Streaming news

When you have cable, it's really easy to watch news. Or what passes for news these days. You can tell I don't think much about cable news services, can't you?

When I want news, I want news, not some silly propaganda outlet that spouts one political party or the other's agenda. It's hard to find real news, with facts, and with all the facts. They're all bad about presenting unsupported statements as news, about leaving out any information that doesn't fit their agenda.

Yeah, I don't care much for cable news. So, I don't really miss it. I did, when I first started streaming and dropped cable. Watching the talking heads was a regular thing. So, when I dropped cable, that went away, and I went through withdrawal.

I got over it. I didn't have a choice. I could either do without, or subscribe to cable again. There was no Sling TV, no YouTube TV, no Fubo, no anything like that. So, I did without, and got over it. And I'm better for it.

However, I'm not one to avoid news. I do read news on the Internet. I subscribe to some news services, but they aren't streaming services. I read the news online. I read from a variety of sources, not just those that fit my personal political leanings.

That doesn't mean that cable news services are not worthwhile. I choose to avoid them, for the most part, but many people find them worthwhile.

For the big news services -- CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and such -- you have to subscribe to a service such as Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, AT&T TV, Vidgo, Fubo, and such. But, if you want other news services, there are plenty of options. Of course, those services don't just carry those major news names, but they carry other news services too. However, you can still get a lot of news from streaming without spending a lot of money to hear loud people shouting.

One source is one of my favorite sources for free streaming content: Pluto TV. There are nearly two dozen news channels, ranging from left to right.

The Roku Channel has nearly as many news channels. Stirr offers some news channels, too, including local news. Even Sling TV's free service has six channels in the News category.

There are also hundreds of apps from various news sources, ranging from local TV stations with their own apps to international news services. 

All of these are available streaming, meaning that dropping cable doesn't mean you lose access to news. Unless you want that. You can spend some money and reconnect with the talking head channels, or you can utilize free services that offer a wide range of news sources.

However you want to incorporate news to your Streaming Life, you can probably find a way.

Keeping Flex

Earlier this month, I talked about Xfinity Flex. It's a decent first streaming device, particularly for an Xfinity cable customer who is switching to streaming. For those customers, it will make the transition very smooth. For experienced streamers, or really anyone who has streamed for any period of time, it's an okay device, but nothing more than okay.

If you get Xfinity Flex service on your account, the Flex device is included, and you get all the benefits, including free Peacock Premium service.

The thing is, Xfinity/Comcast expects you to actually use the Flex device. And that makes sense. If you aren't going to use it, return it and let someone else use it. In fact, I got a couple of emails about my not using the box, and Xfinity/Comcast saying they wanted it back.

Thank you for trying Xfinity Flex

Flex box serial number: XX0000XX0000*

This is just a reminder that it's been a while since you’ve used Xfinity Flex. If streaming with Flex isn't for you, please return your equipment using one of these free and easy options:

• Drop off your equipment at your local Xfinity Store
• Schedule a free and contactless at-home UPS pickup at xfinity.com/returns

We're always adding to our entertainment library

Before you return Xfinity Flex, you may want to explore the new streaming apps and entertainment we've recently added, including Disney+, Paramount+, and ESPN+. And don't forget, Peacock Premium comes included with Flex at no additional cost.

If you have any questions, visit the Xfinity app. If you've already returned your equipment, please disregard this message.

As always, thank you for being an Xfinity customer.

So, this past week, I drove to the nearest Xfinity office to return the device. Everything went smooth, until right at the end, I asked a question.

"Um, by the way, even with turning this in, I'll still get Peacock Premium right?"

The nice customer service people froze. They looked at each other, then at the manager, before one said "Hold up on taking that device off the account."

They conferred for a minute, then said, "If you want to keep that, you'll need to keep the box. If we take the box off your account, you'll lose Flex."

"I want the box."

Then, to the trainee that was working on my account, "You need to cancel that."

So, to keep Peacock Premium for free, I have to keep a streaming device that I don't really use. And that's okay. I have a shelf that will house it just fine. It's already back in the box, so it'll be easy to just put it on a shelf somewhere.

If there was no streaming service benefit, yes I would certainly have returned the device. But, even though $4.99/month is a good price for a streaming service such as Peacock Premium, free is even a better price. So, I have a device I don't want, and that they don't want me to have. But I'm keeping it.

My Steaming Life should not be this complicated.

Walmart's streaming stick

I got a new toy to play with. It's Walmart's onn. FHD Streaming Stick. 

Yeah, it's weird that the brand name has a period in it. So, I'll call it Onn or ONN from now on. Or at least, for now.

Anyway, I got the Onn FHD Streaming Stick. Why? Because I wanted it. I like to check out other devices, even though I always know I'm going to go back to Roku. Maybe one day I won't. 

I do like to know about the different devices that are out there. And, the price for the device is pretty good at $25 (actually, $24.88).

This isn't a review. I'm going to be using the device for the next week or so, exclusively, so no jumping back and forth between it and Roku. It's the Onn Stick for the next several days.

Okay, I actually began using it exclusively on Thursday. Got it Wednesday, but I'm not counting that day. Full exclusive use began Thursday. So, for the next few days, it's that device, and that device alone. Then I'll tell you what I think.

Well, unless the device is absolute trash and unusable, in which case I'll tell you about that experience. I hope and expect it will be a good experience. I'm particularly curious to see how it stacks up against the Chromecast with Google TV.

In a few days, I'll know how this device will impact My Streaming Life.

Streaming Braves baseball

Around a week ago, I talked about my problem with MLB.TV in that it won't let me watch Braves games live. It finally occurred to me a couple of days ago that I never told how I do watch Braves games, since MLB.TV is a no-go.

Here's how I watch Braves games.

I don't.

If I'm a Braves fan, why not?

Well, simple. It's expensive, and I'm not willing to pony up the money to watch Braves games streaming. But I could. But I won't.

But what if a streamer does want to watch Braves games, or some other team's games? It's possible. Just expensive. How expensive? $85/month. That's how much AT&T TV Choice package costs.

That's $20/month more than YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo TV live streaming services, which isn't really a lot. Unless, of course, you don't normally subscribe to a live streaming service. And I don't use a paid live streaming service. So, switching to AT&T TV during baseball season wouldn't change my monthly cost by $20/month; rather, it would increase it $85/month. And I'm not wanting to pay that.

During football season, I'll pay the extra $35/month for Sling TV to get college football. I wouldn't pay $85/month for it, though. And I won't pay it for Braves baseball.

Yes, I'm a Braves fan, but I'm not gonna pay that much to watch them. I want to watch the Braves, but I'm not going to pay that much for it. My Streaming Life is just fine doing without.