Advice for Dropping Comcast TV and Internet
 

We are tired of paying over $200 a month for Comcast TV, and Internet. Every year our bill goes up about $50.
We have heard of some people switching to T Mobile with a Firestick. Would appreciate any advice you could give to us. We have 4 TVs (I have my elderly Mother living with us). I need to have something that wouldn't be too confusing for her to use.
Thank you so much!

I have a firestick, others prefer Roku.

Search the forum for the words hulu or xfinity and you should find several discussions of cutting the cord.

If your elderly mother is like my elderly mother and father, they watch mostly network TV, westerns, and old TV shows/movies. If that is the case consider putting up an antenna. Once you pay the initial cost, it's free.

I like Roku TV's. The interface is simple, you can get voice remotes, and the move from live antenna TV to the apps is seamless. The internet connection to the TV provides a channel guide very similar to a cable channel guide, making it easy to navigate and see what is upcoming for each channel.

I have friends that tried both T Mobile and Verison neither was happy with Internet Speed.
Both were able to get Quantum Fiber for $30 monthly 200mbs and use Firesticks.

I have the same interest. First issue you need to deal with is giving up your Comcast Remotes which serve the purpose of making all 4 TVs controls identical. The Comcast Remote also has voice command capability. My TV's are all smart TVs but each has a distinct complex remote. I bought a Firestick which will work with each TV and is simple and has voice command capability. You need one for each TV.

Check the other Thread that is about streaming which discusses T-Mobile and options you might want regarding streaming choices. While many sites offer free streaming, live TV news, weather and current airings require paying.

Depending where you live, you may have little choice for internet. However, you can get a reasonable connection speed with Comcast for $30 per month (although you have to ask for the "special" price).

We have Comcast and thought of changing but you won't find anything equal to Comcast so if you can afford it, keep it. Some day if it get's too out of hand we'll likely switch to something but for now I really like having it.

We pay $272 per month to friggin Comcast up north for triple bundle (TV, phone we never use, and internet) with a DVR and three cable boxes that communicate with the DVR, so we have four TV’s. In the Villages we have a digital antenna and use our phones (Xfinity Mobil) for internet. We also still get dvd movies in the mail from Netflix to watch movies in the Villages.

Everything is about to change. Netflix is stopping its DVD mail service September 29th and our Comcast contract up north is about to expire. Going forward we are going to have Comcast internet only at both homes for about $50/month each and subscribe to YouTube streaming and Netflix streaming along with our existing AmazonPrime account. The total cost for that set up will be about $200 per month and we will have high speed internet at both homes and we will be able to stream TV through YouTube and watch content through both Netflix and Prime at both homes. We will still have local Chanel’s in the Villages through our antenna as well. We will save about $70 per month and have a Hugh upgrade in our Villages home. I have ordered 5 Roku devices for all of our televisions, at both homes, so we will only have to learn one new interface that will run everything. We selected YouTube for our streaming service because it has about 100 channels, an excellent cloud DVR service, and will allow us to use it at both homes. The only thing that will not be optimal for us after these changes will be difficulty watching my favorite sports teams without expensive additional subscriptions.

And don't forget some streaming services are raising their prices also.
So be careful, you might be $10.00 after from what you got now.

Go comcast internet - we have 1G speed, but you can go slower
We like YouTubeTV. $72/month, But you can share it with 6 gmail accounts (kids/grandkids, etc).

I tried TMobile internet. Initially speeds were very good. Overtime, the speed slowed significantly. But the real problem was that I kept losing the internet service. Everytime this happened, I would call TMobile and would end up talking to someone in India… they would determine that my TMobile modem was defective and send a new one which I had to install and then return the old one. I think they swapped my modem either 4 or 5 times. In the end, I ended up dropping tmobile and going to xfinity cable (fiber is not available in my neighborhood) for internet. I think my home was a little far from the nearest tmobile tower and that this was part of the tmobile problem.

My advice: Get fiber service if available. Fiber offers the best speeds and reliability. If you want to try TMobile … then consider trying it out for a month before cancelling your current service. TMobile does not require a contract and can be cancelled at any time.

I use the Roku box and remote. The remote is very simple and only has a few buttons. But if you have 4 TV’s, you would need to purchase 4 roku units.

Go to the Comcast store and tell them you are thinking of leaving. They’ll find discounts you didn’t know existed!! Also, if the account is in your name , switch it to your wife’s name. She is a new customer and you will get all the specials for new customers.

switched
 

We switched to the streaming version of Xfinity and bought fire sticks. This allowed us to return all the Comcast equipment and save $50/mo and still keep all our programming. The user interface is slightly less convenient, but worth it.

Go to Q.com to see if you have fiber available. Otherwise, Century Link. We have 200MBPS service and that's been plenty for streaming. YouTube TV has almost all the same channels as Xfinity at $72.99 plus tax per month. We went this way after our cable bill topped $200.00 and have been satisfied with the service.

We bundle with Comcast: TV, Phone, & Computer. Every time it goes up, we contact them and tell them we might have to drop their services if they can not lower our bill. They almost always do.

Some confusion here. 1st, getting a Roku or fire stick doesn’t get you any tv channel subscription, they get you access to multiple subscriptions. If you use Apple products in your house like the iPhone and iPad and Mac, get the Apple TV 4K box for each tv, it provides access to all tv subscribers plus it will provide much more.

Get a wired internet service, preferably fiber if you can get it, or xfinity/spectrum/Verizon, who ever is in your area. 5g internet is still a hit and miss inside your house.

As for tv subscriptions, you need to go out to each service and see what channels they provide to see if they carry the channels you want to watch. None of the streaming services carry everything we like so we have multiple subscriptions. YouTube tv is very good, Philo, Hulu, and others. If you get xfinity internet, you get the flex box with peacock for free. If you have T-Mobile cell service, you get Netflix, Apple TV+, and paramount for free plus discounts on Philo and others.

So before you make your move, see what you can get with your cell phone service or your internet provider, then check out the tv providers to find any gaps you have from the free/discounted subscriptions

Comcast "renewal"
 

I've got Xfinity (Comcast) Triple Play because my wife wants a land line. BTW, triple play offers excellent rates on mobile phones. Rates go up because your "Introductory rate" expired. Yes, threaten to quit and hassle on the phone a bit and Voila, you get another 2 years of lower rates. Also my internet is 800GBS.

Fire stick from Amazon
 

[QUOTE=cordenny;2252687]We are tired of paying over $200 a month for Comcast TV, and Internet. Every year our bill goes up about $50.
We have heard of some people switching to T Mobile with a Firestick. Would appreciate any advice

Xfinity $45/mo with 300/300 service
Fire stick on two tv’s only because the other tv’s have YouTube tv installed
YouTube tv cost me $83/mo.
I tried TMobile but the tv constantly buffered. They have a two week trial and hold $50 if you decline. Good luck getting your money back. They are dishonest.

I cut the cord.
 

I had Comcast and never used 95% of what they offered. I have internet for $35 and Netflix and Prime. Very happy.

Comcast/xfinity
 

We use comcast internet.
Also switched phones from t-mobile to xfinity. Because we have 2 services with comcast our phones $60/month unlimited data(2 phones) runs off verizon network. Internet blast $45/month. Then we got youtube tv which keeps raising there rate, currently $83/month. But the convenience of youtube tv is worth it. So, we pay under $200 for all services. It’s a fair deal.

Smart TV remotes can be integrated into your Comcast or other cable remotes making the need for multiple remotes unnecessary. It is very easy to do. While it won’t control the color or brightness on your screen, mine controls my soundbar, cable box and tv including power, volume and it can switch inputs.

I have set up internet only service here with Spectrum. This gets a very basic service, but I have subscriptions to Prime, Britbox, etc. This basic service is $55 per month. Includes a ROKU stick. For an additional $25 per month I can get the basic TV cable package added on. So far, with my streaming services I haven't needed it. Getting/changing services is confusing and annoying. So, first out of the gate, follow the advice of other posters and challenge your provider on price. They may come up with a deal to hang on to you as a customer. If you need to change, ask these questions: What channels are most important to me and my mom? Which service will offer those to me? You'll likely have to have a hybrid --basic package with add ons. Also ask when you contact a provider if they provide a simple big button remote (ON, OFF, SOUND UP/DOWN, CHANNELS) that is big enough for an older person to easily handle (not lose) and do the basics for TV watching. I bought one of these for my mom from the internet. It did not entirely solve every problem, but once we got it working, it was easy for her to use and see what she was doing. She just really wanted to watch the local news, vintage TV, and old movies and this worked for her.

I dropped Comcast over a year ago and switched to TMobile, I’ve had no issues whatsoever and get Netflix and Apple TV on them free for life. The price is guaranteed not to go up and it hasn’t gone up one penny. The speed is as fast as Comcast was. I would caution you to make sure TMobile is strong in your area. There seem to be many spots in The Villages that do not get the speed I enjoy. BUT you get 30 days to try their internet without needing to turn in your Comcast equipment to make sure you are happy with the TMobile product.

We tried DirecTV Streaming
 

We went with DirecTV Streaming. It’s a more expensive option than other streamers, but most similar to a “Cable Experience”. A big plus is when using their “box” and remote, they integrated access to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Max so you use the same remote for all of them. It has all the local channels you get with Comcast including the sports channels and movie channels.

DirecTV.com to get started.

Streaming
 

I have internet (200 mps), streaming on 2 TVs with 2 Firesticks, and a "landline" (which I love because my cell can be silent or not charged) and a cell (special rate - goes up next year on the cell). I pay $70 a month for all this. Netflix is about $15 a month. I can do a lot with my firestick to see channels for free, but, well, I'll only say I do not feel guilty about that part. My only concern is that the firestick interface could be complicated for an elderly woman. Still, there is a of perfectly free TV on Firestick - old stuff - through things like FreeVee, very easy to watch, perfectly legal. I think an elderly woman could learn to use that. But, I admit, I would not be happy with this if i did not know how to get "certain channels" (not FreeVee) through certain means. There are ads or computer stores to talk to - or internet sites - if you want to maximize your firestick.

Finally - and this has been so important to me - I have a laptop that shows on my main TV through an HDMI cord, then I have a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse. I can see anything - You Tube, Netflix, anything I subscribe to, all my email, everything - right on the big screen from my sofa. It's paradise.

Century Link and roku with YouTube TV is way better than Comcast and way cheaper

Roku Soundbar Pro
 

I'm very happy with the Roku Soundbar Pro. Easy to use, MUCH better sound than TVspeakers, and works with Bluetooth earbuds.

Basic internet at around $30 and a ROKU or Amazon Fire Stick will get you access to free TV apps like tubi, pluto, and Freevee. These free services have advertisements like network television. Usually no live sports and no local news. Someone mentioned using an old fashioned antenna for local tv. May work but I am not sure where the broadcast stations are. If they are in Orlando and Gainesville the signals may be weak.

Amplified TV antenna on a 25 foot pole. Suggest one of these telescoping flag poles, total cost less than a month of cable. Get internet for $62 per month from Comcast, possibly less for others if they are available where you live. Get a Roku or Firestick for streaming.

Alternative to Comcast
 

We got an antenna and the Sling app and are pleased

I dropped Dish network when we lived in Colorado and the house in TV was a rental and switched to Roku sticks in both places and added switched service to YouTube TV (easy interface with Roku and we get multiple apps like Amazon, Angel Studios, YouTube and YouTubeTV, Disney+ etc). We also like watching British shows on BritBox and Acorn. My costs savings were over $1000 a year. I only pay for Internet with CenturyLink and YouTubeTV and a small monthly fee for BritBox. I just switched my 80+ yo neighbor to the same. She had a few issues in the first few weeks but now, it’s great. She is dropping Comcast and saving over $100 a month as well. She loves YouTube as she is a retired pastor and watches various church streams where she is asked to guest preach.

The biggest change is no numbers on channels. But we just setup DVR recordings (unlimited hours with YouTubeTV) and all our favorite shows are recorded as no one really watches all 100+ channels. It has great filters so to watch football this weekend, just click sports->football and all games that are being shown pop up for easy access.

Also YouTubeTV has the exact same interface for all your devices so remote watching is also a breeze.

One other upside with sticks and streaming, all the Comcast crap (boxes and cables) disappear at all the TVs,

Interesting, we had Comcast and Spectrum, both way overpiced. Switched to Firestick and YouTube TV. Hundreds of more channels and saving $90 a month. Cutting the cord is best thing we have done.

I dropped Comcast , put an antenna on my tv . Signed up for Verizon 5g internet
$25 a month . No cables coming in the house . I have a wireless scanner , printer and fax machine all wireless. I get 70 channels mostly old movies and cbs, nbc , ABC , WGN , PBS etc no cable channels no CNN I don’t miss . I have a national weather channel.

I have Spectrum and dislike the TV programming. I live south of 44. Anyone know if we have the fiber capability down here? I am not sure I would be interested in having an antenna, but the fiber option or fire stick has me intrigued.

YouTube with fire stick
Up to six tv’s
But my daughter did mine I think that there is tv who does it
Guess you have to ask around

I'm a snowbird and had Spectrum in The Villages and in Ohio. Both were costing over $240 each - same story. I renegotiated my internet only with Spectrum for a year at $49+tax/month. For TV I chose to buy Amazon FireSticks for all TV's, even the non-Smart TV's. They now work as a smart TV and are very fast. Even the Smart TV's now work better with FireSticks. The Tv's must have an HDMI port.
As for TV, I chose YouTube TV over Hulu, which are similar in order to have the regular channels.
Once I had that setup, I went to other apps like Netflix, Max & Paramount+ and signed up on their websites and paid directly there.
One very nice thing about the setup is that the same setup works in the Florida home and the Ohio home. I just have to pay for internet in both locations, not YouTube TV and not the apps. There's no other costs to the Firesticks after purchase, just YouTubeTV $69.70/month and then any apps you choose.
Also, the Firesticks will automatically update and you can load about every app onto it. You can setup a profile to your liking and once my wife and I became familiar with them, we love it.

Oh man, I really don’t want to touch this. When we moved from TV we were using Comcast cable & internet service & your right it wasn’t cheap, $185. a month & still increasing and that was 4 yrs. ago & where we live now it’s supposedly FREE, compliments of our HOA $23. a month but since our prices don’t have anything to do with TV, so sorry I don’t have a solution. The first yr. we lived in TV we used a Antenna but I had to put it in the attic because TV said no antenna’s on outside of house but that was BS because I saw antenna’s hanging on outside of houses, by the way we got 50 channels with an antenna that’s what would be my solution for you until you figure something else out!

Fiber & Outdoor Antenna
 

I have Quantum Fiber, 200 mpbs UP & down, $30/month total. I'm it the northern part of TV but I understand it is available in other parts of TV. I have an outdoor antenna & get over 70 english stations. Search for "antenna" to see mine and other posts about outdoor antennas. I also stream some of the free services on the internet.

Can you please elaborate on the above statement. What is the “much more” that Apple TV 4K provides? I need to purchase 5 devices and the Apple device costs $150 while a Roku express costs $25. That’s $150 total for Roku versus $750 for Apple.

Has anyone used senior cable which recently advertised in the paper