Goodbye Google Play Movies & TV

Google is, once again, removing services. This time it's Google Play Movies & TV.

This week, I got an email from Google about this. It gave a bunch of details, but the wording could be confusing to some. I had to read it a couple of times, but I got it. I think I got it.

Based on comments I've seen online, this has caused confusion for some people. Here's the email:

Google Play Movies & TV app is going away on 05 October 2023

Google Play Movies & TV app will no longer be available on your Android TV device from 05 October 2023. You can continue to buy or rent movies directly through the Shop tab on your Android TV.

You can find your existing purchases, including active rentals, on the Shop tab on Android TV, Google TV Android and iOS mobile apps, and YouTube.

Please visit Google TV Help center or Youtube Help Center if you need help accessing your previous purchases.

Some seem to think that Google TV is being shut down. It's not. The functionality appears to be splitting among a couple of apps and services.

Google Play Movies & TV was a place to both purchase and play content from the Google Play store. The purchase portion is inside the Shop tab on the Google TV app. But what if you don't have the Google TV app? Well, there's also the YouTube app. I don't see a way to get your purchases if you don't have the Google TV app, or the YouTube app, or a Google/Android TV device.

If you have a Roku platform device (streaming stick, Roku TV, Roku set top box, etc.) you actually lost the Google Play Movies & TV app a couple of years ago. You needed YouTube to watch your Google Play purchases, so nothing Google is about to do will impact Roku users. They got impacted in 2021.

I'm not sure that this will impact me. My Streaming Life uses content purchased from Google, but I watch it on YouTube, or on a Google TV device. If you're worried about this, I think you don't really need to be. Fire TV and Apple TV both support YouTube, and if those are your platforms, you still have ways to play your content.

More illegal IPTV services shut down

Recently, a family member asked about an illegal IPTV service. The family didn't realize that's what was being asked, and was slightly taken aback when I suggested as much.

Many people that are new to streaming don't realize what's legal and what's illegal. And the thing is, many people I know that don't realize the difference are actually pretty sharp people. They're just not familiar with everything.

If you're not sure, here's what I use to help determine if some service I've not heard of is an illegal IPTV service.

First, the fact I haven't heard of it is a good indicator. However, I make an effort to keep up to date on these things. If it was all new to me, would I know the difference? Maybe. Maybe not.

Next, is it "too good to be true?" If so, then it's not true. Ever buy a Rolex out of the trunk of someone's car? If so, do you think it was a real Rolex? Hint: it wasn't. The trunk of Mr. Bashir's car is not one of the authorized distribution channels. (Before you get your panties in a wad over that last sentence, I knew a Mr. Bashir that sold fake Rolex from the trunk of his car. So there.) Mr. Bashir's "Rolex" watches were not legitimate, and you can pretty much guarantee that an IPTV service that offers everything for a cheap price, or a one time fee, is not legitimate.

Then, some people really don't care if the service is legitimate or not. They just want to watch TV cheaply. After all, unlike Mr. Bashir's "Rolex" watches, the TV channels are real. The service is what's illegitimate. And what's wrong with wanting to save some money?

There is nothing wrong with wanting to save some money. But where do you draw the line? Would you walk into Walmart and shoplift because the company makes a lot of money and shoplifting is cheaper? No? When why would you steal TV service from someone?

Not the same thing? Really? Why not? They are legally entitled to receive compensation for their property aren't they? If you wrote a book, wouldn't it be wrong for someone else to copy it and sell those copies and not go through the proper publishing channels?

There are a lot of illegal IPTV services, and the content owners are pushing for crackdowns on them. This happened recently in Egypt:

In synchronized arrests on August 28 and 29, the Egyptian police and the Egyptian Ministry of Internal Affairs took action against two operators of the ring of live sport, TV series and movie sites livehd7 and 3sktv in Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt. The ring of sites was logging an average of nearly 18M visits monthly, with most of the traffic coming from Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. Police noted that the operators grossed nearly 1M USD from their illegal activities.

This operation follows two successful raids conducted earlier this year by the Egyptian authorities and demonstrates their continued commitment to combating digital piracy. In February, Egyptian police, in partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Internal Affairs, took action against the operator of Egylive.online and five other domains in the region of Edkou, Egypt. The six domains combined averaged nearly 5.9 million monthly visits, with 2.3 million monthly unique visitors originating primarily from Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, Lebanon and Algeria.

My Streaming Life doesn't involve illegal services. But I'm not paying high prices for those services either. I can do without. And I'm always going to suggest that others avoid these illegal services. My family member was caught off-guard by my comment about it likely being an illegal service. I didn't mean to cause discomfort, but I'm going to offer my best suggestion at all times. And I always suggest avoiding piracy.

Ads, everywhere ads

I do not like ad blockers. But maybe not for the reason you think.

Yes, there are ads on this Website. If you are running an ad-blocker, you might not see the ads. But that's not why I don't like ad blockers. Let me clarify what I actually mean. I don't use ad blockers.

I don't subscribe to a lot of things, and am fine with ad-supported Websites. It's true that some Websites have a ridiculous number of ads, so many that they are annoying. I skip those Websites.

If the ads are bothersome, I won't return to the Website. If the ads are not too bad, I'll return to the Website.

I understand why many Websites run ads. It's a way to make some money. I don't make much money on this Website. It would be wonderful if I did, but the traffic to the Website isn't enough to make any money. I'll support Websites that use ads. I get it. But how do I feel about your using an ad blocker.

Honestly, it doesn't matter how I feel. If you choose to allow ads, that's great. If you don't, then you don't. Maybe you'll get some benefit from the Website. That would be good. It would be better if I got some advertising revenue from your visits, but I'm not about to put up code to deny your access if an ad blocker is detected. If you allow ads, great. If not, well that's just how it is.

My Streaming Life uses a lot of free ad-supported television (FAST) services. My Web browsing uses a lot of free ad-supported Websites as well. Ads are fine. Well, for me, they are.

A new Tablo?

Tablo announced a new generation device recently. I saw an article about it recently, but didn't follow up because of family activities going on. Plus selling my mother's house and the antenna, which is more of an impact.

Right now, Tablo isn't doing anything for me, as I don't have an antenna. I need to put up an antenna. I have one, and will put it up soon.

This weekend, I took a few minutes and looked at the announcement of the new Tablo device:

The latest version of Tablo hardware has been totally redesigned inside and out, with a sleek new form factor that is flexible enough to mount on your wall or sit on a table.

Inside Tablo are two powerful ATSC 1.0 tuners which deliver full quality MPEG2 video and an optional in-line amplifier to help lock in over-the-air channels from your TV antenna. There’s also 50+ hours of onboard DVR recording storage which can be expanded by connecting a USB hard drive (up to 8TB).

Like all Tablo models, the new 4th generation device can connect to your home network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet to deliver live and recorded antenna TV to smart TVs as well as streaming and mobile devices throughout your home.

And for the first time ever, Tablo will also use its internet connection to pull in a selection of 40+ free streaming channels (also known as FAST channels), which can be streamed and recorded in the new Tablo app interface.

I was a little surprised that Tablo released a device without ATSC 3 support, but I understand why they didn't release an ATSC 3 device. I suppose I'm just surprised that they released a device at all. But they did, and now I wonder if this is something I care about.

The new Tablo apps don't support "legacy hardware," they say. Also, they're looking to upgrade the legacy devices with a firmware update so the new apps will. That would mean my current device will remain in play for some time. So I don't see a reason to upgrade at this time.

My Streaming Life has included Tablo for a while now. I'm currently without until I get a new antenna up. But I'm looking to return to Tablo use soon. I really do miss it.

It looks like YouTube TV this year, not Sling TV

Each year, since Sling TV launched, I've subscribed to the service during college football season. I don't use a "streaming cable" service during the year, but I do want to be able to watch ESPN for college football games.

Normally, what I do is wait until the first game I want to watch is about to kick off, then subscribe to Sling TV for 30 days. That covers five weekends of college football. I normally cancel at the end of the subscription, and wait until the next game I want to watch is ready to kickoff, then subscribe again for 30 days, which covers five more weekends of football.

I repeat this throughout the season, and am able to watch the full season, which 15 weeks covers, for three 30-day subscriptions. This year, the plan was:

1. August 26, which covers through September 24.
2. September 30, which covers through October 29.
3. November 4, which covers through December 3.

That's the full season. When the bowls start, a fourth 30-day subscription would cover all the bowls.

This year, things will be a little different. I didn't actually watch any games last weekend, or so far this weekend. I had other things going on. Sling TV wasn't needed. And unless something drastic happens, I won't be subscribing to Sling TV this year.

You see, I sold my interest in my mother's house, and left them the antenna. I no longer have antenna access. Long story, but briefly, I bought that antenna, and used Tablo to watch it over the Internet at my house. That's no longer happening, so until I put up my own antenna, I don't get local channels.

Well, I can get local NBC and CBS via Peacock TV and Paramount Plus, if I so choose. But that leaves ABC and Fox, both of which will carry games.

Sling TV doesn't carry ABC or Fox -- in most places; they do in a very few select places, but not here -- so while that service would get me ESPN and other sports networks, it would not get me the local stations, which I won't get until I get off my butt and put up an antenna.

So, for the start of the college football season, I'm not going to subscribe to Sling TV. I'm going with YouTube TV. That's $33 more than I should be spending, but it's my own fault for being lazy.

If I put up the antenna within the next 30 days, then I'll pick up with Sling TV on September 30. If I don't, then YouTube TV will be the service that follows that schedule.

My Streaming Life will have college football. I want the cheapest way to include the games. If I wasn't so lazy, I'd be $33 richer.

Watching College Football in 2023: Week 1, 2nd weekend

It's Week 1 (again) for college football in 2023. Last week, the games actually began, but only seven games were on the schedule. Many sportscasters call it "Week Zero" as it comes before this week's Week 1. Okay, fine. Or, it's Week 1, 2nd weekend. I like that better. After all, wouldn't it be great if every week had two weekends?

First, I'm talking about Division 1-A/FBS. There may be some Division 1-AA/FCS schools involved, if they scheduled a game against an FBS team. Why would they do that? Money. Everything's about money. And all the FCS teams playing FBS teams are getting a big paycheck. Look no further than University of Tennessee at Martin. The UT-Martin Skyhawks are playing a little school knows as the University of Georgia, current two-time defending national champion and pre-season Number 1.

UT-Martin is getting half a million dollars for the game. That's around $500/mile for the round trip. Not a bad paycheck. Get on TV. Even if they lose, as expected, they will get a pretty decent memory of a game against the Number 1 team. Imagine if they pull of the upset!

There were 11 games Thursday night, and six games last night. The first big Saturday of college football starts today, with 66 games on the schedule today. There are 19 games involving ranked teams today. There was one Thursday night, two of the three on Sunday, including the only matchup of ranked teams -- Louisiana State vs Florida State -- and one on Monday.

Today's seven games will be broadcast over six networks:

• ABC
• ACC Network
• Big Ten
• CBS
• CBS Sports Network
• ESPN
• ESPNU
• ESPN+
• Fox
• Fox Sports 1
• NBC
• NFL Network
• Pac 12 Network
• SEC Network
• Peacock

Between this weekend's games and next Saturday, there are three games involving Division 1-A/FBS teams. Those will air on:

• ACC Network
• Big Ten
• ESPN2

Over the season, these are the networks that will be broadcasting the games:

• ABC
• ACC Network
• Big Ten Network
• CBS
• CBS Sports Network
• CW
• ESPN
• ESPN2
• ESPNU
• ESPN+
• Fox
• Fox Sports 1
• Longhorn Network
• NBC
• NFL Network
• Pac 12 Network
• Peacock
• SEC Network

There may even be another network or two that carries games, but these are the ones that are confirmed as the season begins. Here's how to get all the networks:

ABC

• Antenna (free)
• Sling TV (8 markets only) ($45/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($80/month)

ACC Network

• Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($114/month)

Big Ten Network

• Sling TV (Blue + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($114/month)

CBS

• Antenna (free)
• Paramount Plus (Premium) $12/month
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($80/month)

CBS Sports Network

• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Ultimate) ($139/month)

CW

• Antenna (free)
• Not available streaming.

ESPN, ESPN2

• Sling TV (Orange) ($40/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($80/month)

ESPN+

• ESPN+ (standalone) ($10/month)
• Disney Bundle ($15/month)

ESPNU

• Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro + Fubo Extra) ($83/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($114/month)

Fox

• Antenna (free)
• Sling TV (18 markets only) ($45/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($80/month)

Fox Sports 1

• Sling TV (Blue + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($80/month)

Longhorn Network

• Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($114/month)

NBC

• Antenna (free)
• Peacock (Plus) ($12/month)
• Sling TV (11 markets only) ($45/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($80/month)

NFL Network

• Sling TV (Blue) ($40/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($114/month)

Pac 12 Network

• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)

Peacock

• Peacock is its own service, and can be used to watch NBC live programming with the $12/month plan.

SEC Network

• Sling TV (Orange) ($40/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($114/month)

That covers this weekend in college football, and covers all the networks -- so far -- that are carrying college football games in 2023. My Streaming Life revolves around college football during this time of year. I'm not the only one.

Watching College Football in 2023: The services that you need

If you're a huge college football fan, you may want to watch every game. If you are a streamer, how do you go about doing that?

That's easy. You subscribe to the necessary streaming services.

That brings up the question: What are the necessary streaming services?

The answer should be: it depends.

On what, you may ask. No, really, go ahead and ask. I'll wait.

Since you asked, it depends on whether or not you have an antenna. You see, if you have an antenna, and can pick up ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC, then you don't need a streaming service to watch the games those networks carry. But what about the other games?

Notice that I said that the answer "should be" that it depends. But it doesn't. Why is that? Why does it not matter if you have an antenna or not? It should, right?

Well, yes, it should. But it doesn't. And here's why.

Over the season, these are the networks that will be broadcasting the games:

• ABC
• ACC Network
• Big Ten Network
• CBS
• CBS Sports Network
• CW
• ESPN
• ESPN2
• ESPNU
• ESPN+
• Fox
• Fox Sports 1
• Longhorn Network
• NBC
• NFL Network
• Pac 12 Network
• Peacock
• SEC Network

There may even be another network or two that carries games, but these are the ones that are confirmed as the season begins. Here's how to get all the networks:

ABC

• Antenna (free)
• Sling TV (8 markets only) ($45/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($80/month)

ACC Network

• Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• Sling TV (Orange+Blue + Sports Extra) ($66/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($114/month)

Big Ten Network

• Sling TV (Blue + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• Sling TV (Orange+Blue + Sports Extra) ($66/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($114/month)

CBS

• Antenna (free)
• Paramount Plus (Premium) $12/month
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($80/month)

CBS Sports Network

• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Ultimate) ($139/month)

CW

• Antenna (free)
• Not available streaming.

ESPN, ESPN2

• Sling TV (Orange) ($40/month)
• Sling TV (Orange+Blue) ($55/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($80/month)

ESPN+

• ESPN+ (standalone) ($10/month)
• Disney Bundle ($15/month)

ESPNU

• Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• Sling TV (Orange+Blue + Sports Extra) ($66/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro + Fubo Extra) ($83/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($114/month)

Fox

• Antenna (free)
• Sling TV (18 markets only) ($45/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($80/month)

Fox Sports 1

• Sling TV (Blue + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• Sling TV (Orange+Blue + Sports Extra) ($66/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($80/month)

Longhorn Network

• Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• Sling TV (Orange+Blue + Sports Extra) ($66/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($114/month)

NBC

• Antenna (free)
• Peacock (Plus) ($12/month)
• Sling TV (11 markets only) ($45/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($80/month)

NFL Network

• Sling TV (Blue) ($40/month)
• Sling TV (Orange+Blue) ($55/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($114/month)

Pac 12 Network

• Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• Sling TV (Blue + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• Sling TV (Orange+Blue + Sports Extra) ($66/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)

Peacock

• Peacock is its own service, and can be used to watch NBC live programming with the $12/month plan.

SEC Network

• Sling TV (Orange) ($40/month)
• Sling TV (Orange+Blue) ($55/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($114/month)

If you only want to watch some games, then you may be able to get by with a cheaper setup that doesn't carry local broadcast channels. But, if you want to be able to watch every game that is broadcast, you'll need a streaming service -- more than one, actually -- that carries the other services. And when you subscribe to those, you'll find the over the air channels are carried anyway. So it doesn't really matter if you have an antenna, if you want to be able to watch all the games.

So, what is the cheapest setup? Well, a couple of the networks are only available on their own services. ESPN+ is a subscription service, so you'll need that. It's $10/month. Peacock has its own service, and it's $12/month for the Plus plan that gets you their games. So, right off the bat, you're spending $22/month for two services, and still don't have most of the big games.

Most of the other services carry the sports channels you want. The hard to get ones are: CBS Sports Network (don't confuse that with CBS Sports programming on the CBS broadcast network; they aren't the same thing); Longhorn Network (last year for that, as it goes away when Texas joins the SEC next season; Pac 12 Network (probably going away if the Pac 12 goes away, as expected). Those are essentially niche networks, and only no services carries all three. The services that carry them are:

CBS Sports Network

• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month, $77/month after October 12, 2023)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)
• DirecTV (Ultimate) ($139/month)

Longhorn Network

• Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• Sling TV (Orange+Blue + Sports Extra) ($66/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($114/month)

Pac 12 Network

• Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• Sling TV (Blue + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• Sling TV (Orange+Blue + Sports Extra) ($66/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($75/month)

As you can see, none carry all three. That means two of those services would be needed, running the total cost up quite a bit. So what is the cheapest that carries all three?

YouTube TV ($73/month) and Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) ($51/month) will cover that. That brings the total cost of being able to watch every game to $146:

• ESPN+ (standalone) ($10/month)
• Peacock (Plus) ($12/month)
• Sling TV (Orange or Blue + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)

That's a lot of money. I like college football, but not that much. My Streaming Life doesn't run anywhere near that much. I can watch the games I care about a lot cheaper. But, if you want to watch them all, you can.