IthacaMatt
Old Timer / Unofficial Contributor for 25+ years
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- Aug 26, 2011
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As I look at the bookmarks on my computer, I see that I subscribe to pretty much every streaming service. I wanted to look into cutting the cord, and now I pay for an additional $50 in services per month! As you know, they are of varying signal quality, depending on server and cloud support.
I have 400/400 Internet, with Verizon FiOS fiber to my home. We have only 3 users. Measured in terms of interruptions of broadcasts, loss of signal, screen freezes, etc., as well as content offerings, here is my current opinion of the relative quality of these streaming services:
1. Netflix (by a mile) - I seldom have problems with the streaming of their programs, and they have the greatest selection
2. Peacock (NBC) - seldom have issues, although once in a while there can be a problem accessing a completed game on replay. This channel would most appeal to cord-cutters because so much of the content is past and present NBC TV series and news shows.
3. Disney Plus family of channels. (Marvel, National Geographic, Star Wars). Good consistent viewing. Disney could make the integration of the other services, including Hulu, easier, though.
4. Hulu - Not as much content as some of the other services, but some quality original programming. Too many commercials. Few streaming interrruptions. There's not enough good content for me to pay extra to get rid of the commercials. Rick & Morty was the big draw here, but we don't watch this too much compared to other services. Hulu also has a lot of network programming, so that's very appealing to those sans-cord.
5. Amazon Prime - Plays fairly well, but most of the content is now premium, or quasi-extra-subscription based. So this has become kind of a last resort channel for us. Amazon has all the Cloud juice in the world, and their shows broadcast well. Just too much fiddling around so that things that were free to watch the first time now cost you $3 to watch with your friend or with family. Doesn't Bezos have enough money already?
6. HBO Max - Very good content, historically great shows. But you notice that they haven't had quite the same success during the last decade. Very good signal, but a rather stale selection of programming.
7. Watch ESPN and ESPN Plus are of varying quality. ESPN domestic programming is very good; European football coverage is OK, but not great. I have been having persistent problems with ESPN Plus, and have to think that they are going to rebrand and combine these services, as soon as some programming contracts come up for renewal. This is confusing, and hard to work with. Is my game on this channel or that one? Because they don't have the same content. Their billing is also shtt. I was double-charged by them two different times for several months before I realized.
8. Paramount / CBS / Smithsonian - CBS Sports broadcast of Champions League is weak. The hosting crew has the worst host, but these games are going into freeze mode every few minutes. I'm sure that CBS's domestic programming is probably better supported. Smithsonian is really good quality. I love all those drone shows on Smithsonian "Aerial [blank]" where you see flyovers of all these places while you learn interesting bits of history, local culture, flora and fauna.
9. Apple Plus TV - very little in terms of programming content, and the signal stalls all the freaking time. Very weak offering so far. Ted Lasso, which is so G rated that it almost hurts in its earnest, good hearted sincerity, and ... pretty much nothing else. Seriously. There is not much here worth your time.
Your thoughts?
I have 400/400 Internet, with Verizon FiOS fiber to my home. We have only 3 users. Measured in terms of interruptions of broadcasts, loss of signal, screen freezes, etc., as well as content offerings, here is my current opinion of the relative quality of these streaming services:
1. Netflix (by a mile) - I seldom have problems with the streaming of their programs, and they have the greatest selection
2. Peacock (NBC) - seldom have issues, although once in a while there can be a problem accessing a completed game on replay. This channel would most appeal to cord-cutters because so much of the content is past and present NBC TV series and news shows.
3. Disney Plus family of channels. (Marvel, National Geographic, Star Wars). Good consistent viewing. Disney could make the integration of the other services, including Hulu, easier, though.
4. Hulu - Not as much content as some of the other services, but some quality original programming. Too many commercials. Few streaming interrruptions. There's not enough good content for me to pay extra to get rid of the commercials. Rick & Morty was the big draw here, but we don't watch this too much compared to other services. Hulu also has a lot of network programming, so that's very appealing to those sans-cord.
5. Amazon Prime - Plays fairly well, but most of the content is now premium, or quasi-extra-subscription based. So this has become kind of a last resort channel for us. Amazon has all the Cloud juice in the world, and their shows broadcast well. Just too much fiddling around so that things that were free to watch the first time now cost you $3 to watch with your friend or with family. Doesn't Bezos have enough money already?
6. HBO Max - Very good content, historically great shows. But you notice that they haven't had quite the same success during the last decade. Very good signal, but a rather stale selection of programming.
7. Watch ESPN and ESPN Plus are of varying quality. ESPN domestic programming is very good; European football coverage is OK, but not great. I have been having persistent problems with ESPN Plus, and have to think that they are going to rebrand and combine these services, as soon as some programming contracts come up for renewal. This is confusing, and hard to work with. Is my game on this channel or that one? Because they don't have the same content. Their billing is also shtt. I was double-charged by them two different times for several months before I realized.
8. Paramount / CBS / Smithsonian - CBS Sports broadcast of Champions League is weak. The hosting crew has the worst host, but these games are going into freeze mode every few minutes. I'm sure that CBS's domestic programming is probably better supported. Smithsonian is really good quality. I love all those drone shows on Smithsonian "Aerial [blank]" where you see flyovers of all these places while you learn interesting bits of history, local culture, flora and fauna.
9. Apple Plus TV - very little in terms of programming content, and the signal stalls all the freaking time. Very weak offering so far. Ted Lasso, which is so G rated that it almost hurts in its earnest, good hearted sincerity, and ... pretty much nothing else. Seriously. There is not much here worth your time.
Your thoughts?
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