I want to cut my cord with Directv/ATT. I have been a customer for a long time, and all they do is string me along with a measly discount that lasts a year. Its never a good enough discount.

I know all these companies have their evils. I would like to do this the best way possible, with the best outcome.

This is my plan:

I pay $140/month for Choice Xtra TV and 15mb internet. Pathetic. (Directv/ATT)

Comcast has a deal for $70/month for 2 years for 150mb internet and 140+ channels.

Really, I just want to be able to put on a sports game if people are over. Otherwise I would completely ditch TV. I know there are ways to stream for free online, but the ease of clicking a remote two or three times and its up appeals to me. Clicking links upon links of streams to find a garbage quality one doesnt interest me at all.

Please, share your stories. I would like to know what you all have done.

Right? I am NOT doing this again. My next call will be "listen, Im not doing this any more. You either lower this forever, or Im done".

I like the HDHomerun box, but Im not sure the 20 channels of OTA would make it worth it rather than just getting a comcast cable box off ebay and going with the 140+ channels. $80 for 2 years isnt bad.

The experiences are flowing quickly in here! Thanks to all, I will keep checking in for updates.

I cant officially do this until the ground thaws. I know for a fact my dog dug up the comcast line last year and I cut it with my lawn mower, so they will have to come lay a new line no doubt.

WOW. Lots of great information so far, thanks a lot guys (and girls).

Right now I have:

Directv: $88
ATT: $55
Netflix: $11
HBOGo: FREE - Thanks mother in law
AmazonPrimeVideo: FREE - Thanks mother in law

I really like the aftermarket boxes mentioned:

HDHomeRun6: Not out yet, but could be cool. I need to be able to get TV in the basement and other areas wirelessly like I do now. This is ethernet only for hookup right? Everything else can be wireless? (devices that hook up to it)

Tablo: Looks cool, but its OTA only at this time.

Im nervous about the OTA only route. OTA offers some core channels, but what about Comcast Sports Net or the like? Will I just never get to watch another hockey game unless its on a local channel? Streams are just not practical. When I promise people they can come watch a game, then they get there and the stream cuts out and Im frantically trying to find another. Thats a real bummer. This happened to me multiple times in the past trying to stream games not in my area.

YoutubeTV also looks interesting, Ill keep an eye on that. Pretty decent value there.

It seems like the companies are just splitting themselves into equal pie pieces and letting people buy up whatever chunk of the pie they want. Although, in the end, if you get all that you want, you will probably be paying just as much as before, right? There is no way they will allow us to save money.

At the shitty 15mbps they can get me, it would take me forever just to get to 1TB, lol.

Something is lost when I have a bar/arcade and no sports on the TV. Im not watching sports like I used to at all, thats a fact. Having the ability to turn it on for who ever is over, is a big plus in my book.

I have an OTA antenna but its pretty old. Maybe Ill throw it up and see if it still works...

My Directv/ATT bill just showed up and its increased AGAIN. Im done. Im canceling TV. Ill change my internet later, but this has to stop.

Cool, Ill check that out.

DTV only offered me $66 off, which was still going to be $121 a month for 12mbps internet and the same TV. Plus the taxes, fees, etc. Would have been too expensive still.

She tried to argue with me that comcast's 150mbps internet would be shared. I told her "Well, even if its a FRACTION of 150mb, thats better than this 12 I am getting now!"

I can see why people stick with their providers. This is a lot of research, and work to set this stuff up. In my experience with my HTPC in the past, it never works perfectly and you are always tweaking settings, updates, etc. Its also not very user friendly for a parent or in law coming over without me there.

I am exploring all options.

My current plan:
1. Cancel TV - Done
2. Upgrade internet - Spring
3. Install OTA antenna - Ongoing (cant find the one I had)
4. Adjust or add streaming services to what I already have (Netflix, HBO Go, Prime)

I may not need to add anything. Once I play with the prime video stuff and see how the sports are, I may be fine. Both my TV's are smart, and I have apple TV as well. I may not need to add any additional hardware or streaming package.

Can you OTA antenna users post what you have and your distance from a major city or tower?

I am about 50 miles from the city of chicago. There are other towers closer, but they dont have all the channels I want at just one tower.

Im looking at a multi directional outdoor antenna possibly. I figure I can use my satellite's existing coaxial and run it to my TV. The only issue is getting ethernet to my TV so I can do an hdromerun box.

Im looking at this in the room with the router to make it easy:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HZD5MUM/

OR

This on the roof with existing coaxial:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RH5GZI/ref=emc_b_5_t

I have one of these for my basement already. I dont think I can run more than 1 unfortunately.

Wow 90. Well done. Thats a big ass antenna for sure.

OHHHH...I thought this was ethernet over AC, my bad.

I have this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N5AT8DC/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title

Thx for that!

Ive never looked much at how the directv installer put my dish in. I can see why I got hit by lightning a few years ago. He bypassed the grounding!

My question: If I reintroduce that grounding mount, is it properly grounded? The green wire grounds to the box of the electric meter.

My plan is to re-ground the line from the roof once I swap the dish out for the antenna. My directv turned off last night. Thats a first step!

04A198F2-2597-4F77-AA8A-8C9659E25E1B (resized).jpeg

Gotcha. I didnt have the coax through my power conditioner before the hit we took. It is now, but I know thats not ideal.

Does any one ground their satellite dish? Seems like it should be a requirement when they put it in.

Any way, I figure the ota antenna is going to be the highest point of my house possibly once I mount it to the satellite’s pole. Seems like a good idea.

Now ill have to call julie so i can jam a rod in the ground right there and not die lol.

Any one have ATT DSL? Im contemplating upgrading from 12 mb to 24mb and buying my own modem/router (Pace 4111n). Would save me $80 a year by buying it.

They arent very up front with what modem/routers will work. Seems to be that they hide it so you have to rent them forever.

NO MORE!

The saga continues...

Got on chat with ATT today to hash out the upgrade and if the equipment would work.

They offered to upgrade me at no additional charge..shifty....

Why dont they just do this automatically? Such a racket. Who doesnt want faster internet for the same price? I hate this game.

Back to chat to see if I can make a $50 modem/router work instead of paying them $80 a year for one....

They just told me I HAVE to use their equipment, but they gave me a $10 lifetime credit.

I think theyre afraid to lose me because I said I was going to comcast when I canceled my directv....

Well see how this goes. Not holding my breath.

That will do for me. If its under $50 and its truly 24mb, I can live with that for now. Once my girls grow up though....Ill probably have to upgrade.

Thanks for the insight!

Yep...its all the rage still. They claim they can get 100mbps on dsl with the highest tier!

Copper is copper...

Back to your regularly scheduled program...

My “24mb” internet upgrade from att is hovering right around 15. Give me a break.

Well see what my bill looks like coming up next.

Removing my dish and putting the antenna up is next. Not sure when. Still need to get a long ass piece of copper to drive into the ground too....

I think this is the one.
TV Antenna - RCA Compact Outdoor Yagi Hdtv Satellite Antenna with 150 Mile Range - Attic or Roof Mount TV Antenna, Long Range Digital OTA Antenna for Clear Hdtv Reception, 4K 1080P https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0024R4B5C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_UqgUCbYA6WGSX

OK, so the saga continues.

Got my first bill today, almost $60. Says im on 12mb internet still. W T F

Chat again with them, they say the agent I spoke to last didnt complete everything......great.

So, NOW I guess I am actually upgraded....well see.

Internet was 12mb previously. I have been testing daily at home, and the speed did go up to 15mb which is odd....

Well see if I actually get any where near 25mb....

No...havent had any time lately. Internet was my first priority any ways. I need it to be fast an reliable before I start relying on it to distribute my OTA signal.

This actually sounds pretty appealing. Question though. In this setup, do you have to have YOUR prime acct logged in to use the dvr and such? The reason I ask is that I use a borrowed prime account....

I am part of a prime “household” before they ruined it. They used to include more stuff, but still offer us the shipping but no video of any kind.

I was just wondering if I signed into the cast box with MY account, could I then download the prime video app and watch with their main account. Otherwise it seems silly to even watch any prime video on there when we have our apple tv signed into the main acct.

Hmmmm...

Roku guys. Am i understanding this correctly? If I want to private listen to whats playing on my tv, I can use the roku app and plug headphones into my device/phone?

I see the ultra has the remote with the headphone jack, but its on the more expensive box.

Ive got a newborn and were doing shifts so it would be nice to hear the tv without waking the house.

Thanks

Is this SPAM?????

Sweet. Ill grab the roku premier in case I want to use it with the 4k tv in the basement. Thanks!

Doesnt seems worth it for a measly $10/month honestly lol.

OH WOW. Youtube tv is $50 a month???? Just looked.

This thread is encouraging me to pirate. Its so much easier. I dont even miss tv honestly. The kid watches hbo go and amazon prime. Im hoping i can ride this out. Well see what happens when some one wants a game on the tv. I need a good sports streaming site. It used to be firstrowsports. Wonder if that still works....

Just grabbed one of these. The wife finally conceded that she would use the private listening feature for these late night infant sessions. Its on now!

Bet you i can hack this thing too. You know, for science.

I thought popcorn time was available on roku. Maybe I thought wrong. I got the stick+. The little box didnt seem to have anything special other than an ethernet port. I get it tomorrow, cant wait to try it out.

Ive got an og release rasp pi I used to use as a media player. In a drawer some where. They look to have come a long way.

Thx bro!

Im thinking i take my old htpc and get that setup to easily get a game going if i need it.

Same price as amazon has been for a week now.

The stick+ does the same thing for less right? Im not sure what the ultra offers thats better honestly. I cant figure it out.

Stick+ IS roku

Roku Streaming Stick+ | HD/4K/HDR Streaming Device with Long-range Wireless and Voice Remote with TV Power and Volume https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075XLWML4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_TtClDbC1RCVC6

Has an rf remote. Has 4k. Has it all. Not sure what the deal is other than the ethernet port on the ultra.

We still havent bothered much with paying for anything extra at this point in our cord cutting process. Weve been playing with our roku a bunch, so much free content. Weve been using our hulu free trial a lot. I may end up paying for the ad free version after the trial is up. Keep hulu until I get tired of their content then move on.

Still need to get on that roof....lol

I just cant do it with amazon. Its too much. They have taken over enough stuff already. There are other boxes that will stream your ota antenna without selling your soul to bezos.

The only appeal I saw from firestick was ability to “hack” and install kodi. Otherwise Im staying away from the big A as much as I can these days.

I have an original release shield tablet actually. Its my only android device in the house. Ill have to check this out. Thank you.

My current status:

Pay:
Netflix
Hulu
Disney+

"Free":
Prime
HBO
Possibly youtube tv soon

$50 30mbps internet

Im below what I used to pay for just TV for sure. TV and internet under $100 currently...its working out alright.

Still want to get that antenna on the roof this spring...

Always weirds me out when people have this much time to devote to a sport

That makes sense. I know people with families who talk about all this sports crap like all they do is research stats. I dunno how they find the time.

Im not trying to put people down. I legitimately dont get it. Do you guys stay up late at night? Are your kids all grown?

We are a "10pm is late" kind of house since the kids go down around 7p and are up around 6a. (young kids obviously)

I can MAYBE watch an hour to two hours of tv a night with the wife. Usually a streaming service movie or series. A lot of the time we watch a movie in installments.

Lately Ive been halving that time with some pinball streaming of my own on twitch. I find that once Im setup and going I get about 30 minutes of stream before its time to get my TV time in with the wife so we dont go too much past 10pm for bed. Gotta have that wind down time with the office...

When Im at work Ill throw on a pinball streamer to give them the views, but Im not actively watching that person unless I hear something funny or want to see something happen on the game.

Besides that, I cant imagine 3 hours of my day sitting watching the tv for a sports game. I would much rather GO. I barely pay attention any more because of the time it takes to get invested in a team thats constantly changing, and games that are like every day some times. I cant keep up. I used to do fantasy hockey and I would watch every bears game every weekend. Cubs on the radio, tv, whatever. I still make it to a game once in a while. I havent done a hawks game in almost 2 years and I did the cubs once 2 years ago. It just too much. Id rather be pinballing or playing with the kids or doing something else.

Any ways, Im sure my situation is far past what a large portion of this site is experiencing. Everyone seems to have grown kids or none at all.
Im sure some people bond with their kids over sports, and thats fine. I may in the end, we will see. I assume once theyre grown Ill look for more things to fill my time with and sports will make a come back.

/rant

Uh, no. I started a thread about cutting down on TV. I also clearly said there that I wasnt trying to put people down. Calm yourself.

Getting warmer out...probably venture out on the roof and take the dish down finally. Plan to replace it with this. Any objections, tips or tricks? I plan to use the same coax and mast from the dish.

TV Antenna - RCA Outdoor Yagi Satellite HD Antenna with Over 70 Mile Range - Attic or Roof Mount TV Antenna, Long Range Digital OTA Antenna for Clear Reception, 4K 1080P https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0024R4B5C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hd7yEb6Z43BXN

Its an asterisk season. Just ignore it and save the money...

Im loading up on the office dvds for the netflix departure, lol. Ive been pretty happy with hulu (commercial version), netflix, and disney. I have prime as well, but dont pay for it. Havent had a need for the antenna yet. Ive been REAL lazy with this project. I cut the cord and never looked back, lol.

Internet may need an upgrade once these kids grow up. Looking to hopefully starlink or google fiber by then.

Football is just 11 minutes of actual playing and the rest is commercials. Its a joke. I dont even bother watching games on TV.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704281204575002852055561406

Well, its been 3 years since I cut the cord and I do not miss it at all.

Right now Im even rebelling against the flix. They just didnt have anything for me for a while. Its almost been a year of no flix.

Current setup:
Comcast Fast Internet (1g/s at times) $50/m
Hulu - free with verizon
Disney - free with verizon
Prime - free from fam
Hbo max - free from fam

Id say Im doing pretty good. Definitely cut my bills way down on tv.

I just had 3.2gbps for $50....not sure how that was. My line was so fucked up the guy said. He came to replace my line from the box to the house.

I would get 6mb at 5am and then by noon I was past gig. So weird.

Back to a stable 500-600mbps now.

Right? So is my switch...

I was so confused. Lemme see if I got a screen shot.

Yall ever help an older person cut the cord? Lord beer me strength....

If I hear "I need WGN" one more time....

Thought so. Havent had luck receiving it yet. Ive got a few channels I can pickup at her house but she lives in a weird spot by a river. Im working on it….

She's "moderate" for WGN. I have a nicer antenna for her to try. I havent had a moment to go over with it.

Thanks yall.

The antenna she got was abysmal. I did not consult on it. I will report back.

I love this thread so much! Glad everyone has carried on with it. I just stream everything at this point. I only pay for....uhh.....I dont pay for any of them. The way it should be. 'Merica.

Cool, like for live audio or?

I got to watch a blackhawks pre season game the other night on hulu, which is free with my phone plan. That was groovy! Will it continue? The announcers were awful.

Verizon. My wife and I got a plan a couple year ago that included it.