My Streaming Life

In today's digital age, many of us have built extensive libraries of movies purchased across various online platforms. While owning digital copies offers convenience, it can sometimes be frustrating to remember where you bought a particular film or to switch between different apps to access your collection. Even more frustrating is missing out on a great deal because a movie is only on sale on a platform you rarely use. Thankfully, there's a fantastic free service that solves these problems: Movies Anywhere . It not only unifies your collection but, crucially, empowers you to buy your favorite films at the absolute best price, no matter which retailer is running the sale. What is Movies Anywhere? Movies Anywhere is a complimentary service that connects your digital movie accounts from participating retailers. Once linked, eligible movies purchased on one platform will automatically appear in your library on all other connected platforms. Think of it as a central hub for a si...

This summer, Roku is rolling out some updates to its operating system that really stand out, offering users intuitive and powerful new ways to find what to watch. While other major streaming platforms such as Fire TV and Google TV certainly have their own robust content discovery features, Roku's approach with these new additions offers some unique benefits worth exploring. Knowing What's Hot: Roku's Universal Top 10 Roku's new Top 10 Movies and Top 10 TV Shows rows are a brilliant addition. Rather than just offering personalized recommendations based on your viewing history, Roku is showing you what's most searched across the entire Roku platform. This gives you a real-time pulse on what everyone else is curious about, creating a sense of shared discovery that's less about algorithms guessing your next binge and more about tapping into the collective interest of millions of streamers. From Cinema to Couch: Anticipating Home Releases Another thoughtful...

Cutting the cord is often seen as a sure-fire way to save money on your monthly entertainment bills. While that's often true, understanding the true financial impact can be tricky. It's not just about canceling cable; it's about figuring out the actual change to your overall spending. The key is a straightforward mathematical approach that focuses on the difference in cost, not just overall expenses. While the core principles remain timeless, the landscape of streaming services and internet pricing has definitely evolved since our initial look at this topic. The Enduring Math of Savings It's All About the Change The most common mistake people make when calculating cord-cutting savings is including streaming services they already had. For example, if you're currently paying for Disney Plus, HBO Max (which is now HBO Max again, as you know), or Paramount Plus, those costs don't factor into your cord-cutting savings unless they're brand-new subscriptions...

In a recent video, Michael Timmermann from the Michael Saves YouTube channel discusses Peacock's recent price increase, explaining the new subscription rates and the reasons behind them. [ YouTube ] Watch the video. If you don't have time, here's a brief rundown: Peacock has significantly increased its subscription prices, with new rates effective for new subscribers on July 23rd and for existing customers on or after August 22nd. The Peacock Premium (with ads) plan is rising from $7.99/month to $10.99/month, while Peacock Premium Plus (ad-free) is increasing from $13.99/month to $16.99/month. Annual plans are also seeing a price bump. This hike is primarily attributed to NBC Universal's substantial deal with the NBA, bringing NBA games to Peacock this fall. With these changes, Peacock Premium will temporarily be more expensive than the base plans for Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney Plus, at least for now. However, Peacock is reportedly testing a new, more affordable p...

This post delves into a significant development for internet users, especially cord-cutters: Comcast's decision to eliminate data caps nationwide, as highlighted by Lon Seidman of Lon.TV in his recent video. [ YouTube ] For those who prefer to read rather than watch, Lon's video details Comcast's move to remove the 1.2 terabyte data cap on its internet plans, introducing new speed tiers and offering price guarantees for one or five years, which also include the gateway (modem/router) to eliminate a separate rental fee. However, it's crucial for customers to proactively contact Comcast to switch to these new plans, as existing customers will remain on their old plans with data caps and fees if they don't take action, a change largely seen as a response to growing competition in the broadband market. The elimination of data caps by a major provider like Comcast marks a significant step forward for internet users, especially those of us who have fully embraced the...

A Quiet Change with Big Implications for Your Antenna A significant decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has shaken up the landscape of local television ownership. On July 23, 2025, the court delivered a blow to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) long-standing "Top-Four Prohibition," a rule that has prevented a single company from owning multiple top-rated ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC stations in a single market. This rule's traditional purpose was promoting competition, localism, and viewpoint diversity in local media. The core impact of this ruling is that it essentially strikes down this prohibition, opening the door for single companies to directly own multiple major local network affiliates. For cord-cutters who rely on over-the-air (OTA) broadcasts for local news and programming, this development has significant implications, particularly concerning the diversity and quality of information available. From Agreements to Direct Co...

In the first two parts of our "Content Conundrum" series, we dove deep into the powerful, built-in search and discovery features of your streaming devices and smart TVs, from Roku and Google TV to Fire TV, Apple TV, Tizen, and WebOS. These platforms are incredibly effective at helping you find content within their own ecosystems and across many of your linked services. However, the real "Content Conundrum" often arises when you're trying to figure out if that movie your friend recommended is on Disney Plus--HBO Max--Paramount Plus--or somewhere else entirely, and maybe even if it's available for free. That's where dedicated aggregator apps and smart viewing strategies come into play. This final part will equip you with the tools and tactics to truly master content discovery across dozens of services, regardless of which device you're currently using. Beyond Device-Specific Search: Dedicated Discovery Tools While your devices provide excellent uni...

In Part 1 of "The Content Conundrum," we explored how your dedicated streaming devices—Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Google TV—offer robust built-in search and discovery tools. They're often the first line of defense against endless scrolling. But what about the smart TV itself? For many cord-cutters, the television's integrated operating system is a primary gateway to streaming. In this second part of our series, we'll dive into how two other major smart TV platforms, Tizen (found on Samsung Smart TVs) and WebOS (LG Smart TVs), contribute to solving the content conundrum. These platforms bring their own unique interfaces and features that can significantly enhance your ability to find and watch content. Leveraging Device-Specific Search and Features (Continued) Modern smart TVs are more than just displays; they're fully capable streaming hubs. Understanding how their native operating systems organize and present content can be just as crucial as knowing yo...

In the evolving landscape of cord-cutting, freedom of choice is a double-edged sword. While we've liberated ourselves from hefty cable bills and restrictive bundles, we've entered an era where finding exactly what you want to watch can feel like a treasure hunt across a sprawling digital universe. This is "The Content Conundrum"—the challenge of navigating dozens of streaming services to pinpoint that specific movie, binge-worthy series, or live event. Fortunately, the primary streaming devices in most cord-cutting homes offer powerful built-in tools to help. In this first part of our series, we'll dive into how to leverage the device-specific search and features of the "Big Four" platforms: Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Google TV. These are likely the devices you use daily, and understanding their capabilities is the first step to conquering the content chaos. Leveraging Device-Specific Search and Features Your streaming devices aren't just condu...

While your television set might last a decade or more, streaming devices have a less obvious but equally real shelf life. Unlike a TV, which primarily acts as a display, your streaming device is a miniature computer constantly interacting with evolving software, new video formats, and faster internet speeds. This means that even a perfectly functioning device can eventually become a bottleneck, quietly undermining your streaming experience. When I first started streaming back in 2010, replacing my top-tier Roku every year was almost a given. Devices back then saw substantial upgrades annually, making each new model a compelling purchase. However, as the market matured, those dramatic year-over-year leaps became less frequent. I started skipping models, like the Roku 4, and no longer felt the need to get every new Ultra. Instead, my upgrades became driven by real-world issues: devices getting truly old or outdated, failing completely, or becoming frustratingly sluggish as newer apps d...

Nielsen's latest Gauge report recently made headlines, revealing that traditional broadcast TV viewership has plummeted to a record low of 18.5% of total TV viewing. Meanwhile, streaming continues its rapid ascent, now commanding a dominant 46% share. On the surface, this might sound like dire news for anyone who still tunes into over-the-air channels. However, for those of us who have embraced cord-cutting, this report tells a more nuanced, and perhaps even positive, story. Understanding the "Decline": A Shift in How We Watch It's important to understand what these percentages truly represent. When Nielsen reports that broadcast TV is at 18.5% and streaming at 46%, they're measuring the overall share of total TV viewing time across all U.S. households with a TV . This "total TV viewing" pie includes everyone—those with traditional cable, those who've cut the cord, and those who've never had cable. The primary reason for broadcast's sh...

As Windows 10 approaches its end-of-life, many of us have perfectly good computers that just can't make the jump to Windows 11. Instead of contributing to e-waste, there's a fantastic, free solution that can give these machines a vibrant second life: ChromeOS Flex . Christopher Barnatt's Explaining Computers Video Christopher Barnatt , from the excellent YouTube channel Explaining Computers, recently published a comprehensive video demonstrating the process of installing ChromeOS Flex on older PCs. He shows how a tired Windows machine can be transformed into a zippy, secure, and modern ChromeOS device. [ YouTube ] Making Your ChromeOS Flex USB Drive: An Easier Way While Christopher's video demonstrates using Rufus to create the bootable USB drive, there's an even simpler, Google-recommended method. Google provides an official Chromebook Recovery Utility as a Chrome browser extension. This utility makes the process incredibly straightforward, handling both ...

A recent report from Cord Cutters News , published in July 2025, brought some interesting numbers to light regarding the streaming device market. It reinforced a long-standing truth for many cord-cutters: Roku continues to hold a significant lead in North America. According to their survey, Roku commands a whopping 66.5% market share, a testament to its user-friendly interface and vast content library that has made it a favorite for over a decade. Right behind Roku, Amazon Fire TV secured a strong second place with 30.3% of the market. My Google TV Surprise: Challenging Traditional Perceptions My initial reaction to these numbers, specifically concerning Google TV, was one of genuine surprise. For a while now, my perception, and perhaps yours too, has been that Google TV's presence in North America was, while growing, still relatively small—perhaps even in the single digits when compared directly to the giants. The source of my misconception, I realized, often comes from report...

For those of us dedicated to the cord-cutting life, one thing remains constant: change. And often, that change comes in the form of a price increase from our favorite streaming services. This time, it's Peacock's turn to adjust its rates, and while it's never fun to pay more, being informed is the best way to navigate these shifts. Let's break down exactly what's happening with Peacock's new pricing and, more importantly, how you might be able to keep a few more dollars in your pocket. The New Peacock Pricing Breakdown and Content Differences Effective very soon, both Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus will see a $3 increase in their monthly and annual subscription fees. This change also formalizes the introduction of a new, more limited ad-supported tier. Here's a clear look at the new costs compared to the old ones for the main tiers: Peacock Premium (ad-supported) Old Price: $7.99/month or $79.99/year New Price: $10.99/month or $109....

I have not purchased the new Roku Streaming Stick Plus. I will, I just haven't yet. But Michael Tinnermann to the rescue. He reviewed it on his Michael Saves YouTube Channel: [ YouTube ] My experience with Michael Saves is that their reviews and comments are well thought and reliable. He says the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is a Btop value pick, typically around $40. Should you follow his advice and wait for discounts, as Roku devices often go on sale for 20-30% off? If you want to upgrade your Roku, but it's not a need, then yes, wait. If you need a new Roku now, then of course don't wait. If he says it's a good device, I'm inclined to believe him. My Streaming Life includes a long history with Roku, going back well over a decade when I bought my first full-featured Roku device, which truly paved the way for me to become a cord-cutter. Every TV in my home still has a Roku device attached, and I continue to appreciate the platform for its ease of use and wide var...

As a long-time cord-cutter, I'm always looking for ways to get the most out of my streaming setup while keeping costs low. PBS has long been a staple of free, high-quality content, easily accessible with an antenna or through their app. But for those of us who want to dive deeper into the world of Masterpiece dramas, in-depth documentaries, and countless other enriching programs, PBS Passport offers an incredible amount of value. It's a fantastic way to expand your streaming library beyond the free offerings, ensuring you don't miss out on some of the best television available, all while staying true to your budget. What is PBS Passport and How Do You Get It? PBS Passport is an extended access benefit provided to members of participating local PBS stations. It's not a standalone subscription you buy directly. Instead, you gain access by making a qualifying donation to your local station. The typical requirement across the country is a minimum donation of $5 per m...

As a long-time cord-cutter, I've always been on the lookout for ways to get the content I want without the hefty cable bill. One of the most pressing questions I faced when I first cut the cord, and a common concern for both new and experienced cord-cutters, is, "How will I get my news?" The great news is, there are more free, high-quality streaming news options available today than ever before! You don't need a pricey live TV streaming service to stay informed. Let's dive into the most popular and reliable free streaming news services that every cord-cutter should know about. Major Network News: Always-On National Coverage Many of the big traditional news networks now offer their own free, 24/7 live streaming channels. These are excellent resources for national and sometimes local news coverage, bringing you breaking stories as they happen. ABC News Live Description: A 24/7 continuous live stream from ABC News, covering national headlines and often includi...