My Streaming Life

Cable and satellite TV bills are climbing higher than ever, and even live TV streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu+Live TV are getting pricey. But don't despair, fellow cord-cutters! There's a whole world of free entertainment out there, just waiting to be discovered. You might be thinking, "Free? There's gotta be a catch!" And yes, most free streaming services are ad-supported. But let's be honest, even cable TV and those expensive live streaming services have commercials. The difference? You're not shelling out a hefty monthly fee to watch them! As someone who rarely uses paid services outside of college football season, I rely on free streaming to keep me entertained year-round. And trust me, there's something for everyone. Here's a rundown of some of the top free streaming services available: For the Movie Buff: Tubi: A massive library of movies and TV shows, from classics to recent releases. Tubi even has some exclusive original...

The live TV streaming landscape is constantly evolving, and with the recent Fubo/Hulu + Live TV merger and YouTube TV's price hike , it's a good time to re-evaluate your options. Two of the biggest players in this space are Fubo and YouTube TV. Both offer a compelling alternative to traditional cable, but which one comes out on top? In this post, we'll break down the key differences between Fubo and YouTube TV, considering their pricing, channel lineups, features, and user experience, to help you decide which service is the best fit for your needs. Pricing Fubo : Starts at $79.99/month for the Pro plan. YouTube TV : Starts at $82.99/month for the base plan. Fubo currently has a slight edge in pricing, offering its base plan for $3 less than YouTube TV. Channels Fubo : Offers 185+ channels in its base plan, with a strong focus on sports. YouTube TV : Offers 100+ channels in its base plan. Fubo boasts a wider selection of channels, especially for sports...

Just as I wrapped up my 4-part series on the Fubo/Hulu+Live TV merger, the streaming world threw us another curveball: Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery abruptly cancelled their joint sports streaming venture, Venu Sports. This unexpected move raises questions about Disney's overall streaming strategy and the future of sports streaming in general. A Recap of the Fubo/Hulu Saga As you may recall, my recent series explored the implications of Disney's merger with FuboTV, the parent company of sports-focused streaming service Fubo. I analyzed the potential benefits and drawbacks for sports fans, cord-cutters, and the streaming landscape as a whole. Note: You can catch up on the series here: The Big Picture Sports Fans Rejoice (or Should They?) Cord-Cutters Take Note Disney's Master Plan? One of the key points I discussed was the potential impact of Venu Sports, a planned standalone sports streaming service that was in the works before the Fubo/Hulu mer...

Cord cutting is about finding smart, legal ways to enjoy your favorite entertainment without breaking the bank. But sometimes, the temptation of "free" content can lead down a dangerous path. Pirate TV boxes, those devices promising unlimited movies, TV shows, and live channels for a one-time fee, are a prime example. While the allure is strong, the reality is that you're not just getting something for nothing -- you're stealing content, supporting criminal activity, and putting your entire digital life at risk. The True Cost of "Free" Content: Think about it: those movies, shows, and live channels you're accessing for "free" are the result of countless hours of work, creativity, and investment by writers, actors, directors, and production crews. When you access that content illegally, you're not just getting a free ride -- you're undermining the people who create the entertainment you enjoy. Beyond the Ethical Dilemma: Besides the...

The Fubo/Hulu+Live TV merger has sent shockwaves through the streaming world, but what's the real story behind this unexpected alliance? Is it simply a smart business move, or is there a deeper strategic game at play? Let's put on our detective hats and try to unravel Disney's master plan. Dominating the Streaming Landscape Disney has been aggressively expanding its presence in the streaming market, with Disney Plus, ESPN Plus, and Hulu already under its umbrella. By merging Hulu+Live TV with Fubo, Disney gains a stronger foothold in the live TV streaming space and further solidifies its position as a streaming powerhouse. This move could also be seen as a strategic response to Warner Bros. Discovery's Max streaming service. The Sports Streaming Gambit With the launch of a new "Sports & Broadcast service" featuring ESPN channels, Disney is making a bold play to capture a larger share of the sports streaming market. This move could put pressure on riv...

The Fubo/Hulu+Live TV merger has sent ripples throughout the streaming world, but what does it actually mean for those of us who have already cut the cord? Will this lead to better value, more choices, or just more confusion in the already crowded streaming landscape? Let's dive in and explore the potential implications for cord-cutters. Potential Benefits for Cord-Cutters More Competitive Pricing : The merger could intensify competition in the live TV streaming market, potentially leading to more competitive pricing and better deals for consumers. Increased Flexibility : We might see the emergence of new and more flexible packages, allowing cord-cutters to customize their channel lineups and pay only for the channels they actually want. Enhanced Bundling Options : The combined company could offer attractive bundles that combine live TV streaming with other Disney services like Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, potentially leading to cost savings for those who subscribe to mu...

The Fubo/Hulu merger is particularly exciting news for sports fans like my son. He's a big sports enthusiast and relies on Fubo for his daily dose of live games and sports commentary. With Disney's sports channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNEWS, joining forces with Fubo's already robust sports offerings, the future of sports streaming looks even more promising. But will it truly be a win for sports fans, or could this merger lead to unexpected consequences? The Sports & Broadcast Service One of the most anticipated outcomes of this merger is the launch of a new "Sports & Broadcast service." This dedicated sports streaming service will feature a curated lineup of sports channels, likely including those ESPN channels, and potentially more. This could be a game-changer, offering a more affordable and streamlined way to access live games and sports programming. Fubo's Existing Strengths Even before the merger, Fubo had already established itself...

The streaming wars just got a whole lot more interesting! In a surprise move that's sending shockwaves through the industry, Disney, the entertainment giant behind Hulu, has announced a merger with sports-focused streaming service FuboTV. This is big news, especially for sports fans like my son, who relies on Fubo for his daily dose of live games and sports commentary. This unexpected alliance has left many wondering: what does this mean for the future of live TV streaming? The Basics Here's a quick rundown of the key details: Disney Takes the Lead : Disney will become the majority owner of Fubo, holding a 70% stake in the combined company. Separate But Equal : Both Fubo and Hulu+Live TV will continue to operate as separate services, each with its own branding, channel lineups, and pricing. A Long Road Ahead : The merger is expected to take 12-18 months to complete, so don't expect any immediate changes to your streaming experience. Why Merge? The official ...

Exciting news! My Streaming Life has a fresh new look. I recently switched to the Notable Lite template, and I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Why the Change? Finding the Right Balance with Ads I was pretty happy with the old template overall, but it had one significant downside: intrusive ads. Especially on mobile devices, it felt like you had to navigate an obstacle course of ads just to read a post. That's not the experience I want for my readers! My primary goal with this redesign was to find a template that was cleaner, more streamlined, and put the focus back on the content. At the same time, I need to balance this with the reality that ads are how I support this blog and keep the lights on. The new template offered the perfect solution! It allows for effective ad placement without compromising the user experience. What's New and Improved Here's what I'm loving about the new design: Clean and Modern: It's fresh, easy on the eyes, and lets the cont...

So, YouTube TV decided to hit us where it hurts – our wallets. $83 a month? That's a cable bill in disguise! If you're a cord cutter feeling betrayed by this price hike, I've got good news. There's a way to get most of what YouTube TV offers, including local channels, for a whole lot less. But it requires a bit of an investment upfront. The Secret Weapon: Sling TV + AirTV Anywhere + Your Trusty Antenna Sling TV has always been a budget-friendly option for cord cutters. But let's be honest, their local channel situation wasn't exactly their strong suit. That is, until the AirTV Anywhere came along. This clever little device lets you connect an antenna and stream all your local channels right into your Sling TV guide. ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS – they're all there, in beautiful HD. And the best part? AirTV Anywhere has a built-in 1TB DVR, so you can record your favorite local news, sports, and primetime shows without relying on Sling's cloud DVR. Antenna...

Cord cutting is all about freedom -- freedom from expensive cable contracts, freedom to watch what you want, when you want. But this freedom shouldn't come at the cost of your online security. This guide explores the security features of the four major streaming platforms -- Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Google TV -- to help you make informed choices and enjoy a secure streaming experience. Why Security Matters Your streaming device is more than just a box for watching movies. It's a gateway to your home network and potentially your personal information. A security breach could expose you to: Data theft: Hackers could steal your login credentials, financial information, or other sensitive data. Malware: Your device could be infected with malware, which could steal data, spy on your activity, or even take control of your device. Network intrusion: A compromised device could give hackers access to your home network, putting other devices at risk. Platform Security ...

A lot of people have visited a post I wrote a while back about Tablo . The information is outdated, and I no longer use Tablo. I switched to AirTV. Let's rewind a bit. I used to be a big Tablo fan. It was a reliable DVR with a user-friendly interface. The best part? The "Tablo Connect" feature, which allowed me to stream my antenna TV from anywhere. Taking my Tablo to a family member's place and enjoying my home TV setup on a different device there was a breeze. But then came the big letdown. Tablo discontinued Tablo Connect with their new devices. It's still functional on older models, but they've completely removed it from their current lineup. They even sent me an email back in the summer of 2024, celebrating the anniversary of these out-of-home-streaming-less devices and offering a discount. No thanks! This is what pushed me to AirTV by Sling TV. I made the switch in August of 2024, and it's a decision I haven't regretted. AirTV had a rocky sta...

Streaming sticks remain incredibly popular for adding smarts to your TV. I've got Rokus, Amazon Fire TV Sticks, and even a Chromecast scattered around my house. While my main TV setup is a bit more advanced these days, I still use sticks often, and they're undeniably convenient. But here's the thing: how you power those sticks matters. You might be tempted to just plug them into the USB port on your TV, and Roku even suggests this in some cases. But trust me (and a growing number of users experiencing issues), this can be a recipe for trouble. Why You Should Avoid TV USB Power Here's the deal: Unreliable Power: TV USB ports can be finicky, especially on older models. They might not provide enough juice, leading to performance problems, random reboots, or even damage to your stick. Voltage Fluctuations: TVs sometimes have fluctuating voltage in their USB ports, especially when turning on or off. This can wreak havoc on sensitive electronics like streaming stic...

Are you tired of sky-high cable bills that seem to climb higher every month? Do you feel like you're paying for a ton of channels you never even watch? It might be time to join the cord-cutting revolution! More and more people are ditching traditional cable and satellite TV in favor of streaming services, and it's not hard to see why. Here are some of the biggest perks you can expect when you truly cut the cord: Take Control of Your TV Spending (and Avoid Bill Shock!) While live TV streaming services seemed like a great deal at first, they've been steadily increasing their prices, creeping closer and closer to those dreaded cable bills. But here's the good news: you have more options than ever! Instead of mirroring your old cable package with a pricey live TV service, you can pick and choose exactly what you want with on-demand streaming. Ditch the Live TV Trap and Embrace True Freedom. Think about it: how much of your TV time is actually spent watching live ...

It's a new year, and that means it's time for everyone to make some resolutions.  But instead of focusing on ourselves this year, let's give some much-needed advice to our beloved (and sometimes frustrating) streaming services. Here are 10 resolutions they should really consider if they want to keep us cord cutters happy in 2026: "We will stop adding new channels/tiers and raising prices every other month."  Seriously, we left cable to get AWAY from this madness. "We will stop removing shows and movies without warning."  Don't make us play content roulette! "We will make our interfaces less cluttered and easier to navigate."  We just want to watch something, not get lost in a maze of menus. "We will stop auto-playing trailers and previews at maximum volume."  Our hearts (and ears) can't take it anymore. "We will offer a 'truly unlimited' plan with no restrictions on simultaneous streams."  Le...