My favorite live streaming service

If I had to pick one live streaming service, what would I pick?

That's a trick question. Because I don't have a live streaming service. That means my favorite is none.

Well, sometimes it's none. Other times it's not. So why is that?

I don't watch TV the same way year-round. And you probably don't either. I mean, think about it. Do you watch TV in December the same way you watch TV in May? Or July?

In December, I'm more likely to be in a situation where the TV is on and Hallmark Christmas movies are playing. But not so much in July. Plus, I watch college football, so my TV viewing during the fall and winter months isn't the same as in spring and summer.

The point is that I don't watch TV the same year-round. And, as a result, I don't need the same TV setup year-round.

With me, the only live streaming I really care about is college football. With you, it may be something else. But with me, from early September until early January, I subscribe to a live streaming service that gets me college football. Then I cancel, because I don't need it the rest of the year. I don't need it, so I don't pay for it.

Maybe you could save some money by not subscribing to a service you don't need. Do you need Netflix year-round? Could you get by subscribing for a month, canceling for a month, subscribing for a month, canceling for a month, and so on? If so, you just cut your Netflix bill in half. Let that sink in.

The point is that I don't watch TV the same year-round, so no one way works for me year-round. I certainly don't have a live streaming service year-round. So, to answer the original question of which is my favorite live streaming service? The answer is none. Because I don't need nor do I want a year-round live streaming service in my Streaming Life.

Netflix losing subscriptions

So with Netflix lost customers, huh? That made big news for some reason. Maybe because everybody thinks Netflix is a cash cow that goes on forever.

Actually, it might be. But losing 200,000 subscribers was unexpected. So, what's it mean?

Well, maybe it means that people are tired of rising prices and having to subscribe to so many streaming services that they're paying as much as when they had cable.

Maybe they feel that Netflix isn't worth the money. I don't subscribe, so whatever is causing people to leave, it's probably not the same reason I stopped subscribing several years back. Or maybe it is.

Unlike the early days of streaming, merely existing as an alternative to cable TV is no longer good enough in and of itself. Just ask shareholders of Netflix, who watched the stock plunge 35% on Wednesday after the company lost (net) 200,000 paying customers during the first quarter of the year, here and abroad. Not even Netflix's award-winning content library was enough of a draw to keep them on board. While most U.S. households utilize a combination of between six and 10 paid-streaming services, according to TiVo's report, there's far more than that out there, and there's only so much time anyone can spend watching television.

My philosophy on subscription services is to not subscribe to multiple ones, at least, not at the same time. If there's something on Netflix I want to see, I'll subscribe, but only for a month. I'll binge what I want to see, and then cancel at the end of the month. The next month, I'll subscribe to another service, watch it for a month, cancel, then the next month, pick another service and repeat the process.

In a year, Ive watched what I wanted to watch and subscribed to only one service a month. It's cheaper doing it that way, at least for me.

If Netflix is a part of your Streaming Life, and you're happy with it, then that's great. If you canceled recently, I'd be curious why. But to whichever services you subscribe, if you're happy with the product and the price, you're in good shape, because that's the goal.

Ads are good. And bad.

I have no issue with the concept of advertisements. In fact, unless you're running an ad blocker or some similar utility on your browser -- or network -- you may not even be aware that there are ads on this Website. Of course, if you are not running an ad blocker, then you are very much aware of the ads.

Honestly, I don't like them. Well, I don't like how many there are. So, why do I have so many ads on this Website? I'm lazy. I turned the ad placement entirely over to Google, and they pick what ads show and where they show. And how many.

I don't normally notice them, because I block the ads on this Website. Let me explain why.

When it comes to monetizing a Website, visits matter, so I make sure as much as I can that I only visit from a browser that's I've registered as mine, so my page views don't get counted. I'm not looking to artificially inflate Website traffic numbers in any way.

The number of displays an ad gets can also be artificially inflated. I cannot confirm that the registration of the browser for traffic count also includes ad displays. They're both from Google, and it seems they should be able to tie them together. However, I cannot find anything that says they do. Meaning they may count ad displays to me. And they shouldn't.

To ensure that I don't artificially inflate any stats, I have an ad blocker, off by default, on for this Website. The upside is that I know that I'm doing all I can to ensure that I'm not gaming the system, even unintentionally. The downside is that I don't experience what you experience when you come to the Website. If it's a bad experience because of the ads, I don't know it.

Well, once a month, I will go to the Website on a registered browser and turn off the ad blocker. Then I see the ads in all their glory.

And, to be honest, I don't like how Google does it. It's too many, and they are borderline intrusive. Oh, not nearly as bad as some Websites, so I take some comfort in that. But more than I generally like.

Now, I did mention that I have an ad blocker. I don't normally use it. I understand why Websites have ads, because this Website has ads. They do it to live. I do it to buy a burger every so often. or to upgrade to medium fries.

So I'll view the ads on the Websites I visit. But every now and then, I'll come across a Website that has a horrible experience because of the ads. I'll turn on the ad blocker, finish my business there, and put them on my list of "no-go" Websites.

I believe that if it's an ad-supported Website, and I don't agree to see the ads, I should probably find a different Website. And that's what I do. But I will turn off the ads -- by turning on the ad blocker -- to finish my visit. My last visit. Ever.

I certainly hope the ads here don't make visiting this Website a bad experience for you. I'd put up with the ads here, but it's on the upper limit of what I'll tolerate.

It's the same way with some streaming apps and services. Many are supported by ads. I have found some that are just too much for me, but I can't remember which ones they are. I'll remove the app from my streaming devices if I get to that point. But most ad-supported services don't have an amount that bother me. Like I said, I'm okay with ads. They support some really good quality streaming services and apps, and make my Streaming Life more enjoyable.

Fire Cube now supports hearing aids

This week, Amazon announced that the Fire TV Cube 2nd Generation devices -- that's the ones they've been selling since 2019 -- now support hearing aids.

I don't have a Fire TV Cube to check it -- I may add that to my streaming arsenal -- and it isn't functionality of the Fire TV Stick devices.

A post on the Fire TV Blog does not mention an update that contains the new functionality, so I'm not sure when it rolled out. But, as the post uses present tense, I think it pushed Thursday or before. And, since it doesn't mention anything about an update at all, it could be that rollout is complete.

This makes Fire TV the first-ever streaming media player to support ASHA and allow customers to directly connect compatible Bluetooth hearing aids. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports that Fifteen percent (37.5 million) of Americans over the age of 18 report some hearing loss and nearly 29 million US adults could benefit from using hearing aids. Through research, we’ve learned that improving TV sound quality was one of the most requested features among hearing aid users.

With this feature, your hearing aids connect with Fire TV at the system level, so you can not only enjoy audio from your favorite apps but also Alexa, music, navigational sounds, and more.

I'm glad to see this. I don't have need of hearing aids, so it's not for me. But I do understand and appreciate the difficulty those with hearing loss to the point of needing mechanical assistance have.

Amazon's Fire TV Cube is the first device to actually have this feature. And the other features for those with hearing or visual impairments speaks well of their devices. If you have need of these features, choosing Amazon as a platform to run your Streaming Life seems like a good decision.

A new streaming platform from Comcast & Spectrum

From reports I'm seeing online, two cable giants, Comcast/Xfinity and Charter/Spectrum are teaming up to become a fifth major streaming platform.

A story in the New York Times from this week said the two cable giants are calling themselves equal partners in the venture, which will feature Comcast content and Charter money.

Comcast, which owns NBCUniversal and operates the Xfinity cable brand, has made strides in the field over the last decade, developing X1, a set-top box system that allows customers to stream video, and the XClass TV, a connected TV sold by Walmart with an operating system developed by the cable giant. Comcast also operates Xumo, an ad-supported streaming app available on connected TVs that allows customers to watch some live TV in addition to on-demand shows.

The partnership between Comcast and Charter, which owns the Spectrum cable brand, is structured as a 50-50 joint venture, in which Charter will distribute streaming devices based on Comcast’s technology, the companies said. Charter will contribute $900 million over several years to the venture, which doesn’t yet have a name.

From the way I'm reading it, it's essentially a way of promoting Comcast's Xfinity Flex. And if that's the case, this won't be a good thing.

Don't get me wrong, I think Xfinity Flex is okay. If you're a Comcast cable customer, and you cut the cord, Xfinity Flex is a good starter platform. That's because it's oh so close to Xfinity X1 in how it operates. And it includes a decent lineup of apps. That they select.

Under Xfinity Flex, you don't have an app store. You have the apps they say you get. They control what's available. And that's what it's all about: control.

It looks to me like they realize their customers are going to continue to move to streaming, and this is a way to keep a lot of the control they have.

Now do I want to rant on about cable companies and how they control their customers? Yes, I do. But not right now. I want to sit and ponder this for a while. I don't think I like where I think this is going. In fact, I'm sure I don't like where I think this is going. Because it will be about someone else controlling your Streaming Life. I want control of mine, and I want you to have control of yours.

Side effects include Linux

Recently, I had some projects involving Raspberry Pi devices. I built a streaming device running a version of Android TV. It worked pretty well on one of my Raspberry Pi devices. A newer one has a firmware update that isn't compatible, so I'm limited to the older version, but it works.

I also build a Plex server for streaming local content at a location I manage. It works well. So well that I'm planning to replace a Windows Plex server I manage with a Raspberry Pi. I've acquired the stuff, I just need the time to do it. And time is a premium.

There were some hiccups along the way. My first attempt was a fabulous disaster. I even switch plans and tried out an Nvidia Shield device. However, before I deployed that, I tried Raspberry Pi running Plex one more time. It worked great.

If you're not aware, the Raspberry Pi OS is a version of Linux. I haven't dealt with a Linux device in years. Years and years. I was rusty. I wasn't exactly proficient with Linux, but had run a Linux desktop for a while, and a Linux Web server once, but like I said, it's been a while. So I was very rusty, and wasn't exactly a power user, as I am with Windows and Mac OS.

But the Linux bug is back. I've set up some Linux virtual machines, taking up precious time, and think I do want to spend more time using Linux as a computer operating system, both desktop and laptop. Most of the older laptops I have don't have 1080 resolution; most are 768, which isn't what I prefer, particularly on a 15-inch laptop.

Anyway, I'd like to use a Linux laptop, but I'm not going to replace Windows on my Surface laptop. With none of my retired laptops up to speed, I'll delay a decision on that. For now, I'll use Linux in a virtual machine, or on a Raspberry Pi.

But I'm keeping my eyes, ears, and mind open to other ways to run Linux. I don't know that I could or even should switch my primary operating system, but then, I probably don't need to. I switch back and forth between Windows and Mac OS today. Adding Linux to the mix should be fine. Only my primary desktop is a Windows device, and my primary laptop is a Mac. And my primary travel device is a Chromebook. Where would Linux fit in?

It may not. My Streaming Life got me back in touch with Linux. I'm not ready to say "goodbye" to that old reliable OS again. Not just yet.

Using Roku outside the USA

Roku launched in the USA back in 2008. It was a Netflix streaming box. In 2009, it became more that a Netflix streamer, and allowed other apps and services. Then Roku expanded outside the USA, partnering with NowTV in the UK, as well as with other companies. Roku is now sold directly in a number of countries. But not all. Not by a long shot.

Roku is sold and supported in:

• United States
• Canada
• France
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• Argentina
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Peru

That's it. Seventeen countries.

What happens in those countries? Well, the device works, but many apps don't. And, since the purpose is generally to run apps, then severely limits the use of the device for most people outside the supported 17.

How is it determined which apps are supported and which aren't? Roku leaves it up to the app developer. For example, Netflix supports their Roku app everywhere. But Amazon won't support its app outside the Supported 17 countries. While you can use Amazon in, say, Spain, you can't use the Amazon app for Roku in Spain.

Why would a country limit their apps? Netflix doesn't, so why do Amazon, Disney, and others? I don't know for certain, but probably because people are jerks. Let me explain.

First, people are jerks. You've met people, so you know what I'm talking about. And how that figures in is this way. If Roku isn't supported, but a service supports their app, they may worry about being held responsible for supporting the entire device. The way to avoid some jerk trying to hold them accountable for a device they didn't build is to not offer the app where the device itself isn't supported.

Roku isn't alone in this regard. Other platforms have certain apps that are only available in certain areas. So, if you do travel with your Roku or other streaming platform, you may encounter some issues that impact your Streaming Life when you travel out of country.

Antenna usage is up in the USA

Once upon a time, the way to watch TV was with an antenna. Then along came cable. And satellite. And now streaming.

The thing about streaming is that it plays well with antenna. Well, satellite does too, to a degree. Cable, not so much.

Cable essentially did away with the need for antenna, because cable systems carried the local channels. And cable was how many of us watched TV.

Satellite worked better with an antenna, because local channels weren't on satellite -- well, unless local was New York or Los Angeles.

With streaming, there is the option to watch locals from some live streaming services, but a streamer can save money with a cheaper service if local channels are available via antenna.

Even people who don't stream can watch a lot of content with an antenna, and may find that there is a lot to watch over the air.

According to Neilsen, the number of people watching TV over the air has continued to increase, and is 18.6 million households, abut 15% of the country.

Now, 15% is a lot less than nearly 100%, as it used to be before cable, but it's an increase over a year ago, and up from 10% a decade ago. That goes along with a drop in cable subscribers.

While over-the-air homes have grown, the share of homes with cable, satellite or telco pay-TV services -- what Nielsen calls Cable Plus has shrunk to 57% in the fourth quarter from 76% in 2018. Broadband only homes increase to 27% from 9% over the same interval.

I've been happy with my antenna, and continue to use it. For me, I don't subscribe to a live streaming service, as I can find enough live TV from my antenna or from free services with my streaming device.

If you don't have an antenna supplementing your Streaming Life, it may be worth considering.

Roku "What to Watch" finally debuts

When Roku announced OS 11 a little over a month ago, they mentioned some features that would "roll out in the coming weeks."

Many people -- I'd say most people -- took this to mean that Roku OS 11 would roll out soon and would include the listed features. Only, that's not what it meant.

What happened was that OS 11 began rolling out -- one of my Roku devices updated the same day as the announcement, another a week or so ago, another this week, and others soon, I expect -- but the rollout did not have the features mentioned.

I asked Roku about that and was told that the features would be rolling out separately. That would have been good to know. Well, now the features have arrived. Well, the feature, not features. Because there is only one visible on the Roku screen. And that's the "What to Watch" function.

The Roku Blog listed two features that would show on the Home Screen. Only one of them, Live TV, had actually rolled out with 10.5 some time earlier. What to Watch was new for OS 11.

What to Watch on Home Screen Menu –What to Watch is a new destination added to the Home Screen Menu, leading to movies and TV shows from a variety of streaming channels, including those you most frequently interact with. What to Watch provides easy access to a personalized selection of new titles that were recently added, recommendations for users based on popular and trending content, and so much more.

After more than a month, it finally showed up this weekend on my Roku devices. At least, the devices with OS 11 running.

What to Watch has content from various apps I have installed, which I like. And from apps I don't have, which I don't like.

I actually thought at first that Roku was only listing content from apps I had installed. The first few categories I checked -- Popular for You, Trending Now, Sitcoms -- all had content from app I had installed, and only from apps I had installed. That was something I liked. Sure, I have apps installed that don't have an active subscription, but at least limiting the content to apps I have was a good thing.

Except that's not really what's going on. When I got down to Suspense, some content was from apps I didn't have. Well, one item. And on some other categories as well. Digging down I found that most of the content offered that wasn't on apps I had installed were available on Roku Channel via subscription. But not all. There was some content suggested that weren't part of Roku Channel in any way, and were only available in apps I didn't have installed. Specifically, it listed Kolchak: The Night Stalker for me to watch, offering a service I'm not using or have an app installed.

That's disappointing. I understand the desire to push content that requires a subscription, or even to install other apps that don't require a subscription (Kolchak was free on the app that I don't have, ). But I prefer to only see content to which I actually have access.

The new Plex Discover feature connects to my other apps, but also offers content that is outside of those parameters. However, those items are on a separate listing, and not mixed in with other content. I prefer that approach.

Still, it's an overall improvement for Roku, though one I won't use a lot. But it's good to know it's there if I do want to try it. If you're a Roku user, check it out. That is, if Roku OS 11 has worked its way into your Streaming Life.

Going to the movies

I used to go to the movies a lot. When I worked in Jacksonville back in the 1980s, I would go at least once a week to Orange Park, just south of Jacksonville, and go to the movies. There were theaters in Jacksonville, of course, but at Orange Park, there were three theaters, and around 15 different movies playing, within a couple of blocks of each other, meaning I could find something to watch.

Over the years, I stopped doing that, and now rarely go out to the movies. The last couple of years haven't really had that much of an impact on me, as the movie experience isn't what it used to be. I can watch a movie on my big screen TV in the comfort of my own home. If I have to step to the bathroom, I can pause the movie and miss not one minute. Watching movies at home is a more comfortable experience.

However, I do miss going to the movies. Locally, there's a theater with a very nice setup, where I can sit in a recliner and have snacks and drinks brought to me. It's nice. And, being in Georgia, we've been acting normal for some time. Going to the movies is, and has been, a thing nearly the whole time. I haven't gone, but that's only because there's not been anything I wanted to watch.

There are areas where theaters haven't been open, or local ordinances or decrees have made going to the movies difficult. That's true in Georgia as well, though normally in larger cities. But that's changing. And, not just here, but everywhere it seems.

Fandango released a survey recently that shows 19 out of 20 people in the USA plan to see multiple movies in theaters this summer, according to USA Today.

Now that moviegoers are returning, it doesn’t seem like they’re going anywhere: According to the survey, 96% of ticket buyers plan to see multiple movies in theaters this summer (64% specify they will see five or more). And even though some major movies, like this weekend's "Cruella," are releasing theatrically and on streaming services the same day, 87% say the moviegoing experience can’t be duplicated at home.

None of the top ten movies in the report are movies I have any interest in seeing, but lots of people will want to see them. I'm glad they'll have the opportunity. I've had the opportunity for some time, but haven't gone just to go. There's nothing I want to see.

But, if something I want to see does hit theaters, I'll be there. Until then, I'll be sitting at home, enjoying my Streaming Life.