HBO Go launching standalone service

HBO is planning a service that will allow users to get HBO without a cable subscription over the internet. The service will be called HBO Now to avoid confusion with the HBO Go name. No launch date is yet to be released but is expected in 2015. The cost will be $15 per month and is expected to launch before the fifth season of Game of Thrones which is on April 12. The service is expected to be available on popular streaming devices such as Roku, Apple TV, and video game consoles. Cable companies are already starting to drop pricing on HBO to avoid losing to cord cutters. This is going to be a big change for HBO as they will no longer be attached to the cable company, but cord cutters everywhere are expected to sign up.

New service for watching live tv online

There's a new service launched this year called Sling TV and is apparently owned by Dish Network. The service offers a handful of channels for $20 per month. The service is a huge break for sports fan as ESPN is one of the select channels. Live sports was one of the leading reasons why people have put off "cutting the cord". All channels included for the $20 are ESPN, ESPN 2, AMC, Food Network, HGTV, Disney, TNT, El Rey, Travel, TBS, Maker, Adult Swim, CNN, IFC, Cartoon Network, ABC Family, and Galovision. The company also has addon packages of four to nine channels for $5 more each based on genres of sports, Hollywood, kids, and news. The news category also includes the DIY network. Check out the official website here. For the time being the company is offering a 7 day free trial as well as a $50 off Roku or Amazon streaming boxes or streaming stick if you pay for 3 months. Sony PlayStation and Apple are also working on similar services of their own.

Streaming Media Players

There are many options for streaming media players on the market, and making the decision on what to buy can be overwhelming. They all do about the same thing, but have several different price points. The Apple TV, Google TV, and Roku are probably the most popular. Google TV is the most powerful with loads of features. The Apple TV is great as well and is the only way to access the iTunes library. The Roku is very flexible, has lots of great channels, and a simple interface. The Google TV will set you back about $100-$150, the Apple TV about $100 and the Roku about $50-$100. My personal vote is for the low end Roku. It costs only $50 and can stream Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Crackle, and many others. I have had no problems with the device, and I can hook it up with both HDMI, and rca video cables for my older TVs. The Roku can do just about everything I need it to. Other streaming options available are Smart TVs and Blu-ray players.

Renting movies from Red Box and Family Video

Going to the video store and renting a movie seems to be becoming a thing of the past, but it can be a great way to see the latest movie. Things like Netflix and OnDemand are starting to take over this business but there are still other services still available. The first I would like to mention is RedBox. RedBox is basically a vending machine for renting movies. They have a large selection to choose from at an inexpensive cost. The downside to this though, is that you have to wait 28 days for the new releases. This is done by movie studios as way to get more people to buy the DVDs instead of renting them. Another good service is Family Video or another rental store. At these stores, there is no wait for the new releases. They are available right away and cost under $3. Renting movies is a great way to cut the cost of cable.

Streaming Media Players for Netflix, Hulu Plus and more

With the recent increase in online media, streaming media players have become a staple in peoples TV entertainment systems. The internet has moved away from the computer and is now easily accessible on television sets. Using your TV to accomplish this is easy with recent streaming media players. These include Smart TV's, Blu-Ray players, Roku boxes, Apple TV's, and many more.

Web Content

So you got the latest streaming media player, but what kind of content are going to watch. The general consensus is to purchase a subscription to Netflix and/or Hulu Plus. These are great services that cost about $8 per month each. That a heck of a lot better than the price of cable. Obviously it's not quite as good as cable, but the services are loaded with great content for a reasonable price. Streaming media players are great way alternative to the cable company.