Hey there cord cutters! It's Friday again...
This week we're looking at Google's big plans for Android TV and whether it can woo cord cutters back to a platform it has repeatedly abandoned.
Also: Q&A on seniors cutting cable, short cuts, must-see OTA TV, and more.
As always, if you know of someone who might need some insight or help with cutting the cord on cable or satellite, please forward our newsletter, or use the handy share buttons at the top of this email.
OK... now let's get to it!
NEWS: Google Has New Plans for TV, But Is It Too Little Too Late?
Will a new lower-priced 'Google TV' streaming device entice you to switch platforms? Tell us on Facebook or Twitter.
Q&A: We're Seniors... Can I Convince My Partner to Cut the Cord?
Send us your most pressing cord cutting questions via email so we can answer them in an upcoming issue.
This week's question comes from Bill who says, "I would love to cut the cord but my partner is 95 years old and is NOT tech-savvy. Even for me, it will be a steep learning curve, but I’m willing to learn. Do you have any advice?"
Naysayers may think seniors like Bill and his partner shouldn't put the effort into cord cutting.
But seniors are increasingly jumping on the cord cutting bandwagon, tired of seeing increasing portions of their fixed income going to the cable company. And learning how to switch from cable to streaming has been easier than many expected.
Our suggestion for folks like Bill is to dip your toes into the cord cutting waters while maintaining cable for the short term.
If the budget permits, buy a Roku-enabled Smart TV. The simple remote and on-screen icons will allow you to easily switch between your cable box, streaming TV apps, and even an Over-the-Air antenna.
If not, try an affordable streaming stick and perhaps an indoor Over-the-Air antenna and spend at least one or two days each week watching TV that way. As you become familiar with navigating a new way of watching TV, you'll find it easier to make the choice to cut the cord on cable for good.
Have a question about cord cutting that you'd like answered? Send us a note and you may see your question in an upcoming issue of Cord Cutting This Week!
SHORT CUTS: Tablo Improves Commercial Skip, & More
Most weeks there's more news than we can cram into this email. Thankfully 'short cuts' delivers the cord-cutting news and deals we didn't have room for, including:
WHAT'S ON: Must-See OTA TV
As always, there's lots great TV coming to you FREE with an antenna this week including:
- Saturday Night Live returns for another 'SNL at Home' episode which will also serve as a season finale - May 9th @ 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Global
- The Disney Family Singalong special returns with volume II - May 10th @ 7:00 p.m. ET on ABC
- Check out the Feeding America Comedy Special featuring Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Billy Crystal and more - May 10th @ 7:00 p.m. ET on NBC
- The Price Is Right At Night returns - May 11th @ 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS
- Tune into the new documentary miniseries Asian Americans - May 11th @ 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS
- Catch the special The Happy Days of Garry Marshall - May 12th @ 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC
Don't forget to regularly check the TV SHOWS > PREMIERING on your Tablo app to find and set new and old favorites to record!
CANADIAN CORNER: VMedia Returns with RiverTV
Back in 2016, VMedia tried to launch a 'skinny basic' live TV streaming service that was quickly kiboshed by an army of Bell lawyers.
But now they're back, beta testing a new live TV service called RiverTV which is free until the end of the month. Post-launch pricing hasn't been announced yet, but the website says, "...the regular monthly price will not exceed $19.99."
Given that the service seems to be based on Corus' StackTV lineup which has been available from Amazon for the last year, RiverTV shouldn't run into the same legal challenges as its predecessors.
We hope you enjoyed this edition of Cord Cutting This Week!
If you know someone who may be interested in cutting the cord on cable or satellite, please feel free to forward this newsletter to them or use the handy share buttons at the top of this email. Make sure to ask them to sign up as well!
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