Want to drop the cable company but want access to local news

[harleypower69]

Like many of you I have reached the point of wanting to dump the cable company and use an ass-on device for viewing movies and such. But I have questions so please help if you have knowledge to share.

1. Which add-on device ex. HULU, Amazon or other do you use and why did you choose it and are you happy?
2. Do any of them offer access to local Phoenix news and weather?
3. If not what technology can I use for local information other than my computer or phone?

Thanks.

I will cross post this on the other site as well.

 

[XJThrottle]

I was under the impression that most newer TVs have the digital antenna built in. You should be able to want them by selecting that as the "input".

 

[QuietM4]

Amazon Fire Stick, Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku...they all allow you to access what you want (Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc). I use a Fire Stick regularly since I travel for work a lot...easy to use and setup. For local news, get an HD TV antennae...they work great. At home, I have a computer hooked up to my TV, so I basically have a 60" 4K HDTV as a computer monitor.

You could try Sling...but then you are basically back to having cable...but it streams over internet instead of a cable connection.

 

[Seif]

We just use an antenna that sits on a speaker next to the TV. Gets all the local channels in HD.

 

[QuietM4]

I was under the impression that most newer TVs have the digital antenna built in. You should be able to want them by selecting that as the "input".

A lot of new "TV's" aren't actually televisions...they are 'display' monitors. Since every cable company gives you a cable box now to hook up via HDMI, there is no need for a new TV to have any tuner built in....they are really just large computer monitors. Include built in Roku, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc, and there isn't a need for a tuner...just plug it into the internet or wifi.

 

[EarlCordova]

We have been using a regular TV and antennae for 9 years in Phoenix.
I think you would be surprised how many free TV channels that are on the air.
And just like when we had cable TV we only watch a fraction of them, but have learned to like the cost savings.

ETA: All of the local news stations are available on free TV.

 

[harleypower69]

Awesome, thanks for your help with this. Going to dump Century DINK ASAP

 

[QuietM4]

Awesome, thanks for your help with this. Going to dump Century DINK ASAP

You really won't miss cable TV....the only thing I find myself missing is sports, but you can subscribe to streaming packages easily. I haven't had cable for close to 15 years now, and I haven't missed it once. Spend the money you save on a faster internet connection.

 

[What]

We have been using a regular TV and antennae for 9 years in Phoenix.
I think you would be surprised how many free TV channels that are on the air.
And just like when we had cable TV we only watch a fraction of them, but have learned to like the cost savings.

ETA: All of the local news stations are available on free TV.

This, times ten fold. There's device ($150+) that can record the show even via antenna. Though VHS is easier, fool proof, but obviously not 480+ quality rating.

Any form of streaming via Internet will have issue, 95% is done with basic troubleshooting. Though it's the new thing everyone likes.

Sling, Hulu, Att now, youtube has Live TV(local and more channels ) streaming. All has different layout and channel availability. I recommend trying free trial(each company) and ensuring all your device are up to date, 8.0 mbps or faster. Also power cycle modem, tv,and external device(Roku, Fire stick, Apple TV etc)

Also try contact support (chat and call, even just to see when to cancel before being charged or any questions whatsoever) during free trial to see how you like it. If reachable during minor issue, you'll be able like the support. If they're not available, it'll be next to impossible during the major down issue.

Times are changing but I like the antenna and vhs. Stupid easy and does the job.

Streaming are done via Internet and cloud now though. Same issue apply. If Internet, streaming service, or tv station are down. You won't able view anything, or it records nothing/as is.

 

[338lapua]

Only thing I miss from cable is South Park and Walking dead. I can buy both as soon as they come out and save about $1200 a year on the Cox suckers. First week or two sucked but after that I was over it. Doubt I will ever have cable again. Had Netflix for a while but the day they announced SusancuntRice and Obama were now on the board I told them to get f***ed.

I also cut off Cox sucking internet too. Now I just connect through my cell phone and have unlimited for less than $40 a month. f*** all of them, done with all of them. I have added about 300 dvd's to the collection since then. If I want local which is rare I just use the flat antenna thing on the wall but local channels cut in and out.

 

[superduty38]

I have not had cable for years and never missed it. I use an outside antenna for all local channels (I am in Kingman) plus it gets about 30 more and I have a TiVo box that lets me record all the channels off of my antenna. The TiVo box has apps for Netflix, Amazon Prime and a bunch of others. I did have to add a Roku stick to get the NFL app and Roku has hundreds of free shows and movies on it too.
I bought the TiVo box on one of there sales and got the life time subscription along with it. That is a bit of money to put up front but buy once cry once. I pay my $45 a month internet bill and that is all my costs for watching TV and having the internet.
If you have a good internet connection you do not need to pay for cable to find something to watch.

 

[Doc]

Built my own antenna and it get a lot of local channels and HD at that!

DIY Link: https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/tv/how-to/a6608/build-your-own-digital-tv-antenna/

Prob the only part you will need to purchase:
RCA Matching Transformer -VH54R https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005T3EY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_NwkxhwEWgTXlH

 

[Harrier]

Dropped the cable over 10-12 years ago. Watch movies/serials every night on netflix or prime, also watch youtube. Just plug into the network router. Use inet for weather and news. use the network storage for music etc. It's a digital life baby...

 

[Flash]

It's interesting the OP wants to access local news as I just realized I hadn't watched a news channel since the morning when Trump got elected.

Even then I didn't watch local news, I watched CNN and a couple of others.

To each his own.

 

[Elk34]

I'm happy with my Direct TV.

 

[QuietM4]

I'm happy with my Direct TV.

Cool story. Good contribution to the topic.

 

[Boriqua]

Built my own antenna and it get a lot of local channels and HD at that!

DIY Link: https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/tv/how-to/a6608/build-your-own-digital-tv-antenna/

Prob the only part you will need to purchase:
RCA Matching Transformer -VH54R https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005T3EY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_NwkxhwEWgTXlH

I built that same one!! A handful of 12 wire and some screws and a hunk of 2x4 and I pulled in some 70 channels. It worked great and I had all the materials in my shed!

 

[Elk34]

I'm happy with my Direct TV.

Cool story. Good contribution to the topic.

Thank you I didn't think I needed to have a big drawn out lecture on why I was staying with direct TV

 

[xerts1191]

Netflix was offering a ton of stuff I loved to watch, then they decided to cater to the Obama cartel, couldn’t stomach the thought so I dumped them, pisses me off.

 

[samnev]

I'm happy with my Direct TV.

I was as well. Until they jacked up the price 75% from my original 2 year contract.