My Streaming Life

I came across a video by Michael Timmermann from the Michael Saves YouTube channel, where he lists 15 tips, tricks, and settings for Roku devices. I want to share this video with you because it contains some great information for both new and experienced Roku users. [ YouTube ] The video provides a helpful overview of Roku features and settings. It starts with advice on which Roku devices to buy and a scam alert about sites that charge for device activation. A key takeaway is that you can manage your paid subscriptions by moving their apps to the top of the home screen, making it easier to see what you're using and cancel what you're not. Michael also explains how to control the types of personalized ads you see and points out how to fix inconsistent audio with a volume leveling setting. For me, the tips on the Roku mobile app were particularly useful, especially the feature for private listening through headphones. I've been a cord-cutter for nearly 15 years, and I h...

The streaming world is caught between chaos and consolidation. As industry analysts like Luke Bouma of Cord Cutters News have pointed out, there are simply too many streaming services , and many will be forced to shut down or merge. After years of explosive growth, the market is facing an inevitable correction. This instability is the major story in media right now. But for those of us focused on saving money, the chaos is not a problem--it is a direct and positive reward for the budget-conscious consumer. The entire industry is now being forced to adapt to the cost-saving mindset that cord-cutters pioneered. The Root of the Instability: Where the Paid Market is Failing The consolidation is driven by the financial failure of the paid streaming model. The high number of services in the market (over 200, when counting everything from global giants to niche apps) created unmanageable fragmentation. The vMVPD Price Crisis: The Failed Cable Alternative The initial allure of Virtual M...

ThioJoe Looks at the ClickFix Hacker Attack I want to feature a timely video about the new ClickFix social engineering attack, presented by ThioJoe on his YouTube channel. The video details how this new strategy could put users' credentials and data at risk. [ YouTube ] Video Summary The ClickFix attack is a deceptive new strategy that tricks people into compromising their own systems by manually executing a malicious command. This social engineering threat targets Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. The attack begins with a pop-up on a fake website, often disguised as a CAPTCHA or system error, which instructs the user to copy a malicious script from the clipboard and run it in a command interface (like the Run dialog or Terminal). Execution installs malware, including data-stealers that grab credentials. Standard Chrome OS devices are generally not vulnerable due to their sandboxed security model. However, if the Linux Development Environment is enabled and the user...

The fifth week of the 2025 college football season features a packed schedule for Saturday. There are 49 games being played, with 14 of them involving at least one ranked team. Four of those games are between ranked teams, with some must-watch matchups: #21 USC @ #23 Illinois #4 LSU @ #13 Ole Miss #6 Oregon @ #3 Penn State #17 Alabama @ #5 Georgia Here's a look at how to watch all of the networks carrying games this weekend. The Networks Most of the games are available for viewing live by streaming, or with an antenna. Here are the networks carrying the games this season. ABC Antenna: Free ESPN Unlimited: ($30/month) Sling TV Orange: ($46/month) DirecTV Stream MySports (in select markets): ($70/month) Hulu+Live TV: ($83/month) YouTube TV: ($83/month) DirecTV Stream: ($85/month) Fubo: ($85/month) ACC Network ESPN Unlimited: ($30/month) Sling TV Orange + Sports Extra: ($57/month) DirecTV Stream MySports: ($70/month) Hulu+Live TV: ($83/month) YouTube TV: ($...

The biggest hurdle for many cord-cutters has long been the challenge of watching live local channels without a pricey live TV streaming service. We've seen some of the biggest networks, like CBS and NBC, offer a solution, and now Fox has officially joined the direct-to-consumer party with its new service. Fox One is the network's all-in-one streaming platform, designed to be a single destination for everything Fox has to offer. This service is a game-changer for cord-cutters who want to keep up with live Fox content without paying for a full cable replacement. For a monthly cost of ($19.99/month), Fox One delivers a robust collection of live and on-demand programming from across the Fox portfolio. The service includes the live stream of your local Fox station, which is crucial for news, prime-time shows, and especially live sports. But Fox One isn't just about sports. It's a comprehensive service that also provides live feeds of Fox News Channel, Fox Business Networ...

Week 5 of the college football season has arrived, bringing with it a handful of exciting matchups for Thursday and Friday night. Here is a quick rundown of the networks that will be carrying the early games and how to watch them. I will have a separate post on Saturday with information on how to watch the rest of the week's games. How to Watch the Games Not a lot of early games this week, but here is the way to watch the few that are playing. ESPN ESPN Unlimited ($30/month) Sling TV Orange ($46/month) DirecTV Stream MySports ($70/month) Hulu+Live TV ($83/month) YouTube TV ($83/month) Fubo ($85/month) FOX Antenna: Free Fox One ($20/month) Sling TV Blue ($46/month) DirecTV Stream MySports ($70/month) Hulu+Live TV ($83/month) YouTube TV ($83/month) Fubo ($85/month) College football is a true passion of mine, and I am excited to share this information with you all season long. My Streaming Life gets a bit more hectic during the fall, but it's always worth it...

The streaming landscape is constantly changing, but for those of us who have cut the cord, the goal remains the same: get the content we want without overpaying for a huge bundle of channels we'll never watch. While getting live local channels has long been a major hurdle, services are starting to provide a la carte options. Peacock is one of the most prominent examples, offering a way to get live local NBC programming without a traditional cable subscription. The service has three main plans: Select, Premium, and Premium Plus. The Peacock Select plan is a lower-cost, ad-supported tier priced at ($7.99/month). It provides access to a selection of TV shows from NBC and Bravo, but it does not include movies, live sports, or most Peacock Originals. The most popular plan, Peacock Premium , costs ($10.99/month). This plan is ad-supported but provides access to the full content library, including movies, live sports, and original content. However, it does not include a live stream o...

For many people, cutting the cord feels impossible because they don't want to lose access to their favorite local broadcast networks. What many don't realize is that for some of the biggest networks, a full live TV streaming service isn't necessary. Paramount Plus is an excellent example of a standalone service that offers a clever way to get live local TV. The service has two main plans: the ad-supported Paramount Plus Essentials and the ad-free Paramount Plus Premium. The Paramount Plus Essentials plan, priced at ($7.99/month), is a great value, giving you access to thousands of on-demand movies and shows. It also includes live sports like NFL games on CBS and the UEFA Champions League. However, it does not include a live stream of your local CBS station. For that, you'll need the Paramount Plus Premium plan, which costs ($12.99/month). This plan includes everything from the Essential tier, but with a major upgrade for cord-cutters: a live stream of your local CB...

It's the ultimate cord-cutting challenge: figuring out how to watch local channels without cable. We all want our live news, prime-time shows, and especially our sports, but the solutions aren't always clear -- or affordable. That's why I want to feature this video from Michael Saves, "How to Stream Local Channels Without Cable in 2025 (Best Options)." Michael's video provides a great breakdown of the current landscape, exploring the different ways you can get your local ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC stations. [ YouTube ] The Highlights Michael gets straight to the point about why streaming locals can be a frustrating experience and a surprisingly expensive one. He explains how the high cost of sports rights and the relationships between broadcast and cable networks can drive up prices and limit our options. The video goes on to cover the main choices available to cord-cutters: Standalone Apps for individual networks. Skinny Bundles,  which offer a smal...

In a recent video from Lon Seidman on his YouTube channel Lon.TV , he explains the latest developments in the ongoing battle over ATSC 3.0 , also known as NextGen TV. The video highlights how broadcasters are contradicting their previous statements in a new filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in their push to encrypt the public airwaves. [ YouTube ] Seidman's video is a very good summary of the core issue facing cord-cutters and over-the-air television fans. He explains that broadcasters are now asking the FCC to mandate a full transition to ATSC 3.0, despite having previously advocated for a voluntary, market-driven approach. This change in position comes as the industry is struggling with low consumer adoption, which Seidman and others argue is a direct result of the Digital Rights Management (DRM) being used. The DRM makes it difficult for companies to create devices that can receive and record the signals, limiting consumer choice and innovation. As some...

It's Week 4 of the college football season, and there are 26 games on the schedule this Saturday. Of those games, 16 feature at least one ranked team, and three are between two ranked teams. Those matchups are: #17 Texas Tech @ #16 Utah #22 Auburn @ #11 Oklahoma #9 Illinois @ #19 Indiana Here is how you can watch all the games this weekend. The Networks Most of the games are available for viewing live by streaming, or with an antenna. Here are the networks carrying the games this season. ABC Antenna: Free ESPN Unlimited: $30/month Sling TV Orange: $46/month DirecTV Stream MySports (in select markets): $70/month Hulu+Live TV: $83/month YouTube TV: $83/month DirecTV Stream: $85/month Fubo: $85/month ACC Network ESPN Unlimited: $30/month Sling TV Orange + Sports Extra: $57/month DirecTV Stream MySports: $70/month Hulu+Live TV: $83/month YouTube TV: $83/month Fubo: $85/month ACC Network Extra ESPN Unlimited: $30/month Sling TV Orange + Sports Extra: $57...

A new, free, and ad-supported streaming service has launched just in time to offer families a new destination for entertaining and educational content. The Scholastic TV app is a fun learning space for kids and parents alike. The service comes from a partnership between Scholastic and Future Today. It aims to offer a safe, curated experience for children, featuring content from Scholastic's well-known library and other family-friendly shows. What's on Scholastic TV? The app features over 400 hours of programming, which is a significant amount of content for a free service. You'll find a wide variety of shows that both parents and kids can enjoy, including titles that might bring back some fond memories. Some of the shows available include: Classic Children's Shows: Clifford the Big Red Dog , The Magic School Bus , and Goosebumps . Other Fan Favorites: The app also has titles from the 9 Story Media Group catalog, such as Garfield and Barney & Friends . ...

Week 4 of the college football season has arrived, bringing with it a handful of exciting matchups for Thursday and Friday night. Here is a quick rundown of the networks that will be carrying the early games and how to watch them. I will have a separate post on Saturday with information on how to watch the rest of the week's games. How to Watch the Games ESPN ESPN Unlimited ($30/month) Sling TV Orange ($46/month) Fubo Sports + News ($56/month) DirecTV Stream MySports (in select markets) ($70/month) Hulu+Live TV ($83/month) YouTube TV ($83/month) Fox Antenna: Free FOX One ($20/month) Sling TV Blue ($46/month) (in select markets) Fubo Sports + News ($56/month) DirecTV Stream MySports (in select markets) ($70/month) Hulu+Live TV ($83/month) YouTube TV ($83/month) College football is a true passion of mine, and I am excited to share this information with you all season long. My Streaming Life gets a bit more hectic during the fall, but it's always worth it f...

A while back, I wrote a post about my relationship with Amazon's Prime Video . It's a service that I get as a free perk of my Amazon Prime subscription, but I didn't use it much. My main frustration was with the interface. It felt jumbled up, messy, and hard to navigate. I knew there was some good stuff there, but it was just too much of a hassle to find. Well, four years have passed, and it's time to see how much has changed. The Interface: What Amazon Fixed After avoiding the service for so long, I decided to give it a fresh look, and I was immediately surprised. The cluttered, confusing layout is much improved and has been replaced with a sleeker, more organized design. The navigation is more intuitive, with clear categories for movies, TV shows, and sports. The biggest improvement, however, is how clear it is to tell what's included with Prime and what's not. The service used to mix everything together, but now, a yellow shopping bag icon clearly marks c...

Not long ago, I wrote about how to get more streaming TV content by using services you might already have , and I highlighted a few common memberships that come with a "free" streaming perk. At the time, I mentioned that a Walmart Plus membership included a subscription to the ad-supported Paramount Plus Essentials plan. That benefit is still there, but now, Walmart Plus members have a choice. The company has now added Peacock to its list of streaming partners, giving subscribers the choice between two different services. The Options: Paramount Plus Essentials vs. Peacock Premium Both of these services are popular choices, and each offers a lot of content, but they are very different. Peacock Premium, which is the service included with a Walmart Plus membership, offers a wide variety of content. The ad-supported plan gives you next-day access to new episodes of NBC and Bravo shows, plus thousands of hours of movies and TV series. You also get a solid selection of live s...

As a cord-cutter, one of the biggest challenges is making sure you have all the TV you want without paying for the stuff you don't. When a legacy company like Comcast gets into the streaming game, they bring with them their own complexities. With a free service (Xumo Play) acting as a gateway, they've set the stage for a choice between their two paid options: NOW TV and Peacock Premium Plus. For the cost-conscious viewer, it's a decision that pits one type of TV against another. The question is, which is the right one for your home? NOW TV: The "Skinny Bundle" Approach Price and Features NOW TV is priced at $20 a month and offers a small selection of live cable channels. It's a great option for people who want some of the more popular cable channels, like A&E , AMC , Food Network , and Hallmark , without the high price of a traditional cable subscription. This service is exclusive to Xfinity Internet customers and notably does not include live local ...

In the world of technology, a deadline looms. On October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will officially reach its end-of-life. This means that after that date, Microsoft will no longer provide free security updates, leaving millions of computers around the world vulnerable to viruses, malware, and other cyber threats. If you're still using Windows 10 on a computer that cannot officially upgrade to Windows 11, the time for a decision is no longer in the distant future -- it's here. You have exactly one month to secure your digital life. Recapping Your Options As I've discussed in previous posts, there are a few paths forward. While Microsoft's official recommendation is to simply buy a new PC, my focus has always been on finding more cost-effective and secure alternatives for people who already have perfectly good hardware. Your primary goal is to keep your computer and your personal information safe. To do this, you have two main paths to choose from: a paid option or a free ...

This week is Week 3 of the college football season. The Saturday slate is full of matchups, with 64 games on the docket. Of those, 20 games involve at least one ranked team. There are three games between ranked teams. We'll be talking about how to watch these games, and all of the games, below. No. 6 Georgia at No. 15 Tennessee No. 16 Texas A&M at No. 8 Notre Dame No. 18 South Florida at No. 5 Miami (Fla.) Networks and How to Watch Most of the games are available for viewing live by streaming, or with an antenna. Here are the networks carrying the games this season. ABC Antenna: Free Sling TV Orange: $46/month DirecTV Stream MySports: $70/month Hulu+Live TV: $83/month YouTube TV: $83/month Fubo: $85/month ACC Network ESPN Unlimited: $30/month Sling TV Orange + Sports Extra: $57/month DirecTV Stream MySports: $70/month Hulu+Live TV: $83/month YouTube TV: $83/month Fubo: $85/month ACC Network Extra ESPN Unlimited: $30/month Sling TV Orange + Sport...

Recently, we explored how to build a satisfying streaming life using only truly free, ad-supported services and an antenna. We then looked at how to get even more content by leveraging memberships you already have, like Amazon Prime and Walmart+, for "as good as free" content. But the world of free streaming is bigger than just the major FAST services. There are a number of stand-alone apps that can provide a surprising amount of quality content without a single subscription. These are the apps you might not know you had, or you might have overlooked entirely. A Deep Dive into Free-to-Use Apps While services like Tubi and Pluto TV have led the charge on free streaming, a number of other apps offer a huge amount of free content that’s worth your time. The CW App: If you want current TV, the CW app is one of the best examples of a broadcast network that truly embraces the free model. You can stream new episodes of their shows the day after they air, and they provide an ...

College football is officially in Week 3 of the season. This week's early schedule is fairly light, with one game on Thursday night and five games on Friday night. While there are no matchups between ranked teams, there are some in-conference games and in-state rivalries that make the early games worth watching. We'll cover the Saturday games on Saturday morning. Networks and How to Watch Most of the games are available for viewing live by streaming, or with an antenna. Here are the networks carrying the games this season. ACC Network ESPN Unlimited: $30/month Sling TV Orange + Sports Extra: $57/month DirecTV Stream MySports: $70/month Hulu+Live TV: $83/month YouTube TV: $83/month Fubo: $85/month Big Ten Network Fox One: $20/month Sling TV Blue + Sports Extra: $57/month DirecTV Stream MySports: $70/month Hulu+Live TV: $83/month YouTube TV: $83/month Fubo: $85/month ESPN ESPN Unlimited: $30/month Sling TV Orange: $46/month DirecTV Stream MySports: $70/m...

Earlier, we explored how to build a satisfying streaming experience using only truly free, ad-supported services and an antenna. In another post, we built on that by looking at how paid memberships you already have, like Amazon Prime and Walmart+, give you a wealth of content "as good as free." But what if you're on the fence about a different paid membership? What if the reason you're hesitant to sign up for a grocery or internet service is the cost? The modern cord-cutter knows that the value of these services isn't just about their primary benefit. It's about a hidden "tipping point" -- a streaming perk that pushes a service from a "maybe" into a "worth it" status. The Tipping Point: From "Maybe" to "Worth It" The world of streaming isn't just about paying for a service; it’s about making a smart consumer decision. Here, we'll look at how the right streaming perk can be the final factor that just...

Earlier, we explored how to build a satisfying streaming experience using only truly free, ad-supported services and an antenna. The upside was clear: zero monthly costs. The trade-offs, however, included navigating commercials and a general lack of current, exclusive content (outside of live broadcasts). But what if you could get more? What if you could access premium streaming libraries, with their original shows and movies, without adding a single new monthly streaming subscription to your budget? The good news is, many of us are already paying for services that include hidden streaming perks. By leveraging benefits you already have, you can dramatically expand your content options for what feels "as good as free." Services You Already Have Many of the services we integrate into our daily lives come with unexpected streaming benefits. Let's look at some common examples: Amazon Prime Most people subscribe to Amazon Prime for the free, fast shipping, or perhaps for...

For those of us who have cut the cord, or are thinking about it, the goal is often simple: save money. While the idea of a half-dozen streaming subscriptions seems appealing for the content, the cost can quickly add up to rival a cable bill. But what if you wanted to go even further? What if you wanted to stream for free? No monthly payments, no annual fees. Is it possible to be truly satisfied with a subscription-free streaming life? The short answer is yes, but there are some important trade-offs you have to accept. The Free Ad-Supported Ecosystem The backbone of a free streaming lifestyle is the rise of FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) services. These are platforms that offer a huge library of movies and shows, as well as live "channels" that stream content 24/7, all supported by commercials. Think of it as a modern version of classic cable TV, but without the cost. The players in this space are a big part of the reason free streaming is so viable. You can find m...

The 2025 NFL season has officially kicked off, with games already played on Thursday and Friday. I know that for many of you, Sundays are all about the pro game. Figuring out how to catch all the action without a cable subscription can be a challenge, especially with games spread across a variety of networks and streaming platforms. That's why I found this video from Michael Timmermann on the Michael Saves YouTube channel so helpful. He provides a fantastic, up-to-date guide to watching every NFL game for the 2025 season. [ YouTube ] In the video, Michael breaks down the entire NFL streaming landscape. He covers how to watch local games for free using an antenna, and where to find the out-of-market games that often require a streaming service. The guide also explains the different options for watching specific games, such as Thursday Night Football on Prime Video and Sunday Night Football on Peacock and NBC. If you're looking for a comprehensive overview of your streami...

College football is in full swing, and this week's schedule offers a wide array of games to watch. There are a total of 51 games being played, with 23 of them involving at least one ranked team. Of those, there is one exciting matchup between two ranked opponents. This post will help you find where to watch all of the action. Ranked Team Matchups No. 15 Michigan at No. 18 Oklahoma Home Team: Oklahoma Network: ABC How to Watch Most of the games are available for viewing live by streaming, or with an antenna. Here are the networks carrying the games this season. ABC Antenna: Free ESPN Unlimited: $30/month Sling TV Orange: $46/month DirecTV Stream MySports (in select markets): $70/month Hulu+Live TV: $83/month YouTube TV: $83/month DirecTV Stream: $85/month Fubo: $85/month ACC Network ESPN Unlimited: $30/month Sling TV Orange + Sports Extra: $57/month DirecTV Stream MySports: $70/month Hulu+Live TV: $83/month YouTube TV: $83/month Fubo: $85/month ACC N...

Based on a recent article from Cord Cutters News titled " The FCC Will Allow ABC, CBS, FOX, & NBC TV Stations to Shutdown Free ATSC 1.0 & Switch to ATSC 3.0 Only ," the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken another step toward the future of over-the-air television. The article discusses a Public Notice from the FCC that creates a pathway for major broadcast networks to transition to the new, next-generation ATSC 3.0 standard. While this new standard promises a lot of exciting features, including 4K resolution and improved audio, it also presents a major challenge for anyone who relies on an antenna for free local TV. The reason is simple: ATSC 3.0 is not backward-compatible with the equipment we use today. The Timeline for the Switch There is no official, confirmed date for a nationwide ATSC 1.0 shutdown. However, the National Association of Broadcasters ( NAB ) has petitioned the FCC for a two-phased approach to the transition, with a potential star...