A&E networks

Before I dropped cable in 2011, I didn't watch A&E all that much. I used to some years back, when they carried Biography (Peter Graves and Jack Perkins) and similar programming. But, I got away from that as they moved the shows I watched to other A&E owned networks.

It's a popular network, though, with a lot of programs that a lot of people like to watch. And, of course, it's available on all the major live streaming services.

Or it was.

Turns out that when I used the Suppose.TV online tool, it doesn't show up on Fubo TV. It used to be there, but now it's not. In fact, it's not just A&E, but their six major channels to include History and Lifetime. Lifetime Movie, FYI, and Vice were the other A&E Networks channels dropped by Fubo TV.

That was a bit of a surprise to me. Fubo TV isn't as popular as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV, but it's traditionally been a good option for those wanting a live streaming service. But now, it has an A&E Networks size gaping hole in its lineup.

If A&E is in your must-watch lists of channels, you still have plenty of other options. You can also find A&E Networks channels on other services:

• Philo $25
• Sling TV $35
• Vidgo $55
• Hulu + Live TV $65
• AT&T TV $75

So, if you are a fan of A&E, you still have options. But, unfortunately, Fubo is no longer an option. That means Fubo and YouTube TV both do not carry those channels. I'm curious as to what might be going on. It doesn't impact my Streaming Life, but it might impact yours, so it's important.

Regional Sports

Yes, this the third day in a row I've written about streaming sports. But this isn't about watching hockey or basketball playoffs, but a more general sports topic.

Part of the reason I write about sports is that sports was one of the major concerns I had when I dropped cable. My concern was valid, as I had no access to ESPN via streaming from fall 2011 through 2014. In 2015, Sling TV launched and gave me the access to ESPN.

However, even now, in 2021, it's still not easy to get all the sports one wants. Regional sports networks are a prime source for many sports fans. Many of them, formerly part of the Fox Sports network, were sold off a couple of times, and now operate at Bally Sports.

Bally is looking to increase its regional sports footprint now. According to an article int he New York Post, Sinclair, which own Bally Sports, is bidding on the seven NBC regional sports networks:

If Sinclair succeeds in buying the RSNs, it would add dozens of popular National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball teams to its already vast collection of sports broadcast rights, including the Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Capitals, Golden State Warriors, and San Francisco Giants.

Is this a good thing? I think so. I hope so. At least, in the short term. Right now, Bally is having trouble getting deals done with streaming services. Only AT&T TV, one of the most expensive live streaming services, carries the regional networks. While the NBC regional sports networks are few in number, the locations are huge and have large viewing audience potential. This will give Bally (Sinclair) more bargaining power.

What if Sinclair gets too big? Well, let's worry about the behemoth that is Disney and ESPN first, okay?

Will Bally be a solution for sports fans? Yes, it already is, for many. If the deal goes through, it just means it will be a solution for even more. For sports fans, it may be a service that make their Streaming Life easier.

Watching basketball

I've posted about how to watch the NHL finals as a streamer. But, there's another set of finals going on, and they start tonight. The NBA championship series between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns tips off on ABC TV this evening. And, as a streamer, how would you watch?

Well, all four to seven games will be broadcast on ABC. So, you just need access to ABC. How does a streamer get that?

Other than going to a sports bar, you have five (or six) options. Those five (or six) divide up into two categories. So let's look at the five (or six) options, starting with...

Over the Air

Do you have a TV antenna? If you do, either connected directly to your TV, or to a network-connected tuner such as Tablo or Air TV, then it's a simple matter of tuning to your local ABC affiliate and watching the game.

But that only works if you have an antenna. Suppose you don't? Well, remember I said there were two categories? The other four options fall into that other category.

Over the Internet

You'll need to find a live streaming service that carries ABC. That rules out Philo and Sling TV, since they don't carry local stations. That's one reason their price is so much cheaper than other live streaming services. So, what's left?

There are four (or five) streaming services that carry local ABC affiliates:

• Vidgo $55/month
• Hulu + Live TV $65/month
• YouTube TV $65/month
• AT&T TV $76/month

What about Fubo $65/month? After all they advertise sports as one of their big draws, right? Well, yes, Fubo is big on sports. It's probably the best live streaming service for sports fans. So, why isn't it being listed? Because you many not be in an area where it will carry ABC. But you might.

Go to this page and find your market.

If you can get ABC in your market, then you have five streaming options. If not, you have four options.

Either way, cutting the cord and ditching cable doesn't mean you can't watch sports. If you're a basketball fan, you can still include the NBA championships in your Streaming Life.

More hockey streaming

I'm late to the party on this one. I mentioned a couple of week back that Peacock TV was carrying the NHL semifinals. But what about the finals?

Well, Peacock TV added the finals to their lineup too, but I failed to mention it. I feel bad about that. I'm not a hockey fan, and that's probably part of the reason I didn't stay on top of it like I should have. But that's no excuse. There is no excuse. I failed to keep you updated.

Regardless, if you are a fan of professional hockey, you're interested in the hockey games. And, there may be only one match left, since Tampa Bay leads 3 to 0 in the series. But, that will be streaming on Peacock TV tonight. And, if Montreal extends the series, all future games will be available on Peacock TV.

I do apologize for not posting this earlier. But, if you are wanting to watch the finals, and you subscribe to Peacock TV, or are a Comcast/Xfinity Internet subscriber, you can watch championship hockey, and fill that hockey-size hole in your Streaming Life.