Have you found the key to success in choosing TV/Internet access?

This is crazy. The only bill higher than my cable every month is my rent!

I admit … I’m a late-adopter … haven’t kept up on all the options …. Just dipping into them makes my head spin & my blood pressure rise.

I just want to be able to afford to click a button and watch the stations I want to watch, and have enough speed on my computer to do what I want/need to do.

Internet speed? I’m not even aware of what I have now. Does this affect streaming, or vice versa?

If I switch to a streaming option, does that slow everything down? It seems many people are having trouble with their wi-fi going in an out, becoming unreliable, lately. Is this because everyone is increasing their use of streaming options?

I don’t require a lot. I’ve never paid for HBO, STARZ, Disney+ or any pay stations, so I wouldn’t miss them. I do have Prime and access to Netflix, so I’m pretty okay movie-wise. But I MUST have access to MSNBC on my TV, not just my computer, and have a DVR.

 What have you considered? What did you choose? How happy are you with your decision, and with the service you’re getting for what you pay? (I’m amazed at how Comcast’s customer service has gone from good to horrific in about a year)  What do you recommend?.

Right now, there’s a V*s*b*l (never heard of them) commercial on, offering “high speed Internet”, unlimited data, for $55/mo., plus a pyramid scheme that gives you $5 off a month for every new customer you bring in. Does that even include TV????? (I’m clueless!)

My head hurts! It’s so complicated! Help, please!

The cheapest option is likely a digital antenna for local channels, a mid-tier ($40 or so?) internet plan, and SlingTV ($35) for cable channels. 

I’ve never heard of Visible, seems to be a wireless company. 

If you don't have a smart TV, do you need something like a Roku device to use Sling?

You could also get a lot of high quality free movies through Kanopy via your library card if you want to skip or go light on the various commercial streaming movie services.   

bub said:

You could also get a lot of high quality free movies through Kanopy via your library card if you want to skip or go light on the various commercial streaming movie services.   

 from the OP:

But I MUST have access to MSNBC on my TV, not just my computer, and have a DVR.

drummerboy said:

If you don't have a smart TV, do you need something like a Roku device to use Sling?

 Yes

Thanks. The ROKU needs a USB port on the TV, right?

so, if the OP can find an alternative, cheap internet service (not always easy to find), she can get Sling Blue (has MSNBC) for $35/month and and a Roku for like 25 bucks (one time cost). And maybe a digital antenna if she wants local channels. 

That should cover it. I think.

I have a FiOS bundle.  The trick for me is to keep it relatively simple.  Every two years they offered me a little more for a little more, and I kept threatening to disconnect, and finally they noted my record as a permanent deal.  We have added other paid  services like netflix, but that's a choice, not required.

drummerboy said:

Thanks. The ROKU needs a USB port on the TV, right?

so, if the OP can find an alternative, cheap internet service (not always easy to find), she can get Sling Blue (has MSNBC) for $35/month and and a Roku for like 25 bucks (one time cost). And maybe a digital antenna if she wants local channels. 

That should cover it. I think.

You need an HDMI port (for most Roku units) and a USB port. You could just plug it into any old USB charger block, but our TV has a USB port that we plug our Roku into.  

mrincredible said:need an HDMI port (for most Roku units) and a USB port. You could just plug it into any old USB charger block, but our TV has a USB port that we plug our Roku into.  

 I was warned against doing that because if that USB port powers down while the Roku is updating it can kill it.  But that was two years ago, so maybe no biggie now.

I didn't miss the emphasis on MSNBC.   There was also an emphasis on overall content cost.  Was just pointing out that you can get a whole lot of quality entertainment stuff for free, which figures into your budget for a streaming TV package that includes MSNBC. 

I don't have this, because I don't care about cable channels, but Youtube TV is $65 a month, has a DVR service and includes MSNBC. However, it's cutting ties with Roku, so you'll need a Chromecast instead.

We pay 56.99 for Fubo and it has MSNBC

bub said:

We pay 56.99 for Fubo and it has MSNBC

 Does it have a DVR?

You can record up to 30 hours at that price.  So says my wife.   Except for some sports, I too am disinterested in the channel line up and stick mostly to the streaming services. I never record anything.  

bub said:

You could also get a lot of high quality free movies through Kanopy via your library card if you want to skip or go light on the various commercial streaming movie services.   

 B-b-b-ut ... Gotta have MSNBC so I can watch the end of the world as we know it to its conclusion......I do love Kanopy movies tho -- they have such an interesting collection.

ridski said:

I don't have this, because I don't care about cable channels, but Youtube TV is $65 a month, has a DVR service and includes MSNBC. However, it's cutting ties with Roku, so you'll need a Chromecast instead.

 What's a Chromecast?  Who's cutting ties with Roku? 

Prime pays for itself through the free shipping

I have a Roku (thank you, daughter), but I don't use it much, mostly because of the plugging in, unplugging involved -- and I don't know much about what's really on it.  I'm fine on movies, bc of the Prime and the Netflix, (though I have to wait for episodes from Pay Cable series (Outlander, Handmaid's Tale, etc.) to come over to one of those channels  when they become available.  That's a bummer.

I'll have to look into YouTube TV, I guess.  That's a great price -- less than half what I pay now.  Great if it's got MSNBC, but who knows what I may lose access to without an Internet/cable bundle?  Do I have to buy any more stuff to be able to watch what I may lose?

Jeez, I used to be able to turn a knob  As a kid, we got ONE CHANNEL at our summerhouse, and we survived.  But .... beach......

ridski said:

I don't have this, because I don't care about cable channels, but Youtube TV is $65 a month, has a DVR service and includes MSNBC. However, it's cutting ties with Roku, so you'll need a Chromecast instead.

 Can I get YES Network on Youtube TV?  Didn't see it when I took a quick look through channels.

YANKEES BASEBALL is another requirement.  I know games can be on several other channels, but depending on the day's matchup, thee are just too many games on YES to miss out on them.

never mind

drummerboy said:

never mind

 ?????

your need for Yankees baseball made my post moot

Juniemoon said:

 ?????

Sorry, I thought I was more clear.

YouTube TV is cutting ties with Roku. Which means if you don't already have YouTube TV on your Roku, you won't be able to get it on there. 

YES Network is only available through AT&T TV, according to this article: https://www.whattowatch.com/news/what-streaming-services-have-yes-network 

But if I go to the AT&T TV page, I can't find YES Network anywhere. Or MSNBC.

If YES Network is a deal breaker for you, you're better off keeping your cable. That's where it lives.

Chromecast is another streaming dongle like the Roku, that plugs into your TV.

If you have Prime, there are 21 Yankees games that will be available to watch through that service at no extra cost this season, but that's it. https://www.yesnetwork.com/yankees/news/new-york-yankees-amazon-yes-network-announce-21-games-will-stream-on-prime

Thanks, Ridski, for all the info and links.  Can't believe you found info on YES games on Prime.  Well done!.

You know, I remember when Cable TV was new.  We were told the "big lie" that, in return for having to PAY for TV, we would not be subjected to commercials!!!  Stations were being paid by US, not by advertisers.

Years later, I was working in Advertising in NYC,  On many of the projects I managed, the greatest portion of our Media budget would go into the Local Cable TV Buy.  We could buy markets selectively to better target our message to the audience and geographical segments we wanted to reach.  But now, the advertisers AND the customers both pay for cable.  

The commercial segments now seem to be a greater percentage of each show than in the past, too.  Stephen Colbert and Rachel Maddow are always rushing guests along to the next commercial break -- which then seems longer than in the past.

Cable companies are making money coming and going now!  And they all just keep finding ways to make us pay more and more money!.

I thought there might be a better way to get what I want along with what I pay for.  Oh well....