Another nail in the Roku 4 coffin

Back in March, Roku announced that they were discontinuing support for the Roku 4 (model 4400). That came as no surprise to me. In fact, the surprise -- and there was one -- was that they supported the Roku 4 for as long as they did.

From launch, the Roku 4 had all kinds of problems. The idea of the Roku 4 was, in its day, a good idea. The execution of that idea was a huge misstep by Roku.

The fan (yes, it had a fan) was noisy at times, and all kinds of glitches happened. I was watching reports from owners carefully at the time, since I was thinking of getting one. I had always owned at least one of the top of the line Roku devices. I owned a Roku 3, and when the Roku 4 came out, I considered getting one.

The only draw was 4K, but as I didn't own a 4K TV at the time, I decided to wait and see what else it offered to determine if upgrading was the way for me to go. All the reports of issues with the device convinced me to not get one. It was the first top-of-the-line Roku that I didn't purchase.

Roku discontinued the Roku 4 within a year, replacing it with the Ultra (finally discontinuing the Roku 3 at the same time). I waited on the Ultra as well, after the Roku 4 debacle. After a year, I finally bought an Ultra, but continued to use the Roku 3 until just a couple of years ago.

Back to Roku's announcement from March. The Roku 4 isn't getting the new Roku OS 12 software update, as it's no longer a supported device. And now another blow to Roku 4 owners. Disney+ is dropping Roku 4 support:

According to a message posted on Roku 4 on May 30th, 2023, Disney+ will be ending support for older Roku players, including the Roku 4. This means if you want to keep watching Disney+ and you own a Roku 4, you will need to upgrade to a newer Roku player.

This news comes as Roku has announced that it is ending support for the Roku 4, which was Roku’s first 4K streaming player it ever made. The Roku 4 was later replaced by the Roku Ultra, which is now the top-of-the-line Roku Player.

A lot of people who bought a Roku 4 will be very unhappy. However, I suspect many of them have not been as happy as owners of the Roku Ultra, which was the Roku 4 done right. My Streaming Life never had to endure a Roku 4, but for those that did, this is not good news, and may be the reason they were needing to get a better Roku device.

Local news

I read an article several days ago that mentioned that Fox had launched a new streaming service for local news. The app is Fox Local, and is rolling out nationwide.

"Nationwide" doesn't mean everywhere, at least not just yet:

At launch, only Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St.Paul, Milwaukee, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, and Washington DC are live on the service, but more locals will reportedly be added soon.

"FOX Local is the crucial next step in our overall streaming strategy, which is focused on providing viewers the easiest and fastest ways to watch their most trusted local news and programming," said Jeff Zellmer, Senior Vice President of Digital Operations for Fox Television Stations.

While this sounds like a good idea, it doesn't help a lot of people. You see, there are a lot of people outside of those listed cities. I'm in southeast Georgia, and a local Atlanta station does nothing for me. It might as well be in another state. In fact, news out of Jacksonville, Florida would be more local than Atlanta.

It's not available for Roku, which is a huge hole in its footprint as well. I get the Fox Local app via one of the other platforms. I've only used it on Google TV, and there are only three cities available there: Atlanta, Detroit, and Washington, DC. The others listed in the article are all marked "Coming Soon."

I get local news via an antenna. It gets me the stations from Savannah, my actual local TV news. Maybe one day, the Fox Local app will expand to Savannah, but I'm not holding my breath. My Streaming Life would be improved with Fox Local carrying my local stations, but my trusty antenna gets me by for now.

Sling TV's Freestream

For a long time, I've used Sling TV's free service. A lot of people didn't know that you could watch free content on Sling TV, but it's been a thing for a while. The number of offerings has grown over the years, from a handful to over 300.

Back in February, Sling TV rebranded their free offering. Actually, they branded it, since it really wasn't promoted or given a proper name. I called it Sling TV free because I didn't know what else to call it.

Freestream is the name, and now the service has over 335 channels, according to a recent news release:

Sling Freestream now offers more than 35 sports, 100 entertainment and 45 news channels with no payment or credit card required. SLING plans to continue its FAST growth by introducing more domestic sports, entertainment and news channels, plus dozens of foreign language international channels and On Demand content throughout 2023.

Adding to its complete entertainment experience, Sling Freestream users have the ability to effortlessly subscribe to more than 50 standalone streaming services (AMC+, discovery+, MGM+, SHOWTIME, etc.) and/or add a SLING Orange and/or SLING Blue base service.

The service is a good free ad-supported television (FAST) service. There are many from which to choose, but the nice thing is that since it and other FAST services are free, you can have all you want and it won't cost you anything. My Streaming Life is better for Freestream, and the other services.

Google TV app management

It appears Google is taking a lesson from Roku. Not exactly, but they are making an improvement that puts them second to Roku in one regard.

One of the biggest problems with all the streaming devices, except Roku, is storage space. Most of them have small storage on the device, except for Apple TV. Even Roku has small on-board storage. But Roku handles it well.

How? Well, it seems that Roku will manage storage space by removing apps from your device if you run out of space, and get them back when you need it.

Here's an example: Say you have 20 apps on your streaming device. Let's suppose those 20 apps take up all the storage on your streaming device. Now suppose you want to add another app. What happens?

Well, if it's Google TV, Apple TV, or Fire TV, you get a message that you're out of space and need to remove something. And it won't let you add the new app until you do.

Roku does it differently. If your Roku is full, and you try to download a new app, Roku will look at which app has gone the longest without being used and remove it. They'll leave a shortcut or placeholder for it, but remove the bulk of the app. It's still listed as an installed app, but it technically isn't on the Roku device any more. Then the Roku tries to download the new app. If there still isn't enough room, Roku will find the next app that's been the longest since you used it, and repeat the process until it has enough space for the new app.

Just because it removes the app from the device doesn't mean you don't see the app. It still shows on your menu. And when you try to launch it, it downloads it again. And if there isn't enough room, it repeats the process of removing the oldest-used apps until it gets enough space. You never run out of space, and you still keep all your apps, or at least the menu item.

The recent to change to Google TV doesn't do it that way, but it does change the way it does things and makes it less likely to run out of space. What Google TV now will do is remove any app you haven't used in 30 days. Like Roku, it still keeps the app listed on your device, and downloads it again when you launch it.

App Hibernation is a new feature that will automatically force apps to hibernate when not used for over 30 days (on Android S and above devices). We also leveraged Android App Bundles for Google TV reducing the size of the apps by roughly 25%. This frees up space on your device to download even more apps and to watch your preferred programs without worry.

I still like the way Roku does better, but it is an improvement over the old way. My Streaming Life is made better by Roku's method of swapping out apps. And the Google TV portion will be improved by their new process as well,

Streaming the Kentucky Derby (2023)

The Kentucky Derby is this afternoon. And yeah, it's kind of a big deal. It's been a big deal for a while now.

I do have a passing interest in the race, and if I'm able, there's a better than even chance I'll watch it. And I realize I'm not sounding like I'm drumming up excitement about the race. That's because I'm not. Some people are interested in it a lot, some a little, and some not at all.

If you are interested, and if you are a streamer, you will probably want to know how you can watch it. Or even if you can watch it if  you're a streamer. Well, you can.

NBC is, again, carrying the race. While USA carried the Kentucky Oaks yesterday, the Derby is on NBC and Peacock. Coverage begins at 2:30 pm, with the actual race a few minutes before 7:00 pm.

The fastest time in the Kentucky Derby was set by Secretariat in 1973, at 1:59.4. The second fasted time in the Derby was Sham, at an estimated 1:59.8. Why was Sham's time an estimate? Because they don't normally keep as accurate records on second-place horses. Sham set his time in 1973, when he lost to Secretariat. Had Sham run that time, and Secretariat not run in the race, Sham would be the record holder. That was quite a race.

Will any records be set today? Find out. Watch the Kentucky Derby on NBC or on Peacock TV and see for yourself.

Here's how to watch:

Peacock TV

• Subscription is $5/month for the Premium service. It's $10/month for ad-free. But ad-free doesn't include not having ads in live TV. The ad-free applies to on-demand only.

NBC

• Antenna (free) over the air.
• Sling TV ($40 Orange) ($40/Blue) ($55 Orange + Blue)
• DirecTV Stream ($65/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)

If watching the first jewel of the Triple Crown is on your agenda for the day, you can enjoy streaming it on one of those services. My Streaming Life will include today's Kentucky Derby, probably on Peacock. But there are plenty of options.

Fire TV free channels

More and more streaming platforms have discovered that many would rather watch free content than pay for it. That sounds like a no-brainer, right? Well, it's not. You see, it's not quite as simple as that. Nothing ever is.

TANSTAAFL: There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.

If something is free, there's a reason. Sometimes, it's because there are advertisements. Sometimes it's because they want your data, which they'll then sell or use to target advertising. Nothing is really free, it seems.

So back to where I started. More and more streaming platforms have discovered that many would rather watch free content than pay for it. And they've discovered that they can sell advertising within the free content, and if it's not too much or too intrusive, people will stay with it. People get free content and they get advertising dollars. Win-win.

Well, that's the idea, anyway. And it seems to work a lot. In fact, a recent news release from Amazon Fire TV touts their revamp of their free offerings:

... Fire TV customers can enjoy content from the NHL, Xbox, and TMZ, as well as an entirely new Travel category. Built for anyone seeking their next big adventure, the Travel category on Fire TV Channels offers guides and other resources on trending destinations. Content providers include: Tastemade Travel, Rick Steves' Europe, Travel Hacks (Pack Hacker), and coming soon, Condé Nast Traveler.

Fire TV Channels brings together premium free content that spans diverse customer interests from a growing list of household names like ABC News, CBS Sports HQ, FOX Sports, Major League Baseball, NBC News Now, Martha Stewart, and America’s Test Kitchen.

This means more free (ad-supported) content. Sure, some people would rather pay than watch ads, but there are a lot of people that want it for free, and will sit through the ads.

My Streaming Life is made up in part of many free ad-supported television (FAST) services. Amazon's expansion of theirs is a good thing.

Picking a streaming service

There are multiple of different ways to pick streaming services. My way isn't the way most people do it, because there is some work involved, and many people would rather pay more and work less. And if the money saved by the extra work isn't worth it to them, then my way isn't for them.

First, let's clarify what I'm talking about. I'm referring to streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, Apple TV+, Paramount+, Peacock, Starz, AMC+, and the like. I'm not talking about the cable-like services such as YouTube TV, Fubo, Sling TV, and so forth.

I'm talking about the (mostly) on-demand services, not the (mostly) live/linear services.

So, what I do is pick one, subscribe to it for a month, then at the end of the 30-day subscription cancel the service. During the 30 days of the subscription, I'll binge the service. At the beginning of the next month, I pick a different one and focus on that one. The next month, a different one. And so on and so forth. Over time, I watch them all, but only pay for one a month.

Most people don't do it that way. They subscribe to a service, or to a few services, and just keep them. And that's a perfectly legitimate way of doing it. My way lets me (over time) watch everything from all the services (or all the services I want) without the expense of all the services every month. Rotating around spread the cost out, but delays when I watch some stuff. To me that's worth the extra work and the extra wait.

That might not be worth it to you. You should do it however it works best for you.

Regardless of which way you do it, how do you pick which service or services to use? Well, recently, a question along that line was posed to TV Answer Man, and they gave seven questions you should ask yourself when making the decision. They are reasonable questions, and put together should help you make a good decision. They include:

1. What content do I want to watch? Different video streaming services offer varying types of content. Some specialize in movies, while others focus on TV shows or documentaries. Determine the kind of content you’re interested in and research which streaming services offer it.

2. How much does it cost? Video streaming services come in different price ranges, from free to premium. Determine your budget and compare the subscription fees of the services you’re interested in. Also, consider the cost of any additional features you may want, such as ad-free viewing or access to live sports events.

There are seven in all, and the article is worth a read.

My Streaming Life may be a little more complicated in how I subscribe to services, but I still have to ask those questions from time to time, just to ensure my picklist of services is what I want. Even if you simply subscribe and keep, rather than rotate, you should ask those questions from time to time.

Buying a streaming device: TV, box, or stick

Generally, I don't suggest buying a TV based on its built in streaming platform. What I mean is that while I'm a fan of Roku, I don't generally suggest buying a Roku TV.

I also think the Fire TV interface is good, but I don't generally suggest buying a TV with built in Fire TV interface.

Same for Google TV. There are TVs with built in Google TV, which is a good interface, but I don't generally suggest buying a TV because it has Google TV interface.

You see, over the years, the updates and new requirements for certain apps and services have crippled the built in streaming platform. For example, I used a family member's Roku TV for a period of time, and found it eventually became a frustrating experience because the device became outdated. I resolved it by adding a Roku Stick to the Roku TV. I simply ignored the Roku interface that was built in, and used the one in the Stick.

That showed me that platforms built in to TVs may not be up to speed over time. And that's a problem. The TV may be good -- the image and sound -- but the interface may be bad.

Also, my main TV is a Google TV device, but I prefer Roku, and run Roku on my TV.

Now, having said that, I did buy a Roku TV recently. Three reason for that: 1) I was curious about the new Roku built TVs;  2) I wanted a second TV in a second bedroom; and 3) it was on sale.

Those three factors all worked together and I bought a TV based on the interface, which is something I don't generally do. Had any one of those factors not come into play, I would not have purchased that TV. But all three led me to think that the Roku TV was the way to go.

However, unless there are multiple reasons for purchasing a TV based on the platform -- I had three -- then I don't generally consider the platform. I'm not yet convinced my Roku TV will work as it should for as long as it should, and I may end up adding a streaming device to update it in a few years.

Just to be clear, don't avoid buying a TV because of its platform, and generally don't based the decision solely on its platform.

If you want or need a new streaming device, and your current TV works just fine, don't replace the TV. Buy a Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, or Apple TV device to add to your TV and use the device instead.

My Streaming Life hasn't depended on the platform of a TV. I've always had the freedom to use whatever platform I want, regardless of the one built in to the TV.

Over half of USA may cut at least one streaming service this year

A recent study shows that over half of streamers in the USA are considering cutting a streaming service as a way to save money. I am not in that group.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not sitting on a pile of money, not needing to save pennies here and there. I do want to save money, and I do. But I won't be cutting off a streaming service to do it.

No, streaming isn't that important to me. Rather, I don't have the problem because I don't subscribe to a bunch of services.

Yesterday, I wrote (again) about how I will rotate streaming services. This month, I'll subscribe to one service, and the next month, I'll drop that one and subscribe to a different one. And still a different one the following month.

HBO Max this month, for example. Disney+ next month. Paramount+ the following month. Peacock one month. And so on.

Coincidentally, a Cord Cutters News published an article highlighting a recent study that said that 56% of US streamers are looking to save money by cutting at least one streaming service:

A new survey shows how many people are considering cutting streaming platforms and which might be the best to keep.

According to the Benzinga and Dig Insights Economic Sentiment tracker, 56% of U.S. consumers said they are considering canceling subscriptions to save money.

The poll was conducted in March 2023 and showed a jump from the 51% of U.S. consumers who answered yes to the same question in November 2022.

This doesn't surprise me. In the last three years, prices have gone up at a tremendous rate. More people are having to cut back on things as a result. And cutting a streaming service is a way many are considering.

Which is yet another opportunity for me to promote the rotation method of streaming. Cancel all your services except one. Watch that one this month. Binge shows if you like. Watch that one service. If you run out of stuff you want to watch, fill in with free ad-supported television (FAST) services.

At the end of the month, cancel that service, and on the first of the next month, subscribe to a different one. Every month, do that. Over time, you've watched everything you.

My Streaming Life has been that way for a while. It works well for me. Let me again suggest that it may work for you as well.

Saving money with streaming services

There are a lot of options when it comes to streaming services. There are a lot of streaming services. Some are free ad-supported television (FAST) services, but some have subscription fees. Everyone is familiar with Netflix of course, but there are many others, and you probably know about all of the major ones:

• Netflix
• Hulu
• Prime Video
• Disney+
• HBO Max
• Apple TV+
• Paramount+
• Peacock
• Starz
• AMC+

There are more of course. These run from $5/month to $20/month.

Then there are services that are pretty much are replacements for cable. Those include:

• Frndly TV
• Philo
• Sling TV
• Vidgo
• DirecTV Stream
• Fubo
• Hulu+Live TV
• YouTube TV

They run from $7/month to over $70/month, depending on what services they include.

You may have noticed that cable companies and their lackeys in the media have promoted the idea that streaming is more expensive than cable. They point to the cost of all these streaming services. And if you turn your brain off, you might fall for their propaganda.

There are a few things wrong with their argument. First of all, you probably don't need a live streaming service. You may be used to a service that offers a bunch of channels that offer continuous programming. You know, cable.

But when I started streaming, there were no live streaming services, so I learned real quick that I didn't need live streaming. I didn't need programming that was simply a replica of cable.

Now, sure, you may want to replicate cable. I'm just saying that you have the option to no do that. It's a different way of thinking to make that change, but it's how I like it.

Even if you do want a cable replacement, look at the lower priced ones. They may have everything you want or need. After all, $7 is a lot cheaper than $73.

Then when you figure in the cost of the on-demand services, such as Netflix, Hulu, and the like, you can spend a lot of money.

For me, I use those more than the live streaming services. And I subscribe to them all. Only, I don't subscribe to them all at the same time. I'll subscribe to one this month, another the next month, and so on. Each month I'll binge the service and watch everything I want to watch. At the end of the month, I cancel, then at the start of the next month, I'll subscribe to a different one. I watch everything I want over time, and save a lot of money doing it.

My Streaming Life has a lot of content. It doesn't have a large cost. Life is good.