Frndly TV is adding some local channels, just not the ones you might think

Frndly TV is one of the best bargains when it comes to vMVPD (streaming cable) services. For under $10/month, you get 40 live channels. The price is so low because Frndly TV doesn't carry news, sports, or local channels.

Well, until now, they didn't carry local channels. They're about to carry some. But there's a catch.

The first catch is that only six markets are affected. The next catch is that none of the local channels are the major networks.

A release on the Frndly TV Website says six markets will get limited local channels later this month:

With the debut of a broadcast station in six individual markets (one station per DMA), this will mark the first time in its history that Frndly TV is rolling out local programming. The local broadcast stations are expected to debut on the Frndly TV lineup in each market by April 30.

"As cord cutting continues to accelerate across the country," said Michael McKenna, Frndly TV co-founder and Chief Programming Officer, "we at Frndly TV are proud to be able to help support the local broadcast industry, and in particular, the important public service of delivering local news, by bringing back homes and viewers into the television ecosystem. We hope to continue to add a local station in more markets across the country in the near future."

The six local broadcast stations (five independents and one CW affiliated station) and markets are:

• KDCO, Channel 3, Denver, CO DMA (Scripps - Independent)
• WMYD, Channel 20, Detroit, MI DMA (Scripps - CW Affiliate)
• WACY, Channel 32, Green Bay, WI DMA (Scripps - Independent)
• KMCI, Channel 38, Kansas City, MO DMA (Scripps - Independent)
• WFMZ, Channel 69, Philadelphia, PA DMA (Marantha Broadcasting Co. - Independent)
• WHDT, Channel 9, West Palm Beach, FL DMA (Scripps - Independent)

‍Continued McKenna: "This is a significant milestone for Frndly TV. As we built out Frndly TV and added more national channels, the one thing missing was providing our customers with the local programming they want and care about – especially local news and popular syndicated content. With the addition of these local stations in each market, we are delivering to our customers news and entertainment they want at a price they can afford."

You'll first notice that none of the stations are major network stations. There are no ABC, CBS, Fox, or NBC stations. Only one is a CW affiliate. Next, all are owned by Scripps.

Scripps owns eight independent stations and four CW stations. Five of the independent stations and one CW station are part of the deal. Scripps also owns several stations with major network affiliations, as well as several minor network stations (Bounce, Grit, Ion, etc.). The company owns 62 overall.

There seems to be no fear that prices will rise soon, leaving Frndly TV as a great bargain. The local channels in those six markets is a bonus for those markets.

My Streaming Life has included Frndly TV since the service launched. It's a great bargain, as far as I'm concerned. I'm not impacted by this change, but I'm happy for those that are.

A new Walmart streaming box ... soon

An online report says that Walmart is releasing a new streaming box "soon."

I'm a fan of the Walmart Onn brand (styles as "onn.") streaming box, and the idea of an upgraded version is exciting to me.

91mobiles reports the device will be an upgrade to last year's device:

There isn't much that we know about Walmart's new 4K Pro Google TV streaming device but we can confirm from the moniker that this will be an upgraded model from last year's model. It could come with better hardware and 4K performance as compared to the regular 4K version. Since the other models are also priced affordably, this one too is expected to come with a pocket-friendly price tag.

The Onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box works mostly like the Google Chromecast. It has a similar UI with content recommendations and popular apps for streaming. You also get Google Chromecast and Google Assistant built-in. The 4K streaming device comes bundled with a white remote that has dedicated buttons for YouTube, Netflix, and Disney+.

The thing that doesn't track for me is that last year's device was actually a stick, not a box, and the new device is rumored to be a box.

My Steaming Life utilizes the Walmart device on a regular basis, although my primary TV has a Chromecast. The interface is the same, and the price savings more than makes up for any slight performance difference.

A look at Frndly TV

I've been a fan of Frndly TV ever since it launched. Recently, Lon.TV looked at it, and liked it. Well, mostly.

[YouTube]

My Streaming Life has included Frndly TV since the service launched, as I said. It's the only service I've paid for every month since then. I really like it. For under $9/month, it's the best streaming bargain there is.

New Roku rules for accessibility compatibility

Roku is putting out some new rules regarding apps and accessibility functions. Starting this Fall, Roku will require apps to meet the requirements to be in the Roku Channel Store (their app store).

We're not talking about just new apps; we're talking about existing apps as well.

Yes, that means if an app you like doesn't meet the rules, it gets booted from Roku's Channel Store.

Among the things Roku is requiring is that apps respect the device settings. Today, some apps have their own closed caption settings, for instance, and ignore the settings for the device. I can tell you from first-hand experience that such behavior is frustrating.

I use captions for British programs -- yes, they speak English, but it's not the same -- and for some movies and TV shows that make it hard to hear because of the music or background sounds. If someone needed the captions, I can see that would be very frustrating.

According to Cord Cutters News, this is about to change, and includes Autoplay functionality as well:

Roku will also require channels to honor a new autoplay rule that allows Roku owners to disable auto-play on all apps with a single click. This is something we learned about earlier this year but is now being required of app developers.

Certification Requirement: If autoplay is disabled on a device, channels may not begin video playback until the user navigates to a video or explicitly starts playback. Once playback begins, channels may continue playing the video until the user navigates away from it, pauses it, turns the device off, or a screensaver starts. Channels must adhere to this requirement to pass certification (Effective October 1, 2024).

Developers can use the roDeviceInfo.isAutoPlayEnabled() function to check whether auto-play video is enabled or disabled on a device. This function returns a flag indicating the current state of the auto-play setting. Developers can use this function to ensure that the auto-play device setting is respected when customers browse content in their apps.

Both of these changes are small, but developers need to follow them, or they won’t be able to be on Roku players or Roku TVs going forward.

My Streaming Life doesn't absolutely require captions, but it is great to see that the functionality that is expected will be delivered.

Watching local channels without cable

It's possible to watch local channels without cable. There's more than just one way, in fact.

Michael Timmermann of Michael Saves recently posted a video about that. I found it to be helpful. Perhaps you will too.

[YouTube]

I have an antenna, but I like the idea that CBS and NBC are avaialble on Paramount Plus and Peacock respectively. Picking up ABC and Fox next day (not locals, however) on Hulu helps as well.

My Streaming Life is all about saving money, and the antenna is what works best for me. But for those that can't do that, these ways may offer some good alternatives.

Dual booting Windows and Linux

If you wanted to try Linux, perhaps because of its increase stability, security, and privacy, then one way is to be able to boot to Linux or Windows on the same computer. You can check out Linux in a real world enviornment while keeping your Windows envioronment intact.

Britec recently has a video on doing just that.

[YouTube]

My Streaming Life doesn't normally use desktop or laptop computers, but security and privacy are a concern for me. If Linux is an interest, I hope this helps.

Watch the Final Four (2024)

College basketball has reached the end of the playoff. The 68-team tournament is down to four: Connecticut, Perdue, Alabama, North Carolina State.

This evening, North Carolina State faces Perdue and later tonight Alabama plays Connecticut. The two winners will face off Monday night.

A lot of people watch the NCAA Final Four. So, if you're a streamer, how do you watch it?

Todays games are being broadcast on several networks:

• TBS
• TNT
• truTV

Here is how to watch the channels if you are a streamer:

TBS

• Max (with Ads) ($10/month)
• Max (Ad free) ($16/month)
• Sling TV (Blue) ($40/month)
• Sling TV (Orange) ($40/month)
• Sling TV (Orange+Blue) ($55/month)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($77/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($85/month)

TNT

• Max (with Ads) ($10/month)
• Max (Ad free) ($16/month)
• Sling TV (Blue) ($40/month)
• Sling TV (Orange) ($40/month)
• Sling TV (Orange+Blue) ($55/month)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($77/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($85/month)

truTV

• Max (with Ads) ($10/month)
• Max (Ad free) ($16/month)
• Sling TV (Blue) ($40/month)
• Sling TV (Orange) ($40/month)
• Sling TV (Orange+Blue) ($55/month)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($77/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($85/month)

The cheapest way to watch all the games is via Max, which is as low as $10/month.

Oh, there is a March Madness Live app from the NCAA, but it authenticates against one of the services listed above. The app by itself doesn't get you the content, much like the ESPN app doesn't get you college football unless you authenticate against your ESPN provider.

My Streaming Life doesn't involve much basketball at all. But a lot of people enjoy this. If this describes you, then you have ways to watch the games.