BeachLady Loc: Surfside Beach, SC

OK - I'm a DUD at figuring things out (that don't really interest me). So...I would love to get rid of the $177/month cable bill for Internet and TV. I'll have to keep internet, but that would drop to maybe $60. I find myself watching only about 10 main channels, so what "stick" or streaming program will get me these for the least amount of money?
ABC, CBS, NBC, TBS, TNT, USA, HGTV, Food Network, Hallmark, Hallmark Mysteries & Movies, and NatGeo.

A friend has a Roku stick - but she will spend an hour "looking for something" and I get so frustrated watching her, I know I don't want to do that. I want to click & GET SOMETHING. I have 2 FireSticks, but when I plug it in, I can't get any of the channels I want to see.

Any recommendations and detailed instructions would be appreciated!!

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

Do you want your local ABC, NBC and CBS stations, or just the national network feeds?

After a brief search it looks like both Youtube TV ($70/month) and Hulu+Live TV (also $70/month) carry ABC, CBS, NBC, TBS, TNT, USA, HGTV, Food Network, and NatGeo, but not any of the Hallmark channels.

Both carry local ABC, NBS and CBS stations in many areas, but you'll have to check to see if the local stations in your area are carried as opposed to just the network feeds.

Frndly TV ($5 or $6/month) carries all 3 Hallmark channels.

For what it's worth, our family has Youtube TV and Frndly TV.

Most likely there are additional options out there.

BeachLady Loc: Surfside Beach, SC

I don't really care about local...

So with YouTube TV, how do you "get it" ? a box? a stick?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

How to use your Fire Stick: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+use+firestick

Once you pay for a streaming service such as YouTube Tv, you can watch via your computer. But, if you want to use your non-smart-tv, that's where a device is needed. Per a Google search, YouTube TV is available on Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick 4K, as well as several other Amazon Fire devices.

YouTube TV uses a channel line-up and guide, just like you're used to with cable. You can do searches for your favorite shows and set up the free recording options.

As already mentioned, YouTube TV currently costs about $70/month so you won't be saving a lot vs. cable tv.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Why watch the hallmark channel? All the stupid love stories are the same story. Girl finds boy. Maybe finds someone else. Reunite at the end. Ends with a kiss. Or maybe Girl finds prince. Family against girl. Prince marrys girl. Ends with a kiss. ENDS WITH A KISS. There I just spoiled every ending. EVERY single one ends with a KISS. Thats not how life is. Not every story ends with a KISS, except on hallmark channel

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

First of all, if you are within 40 miles of TV transmitters, you can always get ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, FOX, and their sub-networks over the air. All you need for that is a TV with an ATSC tuner (all TVs made since 2009 should have them), and a simple over-the-air antenna. Subnetworks vary in different markets. Here in the Piedmont Triad (Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem, NC), we get about 30 channels this way. PBS-NC has four channels, and each of the other networks and independents has at least two, sometimes 3-4.

Watch the Antenna Man videos on YouTube for details on how to configure over-the-air reception. Subscribe to his channel and you'll see all his past videos on "cord cutting."

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySjheRcVJ21B3Jo3HcWMTQ

Most Internet services like Firestick, Roku, Apple TV, and smart TV's built-in services can access dozens and dozens of different networks. A Smart TV is basically an Internet-connected computer with a multi-input monitor and TV tuner. So you can connect a VCR/DVD unit, a Cable Box, an Apple TV, various USB sticks with your still photos and videos, and just switch among them by changing the input.

On our 2014 Smart TV, we get YouTube, Netflix, HBO, BritBox, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and a LONG list of other services. Some are pay, some are free, some can be pay or free depending upon whether you like commercials. Some of the traditional Cable TV channels are available on there, but you may need several devices to get all the ones you want.

A few years ago, we discovered how many great shows there are on PBS and the PBS-NC channels. We almost never watch anything else now, so I'm about ready to kill cable. We get Netflix, Prime, and YouTube, so movies and serials are just a switch flick and a button push away. Of course, YouTube has millions of videos, some of which are highly subject specific, while others are general entertainment.

Just remember that you can learn to do nearly anything in life if you Read The *Fine* Manual. Deciphering a Smart TV isn't hard... It just requires patience.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

One of my employees back in Charlotte used to be addicted to Hallmark. I asked her why she liked it so much. She said, "It's like a three martini lunch. It takes me away to a place I'd like to be, if only until I have to turn it off and vacuum up cat litter." (She had six cats.) She knew it was formulaic escapist drivel. That was WHY she watched it. No thought required, other than, "I could be her..."

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Adding to burkephoto's mention of over-the-air, I bought an antenna that looks like an oversized mouse pad. It sticks to your wall (or window) indoors. I get all my local channels just fine. Here are some choices:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tv+antenna&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

By "local" I mean NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox and PBS + the little guys (including CW) that have appeared in the digital age - which is why I also get 30

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

To clarify, YouTube with all its free content is a separate entity from YouTube TV, which is a paid subscription service. The Fire Stick should show the individual apps.

This one you pay for:

BeachLady Loc: Surfside Beach, SC

Thanks, Linda - so you have to record your shows, not just the "On Demand" like I have now on cable?

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

1. Monk.
2. As an antidote to politics and mainstream media. Who knew there were positive and patriotic stories still being broadcast?

BeachLady Loc: Surfside Beach, SC

Gee, thanks. I'm so glad you don't need a happy ending. As a suicide survivor-- I DO!!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

No, you can also watch "live" and during the same hours as seen on cable (such as your HGTV and NatGeo channels).

BeachLady Loc: Surfside Beach, SC

David, you are so right!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Correct. I watch the free one, since we pay for cable right now. We watch very few of the cable channels, with the exception of an occasional C-SPAN coverage or a soccer/futbol match on one of the sports channels.