https://www.pcmag.com/news/netflix-price-hike-standard-plan-now-14-premium-tier-increases-to-18?utm_source=email&utm_campaign=whatsnewnow&utm_medium=title

You know I have pretty much limited myself to streaming platforms. I have Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+/Hulu+ and that's it. I thought about adding CBS's streaming service but the only thing I would watch there would be the Star Trek stuff. The main reason I dont go ahead and pop for the 10 bucks for the commercial free CBS package is that you still get some commercials. I mean if I am paying for commercial free I really dont care why they are there just that they are there.

Maybe one day we can get the option to pick what channels you want to see and create your own bundle on cable and we can get away from these leaching services. I would still have Amazon simply because while its the service I stream most its also the one that I didn't get for streaming. On the plus side what I have saved this year in shipping charges has paid for my other streaming services haha.

Streaming you say ...I stream my ass off...

• YouTube TV (live broadcasts with a shit ton of channels and unlimited DVR for $64.99 a month)
  
• Youtube Premium (I don't like ads - $11.99 a month)
  
• HBO Max (through YouTube TV - 14.99 a month)
  
• Netflix ($15.99 a month for Ultra 4k with 4 simultaneous streams)
  
• Amazon Prime ($119 a year, but comes with all the other Prime benefits)
  
• Amazon Music Family (as a Prime member, $149 a year and shared with 4 other family members)
  
• Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu basic package combo ($12.99 a month) I am trying this for a month to see if I will like it or will use it
  
• Showtime (Pay $99 by the year) I've canceled the service but it will remain in service until Feb 2021
  
• CBS All-Access (Get the "first month free" special and $5.99 thereafter until Star Trek stops airing)
  

Edited November 2, 20205 yr by Gator

With the crap YouTube has been pulling lately I doubt I'll ever willingly give them money other than the occasional ad that gets around adblock.

I used the Disney+ Bundle last night to watch The Mandalorian first episode. ( Timothy Olyphant as the Marshal for the win! Have really liked this guy as an actor since the Hit Man Movies and Justified. Great actor.)

Did Amazon split the music service off of Prime? I know it was bundled with it at one time. I mean I have Spotify premium so I can download to my old iPhone(mp3 player) to carry out where I will be playing / practicing for backing tracks so I haven't used it in a while. Last time I used it was through my Fire box hooked into the surround in the family room for tunes when company was over.

I really dislike the fact that premium channels like HBO, Showtime, etc. have a, "Hey, pay even more for what you used to get!" option. I understand there has been a drastic drop in their normal subscribers just like the cable industry but when people are walking away from your service maybe its time to step back and evaluate why. I dunno it just seems like prudent business practices. If I were to find myself in charge of Spectrum, HBO, DICE etc. one of the first things I would do is to reach out to the people making the choice to support my business or not and ask What are we doing so wrong that you do not want to be our customer any longer. I know personally that if one day out of the blue the President/CEO of DICE/EA were to call me and ask why I left BF after being on the testing team and the CTE game changers teams you can bet I would take notice. He would need to schedule the meeting for a few hours another day because, damn would he get an ear full.

I dont know it seems like a lot of these media companies are looking for other revenue streams instead of fixing what's really broken to start. I dont even want to get started on cable companies right now hahaha.

Did Amazon split the music service off of Prime?

Yes, they still offer a decent set of "Free" music with Prime, but to get all the 2 million-plus+ (every song made from the beginning of time) they offer a premium subscription. I stopped buying music a long time ago. I even have an "echo auto", so I listen to music in my car as well as every room in the house too include the kitchen.

I really dislike the fact that premium channels like HBO, Showtime, etc.

HBO still charges the same for HBO Max as the current pricing, but they are just simply adding additional content to HBO programming in hopes of attracting some of the Netflix crowd.

 

I enjoy streaming services for a number of reasons:

• The picture quality is awesome, especially if you have a 4k TV. Razor-sharp.
  
• I can watch TV anywhere using my iPhone, iPad, computer monitor(s), and TVs. *
  
• The price is lower than what we were paying previously.
  
• YouTube TV offers Unlimited DVR service and keeps the recordings for 9 months.
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* I actually have a second monitor at my desk and sometimes watch TV on it. Very cool