Navigating the world of streaming services and devices has never been easier!
Streaming TV/Video 101
Streaming video refers to entertainment delivered via the internet rather than a traditional cable TV connection.
To enjoy streaming video, you will need these three things:
- Fast and reliable internet.
- One of the streaming devices below:
- Smart TV that is connected to the internet.
- Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Roku Streaming Stick, or similar devices that connect to your TV and Wi-Fi. Streaming devices include a universal remote control to sync with your TV.
- Tablet, laptop, or smartphone that is connected to Wi-Fi or data.
- A subscription to a streaming service or channel such as Pluto TV, Freevee, Netflix, Disney Plus, YouTube Live, HBO Max, Prime Video, or ESPN Plus. Some subscriptions are free and some you must pay for.
Subscribing to new streaming channels and services is simple. Once you have your streaming capable device connected to the internet and have set up an account, you can simply navigate to the app menu on your device and select the desired service or channel to preview. Information will be included such as a description of the service and monthly cost, if any. To subscribe, you select the desired service and agree to subscribe.
Services like My Bundle TV make it simple to view channels included. Simply navigate to “Find My Bundle”, enter basic information such as who is watching, your zip code, preferences and favorite channels and it will make a recommendation for you. You can even search for your favorite TV show to find new ways to watch it via streaming. Select “TV Shows & Movies” from the top menu to search for a specific show like Gunsmoke. You can also visit the website of specific streaming providers such as YouTube Live or Hulu Live and browse the individual channel lineups.
- On-Demand streaming. On-Demand streaming allows the subscriber to watch a selected movie or TV show whenever he or she likes. Many On-Demand providers allow viewers to pause, play, fast-forward, rewind, or re-watch shows as often as they like. Examples include: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video.
- Live streaming. Live video streaming lets subscribers watch entertainment like local news, sports, and TV shows live. Features such as video recording, pause and rewind vary by provider. Examples include: Twitch, YouTube Live, and Hulu Live.
- On-Demand and live streaming. Many providers with live streaming also offer On-Demand content. This means you can watch live shows as they are broadcast, go back and watch them later or browse On-Demand content to watch whenever you like.
- Cost savings. One of the main reasons people switch to TV streaming is to cut costs. Many free streaming channels are available such as Peacock Free, Pluto TV, and Crackle.
- Convenience. Streaming TV lets you enjoy the services or channels you subscribe to in multiple places and on multiple devices. Unlike traditional TV, with most subscription streaming services you can start a movie on your Smart TV at home, continue watching it on your smartphone while working out at the gym, and then finish it on your tablet out on your patio.
- Skip the commercials. Many of the most popular subscription streaming services let you watch your favorite shows whenever you want and completely commercial free!