Comet

I wanted to take a few minutes and talk about an app that I don't think I've seen anyone write about. To me, it's one of the most interesting apps, not because of the content necessarily, but because of what the app is. Bear with me, all will become clear.

Comet is the app for the TV network that is carried in several cities. The nearest Comet affiliate to me is WTGS on the sub-channel 28.2. The main channel is the local Fox affiliate, owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group. The Sinclair channels Antenna TV, TBD, and Charge also are carried by WTGS on 28.3, 28.4, and 28.5 respectively. It's possible, even probably, you have a local channel that carries Comet.

If you aren't familiar with Comet, it's a science fiction channel. Think SyFi (formerly Sci-Fi) but no new or original programming. It's like TV Land for sci-fi fans.

Comet stands apart form other non-major networks in that it offers a free live stream via their app. If you have a Roku or Apple TV, you can add the Comet app and watch the live stream of their programming. For free. No subscription. You want to watch Comet, just use the Comet app.

If you don't have Apple TV or Roku, you can launch the STIRR app -- STIRR is owned by Sinclair also -- and watch Comet that way. It's easier to watch via the Comet app.

I'd love for other networks to follow this lead. I would enjoy being able to watch MeTV, Antenna TV,  Laff, Grit, Ion, or any of the other minor networks as easy as launching an app.

Now, if you have an antenna (I do), you don't really need the app to watch Comet. You can simply tune you TV to the local station that carries Comet programming and watch. Or, launch Tablo, Air TV, or (for Fire TV users) Fire TV Recast and watch it that way.

If more networks would do as Comet does, my Streaming Life would be so much easier.

Watching ESPN

Over the years, I've subscribed to most of the major live streaming services at one time or another. Many times it was to just check it out and see what I thought. I usually didn't think much of them. But, other times, it was because they actually had something I wanted to watch. And that was always sports.

Specifically, I wanted ESPN and related networks for college football. The rest of the year, I didn't want a live streaming service, but being from the south, college football is a thing we like. College football isn't a matter of life and death. It's much more important than that.

So, right now, I'm subscribing to Sling TV because their Orange plan carries ESPN, SEC Network, and others that carry the teams I want to watch. I subscribed for one month, meaning that this weekend is the last weekend of football under this subscription. By the time the next weekend slate of games starts, I'll decide whether to subscribe to Sling TV again, or to switch to Fubo, which actually has a better sports channel lineup. Between this weekend's games and next weekend's games, I'll have a few days with no subscription and save a few dollars. After all, why pay for a service during a time I don't need it. I may be able to squeeze five weekends out of the next subscription, since 30 days covers that long. Look at a calendar, if you don't follow me. You'll see what I'm talking about.

When it's time for a game, I fire up Sling TV and watch the game, right? Not always. Let me explain.

In the early days, Sling TV had growing pains. Not the TV show with Kirk Cameron, but issues that came with a new service. Demand would sometimes overwhelm capacity.

For me, that wasn't that big of a problem. You see, I just wanted ESPN. And while my subscription was with Sling TV, I didn't have to launch Sling TV to watch it. I did try, but when things went sideways, I just launched the ESPN app and used Sling TV to authenticate. I've kept that habit.

When it's time for football on TV, I'll usually launch the ESPN app. Most of the games I'm looking for are available within that app anyway. And, it's easier to locate and launch ESPN3 games in the ESPN app than it is in the Sling TV app.

The only advantage Sling TV has is being able to switch from ESPN or SEC Network to CBS. I have Air TV for watching over the air local channels, so my local channels are in Sling TV as a result. I can switch from ESPN to CBS to Fox and so on without leaving the app.

So, it's a tradeoff. Easier to find ESPN3 games in the ESPN app. And, that's the only way to watch games carried on ESPN+ (which isn't the same thing as ESPN, the channel). But Sling TV has most of the ESPN networks games, plus the over the air games within that app.

What will I do this weekend? It depends on where the games are. If I can't find it easily in Sling TV, I'll move to ESPN app, then switch to Sling TV for Air TV content.

I know. Our Streaming Life shouldn't be this complicated. And, really it's not. I'm just making it that way.

Interesting bundle: Paramount+ and Showtime

I saw a story online recently talking about a new bundle from Paramount+ and Showtime. Since both are from related companies this makes sense. Paramount+ is owned by ViacomCBS while Showtime is owned by CBS which is owned by ViacomCBS. Or something.

Anyway, the bundle, similar to the Disney Bundle (Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+), packages the two services, Paramount+ and Showtime, together for a discounted price. And it's a pretty good deal, at least during the initial promotional pricing.

I'm not sure how long this promotional price will last, but right now, you can get the Paramount+ and Showtime bundle for as low as $10/month. They say $9.99, but you and I think of that at $10. The bundle is either $10/month or $13/month. The reason is that Paramount+ has two plans. One is $5/month and the other is $10/month. Both get you a library of Paramount content, but the $10 plan doesn't have commercials, plus a live stream of your CBS local affiliate. Live streaming won't cut out commercials, just the on-demand content. Showtime doesn't have commercials anyway, so there's not complication by having to pick between two versions of Showtime.

So, $10/month gets you the $5 Paramount+ service, plus the $11 Showtime service.

Or, $13/month gets you the $10 Paramount+ service, plus the $11 Showtime service.

Either is a good deal. Now, how long this promotional price will last isn't clear. But it is the price right now. If you've been thinking about subscribing to Paramount+, or if you already subscribe to Showtime, this is really attractive.

For example, if you subscribe to Showtime already, you're paying $11/month. You can add Paramount+ lower plan, and your bill goes down $1/month. Or, add the Paramount+ big plan, and the bill only goes up $2/month. Even if you're happy with Showtime as is, and have no interest in Paramount+, you can still save $1/month by adding Paramount+ and just not watch it.

With CBS streaming football, both college and NFL, if you want to add Paramount+, you can pick up Showtime to go along with it for another $3/month. Paramount+ is $10/month for the plan that includes local CBS live streaming, and the corresponding bundle throws in Showtime for another $3.

Something to think about. And, despite my determination to keep my streaming costs down, it's something I'm thinking about. My Streaming Life may be about to cost me more, but it just might be worth it.

Plex server delay

I mentioned the other day that I was upgrading my Plex server. Well, it arrived. Sort of.

The new computer arrived, but the new large hard drive is still to be delivered. My current Plex server has a 10 TB drive, and I'm upgrading to 14 TB, since the current drive is nearly 80% full. No, I didn't have to upgrade just yet, but I will have to eventually, and a new computer is as good a time as any. So, when the new hard drive arrives, I'll complete the setup.

I did start the setup. Downloaded the Windows updates and got it ready to put the new drive in. I'll then transfer the content from the current drive to the new one. I have an adapter that will allow me to connect the old drive to the new computer. I can then simply copy all the files over. When that's done, I'll install Plex server software, and retire the old device.

Or, thinking about it, maybe I'll just access the old drive via the network, and copy it over the network to the new drive.

When the new drive arrives, I'll decide. Either way, this will be a completely clean install, and I'll have a lot of free space -- nearly 6 TB free -- on the new drive.

I've been happy with my old Windows computer running Plex. I think I'm going to like the new one even better. Once everything arrives.

Will this improve my Streaming Life? Probably not. Or not at first. But as I increase my local content library, this will indeed be an improvement.

New Roku? Hmmm.

I recently speculated about new Roku devices being announced soon, and I doubted I would be interested in one.

Well, now it's official. New Roku devices are out. And they're all sticks.

Okay, not all of them. But two are sticks, and the other is an update to the Walmart exclusive Ultra LT.

Looking at the sticks, they've started adding "4K" to the names of the devices. One is the Streaming Stick 4K and the other is the Streaming Stick 4K+.

The specs look good, as you would expect. But my current sticks work just fine. I wouldn't really gain anything by replacing any of them. So, for me, I won't be upgrading. However, if I do need to replace a device, or add a stick to a TV, I'd definitely get one of these. It's worth getting, it's just not worth getting simply to get.

The Roku Ultra LT? It's been a scaled down Roku Ultra ever since this Walmart exclusive was launched. It's a good device, and I would consider it worth the cost. However, Roku does put the full Ultra model on sale enough that I'll buy it when it's on sale if I need a new Roku device. Well, unless I buy a stick. I kind of let what's on sale drive it.

The Best Buy exclusive Roku Steaming Stick+ Headphone Edition? I'm not seeing a replacement for it, unless you consider the Roku Streaming Stick 4K+ as that, since the remote comes with headphones for this new model.

I don't know if Best Buy will continue to carry the Streaming Stick+ but I've seen nothing to indicate it would be discontinued. This is a wait and see thing.

Will other devices be released? No idea. Maybe. But probably not until next year.

I don't think I'll be buying a new one of these, as although I see value in them, I don't see enough value to justify the expense. My Streaming Life is fine as it is.