[OT] Cable Alternatives…

[LabattBlue]

Anyone currently using one of the streaming services(Fubo, YouTube, DirectTV, etc…)? Interested in your experience.

I am considering DirectTV streaming service.  Two year commitment with taxes $110 a month(price locked in for 24 months) including Disney+ bundle(with Hulu & ESPN) which we currently pay for.  
 

Current Spectrum cost…$185, just for TV….and they won’t budge even a nickel. 

Edited September 22, 2025 by LabattBlue

[Captain Caveman]

I used Fubo last season and just renewed got 5 months for 35$ off a month (so it's about 66$ monthly for first 5 months)
With the added bonus that if the season is over in 5 months I can easily cancel it.

[Jävə Keith]

Fubo here too (they carry MSG) was least expensive option for what I needed.  I made the switch from Spectrum last Sabres season.  I was able to cancel Hulu as well. I only use Spectrum now as internet service provider.

I have been happy with Fubo, including DVR/Recording.  The only issue is when games are on TNT (currently not an option on FUBO). When there are TNT games I turn to the interwebs and find a "stream."

I also supplement with RokuTV with lots of great content.  Amazon Prime Video for movies (since we have Prime regardless). Then I occasionally on a monthly basis add on/off HBO/MAX (did it for Hard Knocks) or Netflix based on what's streaming month to month, but I try to keep all my subscriptions to a minimum then rotate a monthly perk service (MAX/Netflix) if I want to treat myself.

 

[Taro T]

We have DTv and the streaming package is included with it.  Have used it fairly often when away from home to watch games and haven't had any issues with it.

There doesn't seem to be an ability to watch DVR'd stuff, but have never looked for that capability when using the DTv+.  So, it might be there with the regular DTv when streaming and would be mildly surprised if it isn't available for the pure streaming service.

[mjd1001]

2 hours ago, LabattBlue said:

Anyone currently using one of the streaming services(Fubo, YouTube, DirectTV, etc…)? Interested in your experience.

I am considering DirectTV streaming service.  Two year commitment with taxes $110 a month(price locked in for 24 months) including Disney+ bundle(with Hulu & ESPN) which we currently pay for.  
 

Current Spectrum cost…$185, just for TV….and they won’t budge even a nickel. 

Look at the plan with Spectrum where they let you pick 10 channels.  You get all the basics (the local channels and some basic cable stuff) and then you get to 'choose' 15 other premium channels. MSG is one of the choices so you can get Sabres games.

I think its called "Spectrum choice"   

Last year, it was the absolute cheapest way for us to get the Sabres games.

I know its bout $40-$50 less per month than their 'regular' plan.

Edited September 22, 2025 by mjd1001

[LabattBlue]

27 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:

Look at the plan with Spectrum where they let you pick 10 channels.  You get all the basics (the local channels and some basic cable stuff) and then you get to 'choose' 15 other premium channels. MSG is one of the choices so you can get Sabres games.

I think its called "Spectrum choice"   

Last year, it was the absolute cheapest way for us to get the Sabres games.

I know its bout $40-$50 less per month than their 'regular' plan.

Pretty sure you can’t get the above package unless you also have internet…unless I am mixing it up with their streaming offering. 

[mjd1001]

21 minutes ago, LabattBlue said:

Pretty sure you can’t get the above package unless you also have internet…unless I am mixing it up with their streaming offering. 

I'm not sure.  We have internet through them so I never thought whether it was required or not.

[Eleven]

1 hour ago, mjd1001 said:

Look at the plan with Spectrum where they let you pick 10 channels.  You get all the basics (the local channels and some basic cable stuff) and then you get to 'choose' 15 other premium channels. MSG is one of the choices so you can get Sabres games.

I think its called "Spectrum choice"   

Last year, it was the absolute cheapest way for us to get the Sabres games.

I know its bout $40-$50 less per month than their 'regular' plan.

they let you pick 10 channels.

you get to 'choose' 15 other premium channels

 

??

 

[Captain Caveman]

3 hours ago, Jävə Keith said:

Fubo here too (they carry MSG) was least expensive option for what I needed.  I made the switch from Spectrum last Sabres season.  I was able to cancel Hulu as well. I only use Spectrum now as internet service provider.

I have been happy with Fubo, including DVR/Recording.  The only issue is when games are on TNT (currently not an option on FUBO). When there are TNT games I turn to the interwebs and find a "stream."

I also supplement with RokuTV with lots of great content.  Amazon Prime Video for movies (since we have Prime regardless). Then I occasionally on a monthly basis add on/off HBO/MAX (did it for Hard Knocks) or Netflix based on what's streaming month to month, but I try to keep all my subscriptions to a minimum then rotate a monthly perk service (MAX/Netflix) if I want to treat myself.

 

Those TNT games also are on (or were last year) HBO Max if you have that

[Mr Peabody]

Looking to dump Spectrum and see I can get the Gotham Stream for $25 month (doesn’t include YES).  Initially I heard it was very poor streaming.  Any updated reports? Cancel anytime it claims so ~ $200 for a season. 

[freester]

You tube TV is great except no NHL NETWORK. 

[That Aud Smell]

On 10/24/2025 at 2:42 PM, Mr Peabody said:

Looking to dump Spectrum and see I can get the Gotham Stream for $25 month (doesn’t include YES).  Initially I heard it was very poor streaming.  Any updated reports? Cancel anytime it claims so ~ $200 for a season. 

The Gotham App (on a new Roku stick) looks like my best option for playoffs. Is it working for you? 

Anyone else have feedback?

[Mr Peabody]

I haven’t dumped Spectrum yet but have watched a couple games on Gotham with no issue. There is a noticeable delay from the live game so I wouldn’t follow the game day thread here until the periods were over. 

[Ogelthorpe]

1 hour ago, That Aud Smell said:

The Gotham App (on a new Roku stick) looks like my best option for playoffs. Is it working for you? 

Anyone else have feedback?

I have been looking into this. I just wonder how it works if you are in market?

[Captain Caveman]

On 9/22/2025 at 2:56 PM, Captain Caveman said:

I used Fubo last season and just renewed got 5 months for 35$ off a month (so it's about 66$ monthly for first 5 months)
With the added bonus that if the season is over in 5 months I can easily cancel it.

hey, the season wasn't over in 5 months! I'm glad to still be paying for Fubo!

[PASabreFan]

Gotham works but can be quirky. It thinks the app on my TV has been out of market for over 30 days (after working fine to start the season), so I can't use it. And there is almost literally no customer service to speak of. It works using the app on my phone. I cast it to my TV. Good lord.

Gonna have to talk to my TV about these trips.

[Weave]

14 minutes ago, PASabreFan said:

Gotham works but can be quirky. It thinks the app on my TV has been out of market for over 30 days (after working fine to start the season), so I can't use it. And there is almost literally no customer service to speak of. It works using the app on my phone. I cast it to my TV. Good lord.

Gonna have to talk to my TV about these trips.

Can you discuss any other quirks?  I am considering signing up for the rest of the season and playoffs.  Based on the early info, I am reluctant to.  Has it improved?

[SDS]

DIRECTV stream works really well on an Apple TV.

[All Along The Watchtower]

2 hours ago, Mr Peabody said:

I haven’t dumped Spectrum yet but have watched a couple games on Gotham with no issue. There is a noticeable delay from the live game so I wouldn’t follow the game day thread here until the periods were over. 

A caller to WGR this morning reported that while he was watching the third period last night, Gotham suddenly reverted back to the FIRST period, and he had to Facetime his wife who was in Florida who put the phone up to a TV with ESPN+  Sounds like there still a lot of bugs to be worked out. 

[Captain Caveman]

for anyone considering gotham sports, I saw a post on Sabres Reddit yesterday complaining about losing the stream / not working, and seems like it happens often enough to at least think twice about it...
 

 

Edited March 9 by Captain Caveman

[That Aud Smell]

1 hour ago, SDS said:

DIRECTV stream works really well on an Apple TV.

what are the terms? you can just sign up for DIRECTV stream on a month to month basis?

is there a particular package that you need to or should buy?

[That Aud Smell]

yowza. looks like i can get MSG through DIRECTV Stream if i plunk down ~$120+ per month?

man. that's steep.

[PromoTheRobot]

On 10/24/2025 at 2:42 PM, Mr Peabody said:

Looking to dump Spectrum and see I can get the Gotham Stream for $25 month (doesn’t include YES).  Initially I heard it was very poor streaming.  Any updated reports? Cancel anytime it claims so ~ $200 for a season. 

You might want to go to Reddit and see some of the complaints about Gotham. Apparently the feed died in the middle of the Tampa game.

[Bangarang]

7 hours ago, SDS said:

DIRECTV stream works really well on an Apple TV.

That's the setup I have. I've tried all the other steaming services but I've noticed Direct TV Stream has the best picture quality.

[Apollo]

On 9/22/2025 at 1:28 PM, LabattBlue said:

Anyone currently using one of the streaming services(Fubo, YouTube, DirectTV, etc…)? Interested in your experience.

I am considering DirectTV streaming service.  Two year commitment with taxes $110 a month(price locked in for 24 months) including Disney+ bundle(with Hulu & ESPN) which we currently pay for.  
 

Current Spectrum cost…$185, just for TV….and they won’t budge even a nickel. 

IPTV player with a good playlist-$15 a month. I just got rid of Spectrum internet and phone and switched to fiber. Boy was Spectrum ready to give me a deal when I called to cancel but I told them "too late"