To celebrate the launch of Charlemont’s municipal fiber network, Broadband Committee member, Mary Ellen Banks, provides updated guidance on selecting a streaming service in this installment of her occasional series on the topic.
Now that high-speed Internet is becoming available in Charlemont, you will be able to watch TV and Digital programming using a streaming interface device (e.g., AMAZON FIRE, ROKU, APPLE TV, or Google CHROMCAST). Many newer TVs are Smart TVs that include internet capabilities. There are several brands that market TVs with Amazon Fire or ROKU built-in. The streaming devices cost on average about $30.00 for low end to over $100 for more sophisticated devices. They are often on sale at Amazon and Best Buy.
Streaming services are more flexible and allow you to a greater extent to customize your digital TV offerings to your viewing habits, most often at a lower cost than the traditional cable-type packages. For those who have satellite TV, you won’t lose reception in bad weather. Additionally, many standalone products such as Netflix and Amazon Prime now carry many of the highly-rated TV shows and series that aren’t available on traditional TV/cable networks.
Digital content that is available via the internet is growing by leaps and bounds. In addition to the streaming services such as Sling or Hulu that provide programming like the familiar cable packages, in the last year, several “branded” products have been introduced and more are in the pipeline. Examples of these products include DISNEY+. NBC/Universal’s PEACOCK and Paramount (formerly CBS All Access). These apps provide not only current programming but extensive libraries of past programs, and in addition, will offer special events and live broadcasts. Others, such as PBS and ABC have apps with more limited content, mainly current series and past programming, which can be downloaded onto your streaming device.
Many computer-related and consumer magazines, media-related websites, and newsletters, such as PC Magazine, CNET, Tom’s Guide, and Cord Cutters Weekly, publish reviews and Industry related news. These articles are extremely helpful and informative. This industry is evolving so fast that it is recommended that you always check the product’s website for the latest information before deciding to subscribe/buy. Many of the streaming services offer a free trial period. Simply Google “streaming services” or streaming service reviews” to view the latest information in your web browser.
LOCAL CHANNELS
One question that often pops up is the availability of local network channels. Due to the geography of this area, only a very few can take advantage of digital antennas to receive TV signals. If you are one of the lucky few who can receive a digital TV signal via an antenna, most of the streaming devices allow you to integrate that signal with their device so it appears seamless when you watch TV.
Most streaming services provide local content. What is available locally is determined by market area. Charlemont is located at the intersection of two television markets with the 01339 zip code designated as being in the Albany NY area and the 01370 and 01367 zip codes designated as being in the Springfield MA area. Some of the services allow you to pick what market you want for your package. The others predetermine it. To find out the latest information, please check each product’s website.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
The cost of streaming apps is separate from your internet service. What you spend depends on what you choose to watch and subscribe to. Most apps can be downloaded from the major app stores or from the app libraries on your streaming device. You can design a package for your viewing that ranges from about $35.00 on the low side to one that exceeds $100.00. Packages with live TV average $65.00/month. It all depends on what YOU want to watch. The advantage of streaming over traditional cable packages is that you control the content you purchase. Most packages are on a subscription basis that you can cancel at any time without penalty. (No more contracts!). You also save the rental fees you have been paying for the boxes necessary to receive programming from Cable or Satellite services. Many of the apps can be downloaded for use on other devices such as computers, tablets and even your phone, so you can access your programming wherever you are.
You can subscribe to the lighter versions of the general apps such as SLING or ROUKU (averaging 30-to 50 channels) for around $30.00/month. Service like Sling, Hulu, and YouTube TV allow add-ons at an additional cost. These include programming packages such as HBO and Showtime, and many of the sports networks such as ESPN and MLB.
Most of the “branded” versions are average $5.99 to $25.00/month. These apps are owned by large media companies. If you are into home improvement, love decorating shows and reality TV, then DISCOVERY+ is for you. If you have children, then DISNEY+ is a must. Many offer tiers of service. As an example, Peacock+ (NBC) provides a free ad-supported tier with less content, a medium-priced tier with ads and more content ($6.99/month), and an ad-free version ($9.99/month).
There are ways to save money. You can often bundle packages. For example, Disney owns Disney+, Hulu and ESPN. They allow you to bundle these into a package at $13.99/month with ads, $19.99 without ads. If you add live TV, the bundle with Hulu + Live TV (65 channels including locals), ESPN and Disney+ is $72.99/month.
Now for the best news – there are still multiple apps where the streaming content is free. The only disadvantage is that most are ad-supported. Many of these apps include not only TV (some live programs) but movies too. Many have original programming. Some of the better-known free apps include PlutoTV, The Roku Channel, IMDb TV, and YouTube.
NEED HELP DECIDING:
Digital Streaming is an extremely competitive and rapidly changing field. The product’s website is the best place to get the most current information and pricing for a particular app. As we mentioned before, there are Streaming Reviews published almost every week. Googling the topic is the best way to find the latest information. There are newsletters (e.g., Cord Cutter’s Weekly) and tech sites (e.g., Tom’s Guides) that you can subscribe to that are helpful. The website mybundle.tv is a useful tool that helps you decide what apps best suit your viewing habits. Go to mybundle.tv/start to enter your location, favorite shows, etc and they will generate a list of the streaming services that will provide the content you are looking for.
Featured Image: “365:32 – Television” by .reid. is licensed under CC BY 2.0