Any long time Sling users here? I'm doing a month right now and I'm not really sold on this product/service.

I've noticed several times I loose connection - even happened during the OU game. Some searching online showed that can be a common issue. It's also happened a few times while watching programs - get the circling buffer thing for about 20 seconds. Really kills the momentum of a movie. I've never experienced this while streaming HBO, Showtime or Netflix on their independent apps.

Also, I guess I'm too used to services like Netflix and my DVR. I was hoping Sling would have more on demand programing. I find very little. I also hate that the live streams most often will not let you pause or rewind.

Right now its not feeling like a good tradeoff from COX Cable with TIVO.

Anyone else experience the lost connections with Sling?

*I'm currently streaming on a Apple TV 4th generation.

By this time, I've tried all of the streaming services. PS Vue is the class of the field, with DVR capabilities and very capable On Demand. Connection issues do occur occasionally, but not during time of high traffic (think Game of Thrones season premiere or other special event). I'm on an Amazon Fire TV and it is, by far, my favorite service. Sling updated their interface, but the back end stuff still seems to be wonky.

You can always try a 7-day trial of PS Vue. Worth a shot. I do not miss my cable bill.

By this time, I've tried all of the streaming services. PS Vue is the class of the field, with DVR capabilities and very capable On Demand. Connection issues do occur occasionally, but not during time of high traffic (think Game of Thrones season premiere or other special event). I'm on an Amazon Fire TV and it is, by far, my favorite service. Sling updated their interface, but the back end stuff still seems to be wonky.

You can always try a 7-day trial of PS Vue. Worth a shot. I do not miss my cable bill.

Ditto. I'm using a 4th gen Apple TV and an old Roku - service has been better than expected on both and the DVR/on demand features are great.

I think i'm going to try PS due next. Looks to have more of the features I'm looking for.

My biggest issue at this point is the money I've already invested in my TIVO with lifetime subscription and the fact I'm apparently paying less than $20/month for my basic cable.

If my rate goes up, it will be a no-brainer.

What kind of features are you looking for?

What kind of features are you looking for?

DVR ability, good on demand programing, ability to pause/rewind and a stable connection. Basically everything I have now - but with the satisfaction of not giving COX a dime of my money.

If we can throw morals out the window, I have a couple of suggestions pending on what you want to watch.

If we can throw morals out the window, I have a couple of suggestions pending on what you want to watch.

Kodi? If so, I already have it. I find it maddening to play, "Will the movie really load roulette." I still have my Firesticks but don't bother with Kodi. It's probably just me, but I find it too frustrating.

Kodi? If so, I already have it. I find it maddening to play, "Will the movie really load roulette." I still have my Firesticks but don't bother with Kodi. It's probably just me, but I find it too frustrating.

Don't know how frustrated you are, or if you want to pursue Kodi further, but check out RealDebrid. It's a subscription that gives better streams, and it's very inexpensive. I don't have too many problems using Kodi streams, but, even when I do, I have to allow that I'm getting a lot of content at little or no cost, so I'm ok with it.

I use Exodus and S.A.L.T.S, primarily, and have very few issues. I also use Trakt integration to keep track of my shows.

Surprised I rarely hear about PlayOn as an option/supplement since they have DVR product.

Surprised I rarely hear about PlayOn as an option/supplement since they have DVR product.

I tried using PlayOn, but it never quite worked very well for me. I assumed user error, however, but none of the channels for content ever worked well enough to consider using it on a regular basis.

UPDATE: I think I was using a weird XBMC-related version of PlayOn. The service actually looks pretty cool, but I don't currently have a Windows box on which to run it, so I can't really test it out.

Kodi? If so, I already have it. I find it maddening to play, "Will the movie really load roulette." I still have my Firesticks but don't bother with Kodi. It's probably just me, but I find it too frustrating.

It's not just you.

Kodi? If so, I already have it. I find it maddening to play, "Will the movie really load roulette." I still have my Firesticks but don't bother with Kodi. It's probably just me, but I find it too frustrating.

Nope, Both are extremely reliable.

Wheres the spoiler option in here?

reborn4hdlive for NBA.
nfl2go for NFL.

All games, home and away feeds, national games, reg season + playoffs, and they keep the games for some amount of time.

Nope, Both are extremely reliable.

Wheres the spoiler option in here?

reborn4hdlive for NBA.
nfl2go for NFL.

All games, home and away feeds, national games, reg season + playoffs, and they keep the games for some amount of time.

Unfortunately, being the son of a single mom led to the lack of appreciation for professional sports! I watch sports, I just couldn't recite any player or even team stats. I just appreciate a well fought game in general.

In all honesty, we only watch a handful of shows and we like the occasional at home movie. But, I want to watch them on my time (which Sling or OTA doesn't allow me to do) and I want some variety and I want to be able to pause. I just really hate that I have to give my money to COX to get those things.

I tried using PlayOn, but it never quite worked very well for me. I assumed user error, however, but none of the channels for content ever worked well enough to consider using it on a regular basis.

UPDATE: I think I was using a weird XBMC-related version of PlayOn. The service actually looks pretty cool, but I don't currently have a Windows box on which to run it, so I can't really test it out.

I splurged and bought a lifetime license to PlayOn and set it up on a Windows VM and I'd say it works largely as advertised. For some reason, *some* sources don't record well. For example, scheduled recordings of certain shows from Food Network are dodgy, but recordings from TNT are usually perfect.

PlayOn recordings show up automatically as a DLNA source on any corresponding client device, so I think given the price its a winner. I just haven't taken the time to tweak all the sources.

Kodi? If so, I already have it. I find it maddening to play, "Will the movie really load roulette." I still have my Firesticks but don't bother with Kodi. It's probably just me, but I find it too frustrating.

I have built two Raspberry PI boxes with OSMC, which is a custom-cut version of Kodi. I don't use any of the pirate streams or services, but I generally find the KODI-approved add-ons to be very reliable and enjoyable. The KODI project itself has a bit of a cloud over it as some developers have threatened recently to leave the project because of the way the name has become tied to the pirate movie/streams business. KODI itself has trademarked the name and their starting to go after the companies on eBay etc that are selling boxes using that name and advertising pirate movie or sports streams.

Unfortunately, being the son of a single mom led to the lack of appreciation for professional sports! I watch sports, I just couldn't recite any player or even team stats. I just appreciate a well fought game in general.

In all honesty, we only watch a handful of shows and we like the occasional at home movie. But, I want to watch them on my time (which Sling or OTA doesn't allow me to do) and I want some variety and I want to be able to pause. I just really hate that I have to give my money to COX to get those things.

You said you have a lifetime TiVo but in guessing it's not the one with ota input. You could throw more money at it and get a tablo dvr, with which I've been very happy, but you might just be happier with what you've got. Tablo would solve your ota dvr issue, and you can cast it to any fire device.

I have built two Raspberry PI boxes with OSMC, which is a custom-cut version of Kodi. I don't use any of the pirate streams or services, but I generally find the KODI-approved add-ons to be very reliable and enjoyable. The KODI project itself has a bit of a cloud over it as some developers have threatened recently to leave the project because of the way the name has become tied to the pirate movie/streams business. KODI itself has trademarked the name and their starting to go after the companies on eBay etc that are selling boxes using that name and advertising pirate movie or sports streams.

I've got 2 friends who have recently bought fire sticks with kodi loaded and paid twice retail for each. I've made it clear to them that's not necessary and offered to help them or their friends in the future so they don't buy more of the preloaded stuff. Felt bad for them for wasting their money like that.

I've got 2 friends who have recently bought fire sticks with kodi loaded and paid twice retail for each. I've made it clear to them that's not necessary and offered to help them or their friends in the future so they don't buy more of the preloaded stuff. Felt bad for them for wasting their money like that.

Yeah I know exactly what you're talking about!! And I don't blame the KODI folks for going after the graymarket boxes. The OSMC version of KODI I use on these Raspberry PI boxes is a first-class piece of software that is rock solid and routinely updated. I bought one of the nicer Raspberry PI kits with a case, good-quality power supply (very important), and micro SD card, and an external mini-keyboard remote. It assembles in about five minutes, and downloading/burning the OSMC image to the microSD card takes maybe another five or ten...

You said you have a lifetime TiVo but in guessing it's not the one with ota input. You could throw more money at it and get a tablo dvr, with which I've been very happy, but you might just be happier with what you've got. Tablo would solve your ota dvr issue, and you can cast it to any fire device.

Actually have both types of boxes. Found an OTA unit on Craigslist awhile back for $30 so I grabbed it. In our house we have a mix of TV's on cable and on OTA.

FYI - be careful if you try the Sling 7-day free trial. I cancelled my trial and received an email confirmation. However, I just saw where Sling still charged me for the next month anyway.

Going to call and argue to get that reversed. Not cool.

We used to have SlingTV but left due to the same issues that have previously been mentioned, and not to mention PS VUE has Both the ESPN's and FS's available on their lowest tier pkg for $30, whereas on Sling you have to get the $50 pkg in order to get both. I really like the PS VUE and have been running it on a ROKU 3, but about to switch to an Amazon Fire TV since the menu gui for PS VUE is better on it and my ROKU is getting long in the tooth.

I am about to try out the 7-Day free trial of the new DirecTV Now service though since they have quite a few more channels for just $5 more than what we pay for the PS VUE. I made this chart for a friend of mine who is looking to cut the Cox cord as well; these are just the lower end packages, since i feel like they have the necessities and once you cross the $50/mo line you might as well stay with cable.

Hopefully it's readable...
134431344413445

I experienced another really frustrating part of Sling recently... I pay for the package with FOX, etc, but only certain markets get the full FOX, so I was not able to stream the playoff games through the app. In addition to all the streaming options once I find a better alternative for FSOK, I am done with it.

Tried PSVue for my in laws. Thought it was great! Fast service on Amazon firetv

We used to have SlingTV but left due to the same issues that have previously been mentioned, and not to mention PS VUE has Both the ESPN's and FS's available on their lowest tier pkg for $30, whereas on Sling you have to get the $50 pkg in order to get both. I really like the PS VUE and have been running it on a ROKU 3, but about to switch to an Amazon Fire TV since the menu gui for PS VUE is better on it and my ROKU is getting long in the tooth.

I am about to try out the 7-Day free trial of the new DirecTV Now service though since they have quite a few more channels for just $5 more than what we pay for the PS VUE. I made this chart for a friend of mine who is looking to cut the Cox cord as well; these are just the lower end packages, since i feel like they have the necessities and once you cross the $50/mo line you might as well stay with cable.

Hopefully it's readable...
134431344413445



tough to read. would you be willing to post as a google doc?

tough to read. would you be willing to post as a google doc?

First time using Google Docs, hope this works! :D

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zI_dlhipMhwaJPKttAtUNGAz-e79Yk_jwfrXJvxHz-w/pub

Yeah, done with Sling. Even though i showed them my email and screen shot that confirmed I canceled my trial, they refuse to refund the money they charge my account for the next month.

On top of that, they won't even honor their advertised 'Free Roku' - that I asked for since they weren't going to refund my money and they advertise a FREE Roku with a one month subscription. I got the typical "you needed to ask for that up front."

So, yeah, never again.

First time using Google Docs, hope this works! :D

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zI_dlhipMhwaJPKttAtUNGAz-e79Yk_jwfrXJvxHz-w/pub

Here is a sheet a redditor made as well: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FipfKvmctFxzX1dWpUxf94wMbmwyXQq6Ym5cRdV5TAc/edit#gid=0

Has a bit more info about channels.

Yeah, done with Sling. Even though i showed them my email and screen shot that confirmed I canceled my trial, they refuse to refund the money they charge my account for the next month.

On top of that, they won't even honor their advertised 'Free Roku' - that I asked for since they weren't going to refund my money and they advertise a FREE Roku with a one month subscription. I got the typical "you needed to ask for that up front."

So, yeah, never again.
I know this doesn't help you now but anytime I'm buying something or signing up for some service and they offer me 3 free months of this or 6 free months of that, I always turn it down. I've been doing that for at least a decade if not longer. They always put the onus on you to cancel once your free trial is up and then when you go to cancel they make it such a difficult and arduous task. And I understand why they do it that way, they're hoping you'll just give up and keep it. That's why I always try to nip it in the bud up front.

@urbanite, worked great, thanks!

I know this doesn't help you now but anytime I'm buying something or signing up for some service and they offer me 3 free months of this or 6 free months of that, I always turn it down. I've been doing that for at least a decade if not longer. They always put the onus on you to cancel once your free trial is up and then when you go to cancel they make it such a difficult and arduous task. And I understand why they do it that way, they're hoping you'll just give up and keep it. That's why I always try to nip it in the bud up front.

I'm kind of the opposite - but I certainly get your stance. I have a habit of always taking companies up on their 'free' offers and just make sure my phone reminds me when to cancel to avoid charges.

I actually canceled on the free trial end date (usually I have my phone remind me a day or two prior). Cancellation was easy. I did take a screen shot of the cancellation confirmation page just in case I didn't get an email confirmation. But, I got one of those too. It didn't really surprise me that I got charged - given that I canceled at the last minute. What was shocking was their refusal to do anything about it even though I showed them my confirmation that clearly said I was cancelling my free trial. Live and learn. Luckily, this is the very first time something like this has happened. I'm sure at least a dozen people at some point will ask me about Sling, and I'll gladly talk them out of signing up (even for the 'free' trial). So, I guess there is some satisfaction in that. Thanks for the advice though. I will probably be more cautious going forward.

I'm kind of the opposite - but I certainly get your stance. I have a habit of always taking companies up on their 'free' offers and just make sure my phone reminds me when to cancel to avoid charges.

I actually canceled on the free trial end date (usually I have my phone remind me a day or two prior). Cancellation was easy. I did take a screen shot of the cancellation confirmation page just in case I didn't get an email confirmation. But, I got one of those too. It didn't really surprise me that I got charged - given that I canceled at the last minute. What was shocking was their refusal to do anything about it even though I showed them my confirmation that clearly said I was cancelling my free trial. Live and learn. Luckily, this is the very first time something like this has happened. I'm sure at least a dozen people at some point will ask me about Sling, and I'll gladly talk them out of signing up (even for the 'free' trial). So, I guess there is some satisfaction in that. Thanks for the advice though. I will probably be more cautious going forward.

Have you considered going back to your credit card company and contesting the charge? If you've got proof you canceled, I'd give it a shot. You've scared me off Sling and I'd share this on Facebook and Twitter to spread the word about their practices....

Have you considered going back to your credit card company and contesting the charge? If you've got proof you canceled, I'd give it a shot. You've scared me off Sling and I'd share this on Facebook and Twitter to spread the word about their practices....

DirecTV Now is doing the same thing to their customers who signed up for the trial. Not refunding the month's subscription charged after cancelling. Shady.

I dropped the service contract for repairs and the receiver in the RV from my DTV account in Oct. Yesterdays bill showed they had reinstated both to my acct without my requesting it. Went to online chat with them and finally got them removed again. (I hope!)

I tried Playstation Vue with their free trial and would have dropped U-verse but the Fox Sports channel did not have Fox Sports Oklahoma for Thunder games. You can use the Fox Sports Go app and watch the games but you can not pause or record the games. It is my understanding that Playstation Vue is still working with regional sports networks so it is possible that the channel with be available in the future.

I tried Playstation Vue with their free trial and would have dropped U-verse but the Fox Sports channel did not have Fox Sports Oklahoma for Thunder games. You can use the Fox Sports Go app and watch the games but you can not pause or record the games. It is my understanding that Playstation Vue is still working with regional sports networks so it is possible that the channel with be available in the future.

Have you had trouble with the Fox Sports Go app? I can't get it to play Thunder games on my phone or Firestick.

Have you had trouble with the Fox Sports Go app? I can't get it to play Thunder games on my phone or Firestick.

FoxSports App on my firetv gen 2 is solid. I even wathc NFL games on it on Sunday sometimes.

FoxSports App on my firetv gen 2 is solid. I even wathc NFL games on it on Sunday sometimes.

Strange. It doesn't even give me the option to select Thunder games.

Have you had trouble with the Fox Sports Go app? I can't get it to play Thunder games on my phone or Firestick.

It works great on my Apple TV, Roku, and iPad. I used to have issues but the app has been very solid over the last year and a half or so.

Strange. It doesn't even give me the option to select Thunder games.

Make sure you have any package higher than the base Vue package.

Have you had trouble with the Fox Sports Go app? I can't get it to play Thunder games on my phone or Firestick.

I have not had any problems with the Fox Sports Go app on my Roku or Ipad.

The Fox Sports apps have been one of the better ones on my Android devices. We used it to stream an MLB playoff game while driving back from Dallas a couple of years ago and aside from just a very few spots where we drove in and out of No Man's Land the stream was just about perfect.

I do understand, however, that Fox as an entity has been reluctant to join up with the other/newer streaming services - not sure why, but I'd seen that comment in a couple of places FWIW.

Sure don't like this notion of getting charged for a properly cancelled "free trial." That's why I always *hate* the "free trials" that *require* a credit card. Makes me instantly suspicious. I had to arm-wrestle an XM Radio rep over the phone a few years back when I was done with that service - they kept trying to retain me, offer me a lower rate, all that, and when I made it clear I wanted no part of them anymore, they tried to force me to retain service "through the end of the month." I then said "Whom do I have to talk to to completely and totally cancel my service as of this very moment, right now?" The rep got all crappy with me, but finally did it....

Whom do I have to talk to to completely and totally cancel my service as of this very moment, right now?" The rep got all crappy with me,

My standard reply when confronted with an obstinate agent is to say "this doesn't have to be complicated unless one of us is trying to make it complicated." (and it usually works)

I really like our PS Vue option. I do have to echo that it is very processor intensive though, as much as I like the GUI. We had the Fire Stick and it was running pretty slow on it (lag when pushing buttons, slow to load). Once we upgraded to the Fire TV box it was fast and responsive.

someone tweeted the same problem of being charged for the sling free trial, with a photo of their canx email...

then the Sling handle @slinganswers responded
"I would like to help you with this. Pls send me a DM w/ your email & the last 4-digits of the card on file. Thank you!"

Sometimes its easier to get these issues resolved the new way over the old way (phone calls)

WHOA

Google unveils YouTube TV -- live sports, unlimited storage DVR, and affordable price
https://betanews.com/2017/02/28/youtube-tv/

WHOA

Google unveils YouTube TV -- live sports, unlimited storage DVR, and affordable price
https://betanews.com/2017/02/28/youtube-tv/

Looks promising. But, i agree with the article - missing critical channels. Also, COX seems to realize that (for now) most of us need their Internet service. So, as long as they can offer a good package of basic channels for the same or less than these 3rd party subscriptions, they know they'll keep many of their customers. I already pay less than $35/month for the TV portion of my bill and I get more channels.

Hopefully YouTube will offer a better lineup in the near future.

Still looks like Vue is better than Youtube as the base level.

Agreed BBates. The only thing is now the rental of Cox small boxes just to use the service is another fee. They really nickel and dime people at the end of the day. At least with subscription programs the price is exactly what it says.

Still looks like Vue is better than Youtube as the base level.

Agreed BBates. The only thing is now the rental of Cox small boxes just to use the service is another fee. They really nickel and dime people at the end of the day. At least with subscription programs the price is exactly what it says.

I currently have one of those mini Cox boxes (free under promotion). I refuse to rent anything else from them (own my own DVR and modem).

Since I have Tivo, I can watch anything the main Tivo unit can broadcast on my other TV's. Also have the SlingBox for broadcasting to other devices. We also have OTR on most of our TV's.

I hate those mini boxes cost money and still don't tune in everything your main cox DVR tuner gets. Just another Cox ripoff.

I don't remember where, but I read where there was a recent case that ruled in favor of the consumer, in regards to having to lease the cable boxes. Cox is appealing. If the appeal gets turned down (which I hope and pray it does), there will be a major class action suit I am sure, and then perhaps we will have a better option.

One thing a friend of mine does is he has 3 Apple TV boxes that he sent off to jailbreak. He can pretty much watch anything, anytime. If its a primetime new showing, he said that he has to wait 15-30 minutes to find it somewhere. Based on the savings, he said that it is worth it. The one thing you don't want to do is perform the "update" on the Apple TV box, as that will cause it to not be jailbroken, and you will have to send it off once again. His little girl recently clicked "yes" to the update, and he had to send it off again.

I found the link to the article I read regarding the court ruling!!!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/10/30/jury-cox-illegally-forced-customers-into-renting-its-set-top-box/?utm_term=.ef94057e0b34

I don't remember where, but I read where there was a recent case that ruled in favor of the consumer, in regards to having to lease the cable boxes. Cox is appealing. If the appeal gets turned down (which I hope and pray it does), there will be a major class action suit I am sure, and then perhaps we will have a better option.

One thing a friend of mine does is he has 3 Apple TV boxes that he sent off to jailbreak. He can pretty much watch anything, anytime. If its a primetime new showing, he said that he has to wait 15-30 minutes to find it somewhere. Based on the savings, he said that it is worth it. The one thing you don't want to do is perform the "update" on the Apple TV box, as that will cause it to not be jailbroken, and you will have to send it off once again. His little girl recently clicked "yes" to the update, and he had to send it off again.

I found the link to the article I read regarding the court ruling!!!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/10/30/jury-cox-illegally-forced-customers-into-renting-its-set-top-box/?utm_term=.ef94057e0b34

Most likely illegal content streams. I prefer to stay legal with my content. I buy the content we want to watch.

Also I hope he isn't paying a lot for that "jailbreak" just to get Kodi on it. It is about a 2 minute procedure.

I don't remember where, but I read where there was a recent case that ruled in favor of the consumer, in regards to having to lease the cable boxes. Cox is appealing. If the appeal gets turned down (which I hope and pray it does), there will be a major class action suit I am sure, and then perhaps we will have a better option.

If I recall correctly, a judge already overturned that decision saying that there was no proof that this was a burden to consumers. I guess buying her was cheaper for Cox than paying the customers they ripped off.

http://legalnewsline.com/stories/510656837-okla-federal-judge-overturns-jury-s-19m-verdict-against-cox-communications

"In her decision, Cauthron found that even though Cox required its customers to rent a set-top box to receive premium cable, the plaintiffs failed to provide sufficient evidence that the arrangement led to substantial foreclosure and injury. "

My initial reaction to this was not so much that it was better than other options out there YET, but the mere fact that Google was throwing its full weight into this space (by full weight I mean leveraging the very valuable YouTube brand [note recent articles about ONE BILLION hours of YouTube videos watched daily]) means it will likely continually improve and eventually be as good if not better than other efforts in this space.

6 separate accounts and dvr also helps I think I saw the comparisons somewhere and I'm too lazy to look for them

I believe the comparably priced package from PS Vue has better selection of channels.

Looks promising. But, i agree with the article - missing critical channels. Also, COX seems to realize that (for now) most of us need their Internet service. So, as long as they can offer a good package of basic channels for the same or less than these 3rd party subscriptions, they know they'll keep many of their customers. I already pay less than $35/month for the TV portion of my bill and I get more channels.

Hopefully YouTube will offer a better lineup in the near future.

You have a TIVO Dvr with Cox, do you not? If so, do you need a cable card to make it work (I'm assuming you do), and can it serve as a DLNA/uPnP server? Does it allow you to discontinue the explicit "DVR service" from Cox proper?

Thanks

You have a TIVO Dvr with Cox, do you not? If so, do you need a cable card to make it work (I'm assuming you do), and can it serve as a DLNA/uPnP server? Does it allow you to discontinue the explicit "DVR service" from Cox proper?

Thanks

I don't pay for DVR service (the big box) because of my Tivo. Yes, it requires a card (which tends to have to be replaced at least twice a year). My Tivo can already stream to the other TV's in my house, but, since they 'gave' me a mini box, I'm using it in one room for now.

I don't pay for DVR service (the big box) because of my Tivo. Yes, it requires a card (which tends to have to be replaced at least twice a year). My Tivo can already stream to the other TV's in my house, but, since they 'gave' me a mini box, I'm using it in one room for now.

Do you have to pay a monthly service fee to Tivo? How does the Tivo handle the streaming?

I went my first round with Cox on getting some sort of bill relief after seeing a one-year jump of about $40 and got a particularly condescending little twerp on the other end who treated me mostly like an idiot and explained what getting a discount means. I realized I wasn't getting anywhere with her and hung up. I'm noticing a pattern that the first time you call to gripe about your bill, you get the "You're a Jerk" treatment, but if you call back the second time they're more amenable to some sort of a discount. I think this time I'm going to ask for retention when I get online.

Do you have to pay a monthly service fee to Tivo? How does the Tivo handle the streaming?

I went my first round with Cox on getting some sort of bill relief after seeing a one-year jump of about $40 and got a particularly condescending little twerp on the other end who treated me mostly like an idiot and explained what getting a discount means. I realized I wasn't getting anywhere with her and hung up. I'm noticing a pattern that the first time you call to gripe about your bill, you get the "You're a Jerk" treatment, but if you call back the second time they're more amenable to some sort of a discount. I think this time I'm going to ask for retention when I get online.

I bought my Tivo a couple of years ago during a Black Friday special. Bought a refurbished Tivo with lifetime subscription for just a few hundred dollars. Already had it blow up once and they replaced it very cheaply and transferred the lifetime subscription to the replacement unit. I much prefer Tivo to Cox. It's most comparable to their Contour service. If I remember correctly I have 6 tuners in my Tivo.

As for streaming to other TV's - you have to connect a Tivo Mini box to each TV. About the size of the Cox mini box, but more features. I bought a couple refurbished very cheap and another on Craigslist. Now I can watch everything in every room and share my recorded movies.

With Cox, each customer retention rep. has their own discretion. So, when they tell you "this is the best deal you can get" - that's not necessarily true. They all have their own budget to draw from for customer retention. Giving you less of a deal means a bigger bonus for them.

I called when my rates went up (again) and got the price down. I called two weeks later and got them down even further. I'm now less than $90 for cable TV and 150MB Internet which is within my comfort level.

Guys, I worked on the business side of Cox for about 9 years. You have to do what BBates said.... call and haggle with them. They sure as heck aren't going to call you to tell you they can save you $. You have to pick up the phone and call them. If you haven't talked to them in over a year, you are probably spending too much. I am a silent partner in a communications business here in OKC. We don't do residential negotiation, but last week we fought for a business entity here in OKC. We did the haggling and negotiating for them. THey were spending about $1,000 a month, now they will be about $650 for the same services. They did have to renew their agreement to get the better rates, but over 3 years we saved them over $12,000. They wouldn't have known any better. Cox tried the Jedi mind trick to give them faster speed for the same price...then they tried to just lower the bill about $100. If anyone has a business and wants their communications analyzed to see if they can save $, send me a private message.

I'm about to go to just internet.

I have the options of ATT & Cox. I prefer ATT due to Cox having a lot of extra fees that I remember them adding.

My only concern with not having cable is I will be missing Thunder games. How does everyone watch them? It costs a lot to get FSSW included.