keeping up with the jones

Streaming is the future and companies are fighting to define it and own it. Customers are collateral damage.

Part of the problem is that the technology evolves so fast. We have a TiVO DVR for which we have a CableCard used to tune TV channels; the TiVo has a few streaming apps including Amazon Fire and Netflix bundled in, but other newer streamers that have opened up shop including Disney+ and HBO Max, which we also subscribe to, we get bundled with the firmware for our TV but not on our older TiVo or Blu-Ray player. The TV can't tune the TV channels; we need the TiVo for that. So yeah, multiple devices tuned to multiple inputs with multiple remotes.

Not just customers--some of the companies have been hurt pretty badly. Netflix stock posted an absolutely stunning drop in total market value recently because of streaming concerns.

Unfortunately dedicated streaming devices are necessary nowadays. Can't rely on TV apps that stop getting support a few years into service. At least there is a wide range of prices of streaming devices.

Unfortunately dedicated streaming devices are necessary nowadays. Can't rely on TV apps that stop getting support a few years into service. At least there is a wide range of prices of streaming devices.

But we have FiOS, got it 2009, and as you can guess, nobody from Verizon has had to do anything in the last 13 years, and the price has doubled.

We still have the original STB and have paid $12/mo rent except for about 2 years when it was $10/mo. due to a 2 year discount.

I went online to see where I can drop them off and then I read the horror stories. Just take it to the UPS store. Well they also handle Comcast and apparently even with a receipt if it ships to the wrong carrier, the customer is liable? lol

I can't get rid of internet as it's needed for work (I have a hotspot with unlimited which nowadays is like 36 gb before it's slowed down), but I would love to get rid of TV, until it's hockey season....

There are many times I look at our lifestyles today, and wonder how we ever got like this. $5 gas, colleges which accept only 5% of applicants when all applicants are perfect clones of one another, 11 mil new jobs and 4 mil people quitting, can't hire anyone, etc. It's like a dream. But at least Disney+ is free for 6 mos!

I returned a VZ STB through a local UPS Store and they carefully made note of the serial number, then sealed the box in front of me and applied the label. They also told me to retain the tracking receipt for several months. I would doubt in this scenario a customer would be held liable.

In my area its only comcast for internet and cable, total monopoly. We didn't get cable, just the internet and stream everything using the Amazon Fire TV Cube. When a new Fire TV generation comes, I buy the new one and sell the old one on Ebay. I only pay for Netflix (using discounted gift card), and amazon prime membership. I don't like this new idea of individual streaming services.

to step out of my comfort zone and get rid of one set top box. $12/mo for something they dropped off in Jan 2009, insanity.