In light of BWO's recent trouble and possible retirement (thanks again for all the great work you have done over the years) I am trying to figure out how is the best way to be able to watch all the games at home without cable. Right now it is looking like Sling TV is my best bet but I had a bad experience with them once before because even with 60 MB internet at the time their streaming was terrible. Anybody know of any other way to get ESPN and SEC Network?
Looking for a better way...
- Thread starter BlueCat43
- Start date
I use Hulu's cable package. Works great. Not sure if SECN is included though.
Edit: It's included.
Edit: It's included.
I've had Sling for a few years. When I had streaming problems, I'm pretty sure it was hardware related because it was on an OLD Roku and I almost never have issues with my newer Roku (and the only issue I have isn't a problem with streaming, but that once a month or so the thing will exit out of the sling app while I'm watching and go back to the home screen).
Looks like Hulu Live has ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and SECN.
Looks like Hulu Live has ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and SECN.
I use Sling TV (3 users can be logged on at once time)(I have Chrome-cast and a couple Roku Sticks. I like Roku but both work well.). (Have most all channels of ESPN and a host of others.) The issue IS CBS. CBS doesn't come in a package. You can however stream CBS directly for $5.00 a month. They even give you a free trial and then when you want to cancel they offer you another month free. If you do the Sling TV and also CBS you can see most if not all games via streaming. Speaking for myself, I have Verizon FIOS 300/300 fiber to the house $59.00, Sling TV with DVR $55.00, and CBS during UK basketball season $5.00...(Only the FIOS has a two year contract, the others you can cancel at any time.
I just get CBS with antenna. Bought one of those flat HD antennas for maybe $20 and get all the over the air channels.
I have Sling also, but the problem is you can't have more than one person logged into ESPN at one time. ESPN is part of the Orange package which only allows one user at a time. To have 3 users, you have to have the Orange and Blue package (which I have), but multiple users are only allowed on the channels in the Blue package.
I have them both too, along with a couple packages my daughter likes. It's only me that watches ESPN anyway. I do watch from my TV and laptop at the same time sometimes but haven't noticed restrictions. (I am an army of one when it comes to sports at my house. My daughter is a UK nut though.)
I was looking into that. How is the reception? (Like the old days?) That is the only thing that has kept me from buying one. (Not wanting the old snowy screen)
Snowy screen doesn't exist anymore. It's all digital so if there's a bad connection it gets glitchy which is really annoying if it happens but when it's coming through properly it's as clear as HD cable. You may need to look at how far you are from broadcast towers and get the right kind of antenna. I'm in Louisville so my cheap little antenna usually gets me good reception (though I had to place it in a room where the tree outside isn't between it and the towers). If you're farther away you could need a bigger antenna on the roof or in an attic.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but you only need to pay for the CBS primetime sitcom type stuff. I've been streaming every CBS football and basketball game for free with the CBS sports app (sent to TV via chromecast)
Yea, I was going to get CBS through an HD antenna. It's just the rest of the games
I may try Sling again. I would just need Orange plus sports for $25 a month and if it actually works it would be worth it. I have 100 MB cable now (fiber isn't offered where I am yet) so hopefully it would work well. Can you get it on a smart tv?
I have one smart TV. I watch everything I want using it. Just depends which room I am in at the time.
It seemed that way to me too. The CBS was the only drawback but I didn't see any service that had it. I did get CBS as a stand alone though and could watch all UK games. It was $5.00 a month. The five or so months I keep that, it is worth it to me. No contract for either which is cool too. (I started using Sling when they had a special offering a free Roku for signing up for three months. Not sure if they still have that. It was a deal maker for me at the time.)
It works best with a Roku TV or box. I use it on my Fire Stick and it cuts out occasionally. One thing to remember with Sling is you have an option for a DVR (which is extra), but you can't record games. ESPN and SEC network won't allow it, which really sucks.
5 bucks extra for a good amount of storage. Are you sure about the games? Seems I have one recorded. I will check.
I’ve used sling with sports package and an antenna, and haven’t missed a game. Only issue with sling is they have slowly raised some prices, but it’s still a great deal.
I haven’t used them, but have heard good things about Hulu live and YouTube tv.
I haven’t used them, but have heard good things about Hulu live and YouTube tv.
I have youtube tv w/roku, gets all local channels, nbc, abc, cbs, fox, tbs/tnt (which carry march mad. games), espn, espn 2, espnU, espn news, sec, acc, four fox sports, nbc sports, nba, mlb, b10, cbs sports, golf channel, olympic channel. pretty much covers everything,
I went from $253mo with spectrum to $50mo for youtubetv plus $71mo for spectrum 200mb internet.
Also unlimited dvr which keeps all recordings for nine months.
I went from $253mo with spectrum to $50mo for youtubetv plus $71mo for spectrum 200mb internet.
Also unlimited dvr which keeps all recordings for nine months.
I recorded the uk-toledo game saturday on the sec channel on youtubetv.
I have a FireTV so if it doesn't work well I will get a Roku. As far as the DVR, if it won't record those 2 channels it would be of no use for me.
How many users does it allow? Another way to save money with these streaming services is to share it with other households. With Sling I can have 3 users on at a time and we share it with our kids who live elsewhere. Of course the only time that is a problem is if they want to watch ESPN the same time I do.
I tried every streaming service available, over the past 5 years. I found that by the time I paid for them, and internet, I could get tv and internet through Comcast, for less. No service issues, no worries. I gave up and accepted that. I fought the good fight, but realized streaming services suck, and are expensive. And, you still have to buy internet access.
Amazing, I found it directly the opposite. To each his own. I spend 114.97 dollars a month now (Looked it up to make sure, taxes and all.) and have DVR with no boxes or equipment fees. The only thing I have to keep is the internet service. (I'd keep that anyway at $59.99 a month for 300/300 fiber to the house. (Could get gigabit fiber for $79.99 but no need as 300/300 is fine. Most equipment won't process at a gig anyway.) I own my own gigabit router and wireless. I get true 300/300 to all my computers and it is nice.) I get Sling for $54.98 that includes the blue and orange package along with the girlie package (Talk shows and soaps) my daughter wanted and all the ESPN channels.) to include DVR for all my TV's or computers (doesn't matter). When I had the Verizon Fios "bundle" I was at $179.00 and it was going up for the same amenities with less channels. (Plus I had to lock in for two years (again). Even had a phone in that bundle I never used or knew the number.)
Everyone's different in their desires. I had comcast (Many years ago) but they couldn't match Verizon, now Verizon cannot match streaming for my money. (I don't watch a lot of TV anyway but I do use the internet a bunch.) I mostly watch older movies (John's movies are frequently playing at my home...
) I was thinking about looking into Youtube TV as I hear that is good too but, not for now. Be GoodI guess it is also depending on the area you live.
I never took a chance previously due to the hassle. (Only had this type service for about 7 months now.) I am glad I did even if it is only to get more and save 60 or 70 bucks a month.
ive always had good luck with them. Not saying a stream won’t get shut down but they usually provide 10-15 links for every game.
This. Annoying sometimes, but free AF. I watched every single UK game last year on this.
Comcast of today is leagues better than it was, say, 4 years ago. It all depends on where you live, and the condition of the wiring, as well as for pricing. I almost never have an interruption of service. Internet speeds are great, almost every channel I could even think of, all for $125 a month. Internet alone would run me ~$85. But, it's all in what you like.Amazing, I found it directly the opposite. To each his own. I spend 114.97 dollars a month now (Looked it up to make sure, taxes and all.) and have DVR with no boxes or equipment fees. The only thing I have to keep is the internet service. (I'd keep that anyway at $59.99 a month for 300/300 fiber to the house. (Could get gigabit fiber for $79.99 but no need as 300/300 is fine. Most equipment won't process at a gig anyway.) I own my own gigabit router and wireless. I get true 300/300 to all my computers and it is nice.) I get Sling for $54.98 that includes the blue and orange package along with the girlie package (Talk shows and soaps) my daughter wanted and all the ESPN channels.) to include DVR for all my TV's or computers (doesn't matter). When I had the Verizon Fios "bundle" I was at $179.00 and it was going up for the same amenities with less channels. (Plus I had to lock in for two years (again). Even had a phone in that bundle I never used or knew the number.)
Everyone's different in their desires. I had comcast (Many years ago) but they couldn't match Verizon, now Verizon cannot match streaming for my money. (I don't watch a lot of TV anyway but I do use the internet a bunch.) I mostly watch older movies (John's movies are frequently playing at my home...
I guess it is also depending on the area you live.
I never took a chance previously due to the hassle. (Only had this type service for about 7 months now.) I am glad I did even if it is only to get more and save 60 or 70 bucks a month.
yup and usually can get an hd stream. Reddit is the way to go for ever sport.
I’m not sure I follow. I think if you’re like most people, you’re going to have the internet whether you’re streaming your tv or using satellite/cable. So the internet is a cost I’m incurring either way. But now paying about a third of the cost for AT&T Now as I was previously with Directv satellite service. Plus with no contracts I can switch from one streaming service provider to another at anytime if I choose to do so. I’ve found no reason so far to ever go back to having satellite or cable again.
Yep. NBA playoffs, MLB, NFL (i assume)... sort of amusing to watch the international or local feeds.
Let me try to explain it like this: I'd need internet, no matter what. In my area, Comcast has the only reliable internet. If I only purchased internet, it would cost me around $85. I can get internet and all of the TV channels for $125 a month with Comcast. So, YouTube TV is up to $55, add that to internet at $85, it's higher at $140 for YouTube TV and internet. For, in my opinion, worse TV content.
I gotcha. From my experience that base level cable package you’re referring to gets very little if the content I actually want. No SEC network, no golf channel, no ESPNU, etc... i actually get more content on ATT Now than I would in any basic level cable package.
My cable package isn't base, though. I get everything but Showtime.