ESPN online streaming package

[TheMoody1]

This could be good for sports fans that want to cut the cord.

http://www.si.com/more-sports/2015/01/0 ... lars-month

[Yosef]

I saw this too - perfect compliment to Hulu and an antenna and looking forward to signing up!

[appdaze]

I agree, I've been watching this develop as well and if they pull this off right it could be a gold mine for them. I am perfectly content paying 40-60 for internet then just adding on another 20-30 for specific packages of channels rather than the broad overpriced deals of the tv companies. Being able to watch my TV channels on a tablet is going to be fantastic as well. I haven't had cable tv for 3 years because of the prices but this will bring me back.

[AtlAppMan]

If you are paying $60 for internet and $30 for channels you might as well get a cable bundle. In ATL Comcast is running $89/$99 bundle (internet/tv/phone) deals for multiple year contracts all the time. The cut the cord approach is not as attractive as some advertise if you really want to have a variety of channels and content to watch. You do a lot of a la carte but once you add it up you are still approaching bundle pricing.

[AppDawg]

I am going to wait and see if any if the internet providers are going to figure out how to block these channels from streaming. For instance, ESPN3 cannot be accessed through time warner internet without a time warner TV subscription.

It is definitely a step in the right direction, but until customers are allowed a choice at each home for internet and cable providers prices will remain inflated for all services. As an example, where I live, I can only recieve TWC internet (well 2 if you count AT&T dsl at 3MB). Thus, to watch the Apps have no choice but to also get TWC TV despite, in my opinion, there being better options out there.

AT&T gigabit and Google Fiber can't get here soon enough!

[TheMoody1]

Also, DirecTv is making Watch ESPN available to its subscribers.

[BeauFoster]

I am going to wait and see if any if the internet providers are going to figure out how to block these channels from streaming. For instance, ESPN3 cannot be accessed through time warner internet without a time warner TV subscription.

It is definitely a step in the right direction, but until customers are allowed a choice at each home for internet and cable providers prices will remain inflated for all services. As an example, where I live, I can only recieve TWC internet (well 2 if you count AT&T dsl at 3MB). Thus, to watch the Apps have no choice but to also get TWC TV despite, in my opinion, there being better options out there.

AT&T gigabit and Google Fiber can't get here soon enough!

This is my fear with the service...the ISPs will either block the service altogether, or severely throttle speeds. I'm seriously thinking about checking it out, if I can get the wife on board. I have a coworker who cut the cord several years ago and streams everything online, or gets it from his HD antenna. He pirates a fair amount of content, which I don't really feel too comfortable with, but have looked at it on occasion, to find something I really want that isn't available here in the states (mostly cycling from Europe)

[ASUMountaineer]

If you are paying $60 for internet and $30 for channels you might as well get a cable bundle. In ATL Comcast is running $89/$99 bundle (internet/tv/phone) deals for multiple year contracts all the time. The cut the cord approach is not as attractive as some advertise if you really want to have a variety of channels and content to watch. You do a lot of a la carte but once you add it up you are still approaching bundle pricing.

That can be true in some cases, but a small worry versus the constant battle with switching providers every two years or spending hours on the phone haggling. Playing the game simply became not worth it for us. Of course, the "cutting the cord" option doesn't work for everyone.

[Yosef]

If you are paying $60 for internet and $30 for channels you might as well get a cable bundle. In ATL Comcast is running $89/$99 bundle (internet/tv/phone) deals for multiple year contracts all the time. The cut the cord approach is not as attractive as some advertise if you really want to have a variety of channels and content to watch. You do a lot of a la carte but once you add it up you are still approaching bundle pricing.

Yes but that doesn't include the equipment costs. Not sure about Comcast but I am charged $25 for the HD box so that I can get the service on one tv, and an additional $6 per tv I want to put it on. I bought my modem a while back, but before buying my modem, I was getting charged something like $8 a month for the use of that. I'm not sure that cable/satelitte providers are charging too much - it's the add ons that are required just to get the service that you have already purchased that make me irate.

With that said - my tv/internet bill (after dropping Direct TV) will go from $115/mth to $45/mth.