Amazon Fire TV profiles

There is a feature of the Amazon Fire TV platform that I do like. If you've been paying attention, you know that I prefer Roku's interface to the Amazon interface. But, there is something about Amazon that I like better: Profiles.

With Amazon Fire TV, you can create profiles for different users. Each user can have his own menu of apps. I originally wrote "library of apps" but that's not accurate. The library or pool of apps is the same. However, you don't have to show all your apps. You pick which ones you see and which ones you don't.

The apps are the same across the profiles, as you might expect -- or not expect -- meaning that the apps are logged in on the same account. If you have profiles within the apps -- such as Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, and others have -- you pick those within the particular apps.

It's a handy feature, and one that I wish Roku would add. This definitely goes in the "plus" column for Fire TV, if you are comparing devices. If you can't make your mind up between getting a Roku or a Fire TV device, the inclusion of profiles may just tip the scales in favor of Fire TV. It would be a great addition to your Streaming Life.

Google vs Disney

Just a few days ago, Google and Roku settled their differences, allowing Google's YouTube TV app to return to the Roku Channel Store and kept the YouTube app available. Now, Google and Disney are in a dispute.

Google sent an email to YouTube TV users this week letting them know that the service could lose Disney's channels if an agreement isn't in place by Friday. Currently, YouTube TV has the following Disney channels:

• Local ABC affiliate
• ESPN
• ESPN2
• ESPN3 (by authentication to the ESPN app)
• ESPNU
• ESPNEWS
• SEC Network
• ACC Network
• Disney Channel
• Disney Junior
• Disney XD
• FX
• FXX
• FXM
• National Geographic
• National Geographic Wild
• Freeform
• ABC News Live

The email included a link to a Web page set up by Google for the dispute, and a promise to drop the monthly price by $15/month if the channels are removed.

If we are unable to reach a deal by Friday, December 17, 2021, the Disney portfolio of channels will no longer be available on YouTube TV starting December 17, and we will decrease our monthly price by $15, from $64.99 to $49.99 (while this content remains off of our platform). This discount will apply to all Base Plan members billed during the period when Disney content is not available on YouTube TV and will be via a credit or, in select cases, applied directly. No action is needed on your part.

Something similar happened recently with Google and NBCUniversal, when Google promised a $10/month drop if they didn't reach an agreement. They reached an agreement.

Google is also suggesting users subscribe to the Disney Bundle in order to access some Disney channels. Of course, if you are familiar with the Disney Bundle, you know that doesn't begin to make up for the lost channels. However, that's Disney's fault. You can't get the ESPN channels with the Disney Bundle. Yes, ESPN+ is part of that, but ESPN+ is not the same as ESPN, not by a long shot.

Is you're a YouTube TV user, and if you lose Disney channels this weekend, your best option may be to suspend your YouTube TV subscription and use another service. Sling TV is the cheapest, but the lineup may not be enough for you. But, I suspect if they don't reach an agreement, you can deal with the smaller lineup of channels from a cheaper service for the duration.

Personally, I hope they do resolve the issue. I'm not a regular user of YouTube TV, so I won't be impacted, but I do want those that do use the service to have the option. YouTube TV is a good option for a live streaming service. It's not a part of my Streaming Life, but it's worth considering as a part of yours, if they can hammer out an agreement with Disney.

Fawesome

One of the best things about streaming is that you can find some good content for free. One of the bad things is that many times, the free content isn't good. But that's how life is, right?

Fawesome is one of those services. It has some good stuff, and some not so good stuff. I'm a fan of both. Sure, liking good stuff makes sense, but I also will watch a bad movie just because it's a bad movie. Side note: I've seen all of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 films in their original uncut form (except for two). Yeah, I will watch a bad movie.

But to be fair, Fawesome isn't all about bad movies. It's about good movies too. Some are films I've seen before and enjoyed, including The Hunt for Red October, Galaxy Quest, Halloween, and ... um ... well, okay, not a huge selection of good movies that I've seen. Most of the films I've seen are in the bad movie variety. But, still enjoyable. And, of course, there are plenty of good movies that I haven't seen.

There are also TV series available. One pairing you might want to try is Danger Man (Secret Agent in the USA) followed by The Prisoner. After that, decide if John Drake is Number Six.

The name "Fawesome" seems to stand for "free awesome" movies. I'll give them the free part. Awesome? Well, I'll admit some are pretty good. Is it a worthwhile addition to your streaming device? Sure, why not. It's available on all the major platforms, and may have something you enjoy.

It's on my Roku device, and it's something I'll continue to watch from time to time. It's not an everyday, go-to app, but it does have some stuff I'll watch. Maybe it will add to your Streaming Life as well.

Paramount+ live TV channels

Paramount+ has offered live TV since it came into being and replaced CBS All Access. If you have the $10/month plan, you get local live CBS -- well, most of the time; you can't watch some special content, such as this week's airing of Frosty the Snowman -- but in general, you can watch you local CBS affiliate. You can also watch CBSN (news), CBS Sports HQ, ET Live, and some occasional sports programming.

Until this week, that was the extent of the live TV offerings from Paramount+. That selection has grown. Now, to be sure, it's nowhere near the number of live streams available form Pluto TV or Xumo, but some is quite interesting. And, these are available on all Paramount+ plans.

Since there are only 18 new streams added, that's easy to list. The newly available streams are:

• SpongeBob Universe
• PAW Patrol
• Kids & Family Fun
• Preschool Corner
• Animation Favorites
• TV Classics
• Nostalgic Hits
• Star Trek
• Crime & Justice
• All Day Drama
• History & Undiscovered
• Reality TV: Competition
• Survivor
• The Challenge
• Reality TV: Shores
• Black Voices
• 24/7 Laughs
• Adult Animation

They are pretty much what the name says. The Star Trek channel is all the Star Trek series, including the new ones. Reality TV Shores is all of those reality TV shows that have "shores" in the name: Jersey Shore, Floribama Shores, and so on. Black Voices has programming from The Game, Dave Chappelle, etc. Twilight Zone, Hawaii 5-0, I Love Lucy, and similar programming is on TV Classics. You get the idea.

While the number of streams isn't great, the selection is pretty darn good. Some are things that I wouldn't care about at all, but other are right up my alley.

You'll probably be able to find something to enhance your Streaming Life.

How to watch the bowl games

There are 44 college bowl games/playoff games this year. The first two are on December 17, and the last one, the national championship game, is on January 10. In all, 86 schools will be playing games this post-season.

Streamers used to have a difficult time watching the games live -- at least legally -- but that changed in the 2015 season when the first live streaming service, Sling TV, launched. Now, there are several live streaming services, and you have lots of options when it comes to watching bowl games.

The Games

Friday, December 17

Bahamas Bowl

12:00 PM on ESPN

Middle Tennessee (6-6) vs. Toledo (7-5)

Tailgreeter Cure Bowl

6:00 PM on ESPN2

Northern Illinois (9-4) vs. Coastal Carolina (10-2)

Saturday, December 18

RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl

11:00 AM on ESPN

Western Kentucky (8-5) vs. Appalachian State (10-3)

Cricket Celebration Bowl

12:00 PM on ABC

South Carolina State (6-5) vs. Jackson State (11-1)

PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl

2:15 PM on ESPN

Texas-El Paso (7-5) vs. Fresno State (9-3)

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl

3:30 PM on ABC

Alabama-Birmingham (8-4) vs. Brigham Young (10-2)

LendingTree Bowl

5:45 PM on ESPN

Eastern Michigan (7-5) vs. Liberty (7-5)

Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl

7:30 PM on ABC

Utah State (10-3) vs. Oregon State (7-5)

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

9:15 PM on ESPN

Louisiana (12-1) vs. Marshall (7-5)

Monday, December 20

Myrtle Beach Bowl

2:30 PM on ESPN

Old Dominion (6-6) vs. Tulsa (6-6) 

Tuesday, December 21

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

3:30 PM on ESPN

Kent State (7-6) vs. Wyoming (6-6)

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl

7:30 PM on ESPN

Texas-San Antonio (12-1) vs. San Diego State (11-2)

Wednesday, December 22

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

8:00 PM on ESPN

Missouri (6-6) vs. Army (8-3)

Thursday, December 23

Frisco Football Classic

3:30 PM on ESPN

North Texas (6-6) vs. Miami University (6-6)

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl

7:00 PM on ESPN

Central Florida (8-4) vs. Florida (6-6)

Friday, December 24

EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl

8:00 PM on ESPN

Memphis (6-6) vs. Hawai'i (6-7)

Saturday, December 25

TaxAct Camellia Bowl

2:30 PM on ESPN

Georgia State (7-5) vs. Ball State (6-6)

Monday, December 27

Quick Lane Bowl

11 AM on ESPN

Western Michigan (7-5) vs. Nevada (8-4)

Military Bowl

2:30 PM on ESPN

Boston College (6-6) vs. East Carolina (7-5)

Tuesday, December 28

TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl

12 PM on ESPN

Houston (11-2) vs. Auburn (6-6)

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl

3:15 PM on ESPN

Air Force (9-3) vs. Louisville (6-6)

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

6:45 PM on ESPN

Mississippi State (7-5) vs. Texas Tech (6-6)

San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl

8:00 PM on Fox

California-Los Angeles (8-4) vs. North Carolina State (9-3)

Guaranteed Rate Bowl

10:15 PM on ESPN

West Virginia (6-6) vs. Minnesota (8-4)

Wednesday, December 29

Wasabi Fenway Bowl

11 AM on ESPN

Southern Methodist (8-4) vs. Virginia (6-6)

New Era Pinstripe Bowl

2:15 PM on ESPN

Maryland (6-6) vs. Virginia Tech (6-6)

Cheez-It Bowl

5:45 PM on ESPN

Clemson (9-3) vs. Iowa State (7-5)

Valero Alamo Bowl

9:15 PM on ESPN

Oregon (10-3) vs. Oklahoma (10-2)

Thursday, December 30

Duke's Mayo Bowl

11:30 AM on ESPN

North Carolina (6-6) vs. South Carolina (6-6)

TransPerfect Music City Bowl

3:00 PM on ESPN

Tennessee (7-5) vs. Purdue (8-4)

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

7:00 PM on ESPN

Michigan State (10-2) vs. Pittsburgh (11-2)

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl

10:30 PM on ESPN

Wisconsin (8-4) vs. Arizona State (8-4)

Friday, December 31

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

11:00 AM on ESPN

Wake Forest (10-3) vs. Texas A&M (8-4)

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl

2:00 PM on CBS

Washington State (7-5) vs. Miami (7-5)

Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl

2:00 PM on Barstool Sports app

Central Michigan (8-4) vs. Boise State (7-5)

Saturday, January 1

Outback Bowl

12:00 PM on ESPN2

Penn State (7-5) vs. Arkansas (8-4)

Vrbo Citrus Bowl

1:00 PM on ABC

Iowa (10-3) vs. Kentucky (9-3)

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl

1:00 PM on ESPN

Notre Dame (11-1) vs. Oklahoma State (11-2)

Rose Bowl

5:00 PM on ESPN

Ohio State (10-2) vs. Utah (10-3)

Allstate Sugar Bowl

8:45 PM on ESPN

Mississippi (10-2) vs. Baylor (11-2)

Tuesday, January 4

TaxAct Texas Bowl

9:00 PM on ESPN

Louisiana State (6-6) vs. Kansas State (7-5)

Friday, December 31

College Football Playoff Semifinal: Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

3:30 PM on ESPN

No. 4 Cincinnati (13-0) vs. No. 1 Alabama (12-1)

College Football Playoff Semifinal: Capital One Orange Bowl

7:30 PM on ESPN

No. 3 Georgia (12-1) vs. No. 2 Michigan (12-1)

Monday, January 10

College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T

8:00 PM ESPN

Cotton Bowl winner vs Orange Bowl winner

How to Watch

Apart from the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl on December 31, which will be streamed free on the Barstool Sports app, every other game will be on a streaming service.

Here are the services for each network.

ESPN/ESPN2

ESPN carries the most games. A few are carried on ESPN2. All services that carry ESPN also carry ESPN2:

• Sling Orange ($35)
• Vidgo ($55)
• Hulu+Live TV ($65)
• YouTube TV ($65)
• Fubo ($65)
• DirecTV Stream ($70)

ABC

If you have an antenna, you can watch for free. If not, and you decide to go with a streaming service, you have some options:

• Antenna (free)
• Vidgo ($55)
• Hulu+Live TV ($65)
• YouTube TV ($65)
• Fubo ($65)
• DirecTV Stream ($70)

CBS

If you have an antenna, you can watch for free. If not, and you decide to go with a streaming service, you have some options:

• Antenna (free)
• Paramount+ ($10)
• Hulu+Live TV ($65)
• YouTube TV ($65)
• Fubo ($65)
• DirecTV Stream ($70)

Fox

If you have an antenna, you can watch for free. If not, and you decide to go with a streaming service, you have some options:

• Antenna (free)
• Sling Blue, select markets only ($35)
• Hulu+Live TV ($65)
• YouTube TV ($65)
• Fubo ($65)
• DirecTV Stream ($70)

If you have an antenna for the broadcast networks, the cheapest way to watch all of the bowl games is Sling Orange. If you don't have an antenna, the cheapest way to watch them all is with either Hulu+Live TV, YouTube TV, or Fubo. They're $65. Note that Hulu+Live TV will go up on price by $5 on December 21.