for streaming right now is $88.74. I suspect the future is still each major network having it's own streamer with tiers ranging from free to whatever their top amount ends up being, along with maybe Netflix, Apple TV+, and Prime Video. It still wouldn't shock me if Alphabet buys Netflix at some point just so they can fully integrate it with YouTube TV and their new Google TV platform. Paramount+ is almost that way now. Currently you've got either Paramount+ w/ads or you've got Paramount+ w/Showtime which gives you all the Showtime content and channels along with your local CBS broadcast network in most places. If they integrate Pluto TV into it along with their cable channels, you could have the following: Free tier of Pluto TV, basic tier of Pluto + Paramount+ streaming, network tier that adds CBS & the remaining cable channels they own, and elite tier that adds all the Showtime content. You go into one app and have all of that. Peacock seems to be moving that way, as does Disney who now has FAST channels in the Disney+ app and has integrated Hulu and part of ESPN+ into the Disney+ app.
I completely forgot that I also pay for YouTube Premium, which is $15.14/mo and well worth it considering how often I use it.
And...here comes what could be an interesting trend, especially among millennials - uncutting the cord and going back to cable. https://www.fastcompany.com/91253191/you-have-enough-subscriptions-its-time-to-uncut-the-cord I don't think you can put the toothpaste back in the tube, but there will have to be some way to consolidate live channels into a usable viewer guide (I like what Google TV currently has).
This also ends their lawsuit trying to stop Venu. https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/disney-hulu-live-tv-fubo-merger-ending-venu-lawsuit-1236266843/
Tubi, which has a live stream of Ion (NWSL & formerly WNBA games) is up to 97 million monthly active users and had over 10 billion hours streamed last year. I know Venu is coming around finally, but I'm shocked that Fox hasn't negotiated a way to more consistently air some of their lower tier content on Tubi. https://deadline.com/2025/01/tubi-2024-million-monthly-users-billion-streaming-hours-fox-1236246111/
It sounds like it's not a merger in the true sense, since they'll continue to be offered separately. Considering Fubo has the RSNs and Hulu has TNT/TBS, maybe there's hope there.
https://tvanswerman.com/2025/01/06/...00-channels-combined-heres-the-complete-list/ Fubo Movie Network Fubo Sports Fubo Sports 2 If it goes through, apparently the Fubo channels will be available on Hulu+Live...if I understand things correctly. Also of note: RSNs. It will be interesting to see how those get handled. The logical guess would be "your in-market RSN on a base tier. Everything else via an add-on. Blackouts apply." As an example, I highly doubt that a Cubs fan in Ohio would be able to pay for Marquee Sports Network and get Cubs games when those games would continue to be on MLB.tv or the in-market channel. I also doubt that a Mets fan in DC will be able to pay for the SNY app and get those games. (Oddly enough, I somehow get Marquee with no blackouts via the app on my phone and I have zero clue how.)
Venu Sports reportedly ‘hopes’ to debut in time for Super Bowl after settlement https://awfulannouncing.com/venu-sports/hopes-debut-super-bowl-lix-settlement-fubo.html
I had a similar situation with ESPN+ a few years back. It was blacking out Seattle area sports on my TV and laptop, but somehow my phone would get them. Supposedly it had something to do with my IP address being incorrectly located in one of the databases that streamers use to determine location and somehow my phone didn't trigger that.
My Public IPv4 My Public IPv6 My IP Location:Columbus, OH US My ISP:AT&T Corp. Both IPv4 and 6 seem to point to where I am. I have a friend who recently moved from Oregon to Wisconsin. Every week, the NFL app would think he was in a different place. As a result, he got whatever games his local CBS and Fox showed plus random games based on his "location" according to the NFL app. Who knows...the internet can be weird at times.
My issue also happened after I switched to AT&T for my internet. I'm in Lubbock but one of the databases had my IP address assigned to Tacoma, Washington.
Back when I had DSL, I regularly showed up as being in Texas or Oklahoma since the IP range was being leased from an Oklahoma telco.
The Pro Volleyball Federation has expanded beyond just CBS Sports Network and YouTube. They've got a 24 game deal for national broadcasts on CBS, CBSSN, FS1, and FS2, and they just got Roku to broadcast 16 games in addition to that.
Venu? Hold up... DirecTV and Dish may delay the launch. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/directv-dish-venu-launch-1236105328/ DirecTV challenges dismissal of Fubo's claims against Venu Sports.
If anyone wants to take a $100 gamble, here's an Android TV-based streaming device that also has an ATSC 3.0 tuner. https://www.pcworld.com/article/257...ming-box-that-also-works-with-an-antenna.html
The comments: "Cable is more. But, I know how to find the games. I can easily switch channels from 1 game to another. Who needs this aggravation. This is what cable companies should be promoting (better than they are now)." This. Switch from two different channels on Hulu. It can be mildly aggravating. Now do the same on any provider with a remote that has number buttons. It's 1000x easier and quicker.
I get not having channel numbers on YouTube TV, especially with the customizable guide, but the others would make sense with numbers. Of course, if there are no broadcast channels, then why have numbers?
The key to switching quickly on streaming is to run two devices with the two things you want to watch and then use your TV's remote to switch between inputs. In fact my Roku will automatically switch the input if I press on its remote so I only need to TV remote to switch back to the other input.
DirecTV Stream somehow figured it out. You can use any device you want and I think that's actually called DirecTV via Internet. If you want *their* device, you can sign up for DirecTV Stream. It comes with a two-year contract. Their streaming device includes a remote with channel numbers. Interestingly enough, you can sign up for DirecTV Stream (no contract) and legally buy their streaming device from eBay or wherever. I'm sure the people behind YTTV could figure it out if they wanted.
DirecTV Stream "figured it out" because it's literally just DirecTV without the extra cost for the dish itself. They didn't have to create anything, they just kept the same numbers they have. It's just more insanely overpriced crap in a slightly different form.
IDEALLY...the channel lineups will merge, but billing will be kept separate. (I think I read somewhere that this will happen.) It also sounds like the Hulu library/archives will only be accessible to Hulu subscribers.