Streaming services versus Direct TV

[Oaktree]

Although there are two services, History Channel and local news, that I cannot get away from them.

Commercials don't really bother me, at least not enough to go to a premium pay service. They're minimal on many of the free streaming channels.
I do wish there was a way to get History, Discovery and a couple others without having to pay for one of those services like Sling or Philo...they're all too expensive for the amount we watch. Frndly is cheaper, but all you can get are the linear channels, but no access to on-demand content.
Local news can be watched using NewsON with a Roku, no interest in sports.

 

[Torvy]

We found that even subscribing to multiple services for what we watch the cost between streaming and DirecTV was significant. Plus there are many free services that carry many of the programs, of course you have commercials to contend with on those services.

We are using Starlink and even with some blockage of the sky we hardly, seldom, if ever have buffering watching shows at 4K. And as for recording... never need to do it since with streaming we can watch shows when WE WANT, not when the broadcaster says it it time to watch. This has been the hardest part of transitioning for my wife to understand/accept. All you have to remember is that if your show is broadcast on, say, Tuesday, you can watch it at anytime YOU WANT after 12:01 A.M. on Wednesday.

Commercials are a PIA on all services unless you pay an extra fee to not have them. I hate commercials so the extra fee is worth it to me. Although there are two services, History Channel and local news, that I cannot get away from them.

One thing that still chaps my backside. Even with subscriptions we get commercials.

I remember when cable was great. No commercials like with broadcast TV. Now almost everything has commercials.

 

[edgarrian]

I have had Direct TV for nearly 20 years. Been very satisfied in general but it has become very expensive in the last several years and the value is just not there any more.

I know a little about streaming services but need to get a lot smarter and knowledgeable on the mechanism of streaming services.
I looked at several and it seems as if there is no one size fits all and it is very difficult to actually see what is available on each platform. That is something that I just will have to muddle through I guess.

We have not actually watched anything real time for a long time. It is recorded and then watched later. Benefit - Fast forward through commercials and watch when you want to watch.

My questions are about the following.
1. I know that a lot of streaming services have older programs that you can choose the season and the episode that you want to watch. Pretty simple. No real need to record and watch because you can watch what you want when you want at any time. NO NEED TO RECORD

2. What about current programing? Is there any way to record streaming service programs like you can with a DVR. Set up to automatically record program XXX every time it airs.

3. Wife watches football but rarely in real time. Can that be recorded and watched an hour or two later?

4. Does a DVR exist or a software program that can be put on a computer that will record a streaming service everytime a specific program is broadcast.

5. Can local programming - News Weather etc be acquired from streaming services?

In our area there is no ability to get over the air signals so that is not viable. Heck we don't even have cell coverage at the house.

I am more than ready to ditch Direct TV but I can not seem to let go of losing the DVR and the ability that gives you to record a program for later watching.

I stopped using direct 10 years ago. It was expensive back then for what was offered

2,3,4) If you google search DVR for streaming services. it will give you some options. Maybe slightly expensive. I have apple tv. Its a lot less buggy than the fire stick as i have that in my bedroom. Firestick works fine but I get annoyed when its delayed in response or sometimes it seems lost. When i watch apple tv programing from apple. You can do whatever. No commercials. Neflix you have to pay a premium for no adds as do with pretty much all services now.

5) Paramount offers local news and all that. So if that its very important to you. You will need to subscribe to a streaming service that offers it. Keep in mind the ones that offer local news and weather sometimes dont have much to watch. You will need to research the offerings. I would suggest get a weather app on your phone and listening to independent media over MSM. Then you won't be on the hook for a streaming service you dont want

With streaming services adding more content and buying into sports programing. These fees will continue to rise. Youtube for example is expensive. Some people are paying for half dozen services. Be diligent in what you are looking for