Watching the bowl games: Day 2

There are 44 college bowl games/playoff games this year. The first two were yesterday, 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.

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)

How to Watch

Every game today 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)

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 Vidgo, at $55.

NOTE: The Google-Disney dispute currently has ESPN, ABC, and all Disney networks off of YouTube TV. If the dispute is settled, the channels will return.

Watching the bowl games: Day 1

There are 44 college bowl games/playoff games this year. The first two are today, 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.

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)

How to Watch

Every game today 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)

The cheapest way to watch today's bowl games is Sling Orange, at $35.

We'll provide this information throughout the bowl season. If you want to see a listing of all the bowls and how to watch them, see our earlier post here.

TCL Roku TVs

I've never been much on "smart TVs." I've had them, but only because I made my purchase without considering that aspect of the TV. I've had Roku and Apple TV devices since 2010, and didn't really need a smart TV. I had the smarts I wanted.

I say that because I have used a Roku TV extensively. I don't like it.

Let me explain.

For a time, there was a TCL TV that belonged to a family member that was available for me to use. She wasn't using it, and I wanted to try it, so I did. Now, in fairness, it was an older device. It wasn't the first generation of TCL Roku TVs, but it wasn't a current model when I began using it. It was a TCL Series 3, which is a low end model. I get all that. But, I do expect a device to perform well. This one didn't.

I've used other smart TVs, as I've said, but didn't buy them for their "smarts." However, I have tried the built in apps and interface, and find most of them lacking. Vizio is awful. I don't recall the others. I will say that Samsung's Android/Google TV is okay. I don't like the experience -- the interface and remote don't work all that well together; they're kind of awkward for me -- but it's better than Vizio and others I've used. I've also used Toshiba Fire TV devices. They're okay. Just a little awkward compared to using a Fire TV Stick and remote.

So how about Roku TV? Specifically, a TCL Roku TV? Actually, the interface is fine. The remote is very much like a standard Roku remote (which, really, it is). The experience is very Roku. That's a huge advantage, in my opinion, over the Toshiba Fire TV and Samsung Google/Android TV devices. Those others are similar, but not quite right. It's the remote, more than anything. But Roku TV? The experience is just like using a Roku. I like it.

But TCL TVs overall? I've only used the one, and as I said, it was a Series 3, and entry level device. However, the problem with it should be the resolution or picture quality, not the Roku interface. The problem is the Roku interface.

Sure, the picture quality on a cheap TV is cheap TV quality. But the Roku experience is not good. The TV is sluggish. It's like using a really really really old Roku.

So, I resolved it by taking a Roku Streaming Stick+ and just using the TV to see and hear. The Roku Streaming Stick+ gave me a proper Roku device.

Now, don't take this as an indictment of Roku TVs. I've used another TCL Roku TV that's a much newer and better device. It actually works fine. So, my conclusion? Like everything else, a TCL Roku TV can work great or work poorly.

I've had some issues with my TV lately -- no, not a Roku TV, but a TV with a Roku attached -- and it may be time to replace it. I don't like that, and I'd rather not spend the money, particularly at Christmas. If I can limp along through the holidays, I'll be deciding when to replace the TV. I'm not sure if I'll choose a TCL Roku TV, to be honest. I'm going to do some research and figure out just what I need to do.

I hope it makes it through the first of the year. No TV, no Streaming Life. And that just won't do.

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.