Cut the Cord
TV WITHOUT CABLE Streaming Growth
“Streaming has been on the rise for a decade, and last year, for the first time, the number of streaming subscribers around the world (613 million) surpassed the number of cable subscribers (556 million), according to the Motion Picture Association of America.”
NYTIMES Nov. 12, 2019 Outline
What kind of television viewer are you?
What is streaming?
How to stream on your TV
basic information on:
Streaming devices
Media Streaming Services
Resources Passive vs. Active
Passive In the past, television came to you.
You had very little control.
Had to sit down at a specific day/time
VCRs and DVRs helped jump start the change
Passive viewer asks: “How many channels do I get?” Passive vs. Active
Active You choose what/when/where you want to watch.
VCRs/DVD players started this movement.
DVRs added an additional layer of active.
Netflix/Amazon Prime/Hulu, Network websites/apps - streaming added the final layer.
No/limited commercials. (issue with cord cutters)
Less time wasted channel surfing.
Most of us are some combination of Active/Passive.
Active viewer asks: “What programs do I get?” (not channels) Passive vs. Active
Active Passive VCR/DVD/DVR Antenna (1st TVs -present) Internet Cable/Satellite subscription Cable on demand (1970’s – present)(on- demand/DVR makes this Smart TV or box combo) Roku/Apple TV, etc. Sling TV Playstation Vue Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube etc. DirectTV Hulu Sports packages Watching media on multiple devices - phone, tablet, desktop, laptop, television Time to let go of passive?
Are you ready?
Is it time?
Want a mix of both passive and active?
Want to keep everything the same? What is Streaming?
When you want to watch a video or play a song on your computer, you need to download it first. There’s no way around that. Knowing this, you may look at Netflix or Spotify and ask “how did we figure out how to make videos and music download instantaneously?” Well, that’s just the thing. When you stream media, it isn’t downloading to your computer instantaneously; it’s downloading piece by piece in real-time. The word “streaming” is self-descriptive. Information arrives at your computer in a continuous, steady stream of information. If downloading movies is akin to buying bottled water, streaming movies is like using a faucet to fill an empty bottle.
From How to Geek https://www.howtogeek.com/404447/internet-streaming-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-work/ Must Have: Internet Connection
None of this happens without an Internet connection in your home. Internet Speed for Optimal Streaming Broadband/high speed Internet connection (DSL or Cable) with a download speed of at least 800kbps (higher download speeds are required for higher bitrate content). You can check your speed here: www.speedtest.net. How to stream on your TV
1 2 wired
3 wired or
wireless How to stream on your TV
Smart TV w/ apps – Wi-Fi (wireless) or wired
any digital TV with streaming device (box or stick) (Roku, AppleTV, Xbox, etc.) – Wi-Fi or wired
any digital (not analog) TV with laptop or tablet – physically connected to the Internet (LOW RES) – Wi-Fi or wired Many people are using their portable devices (tablets, phones) only and have stopped buying televisions. Any streaming service has an app for Android and Apple tablets and phones. Streaming Devices (one-time purchase)
Smart TV (apps built in)
TV + Box or Stick Amazon Fire TV (popular with Amazon customers – box or stick) Apple TV (popular with Apple customers) Blu-ray player Game Consoles - Wii, PlayStation, Xbox (popular with gamers) Google Chromecast (no remote – have to use phone/tablet – 3 disk models) Roku (most popular, several models available) Media Streamers 2019 Next…
Once you’ve figured out physical product, your Streaming Device (Smart TV or TV w/device) will need at least one Streaming Service Media Streaming Services
ON DEMAND LIVE TV Amazon Prime: $119/year or Sling : $25- $40/month $12.99/month Fubo: $55/month Netflix: $9 - $16/month YouTube TV : $50/month Hulu: $6 - $12/month Hulu with Live TV : $45/month HBO Now: $14.99/month AT&T TV Now: $50 - $70/month Disney+ : $7/month
Apple TV : $5/month Consider option with cloud storage for playback. Library’s Streaming Media
Free for Roxbury residents with a library card: Amazon Prime Netflix Hulu Acorn TV (british television) Disney+ coming soon Cable Replacement Services
How do I get live (broadcast)television without cable or satellite?
Lots of choices… Broadcast Options
1 Antenna 2
Keep basic cable
26 channels 3 DTV Reception Maps (FCC)
Coverage at the Library. Signal strength calculations are based on the traditional TV reception model assuming an outdoor antenna 30 feet above ground level. Indoor reception may vary significantly.
fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps Broadcast options
Digital Antenna: $6 - $70 indoor; $300-$500 outdoor
Keep basic cable Local CT Channels on Cable Replacement Services
ABC CBS FOX NBC CW SNY YES
AT&T TV NOW X X X X
HULU WITH LIVE TV X X X X X X
SLING
YOUTUBE X X X X X X Live Sports
From Cord Cutters News: “Sports is still one of the main reasons people pay for cable TV. The desire to have access to live events is something many are willing to pay a lot for. Live Sports
5 steps for how to watch sports online without cable: Identify what TV network owns rights to your favorite sport. Search for a streaming service that carries that network. Sign up for a free trial with the streaming service. Watch the game and see if the service works for you. Pay the monthly fee, or cancel anytime. Live Sports – 5 examples
ESPN through cable replacement
MLB.tv $24.99 per month, or $118.99 for a Season
NFL Game Pass $75/season - watch regular season games as soon as they're over.
NHL - All Access $144.99/yr; $24.99/mo Single Team Package - $115.99/yr
NBA League Pass – Single team $119, with commercials $200, premium $250
BLACKOUTS ON LOCAL TEAMS Let’s talk money
My current monthly cost:
$69 - Internet only through Charter $16.70/month - NBA League Pass $12.99 - Netflix streaming (HD/2 devices at a time) $9.92 – Amazon Prime (yearly subscription $119) FREE with library’s Roku - Amazon, Hulu, Disney+, Netflix ______ $108.61 - Total a la carte for Teresa Charter quoted me $120/month to add basic cable to my internet ($140 after a year). I still would want to have access to Netflix and Prime. What Subscriptions are Right for You?
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/11/10/arts/televisio n/what-to-stream.html
Other channels: Britbox, FrndlyTV (Hallmark, etc.), Criterion, Shudder, PBS….LOTS out there! Plenty of free stuff too. Resources – Websites
Favorite Cord Cutter Websites Cord Cutters News (cordcuttersnews.com/) Cord Cutting 101: cordcuttersnews.com/cord-cutting-101-beginners-guide- cord-cutting-2017-edition/ Cut Cable Today (cutcabletoday.com/) Tom’s Guide (tomsguide.com/t/streaming/) Resources – Websites
C/NET (cnet.com) Reviews, news, and prices on tech products, like a “Consumer Reports” for electronics and technology. cnet.com/best-products/ Digital Trends (digitaltrends.com/) here to help you navigate an increasingly digital world. Lifehacker (lifehacker.com/) tips and downloads for getting things done Mashable (mashable.com/)* is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation.