Dave Crowden would like those of you interested in cutting the cord to be aware of the following article in TechHive.

On January 30, 2020, Sony plans to shut down PlayStation Vue, having decided to focus more on its core gaming business. While Vue was one of the first live TV streaming bundles when it launched in March 2015, it ultimately couldn’t keep pace with the growth of YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, and Sling TV, among others. Remaining subscribers will receive their final bill in December, at which point they’ll be able to use the service until the bitter end.

Read more: Here

Many banks offer a service in which they will email, text or call whenever your debit or credit card has been used, even if it’s for legitimate charges.  The goal:  You know immediately if someone who shouldn’t be tapping your account is doing so.  You can set up the alerts for any amount.  For credit cards I rarely use, I’ve set alerts to zero; that way I’m notified about any activity.  I put higher dollar amounts on my high-use accounts so I don’t get bombarded.

How to start:  Simply go to your bank’s website or visit a branch to get set up.

Cutting the Cord Update by Dave Crowden
I am submitting this to the TVCUC because I have been asked numerous times about cutting-the-cord and what I think of the quality of some of the antennas found on-line through Amazon, NewEgg, or other electronic suppliers.

I know that we are all looking for the best yet cheapest to do the job; but I can assure you, just as the article below discusses, there is no need to spend a lot of money to get a good antenna for your over-the-air (OTA) TV reception here in Tellico Village.  The link below will take you to a recent on-line article from TechHive.

Feel free to contact me or any of the TVCUC members that have made the Cutting-the-Cord presentation in the past.  I hope this is some helpful information if you are considering cutting-the-cord and dumping satellite or cable TV subscription services.  Remember, this is only a small part of the research that we suggest you do to determine if cutting the cord is right for you!

Cord-cutters beware: Amazon’s TV antenna listings are rife with dubious claims
Shoppers shouldn’t take all the marketing promises vendors make at face value.

Early last week, during Amazon’s Prime Days, I decided to see if the e-tailer had any good deals on over-the-air TV antennas. I was appalled by what I found.

Searching for “antenna” on Amazon.com revealed listing upon listing for products with dubious performance claims. In Amazon’s most popular and sponsored results, antenna makers were advertising unrealistic reception ranges, nonexistent over-the-air channels, and picture quality that current U.S. broadcast standards don’t support.

These misleading claims aren’t just bad for cord-cutters. They also could harm respectable antenna makers that refuse to get in the muck with less scrupulous brands. Unless Amazon—or a government watchdog—intervene, this type of advertising is unlikely to stop anytime soon.  Further reading: The best over-the-air TV antennas for cord cutters

When I reached out to Amazon for a comment on my findings, an Amazon spokesperson said “Selling partners are required to provide accurate information about their products to Amazon, and we take action against those that violate our policies and threaten our customer experience. We are investigating these listings now and will take prompt action against any that violate our policies.”

Indeed, the company quickly removed many of the offending listings cited in this story prior to publication. Still, many other offenders remain available, promising unrealistic reception or unavailable channels.

Unrealistic mile ranges

In a search for “antenna” on Amazon, the top result early last week was a sponsored listing from a vendor called “TO BE #1.” It’s an indoor flat-panel antenna that claims to “pick up TV signals up to 120 miles away.”

If that sounds like an incredible range for an indoor antenna, it’s because it defies the accepted laws of physics.

Read the entire article…Here.

Over the last 2.5 years, we have had a series of programs about “Cutting the Cord” or replacing cable/satellite TV with Over the Air (OTA) and streaming content. These have been some of the most popular programs presented.  In March we are presenting the third installment.  To put this in perspective, the following is a direct quote from this week’s Tablo newsletter.

The latest cord cutting numbers show approximately 3.2 million consumers ditched their cable or satellite subscriptions in 2018. (To put it in context, that’s like if the entire population of Utah cut the cord last year.)

This represents an erosion of 4.2% of the total pay-TV subscriber base, up from 3.7% in 2017 and 2% the previous year.

Of course, the industry isn’t doing itself any favors. In the face of a mass exodus of customers, you’d think they’d try harder to keep the ones they still have. Instead, they’re putting the squeeze on them, hiking prices and cutting off promos.

2019 isn’t shaping up any better for cable and satellite providers. Cord Cutters News did some quick math based on a recent survey and estimates that as many as 39 million households could cancel their subscriptions this year.

So much for this cord cutting thing being a ‘fad’!

The previous two presentations focused on the technology needed to cut the cord.  These can be found on the TVCUC website.  WE ARE NOT REPEATING MUCH OF THIS CONTENT.  This presentation is going to primarily focus on results and real-life experiences of four people who either have, or are in the process, of cutting the cord. We are going to talk about the good, the bad…and the ugly of cord cutting from a personal perspective.

IF you are thinking about cutting the cord, or have done it and would like to help share your experiences, don’t miss the Wednesday March 6^th meeting.