Big Streaming TV Changes for December 2024!

[@MichaelSaves]

UPDATE: KZbin TV announced a $10/month price hike about a week after I published this video: michaelsaves.com/streaming/youtube-tv-raising-prices/

[@markwagner1997]

Yes, I got my email notification this morning. 🫤

[@jnichols941]

Yeah and it's BS. They aren't even adding anything. I am cancelling. All I ever watch is Fox News Channel, AMC (when any of the shows from The Walking Dead universe is on), football and my Mom uses YTT for her "soaps" so hopefully sling has whatever channel 'As the World Turns' is on, too. Lol But yeah, it aggravates me that it's getting so expensive. People started streaming because it was cheaper. Now I may as well just get a basic cable plan and buy my own DVR to record onto.

[@centervillegolfer]

Sling's price increase just so happens to take effect on the same day the College Football playoff starts.

[@mabguy1659]

This may have been pointed out elsewhere, but I'm quite sure all the recent raises in prices are effectively subsidizing the Black Friday deals.

[@jamesrush4617]

These cable companies that are struggling, are raising their prices, they are shooting themselves in the foot.

[@dancahill9585]

The main folks who need "Live TV" services are sports fans. For people who don't care about sports, they can dodge huge costs by avoiding Live TV, which really has very little value to non-fans.

[@MichaelSaves]

Very true

[@MickF04]

At the beginning of 2024, we were paying $90/mo for 1GB fiber from AT&T. That included being grandfathered into their free HBO Max offer, which initially was the full version of HBO Max (then Max in 2023), but that became the 1080p ad-free plan for Max later in this year. In July 2024, AT&T started charging $5/mo more for 1GB fiber users who were grandfathered. Starting this month, they jacked up the price of 1GB fiber another $5/mo, again only for the grandfathered users, making it $100/mo. Any new subscriber to AT&T 1GB fiber pays $90/mo (doesn't include any auto-pay discounts). So, it seems the Max "freebie" is no longer really free. AT&T is trying to convince grandfathered 1GB fiber users with the free Max option to change services, drop to a lower speed (which loses the Max freebie), or stay with 1GB fiber but drop the Max freebie. We have no cable option, nor are we able to get 5G reliably for cell service. AT&T is just awful in this regard. Offering a freebie that is no longer free to maintain. /rant off

[@kita9978]

@I have AT&T also cell and home internet fiber 300 and my price went up as well ($5 and$5) from $60 to $65, now $70. It’s all customers. My free max is through my cell plan and it’s creeping up almost $100 even with my employer discount .

[@frommatorav1]

I also have AT&T 1G fiber with Max grandfathered at no extra cost for the 1080P ad free version. My price went from $70 in 2023 to $75, then $80 and now $85 in 2024. I only have one other ISP to choose from, breezeline. I switched from them to AT&T because of how poorly they treated me as a customer, when there was no competition. Because of that, I don't want to switch back to them, plus I would have to pay $20 for Max, taking away my savings and I'd have slower speeds. I also work from home and deduct 60% of my internet bill on my taxes.

[@davidmmuench]

I have the 1st gen Roku Voice Remote Pro, and while the hands-free voice feature is nice, the "always listening" mode consumes more battery. When I turn it off, the battery life is much better.

[@MichaelSaves]

This is a good point!

[@kenyattaclay7666]

I used to be a news and sports junkie since I was a little kid, after all I have one of my degrees in Journalism and another in political science. However live TV is only good for sports and even then it's only the actual live sports events itself. Personally I'm at the point where I might just be good with looking up who won & who lost. Between getting deals where I can find them for some streaming services and the free streaming services 95% of my entertainment needs are met. I'm going to suspend my KZbin TV account next month with an eye towards completely canceling it.

[@MichaelSaves]

I hear ya! Relatable to a lot of people I'm sure. When I was a kid, I would watch the RSNs constantly. I lived in the DC area and Michael Jordan was playing for our team at the time. It was an interesting era. All these years later, I follow teams more through highlights. What's new is the online sports gambling component, which I think is keeping a lot of people tuned in.

[@clippylady9837]

👋 Quick question, you mentioned in the video you would not normally recommend visible, why is that? I’m on T-Mobile and with all of the data breaches, I’m just thinking of switching. Although I will miss my free Netflix and Apple TV but it might be worth it. I have T-Mobile phone service and their Internet I subscribed early and pay $30 a month. Would appreciate any input. Thanks! Victoria

[@MichaelSaves]

@ that is not what I said, so I want to clear it up. Normally I recommend people start with the Visible Base plan. But since the Visible Plus plan is down to $30 a month, I think it’s worth doing that instead for a better plan. Visible Plus has priority data. If you are happy with T-Mobile besides the data issues, maybe consider a separate bank account for your autopay. That is what I do for T-Mobile Home Internet and I also keep my credit frozen when I don’t need go apply for credit. Hope this helps clear up what I said!

[@BobbyLips]

It's nice that you take the time to respond. Happy holidays!

[@vengeancewillbemine3440]

Same especially when my Lakers stay losing.

[@devaallen0]

We are really sick of Sling TV. The extra fees don’t include another stream of ESPN. For example, if my husband is watching ESPN, I can’t watch it on another TV. We ordered ESPN+, but sometimes they don’t show the program you want to watch. We can’t go back to KZbin because they don’t h Dave the history channel. I guess we are stuck. I was thinking about going by Jack to cable until I saw this video. Thank you so much for helping everyone make smart choices. Happy Holidays to you and your family. 🌲🌲🌲🌲❤❤❤❤

[@bradc6199]

Very helpful video! Thanks!

[@thegracepreacher321]

Thanks Michael!

[@MichaelSaves]

Thank you for watching!

[@davew.5199]

Special thanks for updates on Sling and ESPN. I've been considering resubscribing to Sling after I'm done paying for Sunday Ticket and NFL.playoffs are over. Unfortunately my favorite NCAA basketball team is being broadcast on ESPN+. I'm NOT looking forward to what happens when standalone ESPN is launched and Disney has a monopoly 😢.

[@sonnynightz85]

Let’s not forget NETFLIX is also the new home to WWE Monday night RAW as a live event starting in January 2025

[@donvedio]

I have Sling Blue and will stay with them for the News. Still cheaper than all the rest....

[@benstandard]

Sling Blue has two channels I really like - Comet and Charge along with the home and garden channel.

[@markortiz104]

Hey Michael, you do an amazing job keeping us all updated. I appreciate what you do. You've been very very helpful I cut the cable I never thought it was possible and I did it with your help. Unfortunately streaming is getting expensive but with your updates I can make wise decisions. Thank you

[@MichaelSaves]

Thanks so much! I am glad I can help.

[@maureenlarkin3495]

Hey Michael, I've been watching your videos for a bit now and want to cut my xfinity cable. However I'm nervous about where to start. Would you be doing a newer version of how to go about it, with recommendations on the alternatives? We watch some live network tv, mostly for the news. I do need to keep cable for internet and our home phone. Thank you again for all your knowledge and sharing it

[@MichaelSaves]

Hi. This might help -- I have a recent video in this article. michaelsaves.com/streaming/best-live-tv-streaming/ Email me with any specifics and I'll help you create a plan michael (at) michaelsaves.com

[@maureenlarkin3495]

@MichaelSaves thank you, I'll check it out. Also thank you for responding.

[@virginia1436]

I hate that Max is stopping the sharing. Right when I find a good series they do this mess

[@tendraftsdeep]

Great video Michael, thanks! It's a shame that NFL disrespects their fans so much. Cable or service for Sundays, but you need Prime for Thursday night. Christmas? Need Netflix. And I'm sure a playoff game or two will be on Peacock. $$$$$$$$$$$

[@didralamond8145]

They know their dedicated fans will pay for whatever service they sell the rights to stream or air. lol

[@buffuniballer]

Talk to folks in St Louis. If you really want to see disrespect, look how they handled the Rams. The NFL has been dead to me since the Rams debacle.

[@bimiup1]

I added Peacock and Hulu for their BF deals

[@beamusedrev]

What about Roku and connecting to T-Mobile Home Internet? I’ve had problems in the past. Didn’t want to buy a new one if I’m not going to be able to connect. Thanks.

[@MichaelSaves]

I have both and no problems! Is your T-Mobile Home Internet stable? If so, Roku shouldn’t be a problem.

[@beamusedrev]

@@MichaelSavesthe T-Mobile is good. I’ll go with the Roku again. Thanks.

[@MichaelSaves]

@ let me know how it goes

[@vanspaits7544]

Why is max doing password sharing

[@MichaelSaves]

They are cracking down on it like other services because it is hurting their bottom line. They want every household paying for their own plan.

[@vanspaits7544]

@ I use my brothers Netflix and my own home and the Hulu bundle and it still lets me use it

[@vanspaits7544]

@ ok

[@danram247]

​@@vanspaits7544I think it's a certain number of outside users...I think they only allow one outside network user.

[@vanspaits7544]

@@MichaelSaves butt I can still use my brothers max

[@frommatorav1]

Possibly a dumb question, but would Max crack down on password sharing on a "free" account, that's included with my AT&T 1Gb fiber internet? My younger daughter has a profile and she lives out of the house.

[@MichaelSaves]

I think they’re going to target the worst offenders first and over the next year (maybe a little longer) nudge everyone who shares into their own plan.

[@GeneSavage]

That Roku remote review update is a big deal! I'm now considering getting the new remote.

[@MichaelSaves]

Thanks! I wasn't sure if anyone would care. But the more I use the new remote, the more I like it.

[@GeneSavage]

@MichaelSaves We're so used to doing this with Alexa, this would be a game-changer for us. (And, as you pointed out, more and more services are going to ads.)

[@mikemcelwain]

Hulu app sucks, backing up to main screen and doesn't load 😡😅

[@bikeny]

Well, this Netflix no-ad customer will not be turning in to the football stuff (nor did I watch the amateur boxing thing last month). And talk about amateur stuff, there's some wrestling thing starting next month. Yeah, as I never watched it in the past, I am certainly not gonna waste my time with it now. Oh, thanks for the PBS info.

[@MichaelSaves]

PBS also has a standalone app that’s great and available now!

[@mybachhertzbaud3074]

I will bet a buck that all of these services will lose big time with these increases?🤔💸

[@saveamerica423]

Can anyone help me with my Roku losing connection to wifi 2 or 3 times in a day, and needing to be restarted each time? FYI....my Echo router (fiber wifi) is literally sitting 2 feet below my streaming stick behind my TV. It doesn't happen every day but so annoying when watching live sports!

[@PrivateCaller-i1f]

Sling TV user I'm out! $15 local TV antenna no monthly fees.

[@jeffersonmiranda7452]

I love piracy

[@bgregg55]

I get YT TV for college football season & then dump them.

[@ccowboysfan08]

If college basketball is all your need get sling TV. You will save money

[@jeffersonmiranda7452]

Do ppl even pay for this lol what a joke

[@rafaeltorovip]

For all people that disconnected regular cable TV, now there is no real savings.

[@frommatorav1]

I disagree with that. The prices are going up on regular cable and satellite, too. I saved quite a bit of money by dropping Directv Stream and buying an antenna and getting premium ad free streaming service. I save less now, than I did when I started two years ago but I have way less commercials with better content to watch.

[@BobbyLips]

That's not true. Even with Sling's latest price increase, it's still way cheaper than my cable pricing with the majority of the channels being available. The fact you can toggle from orange to blue leaves cable in the dust.

[@jamesmcdonald6047]

The Killer for Comcast was fees and taxes!!! I was approaching $50, while losing content everyday. Just not worth the struggle😊

[@tabithalarue]

Cable still sucks. Always just reruns all day

[@AprilMinniefield]

KZbin is going up in January 2025 to 84.00

[@MichaelSaves]

I was first to report the news. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmHCgpt-hr18acUsi=vDkpPA8v_35BhKpQ

[@joshuapowell1868]

Vhs tapes more free whiching in my house good luck i don't want no more of internet or your video now days i don't care about how old my vhs tapes are

[@mrsidehustles]

Don't buy them....lol 😂

[@JosephCitera]

I pay $20 a month iykyk..

[@dominict1455]

IYK then spill the beans...👂