1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Cable alternatives in HOU?

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by awc713, Sep 26, 2016.

  1. awc713

    awc713 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2012
    Messages:
    6,479
    Likes Received:
    6,162
    Hey guys,

    Quick question, would love any input:

    Does anyone know of a good alternative to Cable in Houston? We use it for 1) internet, and 2) to watch sports. Our AT&T bill is $140/month, which is (absurdly) the 2nd cheapest option, and the cheapest option that offers sports.

    Does anyone use cheaper alternatives?

    The best alternative I've seen thus far is Playstation Vue and a VPN, and outsource the internet to another provider. Does anyone use VPNs in Houston and have any complaints or thoughts? I've never heard or used it, but it sounds like a solid money saver.

    Sidenote/ fun fact: I saw on Reddit that cable bills have skyrocketed 40% in the past five years.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 awc713, Sep 26, 2016
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2016
  2. joesr

    joesr Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2008
    Messages:
    6,772
    Likes Received:
    115
    We started with the cable cutting a few years ago, you know, just going with internet and all the apps. I missed a lot of games tho. Games we did see were in the stadium or Fuddruckers. Not a fan of the websites so i didnt rely on that.

    I dont know how but Comcast offered a deal to get back in which roughly cost the same that included the sports package so we just recently went back.

    I have heard Sling will get access to RSN, havent seen it come true tho....
     
  3. SwoLy-D

    SwoLy-D Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2001
    Messages:
    37,618
    Likes Received:
    1,456
    Many of the alternatives depend on where you live, or how far you are from their central office for service. At my current residence, for example, AT&T U-Verse can't do higher than 19mbps, and my only other alternative is Xfinity/Comcrap.

    You're almost going to have to get something like over satellite or a solution like WAN Wi-Fi. :cool:
     
  4. vstexas09

    vstexas09 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2007
    Messages:
    10,166
    Likes Received:
    540
    I feel extremely fortunate with Comcast..

    Recently got Triple Play Package (voice, internet, cable) for $105

    internet at 100 mbps
    voice - 300 min international calling
    tv - 140 channels in hd
    for 2 years..

    i don't think it's a bad deal at all..
     
    SwoLy-D likes this.
  5. DieHard Rocket

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2000
    Messages:
    9,413
    Likes Received:
    1,161
    If Sling could get Root sports, even if not on the standard package, my cable cutting would be a 100% success. They already have FSN regionally and are adding more every time I turn around.
     
  6. Warning-Sign

    Warning-Sign Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2009
    Messages:
    1,197
    Likes Received:
    97
    Reborn4HDLive

    $100 for the whole basketball season
     
  7. J Sizzle

    J Sizzle Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    Messages:
    43,848
    Likes Received:
    30,173
    The second I see a streaming service that allows me to watch the Rockets and Astros, I'm cutting the cord. Hopefully that happens soon, but it doesn't sound like it.
     
  8. Haymitch

    Haymitch Custom Title

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2005
    Messages:
    28,371
    Likes Received:
    24,021
    That is a good deal. I just got the same thing for the same price, but no phone plan. However I did get HBO & Showtime for free. And I believe my internet speed is actually 75 mbps but when I test it I get closer to 100 mbps.
     
    SwoLy-D likes this.
  9. moestavern19

    moestavern19 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 1999
    Messages:
    39,003
    Likes Received:
    3,641
    Apparently AT&T going to start doing tiered / streaming packages for DirecTV starting early next year.

    Dish Network has already announced tiered packages.

    Big Cable/Internet is starting to **** their pants by what cord-cutting is doing to the media experience. I was ready to make the switch to Playstation Vue, but ATT agreed to cut my bill down. I was paying $220 a month for the 450 package plus their fastest internet which is still only 45mbps. I had figured that I could have switched to Playstation Vue with Comcast Blast Internet and cut my bill down to roughly $125/mo including Netflix and Plex which I pay $10.99 and $4.99 a month for.

    One thing you cord cutters need to be aware of is data capping is real and you will get charged for it. Comcast's cap is set at 1TB/mo, and AT&T was 600GB/mo, but I believe they recently upped it to match Comcast. If you're streaming on a daily basis, your data usage could easily get up to 20-30GB a day. Of course both companies waive the fee if you have TV service through them.
     
  10. LonghornFan

    LonghornFan Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2002
    Messages:
    15,718
    Likes Received:
    2,628
    I thought Xfinity was only trying the 1TB max out in selected markets? I just switched from Uverse and Xfinity makes Uverse seem like 1990's. Outdated equipment, SO many freaking wires due to DSL and telephone lines, horrible on Demand and internet speeds, huge boxes that need to be replaced 2-3 times a year, loss of signals, etc. Xfinity's on Demand blows away Uverse as does the picture quality and all hardware, and of course their internet is FAR superior. LOVE being able to just say ESPN HD to my remote and it goes straight to the channel so I can hide the boxes anywhere without the eye soar. I can also keep the TV on all day to keep my dog sane, Uverse always turned off the signal after 2-3 hours.
     
  11. Snow Villiers

    Snow Villiers Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2015
    Messages:
    18,356
    Likes Received:
    18,758
    I went back to Comcast. At least now it feels like they are making an effort.
     
  12. awc713

    awc713 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2012
    Messages:
    6,479
    Likes Received:
    6,162
    Has anyone had any luck with VPN's and Root Sports? Or VPNs in general? That seems like a good solution. Thanks all for the responses!
     
  13. body slam

    body slam Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2012
    Messages:
    2,992
    Likes Received:
    1,113
    Get a antenna or rabbit ears. If you live anywhere close to a major city you would be amazed with all you can get for free. If you live in the city just plug in to you coax cable and rescan your channels.
     

Share This Page