Online Streaming TV Tips

Best Netflix Series – Top 10 Netflix ORIGINAL Shows to Watch Now

2 Comments

Best Netflix Original Series – if you’re looking for ideas on what to watch next on Netflix and you’re trying to find a new “Netflix Original” show you can binge watch then this article and video can help you.

I’ll tell you my recommendations for the Top 10 Best “Netflix ORIGINAL” SERIES you can to watch on Netflix right now. After that I’ll give you another 10 NEW shows on Netflix to check out too. But wait, there’s more – as an added bonus if you read to the bottom, then you’ll also get my Top 10 Best Netflix Original MOVIES too.

We’ve got a lot going on in this article, so get your popcorn ready as we review my recommendations for…

The Best Netflix Original SERIES

We’ll start off with a video version of the list and then follow with the full text article – which includes direct links to all these shows on Netflix. Enjoy

Best Netflix Original Series – The Video

Enjoyed this video?

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/TheHelpfuldad/
Share THIS vid: https://youtu.be/DoWn4x0RYaI
Watch more from our Streaming TV Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list…
Netflix Link: https://www.netflix.com/
Best Netflix Original MOVIES: https://youtu.be/aE_oDfqhZKw

amzn_assoc_ad_type = “banner”; amzn_assoc_marketplace = “amazon”; amzn_assoc_region = “US”; amzn_assoc_placement = “assoc_banner_placement_default”; amzn_assoc_campaigns = “primeent”; amzn_assoc_banner_type = “category”; amzn_assoc_isresponsive = “true”; amzn_assoc_banner_id = “1YY8970CPXV4YVKACEG2”; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = “thathelpfulda-20”; amzn_assoc_linkid = “542e49ae3a6bb895cac975d6475a3979”; //z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&Operation=GetScript&ID=OneJS&WS=1
amzn_assoc_ad_type = “banner”; amzn_assoc_marketplace = “amazon”; amzn_assoc_region = “US”; amzn_assoc_placement = “assoc_banner_placement_default”; amzn_assoc_campaigns = “primeent”; amzn_assoc_banner_type = “category”; amzn_assoc_isresponsive = “true”; amzn_assoc_banner_id = “1YY8970CPXV4YVKACEG2”; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = “thathelpfulda-20”; amzn_assoc_linkid = “542e49ae3a6bb895cac975d6475a3979”; //z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&Operation=GetScript&ID=OneJS&WS=1

Best Netflix Original Shows

In no particular order, here are my recommendations for the Top 10 Netflix Original Series.

Bonus – the fun doesn’t end with just 10 shows because after my Top 10 Best Netflix Shows, I’ll give you another 10+ NEW shows to add to your queue as well.

A bit of housekeeping: you won’t find House of Cards or Orange is the New Black on this List because we assume you already know about those uber-popular shows. Just saying…

1-Ozark

Mike’s Take: If there is ONE series on Netflix that you MUST watch it’s OZARK. Jason Bateman and Laura Linney lead a wonderful ensemble cast in this clever, often edge-of-your-seat suspenseful drama where Bateman’s character is a mild-manner accountant who must launder $100’s of millions of dollars for a drug cartel in order to keep his family alive. Full of twists and ‘didn’t see-that-coming moments’ you’re sure to enjoy it. Season 1 of Ozark may well be one of the best binge-worthy shows of all time!

Ozark is still an on-going series so watch now and catch up before the next season comes out!

Image result for netflix ozark

Netflix Teaser of Ozark: “A financial adviser drags his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, where he must launder $500 million in five years to appease a drug boss.” Watch it on Netflix Now.

2-Narcos & Narcos Mexico

Mike’s Take: you’re getting two for the price of one on this tip as Narcos and Narcos Mexico are two separate shows but they are cleverly intertwined with some cool cross-over character scenes. Start with Narcos and you’ll watch the trials and tribulations of the DEA agents who tracked Pablo Escobar and later the Cali Cartel. You’ll also get to see the perspective of the drug lords and their families as well which is a nice added twist.

After you watch Narcos, then go for Narcos Mexico – the true story of the DEA agent who cracked the Mexican cartel – a group that created one of the highest quality grades of marijuana but later got greedy and became drug mules (albeit very rich mules!) for the Cali Cartel.

Both Narcos & Narcos Mexico are still on-going shows with new seasons to come.

Image result for netflix narcos
Image result for netflix narcos mexico

Netflix Teaser of Narcos: “The true story of Colombia’s infamously violent and powerful drug cartels fuels this gritty gangster drama series.” Watch it on Netflix Now.

Netflix Teaser of Narcos Mexico: “Witness the birth of the Mexican drug war in the 1980s as a gritty new “Narcos” saga chronicles the true story of the Guadalajara cartel’s ascent.” Watch it on Netflix Now.

3- 13 Reasons Why

Mike’s Take: Possibly the #1 show among teens on Netflix, I think that every PARENT should watch this show too because it will give you a new appreciation for just how hard it is to be a teenager during the age of Social Media – where a harmless event captured on video can be taken out of context and destroy lives. The basic gist is that a girl named Hannah Baker committed suicide and left 13 audio tapes that explained why she felt driven to do it by the actions of her classmates. Teenage suicide, bullying, loneliness, and much more are on full display here. Besides the valuable lessons, it’s a dang good show too – full of clever editing, great acting, and teen angst, my wife and I have enjoyed it. Well done. This series is still on-going.

Image result for 13 reasons why

Netflix Teaser of 13 Reasons Why: “Why did Hannah Baker take her own life? Her classmates all have secrets … and the truth is about to come out.” Watch it on Netflix Now.

4-Black Mirror

Mike’s Take: Sci-Fi fans love Black Mirror. It’s an anthology collection of stories that has 4+ seasons to watch. Each story tells the tale of a futuristic tech innovation gone wrong. This series is still on-going.

Tip: if you like the series Black Mirror, be sure to catch the new MOVIE Black Mirror Bandersnatch – one of our Top 10 Netflix Original MOVIES.

Image result for netflix black mirror

Netflix Teaser for Black Mirror (The Show): “This sci-fi anthology series explores a twisted, high-tech near-future where humanity’s greatest innovations and darkest instincts collide.” Watch Black Mirror on Netflix Now.

5-Making a Murderer

Mike’s Take: My wife loved this show and binge-watched it in record time. Originally one of the most downloaded podcasts of all time, the series Making a Murderer on Netflix quickly became a mass hit. It’s the tragic, frustrating, confusing story of Steve Avery and how the local police seemingly ‘created’ a murderer out of him. This series is still on-going.

Image result for netflix making a murderer

Netflix Teaser for Making a Murderer: “Filmed over 13 years, this real-life thriller follows the unprecedented story of two men accused of a grisly crime they may not have committed. Season 1 of the provoking documentary series won four Emmys, including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series!” Watch Making a Murderer on Netflix Today.

6-MindHunter: Unibomber

Mike’s Take: I thoroughly enjoyed this show – it’s only 1 season but it’s worth watching if you like true crime stories. What’s great about this show is that you get to see the trials and tribulations of both the FBI agent trying to track the Unibomber AND Ted Kaczynski too. Witnessing how FBI agent’s Jim Fitzgerald’s adult ADHD helped him hyper-focus to crack the mystery of the Unibomber’s letters was really facsinating!

Image result for netflix manhunt unabomber

Netflix Teaser for Mindhunter Unibomber: “Faced with few clues and an increasingly panicked public, the FBI calls on a new kind of profiler to help track down the infamous Unabomber.” Watch Mindhunter Unibomber on Netflix Now.

7-Bloodline

Mike’s Take: Here’s another show recommended by my wife Anne. It stars Kyle Chandler (from Friday Night Lights) and Sissy Spacek, it’s set in the Florida Keys, and it the tale of a family’s dark secrets they try to hide from the small community they are a part of. The entire series is 3 seasons and it’s complete so you’ll get the full story now.

Image result for netflix bloodline

Netflix Teaser for Bloodline: “When the black sheep son of a respected family threatens to expose dark secrets from their past, sibling rivalries are put to the test.” Click Here to Watch Bloodline on Netflix.

8-The Crown

Mike’s Take: “If you like period pieces and English dramas, then you’re sure to like this multi award-winning series about Queen Elizabeth II’s rise to power. John Lithgow as Winston Churchill is a scene-stealer every time he appears.

Image result for netflix the crown

Netflix Teaser for The Crown: “This drama follows the political rivalries and romance of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century.” Watch The Crown on Netflix here.

9-Boss Baby: Back in Business

Mike’s Take: I’d be remiss to not include a kids’ show on our list since this is after all a family-friendly blog. If you enjoyed the movie Boss Baby, you and the crew are sure to love Boss Baby Back in Business the series – although Alec Baldwin isn’t one of the voice actors for the series, this show doesn’t miss a beat and captures all the elements you loved in the movie. Witty, fun, and full of laughs, it’s a winner.

Image result for netflix boss baby back in business

Netflix Teaser for Boss Baby Back in Business: “The Boss Baby brings his big brother Tim to the office to teach him the art of business in this animated series sprung from the hit film.” Click here to watch Boss Baby Back in Business on Netflix with your kids.

10-Stranger Things

Mike’s Take: surely you didn’t think I’d forget about Stranger Things did you? I mean it’s only the BEST show on Netflix, right? 1980’s Nostalgia to include Dungeons & Dragons lore? Check. Government Conspiracies, Secret Experiments, and Alternate Worlds? Check. A boy who sees visions, multiple love stories, and crazy plot twists? Check, check, and check. There’s a reason why you see memes and t-shirts everywhere. This show has it all. Catch up on the early seasons so you’ll be ready for the next one coming soon!

Netflix Teaser for Stranger Things: “When a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments, terrifying secret experiments, and one strange little girl.” Watch Stranger Things Immediately on Netflix and stop missing all the fun!

Don’t Miss this Stranger Things Cool Merch

amzn_assoc_tracking_id = “thathelpfulda-20”; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = “manual”; amzn_assoc_ad_type = “smart”; amzn_assoc_marketplace = “amazon”; amzn_assoc_region = “US”; amzn_assoc_design = “enhanced_links”; amzn_assoc_asins = “B07J1Y36DK”; amzn_assoc_placement = “adunit”; amzn_assoc_linkid = “75735ade131cfd67c31ed42e2d2346cc”; //z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US
amzn_assoc_tracking_id = “thathelpfulda-20”; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = “manual”; amzn_assoc_ad_type = “smart”; amzn_assoc_marketplace = “amazon”; amzn_assoc_region = “US”; amzn_assoc_design = “enhanced_links”; amzn_assoc_asins = “1984817426”; amzn_assoc_placement = “adunit”; amzn_assoc_linkid = “fc72767e0b54af120d3b9a20873fb1af”; //z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US
amzn_assoc_tracking_id = “thathelpfulda-20”; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = “manual”; amzn_assoc_ad_type = “smart”; amzn_assoc_marketplace = “amazon”; amzn_assoc_region = “US”; amzn_assoc_design = “enhanced_links”; amzn_assoc_asins = “B076QMGGKF”; amzn_assoc_placement = “adunit”; amzn_assoc_linkid = “fc6e7d2c5206e4e12ed712abd6f31a24”; //z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US
amzn_assoc_tracking_id = “thathelpfulda-20”; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = “manual”; amzn_assoc_ad_type = “smart”; amzn_assoc_marketplace = “amazon”; amzn_assoc_region = “US”; amzn_assoc_design = “enhanced_links”; amzn_assoc_asins = “B077NZ3CY7”; amzn_assoc_placement = “adunit”; amzn_assoc_linkid = “6e26d9696959d8081f276634f5d87a04”; //z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US
amzn_assoc_tracking_id = “thathelpfulda-20”; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = “manual”; amzn_assoc_ad_type = “smart”; amzn_assoc_marketplace = “amazon”; amzn_assoc_region = “US”; amzn_assoc_design = “enhanced_links”; amzn_assoc_asins = “B06XGP9SDS”; amzn_assoc_placement = “adunit”; amzn_assoc_linkid = “54802476a3d3587d39badb289d0091d7”; //z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US
amzn_assoc_tracking_id = “thathelpfulda-20”; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = “manual”; amzn_assoc_ad_type = “smart”; amzn_assoc_marketplace = “amazon”; amzn_assoc_region = “US”; amzn_assoc_design = “enhanced_links”; amzn_assoc_asins = “B074P9NYFD”; amzn_assoc_placement = “adunit”; amzn_assoc_linkid = “78b55591f4349401842c841df72a6819”; //z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US

The Fun Isn’t Over – Check Out These Series on Netflix too!

Here are 10+ more Netflix Original shows to consider – many of them are brand new so you can be among the first to watch them and become the start of the office water cooler chatter.

a. Teen Angst: On My Block, Umbrella Academy, The Order
b. Cooking: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat; Final Table
c. Documentary: The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann; Conversations with a Killer: Ted Bundy; The Keepers
d. Thriller: You; The Haunting of Hill House
e. Comedy: Arrested Development; The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
f. Marvel Universe: The Punisher
g. Family: Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events
h. Sci-Fi: OA; Altered Carbon
i. The Absurd/Dark Comedy: Santa Clara Diet; Russian Doll

Bonus – Best Netflix Original MOVIES

This list of Netflix Original SERIES should keep your Netflix queue filled for a while but if you want to take a break from tv shows and catch some movies we have you covered there too. Check out this video about the Top 10 Best Netflix Original Movies!

Top 10 Best Netflix Original Movies for 2019

Deals from Amazon

amzn_assoc_placement = “adunit0”; amzn_assoc_search_bar = “true”; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = “thathelpfulda-20”; amzn_assoc_search_bar_position = “bottom”; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = “search”; amzn_assoc_ad_type = “smart”; amzn_assoc_marketplace = “amazon”; amzn_assoc_region = “US”; amzn_assoc_title = “Add these Prime Video Channels”; amzn_assoc_default_search_phrase = “Prime Video Channels”; amzn_assoc_default_category = “All”; amzn_assoc_linkid = “c81696daf128db478ca540146b19886c”; //z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US
amzn_assoc_ad_type = “banner”; amzn_assoc_marketplace = “amazon”; amzn_assoc_region = “US”; amzn_assoc_placement = “assoc_banner_placement_default”; amzn_assoc_campaigns = “amzn_firetv_eg_101618”; amzn_assoc_banner_type = “promotions”; amzn_assoc_p = “12”; amzn_assoc_banner_id = “07Z1A8KKG3NGABM31PG2”; amzn_assoc_width = “300”; amzn_assoc_height = “250”; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = “thathelpfulda-20”; amzn_assoc_linkid = “a68c3121d9e78374d49414d5a1f2be6f”; //z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&Operation=GetScript&ID=OneJS&WS=1
amzn_assoc_ad_type = “banner”; amzn_assoc_marketplace = “amazon”; amzn_assoc_region = “US”; amzn_assoc_placement = “assoc_banner_placement_default”; amzn_assoc_campaigns = “warehouse”; amzn_assoc_banner_type = “category”; amzn_assoc_p = “12”; amzn_assoc_isresponsive = “false”; amzn_assoc_banner_id = “0CEHPT6MVFZ5E2P21XG2”; amzn_assoc_width = “300”; amzn_assoc_height = “250”; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = “thathelpfulda-20”; amzn_assoc_linkid = “79cfef8d9a53a9e302f0c9edd58aa219”; //z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&Operation=GetScript&ID=OneJS&WS=1

More Tips from That Helpful Dad

At That Helpful Dad, I write about more than just watching tv. Here’s a sample of some of our other tips…

Intermittent Fasting – I tried it for a YEAR – here’s what I discovered.
10 Products from Google That are simply AWESOME
Tony Robbins Three to Thrive
Online Streaming TV Tips

Best Netflix Movies – Top 10 NETFLIX ORIGINAL Movies to Watch Now (2019)

Leave a comment

Best Netflix Original Movies – if you’re looking for ideas on what to watch next on Netflix then this article and video can help you.

I’ll tell you my Top 10 recommendations for the Top 10 Best “Netflix ORIGINAL” MOVIES you can to watch on Netflix right now. BONUS – scroll down and you’ll also get my Top 10 Best Netflix Original SERIES too.

Whatever your pleasure, this article will help you quickly decide what to watch on Netflix so you can save time. With that in mind I recommend you get your popcorn ready as we review my recommendations for…

The Best Netflix Original MOVIES for 2019

Pin Me | Share Me

BTW, have you ever had trouble finding movies to watch on Netflix? If so have no fear because in the video we’ll also show you how to navigate Netflix to find the “Netflix Original” movies I’m talking about.

Ready? Let’s go!

Top 10 Best Netflix Original Movies – The Video

Enjoyed this video?

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/TheHelpfuldad/
Share this vid: https://youtu.be/aE_oDfqhZKw
Watch more from our Streaming TV Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list…
Netflix Link: https://www.netflix.com/
Best Netflix Original SERIES: https://youtu.be/DoWn4x0RYaI

10 Best Netflix Original Movies – The List

Top 10 Best Netflix Original Movies for 2019 (no particular order)

1. Roma

Mike’s Take: Many people still don’t know that this Academy Award winner for Best Picture is a “Netflix Original” Movie. That speaks to the power and quality of Netflix in the movie space. Roma itself is a tear-jerking emotional Drama set in the 1970’s – it’s a serious and powerful film and if you are in the mood for a movie of this type, Roma should be on your must-see list.

Image result for roma movie

Roma Official Description: “Cleo is one of two domestic workers who help Antonio and Sofía take care of their four children in 1970s Mexico City. Complications soon arise when Antonio suddenly runs away with his mistress and Cleo finds out that she’s pregnant. When Sofía decides to take the kids on vacation, she invites Cleo for a much-needed getaway to clear her mind and bond with the family.” Watch it on Netflix

2. Bird Box

Mike’s Take: This social media hit is a Thriller starring Sandra Bullock trying to protect her family from an ominous presence that drives people to suicide. While it’s far from best picture materials, it’s a fun popcorn movie you’ll enjoy talking about with friends – just don’t forget your blindfold!

Image result for birdbox on netflix

Bird Box Official Description: “When a mysterious force decimates the population, only one thing is certain — if you see it, you die. The survivors must now avoid coming face to face with an entity that takes the form of their worst fears. Searching for hope and a new beginning, a woman and her children embark on a dangerous journey through the woods and down a river to find the one place that may offer sanctuary. To make it, they’ll have to cover their eyes from the evil that chases them — and complete the trip blindfolded.” Watch it on Netflix

3. Triple Frontier

Mike’s take: This is another popcorn movie that tells that tale of Ex-military US Special Forces who seek to rob a drug lord and keep the money – unfortunately things don’t go quite as planned. It stars Ben Affleck, Charley Hannum, and others you’ll recognize from your favorite shows.

Triple Frontier Official Description: “Former Special Forces operatives reunite to plan a heist in a sparsely populated multi-border zone of South America. For the first time in their prestigious careers, these unsung heroes undertake this dangerous mission for themselves instead of the country. But when events take an unexpected turn and threaten to spiral out of control, their skills, their loyalties, and their morals are pushed to a breaking point in an epic battle for survival.” Watch it on Netflix

4. Black Mirror Bandersnatch

Mike’s take: This is an interesting movie. On the surface it’s a 1980’s period piece in the sci-fi category about vid game creator but it has the unique twist is that this movie features INTERACTIVE participation by YOU.

Image result for black mirror bandersnatch on netflix

Mike’s Tip: Black Mirror Bandersnatch is like the old “Choose Your Own Adventure” books from our youth, at various points in the film you’ll be given a decision point that requires you to choose what the main character should do. YOUR decisions then change the movie’s outcome and that means that you can actually watch it multiple times and end up with a different movie each time!

Black Mirror Bandersnatch Official Description: “A young programmer starts to question reality when he adapts a mad writer’s fantasy novel into a video game.” Watch it on Netflix

5. How it Ends

Mike’s Take: a disaster turns the US into war-zone arena and Hunger Games star Theo James must partner with his soon-to-be father in law Forrest Whitaker to reach James’ pregnant fiancee. Another popcorn, check-your critic’s-hat-at-the-door-and-just-enjoy type of movie.

Image result for how it ends on netflix

How It Ends Official Description: “In the midst of an apocalypse, a man struggles to reach his pregnant wife, who is thousands of miles away.” Watch it on Netflix

5.5. The Highwaymen

Mike’s Take: You know the story of Bonny & Clyde but what about the tale of the Texas Rangers who were tracking them? Pairing Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson, this movie is based on the real life story of those rangers and is a 2019 new release on Netflix.

The Highwaymen Official Description: “Former Texas Rangers Frank Hamer and Maney Gault join forces to try and capture notorious outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.” Watch if on Netflix

6. Mowgli – Legend of the Jungle

Mike’s take: This story has been told many times, but this version is worth watching as well because the fantastic computer graphics turn this remake of the Rudyard Kipling tale into a winner. Just be sure you watch it WITH your kids because it’s intense in some parts.

Image result for mowgli on netflix

Mowgli Legend of the Jungle Official Description: “Human child Mowgli is raised by a wolf pack in the jungles of India. As he learns the often harsh rules of the jungle, under the tutelage of a bear named Baloo and a panther named Bagheera, Mowgli becomes accepted by the animals of the jungle as one of their own, but the fearsome tiger Shere Khan doesn’t take a liking to him. But there may be greater dangers lurking in the jungle, as Mowgli comes face to face with his human origins.” Watch it on Netflix

7. Bright

Mike’s Take: This is a twist on the buddy cop movie theme as Will Smith partners with an “ORC” and battles LA gangs and turf wars while learning valuable lessons about racism, etc. Is it Will Smith’s best movie? Obviously not, but it’s certainly an interesting one and fans of sci-fi will enjoy it.

Image result for bright on netflix

Bright Official Description: “In an alternate present day, humans, orcs, elves and fairies have been coexisting since the beginning of time. Two police officers, one a human, the other an orc, embark on a routine night patrol that will alter the future of their world as they know it. Battling both their own personal differences as well as an onslaught of enemies, they must work together to protect a young female elf and a thought-to-be-forgotten relic, which, in the wrong hands, could destroy everything.” Watch it on Netflix

8. Frye – The Greatest Party that Never Happened

Mike’s take: This is another social media driven hit and numerous streaming platforms have a version of this tale in 2019. This is the documentary about ‘the party that never was’ – the story of a ponzi scheme that robbed a bunch of rich kids from having a good time – now who wouldn’t want to see that? 🙂

Image result for fyre on netflix

Frye Official Description: “The history of the Fyre Music Festival, from its creation through its unraveling.” Watch it on Netflix

9. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Mike’s Take: The bestselling book is a movie about a high school girl who wrote 5 love letters but never intended for them to get out – they did and now she deals with the consequences! It’s funny, heartfelt, and a great coming of age story. It also may well be the best “Netflix Original” movie on Netflix right now!

Image result for to all the boys on netflix

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Official Description: “When her secret love letters somehow get mailed to each of her five crushes, Lara Jean finds her quiet high school existence turned upside down.” Watch it on Netflix

10. The Dirt

Mike’s Take: This may not be the best film ever made and it’s certainly not family-friendly, but if you grew up in the 80’s you’ll probably enjoy this film in spite of yourself. It’s the story of the 1980’s rock band MOTLEY CRUE – as told from the POV of drummer Nikki Sixx.

Image result for the dirt on netflix

The Dirt Official Description: “In this unflinching biopic based on Mötley Crüe’s best-selling book, four LA misfits navigate the monster highs and savage lows of music superstardom.” Watch it on Netflix

Bonus – Best Netflix Original SERIES

The Netflix Original Movies are great, but for some series binge-watching you’ll want to get into some of these great Netflix Original Series too. With a full season or more of these shows, there’s plenty to love and in this video I’ll not only give you my 10 Best Netflix Original Series but another 10 just released shows to check out too ….

Best Netflix Original SERIES – 20+ Shows to watch now on Netflix

Other Helpful Vids from our YouTube Channel

Comparing DirecTV Now vs Sling vs Hulu & More
Amazon Prime Video – a Beginner’s Guide
Sling TV – A Beginner’s Guide
YouTube TV – a Top Choice for 2019

Popular Articles from our site

Want to Learn How to Stream TV Online? I can help
Save Money on Your Cell Bill by Switching to Google Fi
Confused about which Amazon Firestick to Buy? I’ll help you decide
How To and What Is, Life Lessons, Money, Career, and Finances, Pets

How to Get What You Want in Life, Sales, and even the Dog World?

2 Comments

The Power of Persistence

You can get what you want in life if you understand the Power of Persistence. Using the Power of Persistence is not hard — it starts with this simple formula: 

ASK for what you want and don’t stop asking until you get it!

In this article we’ll discuss tips and strategies you can use to get what you want using examples from Sales, The Bible, and even the world of Dogs! We’ll also talk about the Right way to Ask and the importance of Persistence over time as the key to overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles. Ready? Let’s go!

Editor’s Note: Today’s lesson was inspired by our dog Bella, for reasons that will soon become abundantly clear. Here’s a picture of her.

Note how cute she is, BUT be careful, like many small dogs, Bella has no qualms about using her cuteness as a weapon to control you…

I. How to Get What You Want… in the Dog World

Bella is a Yorkshire Terrier who only weighs about six pounds, yet she rules our household – we call her ‘The Commander” because Bella basically gets whatever she wants.

Now, this is not to say that we just give in to Bella’s commands automatically – quite often we’ll tell her “No.” The problem (for us) is that Bella doesn’t really take “No” for an answer.

Bella understands the Power of Persistence.

In fact Bella is so good at being persistent and continuing to ask for what she wants that I have had no choice but to learn a Life Lesson by watching her over time.

For more than a decade I’ve observed Bella ask, ask, and ask again until she gets whatever it is that she wanted.

I’ve been so inspired by her that I’ve begun to employ Bella’s tactics in my own life (both at work and at home) – and guess, what, it works!

Now I want to share what I’ve learned about the Power of Persistence from Bella so that you can benefit too.

II. Learning How to Be Persistent – From Bella

As I said before Bella asks for what she wants. Therefore the first step towards getting what you want is opening your mouth and asking for it – after all, if people don’t know what you want because you haven’t told them, then how are they supposed to help you?

KEY POINT: If you have a need, ask for whatever it is you require to aid that need. If you don’t ask, the burden remains with you.

But what if they say ‘no?’

Ah, the dreaded team of ‘If’ and ‘They’ and their terrible weapon ‘No.’ I hate those guys!

Through most of my early life, I ran into the “If” and “They” brothers and out of fear that they might hurt me with their terrible ‘No” weapon I often found myself too afraid to ask.

As a result, I didn’t get a lot of things I may have wanted early on in life. You know what I’m talking about here…

  • A date with that hot girl in college with the killer eyes.
  • Closing the deal with a giant client who had multiple locations.
  • A better deal on a car loan.
  • Blah, blah, blah.

Yes indeed, If and They and the Fear of No made me miss out on all those things – and it sucked!

But eventually, I got tired of missing out and started to ‘ask’ – and lo and behold, it worked!

Not every time mind you (after all I was just a Junior-League Asker back then), but sometimes it did – and hey, even some of the time is better than none of the time, right?

So what changed?

I remember being inspired by two things – the movie Dead Poets Society and a quote from Wayne Gretzky. I’ll link to an article about the movie so you can read about it more there, but in the meantime, here’s the quote from The Great One…

Persistence

There is power in those words. Read them again…

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

Or another way to say it for our purposes…

“You will NEVER get what you want if you do NOT ask.”

You’ve got to Ask. Plain and simple. 

But what IF THEY say NO?

I’m glad you asked that question…again.

The fact is that during the course of our lives we are all going to be told “NO” many times over. It’s a guarantee as assured as Death and Taxes. You WILL be told ‘no’.’

But so what?

That doesn’t mean you have to accept the ‘No.”

That doesn’t mean you can’t ask again.

When we hear the word “No” we can either choose to accept it (which is what most people do) or we can reject it and keep asking for what we want.

Bella chooses to keep asking.

Bella is persistent.

Ask by Bella

As a result, Bella pretty much eventually always gets whatever she wants. (How can you resist those puppy dog eyes?)

I believe you should consider being more like Bella.

III. Getting to “Yes” In Sales

If you’re in sales  there’s a great line from the movie Boiler Room that drives home this lesson about the power of persistence…

“There is no such thing as a ‘no sale’ call. A sale is made on every call… Either you sell the client [the product] or he sells you a reason he can’t. Either way, a sale is made, the only question is who is gonna close? You or him?”

Are you gonna let the If and They brothers convince you to ‘buy’ their “No” or are you gonna be persistent and keep asking until you get the “Yes” you want?

You can’t have it both ways…

  • Either you accept the no and NOT get what you want;
  • Or you “Do a Bella” and ask, ask, and keep asking until you have your prize.

Which will it be?

IV. Ask – Because Jesus Said So!

I don’t know if you read The Bible or not and I’m not here to preach to you, but there is a lot of wisdom to be found inside this great book; one such example is from The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 7, in which Jesus instructs his disciples to…

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”


If you really want something, you have to ASK for it and if you get told “No” you have to KEEP ASKING.

Now I’m not going to sit here and tell you that you will always get what you want – the fact is that you probably don’t really NEED everything you are asking for and it’s probably a good thing that you do not get everything you ask for because then you’ll just end up spoiled (and yes Bella is spoiled and that’s not necessarily a good thing either but that’s beside the point!).

But, if there is something that you really want and if this certain something honestly would make your life better, then I recommend that you keep asking for it until you get it.

Don’t give up.

If it’s that’s important to you, persist until you get what you want – sooner or later you will.

If you’re into The Bible and you’d like to read more examples that illustrate this, check out the following examples of the Power of Persistence:

Note the common theme in all these stories.

  • There was a person who wanted something;
  • They asked for help;
  • They were all told “no” and/or ridiculed for asking;
  • Rather than give up, they displayed the power of persistence and kept asking;
  • ALL of them got what they wanted as a result of their persistence.

V. The Right Way to Ask

Whether you want to apply these tactics in the world of sales or just your everyday life, there’s a right way to go about asking and a wrong way.

How to Get What You Want – The WRONG Way

Ask, ask, ask until you get what you want. Tell the person who you want to help you why they have to give in to YOUR demands. Don’t worry about them or their needs, just keep talking about how YOUR life will be better as a result of getting this thing. Don’t stop until you get what you want regardless of whether it benefits the other person or not. You win.

How to Get What You Want – The RIGHT Way

Identify the person who can help you, but before you ask what you want of them, find out what you can do to help them.

Build a relationship with them (even if it’s just a one-time interaction like a retail sale in a tourist area, you can still build a friendly rapport together and this works wonders on sales success).

When it’s time for you to ask what you want (in this case the sale),  be sure to clearly explain what action you want them to do (buy something) AND also (and here’s the key part) be sure to help your new friend understands what’s in it for them too (for example, in the retail example, if the customer buys the new outfit they will look awesome at their beach party later).

When you practice Win-Win Asking like this, you both benefit because you both WANT to see the ask completed because everybody wins.

VI. Persistence Over Time

But what if you don’t get what you want right away?

You must be persistent over time.

Always remember this “God’s Delays Are Not God’s Denials” and that applies to what you ask of other people too.

Just because you get told ‘No’ today doesn’t mean you’ll get told “No” tomorrow, or next week, or next year. Life is fluid – it changes over time.

The same goes for people — don’t assume someone will keep saying “No,” just because they said it before.

This is especially critical for those of you in sales like me. Customers mind’s change — as time goes by your customer may be willing to say ‘Yes’ — BUT you’ll never know unless you keep asking.

Consider changing your perspective (remember that life lesson?), and think of it this way…

‘For every NO you get told, you’re now one step closer to getting a YES next time!’

I love reading and learning new tips. Here are some of my favorite books on the topic of sales and influencing people in a positive way…

[amazon box = “0785264817”][amazon box = “1885167601”][amazon box = “1439167346”]

VII. Get What You Want — TODAY

What’s the bottom line from our lesson today?

  • If you want something ask for it.
  • If you get told ‘no’ then keep asking and talk about what’s in it for everybody.
  • Don’t give up.
  • You’ll be amazed at how you start getting more of what you want.

Be like Bella and keep asking!

Be persistent!

You can do this.

Meanwhile, Bella will keep an eye out for you.

Bella Persistence

(I suggest you follow her advice. Lord knows you don’t want to argue with her!)

Did you know?

Today’s lesson was adapted from a book Jax and I wrote called Diary of a Minecraft Dad. Read it for free here…


More Wisdom for Life…

If you enjoyed this article, check out these tips too…

How To and What Is, Online Streaming TV Tips, practical solutions, Product Reviews

Best Live TV Streaming Services for Cord Cutters – Sling TV, Hulu, AT&T Now, Fubo TV, Philo, YouTube TV, & More

Best TV Streaming Services

How to Stream Live TV – Are you considering cutting the cord and looking for tips on how to watch tv online without cable? Do you want to learn how to live stream local news and sports? Are you trying to figure out how to watch movies online without cable? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions then this article is for you – I’ll give you reviews for all the best tv streaming providers AND also give you step-by-step instructions on how to cut the cord and ditch cable tv forever. You’ll probably save a ton of money and you’ll be much happier when you discover how easy it is to stream tv online without cable. Ready, let’s go!

[lwptoc]

Best Streaming TV Providers
Mike, That Helpful Dad

Editor’s Note: Hi, I’m Mike, known online as “That Helpful Dad” and I’m happy to share my tips with you. If you enjoy this article, be sure to visit my home page and  subscribe to my blog (it’s free) so you’ll get all my tips. Please let me know if you enjoyed this article or have any questions. I’m here to help. 

There are many articles online that talk about how to cut the cord and ditch cable tv by switching to a tv streaming service provider like Sling, Hulu, Roku, Amazon, etc.

This article is different for a few reasons:

  1.  My goal is to help you find streaming tv providers that are true “cable alternatives” such that they will allow you to enjoy an internet tv viewing experience that is similar to cable, but without the high cost of cable.​
  2. I want to show you how to stream to  WITHOUT having to use an antennae, without having to use any complicated equipment, without having to use a computer, and without having to download a bunch of different apps to your tv. 
  3. This article is particularly well suited for older adults like myself because I am providing a step-by-step guide than anyone of any age can use to learn how to stream tv online. Even my 70+ year old mother in law Rose is now streaming live tv! 🙂

What do I mean when I say we want a streaming tv provider that is a “true cable alternative?”

Simply that the streaming tv provider (for example Sling, Hulu, YouTube TV, etc) offers a viewing experience that is similar to cable tv (with similar networks, access to live local news and sports, a DVR, channel guide, etc), so that if you “cut the cord: on cable and choose to watch tv online, you won’t miss cable tv because you’ll have everything you had with cable – except the high cost!

Guide to Streaming TV Online – Summary

If you follow the steps in this Essential Guide to Cord Cutting, you’ll learn how to choose a streaming tv service provider easily and quickly and most importantly you’ll set yourself up success streaming live tv online.

Consider the following questions…

  1. Are you interested in HONEST REVIEWS of streaming tv service providers like Sling TV, AT&T Now, Fubo TV, Philo TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, Pluto TV, or YouTube TV, etc?
  2. Would you like a Step-by-Step Guide on How to Stream Live TV so it can be super easy?
  3. Do you want to know about topics such as:

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions then this article is for you and you’ll want to bookmark this post so you can refer back to it as you make your cord cutting decisions.

Inside this Essential Guide to Streaming Live TV you’ll find links to helpful articles about how to cut the cord, in-depth videos on specific cord cutting topics, and more. Not only will we discuss all the major streaming service provider options for watching tv online, but we’ll also talk about some important considerations you need to think about like finding local channels, whether or not you need a cloud DVR, and how easy/hard it is to find content on the various platforms.

I invite YOU to join the discussion so we can help each other finally cut the cord and ditch cable tv forever!

Why Listen to Me? Becuase I am a Real Life Cord Cutter

I’m a real consumer just like you, not a paid endorser. I provide honest reviews people can trust and I’ve been doing it for years on this blog and my YouTube Channel. After years of frustration dealing with cable companies, I recently took the leap and cut the cord. I now stream all my tv online and my family couldn’t be happier!

Sharing how to stream live tv is something I’m passionate about, but I realize that many people my age are still intimidated by the prospect of trying to watch internet tv and get rid of cable so on this page you’ll find lots of resources to help you make process of switching to streaming tv easier.

In this article I detail what I learned along the way in the hopes that it will be useful to you as you make YOUR decision about the best streaming tv provider for your family. There’s a lot to consider and it’s easy to overlook some of the ‘hidden’ details that can be the difference between a positive experience or a frustrating one. That’s where I can help. 

Streaming TV 101 – Target Audience for these Tips

While I am hopeful that there is something for everybody who is interested in this topic, I recognize that not everybody will find it useful. Like most of the other articles on this site, this info will probably be most helpful to people of my generation (the 35-55+ crowd). Tell me if this sounds like you:

  1. You’ve watched cable tv all your life, but you’re frustrated with the increasing cost of cable, the long-term contracts, the poor customer service, all the hidden fees and fake ‘taxes’ on the cable bill, and having to pay ridiculous charges for all those cable boxes.
  2. You are looking for cord cutting options that will allow stream tv online BUT you want an overall experience that is as similar to cable tv as possible.
  3. You don’t want to have to buy an antennae to get local channels – you want all your tv one place.
  4. You hate commercials and want to be able to fast forward through them OR at least know IF you can (and that depends on which tv streaming service you pick). 
  5. You like reading honest reviews from real consumers and are tired of fake ‘promotional’ reviews that don’t give you the real pro’s and con’s you need to know.

If this sounds like you, then this article is for YOU. BTW if you like my tips, be sure to sign up for my weekly email tips so you can read them at your leisure. Visit my home page to sign up. 

If you’re a millennial or someone who is already super tech-savvy then the info here is probably gonna be too basic for you.  No worries. I understand. But hey, if you have some tips to share about this topic, by all means, help us older folks out and add your comments to the mix.  

FREE Step-by-Step Guide to Cut the Cord

E-Book Version


You should see a pop-up window that offers this free gift but if you didn’t get one just click my pic to visit my home page and subscribe to my site – it’s a free subscription and you’ll get 4 free e-gifts – one of which is my 35-page Guide to Streaming TV Online.

Video Version

This is a 30+ minute comprehensive video that will  walk you thru the the process I personally followed to cut the cord and now exclusively watch streaming tv online. Watch this vid and it will set you up for success.

10 Things to Know BEFORE You Try to Stream Live TV

STOP – before you spin your wheels trying to stream live tv and not really knowing what you’re doing or where to start, let me save you some time. There are some important considerations you need to know about BEFORE you cut the cord. These include:

  1. How to stream LIVE LOCAL Sports and News.
  2. What Channel Lineups and Channel Packages are offered by the different streaming tv service providers? Can you customize the channel packages with Sling, DirecTV Now, and others? 
  3. Does every streaming tv service provider offer a DVR? Are they all the same?
  4. What On-Demand TV Shows and Movies are offered? Can you skip through commercials while watching on-demand content?
  5. Is there a limit on the number of tv’s you can stream on at one time?
  6. How will you access the streaming tv service providers app? Do you have enough internet speeds? Do you need a wifi mesh router to reduce buffering?
  7. Can you add premium channels like HBO, Showtime, NFL Redzone? What if a particular channel you want to watch isn’t available? 
  8. What promotions are available from Sling, DirecTV Now, and others?
  9. What about a Channel Guide? Is the service easy to use to find what you want to watch? 
  10. How much can you really save by cutting the cord? Is it really worth your time and efforts?

These topics are so important that I’ve discussed them in detail in a separate article. Check it out here…

Streaming TV Service Providers – Main Options

Here are the online tv streaming service providers we’ll be discussing in this article:

  1. Sling TV
  2. DirecTV Now (now called AT&T Now)
  3. Hulu with Live TV (AKA Hulu Plus)
  4. YouTube TV
  5. Fubo TV
  6. Philo TV
  7. Pluto TV

I recognize there are other options that will allow you to stream tv online such as Pluto TV and standalone services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Kodi, and lots more, however this particular article is focused on the streaming tv service providers that will allow you to have an overall experience that is as close as possible to cable tv – that means being able to watch LIVE TV, view LOCAL channels, watch major ‘cable’ tv networks (ESPN, TBS, HGTV, etc), watch Regional Sports Networks, use a DVR, have a channel guide, and more. 

Cord Cutting Streaming TV Provider Reviews – The VIDEO

I’ll give you HONEST reviews and Helpful Tips for all of the following: ATT TV Now, FuboTV, Hulu with Live TV, Philo, PlutoTV, Sling TV, Vidgo, & YouTube TV. PLUS we’ll talk about HD Antennas, LOCAST, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and the Roku Channel.

Streaming TV Service Providers – The Reviews

Sling TV Review – Summary

Sling TV was the first major online tv service provider and it’s still one of the most popular.

Pro’s: 3 channel packages and numerous customization options. Stream anywhere. Low overall costs ($20-40). 50-hour DVR. Good user interface. Easy to use overall.

Con’s: Terrible Local Channel and Regional Sports availability in many areas (need to use a separate antennae). DVR is $5 extra, doesn’t work on all channels, and you can’t always skip commercials. Orange plan only offer 1 stream at a time. To get all their channels you have to subscribe to Orange + Blue plan.

Read the full Sling TV Review here.

Sling TV Review – VIDEO

AT&T NOw (DirecTV Now) Review – Summary

AT&T Now (formerly DirecTV Now) is a major player in the online tv service provider world and it’s rapidly growing in popularity.

DirecTV Now used to be the streaming tv service provider my family used but we have since moved away from them. 

Pro’s: Numerous customization options, and up to 120 channels! Excellent local channel and regional sports channel availability. Stream anywhere.  Good user interface – similar to watching cable tv. HBO is included in some plans. Overall DTVN is very easy to use. 

Con’s: Higher costs starting in 2019. Only 2 streams at once unless you pay more. Free DVR is only 20 hours (you can pay $10 to get 100 hours), you can’t always skip commercials (especially for on-demand content) and the commercials are often annoying).

Read the full AT&T Now (DirecTV Now) Review.

DirecTV Now Review – VIDEO

PlayStation Vue Review

PlayStation Vue is actually pretty awesome and you do NOT need to own a PlayStation to use this service. This was the streaming tv service my family used and it had everything you could want in a streaming tv app.

MAJOR UPDATE:  Sony chose to discontinue PlayStation Vue as of January 2020. It is no longer an available option. 

Read the full PlayStation Vue Review here. 

PlayStation Vue Review – VIDEO

Hulu with Live TV Review – Summary

Hulu with Live TV (AKA “Hulu Plus”) may be a good option for some people seeking to cut the cord, but it’s still a relatively new service and there are some kinks to keep in mind. 

Pro’s: 60 channels for about $4r. Good local tv and regional sports coverage. 3 simultaneous streams and paid option for ‘unlimited’ streams. 50-hour Free DVR. 

Con’s: only 1 channel lineup no customization options. Can’t skip commercials with DVR unless you pay $15/month for “Enhanced DVR” (also provides 200 hours storage).  Hulu recently update their interface to include a passable channel guide.

Read our full review of Hulu Plus Live TV Here.

Hulu Plus Live TV Review – VIDEO

YouTube TV Review – Summary

YouTube TV is another relatively new ‘major’ player in the world of online tv service providers. Given that Google owns YouTube (and just about everything else in the world) I would expect that YouTube TV will continue to improve over time. Right now (in my opinion) it’s still too raw for most people looking to cut the cord.

Pro’s: up to 80 channels for about $40. Awesome Free DVR with UNLIMITED storage and you can usually fast forward through commercials. Decent user interface. Sometimes great promotions (like up to 2 months free). They’ve recently added more local channels.

Con’s: still not available in many areas. Lack of local live tv and regional sports networks in some areas. May not work on Amazon Fire TV devices. Only ONE channel lineup and minimal customization options. You can’t skip commercials for on-demand content and if there is an on-demand version of show you recorded on the DVR it will bypass your DVR recording and make you watch commercials! No HBO option.

Read our full YouTube TV review here. 

YouTube TV Review – VIDEO

Fubo TV Review

Fubo TV used to be a streaming tv provider focused mainly on sports, however in 2019 they switched their content to become a major player in the overall streaming tv business. Fubo TV is now one of the top ways to watch tv online and offers numerous channel packages for you to stream live tv. 

Philo TV Review

Philo TV is a low-cost leader which can provide a great experience for you and a boatload of quality channels you will watch for a low cost – provided you don’t care about local channels. 

2020 – Best Streaming TV Apps

Ranking the Streaming TV Service Providers

Based on the info provided in our detailed reviews for each service and using a ranking scale that is focused on choosing a streaming tv service that is most like a traditional cable tv viewing experience, here are my personal rankings. 

If Local Channels Matter (News, Weather, Sports)

  1. YouTube TV
  2. Fubo TV
  3. ATT TV Now
  4. Hulu Plus Live TV
  5. Sling TV
  6. Philo TV

If Local Channels Do NOT Matter

  1. Pluto TV (it’s FREE!)
  2. Sling TV 
  3. Philo TV
  4. YouTube TV
  5. Fubo TV
  6. DirecTV Now
  7. Hulu Plus Live TV

Tips for Specific Streaming TV Topics

Streaming TV Resources from Amazon

I use the Amazon Firestick for all my streaming tv needs. You can read my article about how to decide which Amazon Firestick is best for you here.

Also, I have a Beginner’s Guide to Watching Online TV with Amazon Prime Video – you can watch that here. 

For additional insights on Amazon Prime Video checkout these links too…

Streaming TV with Netflix

I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention Netflix as an option for streaming tv online. Although Netflix is not an option if you want to watch live tv or have an experience similar to cable, it’s still a great option for watching tv and movies online. Here are some articles about Netflix Streaming Tips…

Best Netflix Series
A Guide to Netflix
Best Netflix Movies

Streaming TV Tips – What’s YOUR Take?

That concludes our Essential Guide on How to Stream Live TV. Was this helpful? If so, please share this article with your friends.

Have YOU already learned how to watch tv online? What streaming tv service provider are YOU using? What tips have you learned that can help others – let us know so we can all learn together. Thanks!

What to Read Next?

There’s more to life than streaming tv, check out these other helpful tips too…

Big Green Egg vs Kamado Joe
Live a Legacy Life








How To and What Is, Online Streaming TV Tips, Product Reviews

Amazon Fire TV – How to QUICKLY Decide between Fire Stick, 4k Fire Stick, Fire TV, Fire TV Cube, & Fire TV Recast

Leave a comment

So you know you want to buy an Amazon Fire TV Device but you’re not sure which one? I can help you. In this article, we’ll review the key differences between the Fire TV Stick, the Firestick 4k, the Fire TV Cube, and the Fire TV Recast so you can complete your decision and buy the right Fire TV device that’s best for your family. 

This article assumes you’ve already made the decision that an Amazon Fire TV device is right for you and that you just need help on choosing which model is best. 

Amazon Fire TV Table of Contents

  1. Video Review
  2. How to Decide which Fire TV Device to buy
    • Know the options available.
    • Know what YOU want the device to do.
    • Buy the Fire TV device(s) that’s best for you.
  3. Fire TV Accessories
  4. More Tips

Buy a Fire TV Device with Confidence

The Amazon Fire TV Devices (as a group) are our #1 recommended option for people who are trying to cut the cord and ditch their cable tv. If you want to EASILY stream tv online, the Amazon Fire TV devices are your best bet.

Compared to Roku, Apple TV, Smart TV, and other digital media players, the Amazon Fire TV Devices are the easiest to set up, the easiest to use, and the easiest to find content on.

This is especially true for older adults (over 40) who are new to the world of streaming tv online. 

Fire TV Options – The VIDEO

How to Decide which Fire TV Device is Right for You?

It’s really a simple 3-step process.

  1. Know what Fire TV Devices are available.
  2. Decide what you want the Fire TV Device to do
  3. Make the purchase

Step 1: Know the Fire TV Device Variations

To get started we first have to know the various Fire TV devices that are available. They are…

[amazon box=”B0791TX5P5″]

[amazon box = “B079QHML21”][amazon box = “B0791T9CV7”][amazon box = “B074J1GPB8”]

Step 2: What Do You Want the Fire TV to Do?

This is the key section of this article. I’m going to keep it short and sweet because again I’m assuming you already know the basics about the Fire TV and just want to make the final decision. Here’s how to pick:

Buy the basic Amazon Fire TV Stick if…

  • You want the absolute easiest option in terms of setup and use.
  • You don’t care about 4k content.
  • You don’t care controlling other devices with your Firestick remote. 
  • You are on a limited budget and/or you have multiple tv’s you want to put a fire stick on. 
  • You are new to the world of cord cutting.

The basic Amazon Firestick is not only the lowest cost option but it’s also the best option for older adults new to online streaming tv. Buy one or more of these and you won’t be sorry. I personally own 5+ of these devices for all my non-4k tv’s and have them on most of our tv’s and travel with 1 of them pretty much all the time. 

The Amazon Fire TV Stick forms the foundation of our cord cutting tv system for my family.

Buy the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4k if…

  • You want a fire stick that is as easy to use as the basic fire stick but you want to be able to also watch 4k and UHD content. 
  • You don’t care controlling other devices with your Firestick remote. 
  • You are new to the world of cord cutting.
  • If you happen to see it on-sale for the same price as the basic fire stick – which is a promotion that Amazon often runs. 

If you don’t care about 4k content, then just buy the basic Fire Stick. 

Buy the Amazon Fire TV Cube if…

You want all the features of the Fire TV Stick 4k AND you also want to be able to control other Alexa-enabled devices with a single system. So, for example, with the Fire TV Cube you can…

  • Use either the Fire TV remote or just your voice to turn on the TV, dim the lights, and play what you want to watch.
  • You can control your soundbar, A/V system, cable box, DVR, etc.
  • You want the combination of a Fire TV Stick 4k and an Amazon Echo all in one device. 

The Fire TV Cube is like a powerful universal remote in a single system. 

Buy the Amazon Fire TV Recast ONLY if…

You already have a Fire Stick, Firestick 4k, or Fire TV Cube AND an HD Antenna AND you want to be able to record shows and watch them on your fire-tv compatible devices. 

Do not buy a Fire TV Recast as your first Fire TV device!

The Fire TV Recast is basically a DVR to record over the air content. It is not a streaming stand-alone device.

Keep in mind that you can’t record streaming app content on this device. That means you can NOT record Sling, Hulu, DirecTV Now, etc content with a Fire TV Recast – you’ll need to use the DVR that comes with those apps. 

To be clear, in order to use the Fire TV Recast you need ALL of the following:

  1. HD Antennae to access over-the-air content.
  2. Fire Stick, Fire Stick 4k, or Fire TV Cube or Echo Show.
  3. TV or mobile device that can access the Fire TV App.

If you have these things AND you want to be able to record over-the-air content onto a DVR (i.e. the Fire TV Recast) then this is a great option. 

Step 3: Make the Purchase

Now that you know which Fire TV devices are best for your specific needs, go ahead and pull the trigger. 

If you are going to cut the cord, ditch cable tv, and move to online streaming tv like I did, then the Amazon Fire TV Devices can help you make that happen.

Read all my tips for Cutting the Cord and then buy the various Fire TV Devices you need for each tv.

Although it sounds like a lot of upfront costs if you buy a Firestick for every tv, if you do the match it’s really a no-brainer because the purchase of the Amazon Fire TV devices is a ONE-TIME COST while the cost of all those cable boxes (on average $8-20) is an ON-GOING MONTHLY COST. Do yourself a favor and get rid of all those costly cable boxes!

Here’s my setup:

  • For all my non-4k tv’s I have the basic Amazon Fire Sticks – that includes my kids’ rooms, guest rooms, and outdoor tvs. my 4 year old watches tv with his Fire Stick. My 75 year old mother-in-law also watches on her Fire Stick. 
  • For my 4k tv’s I have the Fire TV 2nd Gen device which is no longer available and has been replaced by the Fire Stick 4k.  

I do not currently have the Fire TV Cube (it wasn’t available when I made my original purchases) and I don’t need the Fire TV Recast (because I get my local channels from my streaming tv app and therefore don’t use an HD Antennae. Instead I use the DVR inside my streaming tv app from DirecTV Now). That said, if you would benefit from the Fire TV Cube or Fire TV Recast, by all means, go for it. 

If you’re ready to buy, check the latest prices here. We are proud to be an official Amazon Affiliate. Good luck!

[amazon box=”B0791TX5P5″]

[amazon box = “B079QHML21”][amazon box = “B0791T9CV7”][amazon box = “B074J1GPB8”]

Fire TV Accessories

One or more of these may benefit you…

[amazon box = “B07G3ZYY1W”]

Have it. Love it!

This is basically a universal remote that your Fire Stick remotes fits inside – it’s easy to use and easy to set up. 

[amazon box = “B07FVLXHYV”]

Best-selling HD antennae on Amazon. For more choices check out these other HD antennas.

[amazon box = “B074TC662N”]

[amazon box = “B07FMMKSLH”]

More Great Tips






Life Lessons

After the Miracle – Life Lessons from Jim Craig – Team USA’s 1980 Miracle on Ice Winning Goalie

3 Comments

What Happened AFTER the Miracle?

“Do you believe in miracles?” If you know the story of the 1980 US Men’s Hockey team then of course you do. Whether you saw the movie or watched the actual game, the tale of how coach Herb Brooks took a bunch of no-name kids from the around the US and somehow guided them on a journey that saw them beat the heavily-favored Team USSR and later win Olympic Gold Medal is legendary.

Team USA faced a tall task as the Russian National Hockey Team was far more talented and had won the last 4 Olympic Gold Medals – by all rights the Soviets should have won the medal in 1980 too… but History had other plans. Despite being a mere 23 years old, Team USA Goalie Jim Craig somehow managed to stop 36 of 39 shots from the vaunted Russians, and with the help of teammates like Mike Eruzione and others, Craig and his mates created a true “Miracle on Ice.” 

Memories of a Miracle

Just in case you need a little reminder, here’s a clip of the final minute the 1980 USA vs. USSR Hockey Game that features Al Michael’s legendary “Do you believe in Miracles?” sports casting.

Pretty cool, huh? 
And yet that’s NOT what this article is about. Instead, let me ask you…

Do you know what happened to winning goalie Jim Craig AFTER the miracle? 

Jim was just a kid when he helped Team USA defeat the Russians in the Olympics. And while that event was certainly a high point for him, life didn’t end for Jim with that game or the Gold Medal he and his team earned. In fact, life got a lot harder for Jim and his future wasn’t always filled with miracles – he suffered hardships and pain. Jim had to repeatedly reinvent himself in order to provide for his family and discover his legacy in life. Along the way he learned valuable wisdom that helped him overcome the obstacles he faced in life. That wisdom is now available to you.

Learning Jim Craig’s life lessons can help YOU achieve your dreams – in spite of the odds against you.

Editor’s Note: this article is part of our on-going series that features wisdom for living a “Legacy Life.” What you read here is some of the wisdom Jim Craig shared at a company meeting I attended recently – myself and others were blessed to be able to listen to Jim’s story. It inspired me so much I wanted to share it with YOU.

Life is Not All Miracles

As one of eight children in a lower-middle class family, Jim’s childhood wasn’t easy. Although his parents and family were tight-knit, hockey was a way out of the potential no-where path to a hard life in Boston. After losing his mother to lung cancer during high school, Jim’s dream was to play hockey at Boston University. Unfortunately he was rejected not just by BU but all the other major colleges too. Without many options, Jim had to take the junior college route in order to keep his dream alive of playing professional hockey – a dream that seemed a long way off.

Fortunately, it was at Massasoit College that Jim met a mentor who helped him advance his hockey skills and helped him network with people like Herb Brooks. After leading his JC team to a national championship, Jim was finally accepted to Boston University – and he led them to an NCAA National Championship too. 

Things were looking good for Jim and his success as BU got him an invitation to join Brook’s Team USA squad as they prepared for the 1980 Olympics –unfortunately Jim he did nothing but ride the bench on Team USA – and once more his pro hockey dreams continued to fade. 

Yet fortune smiled on Jim when Team USA’s older and more skilled goalie was repeatedly unable to get the job done during Olympic training and Jim finally earned a chance to play – Jim shined during his moment in the sun and secured his spot as the top goalie on Team USA for the 1980 Olympics — where (as you know) he helped create The Miracle on Ice.

However, after those Olympics, things turned south on Jim yet again.

Although he achieved his dream of getting drafted by the NHL and playing in the league, he suffered a rash of injuries and even had a cancer scare. Worse yet, in 1982, Jim was involved in a highway accident on a rain-slicked road that left one woman dead and another passenger critically injured and Jim was charged with vehicular homicide. Although he was found not guilty, the event was damaging to his psyche and his public image — at 25 Jim suddenly had to navigate through a storm of bad publicity and he became a pariah to NHL teams who didn’t want to deal with the baggage he dragged behind him.

Oft-injured and unable to shake his image, Jim’s professional hockey dreams continued to die. However Jim continued to persevere and after bouncing around to 3 NHL teams, Jim began to play well again and eventually found himself in line for a big-money contract – one that would have secured his family’s financial future and kept him in the league for years to come.

Unfortunately, on the very night he was slated to finally sign that long-term deal Jim suffered a career-ending injury!

Not only did Jim NOT get his big money deal, but he was forced him to retire. And so, after just 4 seasons, at 27 Jim was out of the league and his dreams of professional hockey were over. It was a bad break. 

Worse yet, while this was happening to Jim, his fiance Sharlene was in the hospital dealing with her own health concerns. Thankfully she survived. Yet just a few years later Jim lost his father Don to cancer as well  – a man whose wisdom had carried him through his past hardships. 

With a new family and kids on the horizon, Jim had no job and no prospects. He was at a low point in life – yet with the help of two mentors he turned the challenges of youth into life lessons for others – eventually becoming an award-winning ad salesman and later a motivational speaker and the founder of Gold Medal Strategies. 

It wasn’t easy and it didn’t happen overnight, but Jim did succeed – against the odds he continued to build a lasting legacy. 

Jim achieved his dreams by relying on tried and true wisdom. And YOU can achieve the same success – if you simply learn and apply this wisdom to your life. 

The Wisdom of Jim Craig (and his father)

Here is the wisdom Jim Craig shared with my friends and I. Is some of it cliche? Perhaps. But does it work? Definitely! Put it to the test in your life and see the amazing things you can achieve.

Jim Craig on Dreams and Goals:

  • “You are what your dreams are.”
  • “You are the custodian of the legacy of your family – your legacy is made by you and those that came before you.”
  • “The common man goes nowhere.”

  • “If your dreams don’t scare you they’re not big enough.”

  • “Success happens when you believe you can win, you prepare, you focus on the process, and you execute the plan.”
  • “Either you are creating the future or you are part of the past.”
  • “Don’t let your memories be bigger than your dreams.”

Jim Craig on how friends and mentors can help you:

  • “If you don’t tell people what your dreams are, how can they help you?”
  • “Winning often comes from taking individual dreams and sharing it with others – this creates a sense of accountability and shared vision. It also gives you the help you need to make progress faster.”
  • “You can’t teach greatness, but you can recognize it and coach it to make it even better.”
  • “You are being evaluated every day, all the time – use it to your advantage.”
  • “Great teams accomplish more than great individuals.”

Jim Craig on the obstacles of life and doing the right thing.

  • “Anything epic is hard to do.”
  • “Choose the harder right over the easier wrong.”
  • “You can always recover from the truth.”
  • “You can’t lose integrity, you have to choose to give it up.”
  • “Be a victor not a victim – you always have a choice.”
  • “When you lose, you have a choice – you now understand what it will take to win so will you put in the effort required or give up and do something else?”

  • “Failure isn’t fatal, but fear of failure is.”

  • “Ask yourself – are you a passenger in life or a participant?”
  • “Push hard now or wish you did later.”
  • “You need to make the team every year – you can’t rest on your laurels.”
  • “Don’t just embrace change, create it.”
  • “Don’t just prepare, prepare to win!”

  • “If you wait till you’re comfortable to do what you’re capable of, you’ll never do it.”

Links to learn more about Jim Craig and the 1980 US Hockey Team:

YOU have a Dream & YOU have a Choice

If you’ve read this far that says something about you – most people would have given up by now but you did not. As a result, you’ve gained wisdom that others overlooked. 

Recall that we’ve talked many times about the importance of wisdom – think back to the words of King Solomon in the Book of Proverbs 24:3-4 “By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it it established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” 

The house that Solomon was discussing can be understood as a reference to your dreams. With wisdom such as that provided by Jim today, you can add to your knowledge and understanding, and with the help of mentors and friends, and hard work, you CAN achieve your dreams. 

Will you give the effort it takes to succeed? 

I hope you will. 

What to Read Next?




Tony Robbins Three to Thrive

Life Lessons, Wisdom for Life

Living the Legacy – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Auctions Treasured Championship Memorabilia to Help Children

Leave a comment

Regular readers of this site know how often we talk about “Living a Legacy Life” – today we’re provided with a wonderful real-life story that will inspire you as Hall of Fame basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has announced that he’s auctioning off much of his treasured memorabilia in an effort to support children’s charities associated with education. 

Read what Kareem had to say about WHY he’s doing it…

“When it comes to choosing between storing a championship ring or trophy in a room, or providing kids with an opportunity to change their lives, the choice is pretty simple. Sell it all!”

What is Kareem Selling?

Kareem is selling his NBA championship rings — including those he won with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1980, ’85, ’87 and ’88. He’s also selling very cool game-used and autographed items — including his All-Star rings and uniforms. 

Why is Kareem Selling his stuff?

Unlike many other athletes who resort to selling their memorabilia because they need money, Kareem said he is financially secure and that he is not selling his rings, etc for the money personally. Instead, Kareem is focused on living a legacy life and for him that means helping children with educational opportunities. As such, much of the auction proceeds will go to support Kareem’s Skyhook Foundation – a charity that helps children learn about STEM education topics (science, technology, engineering and math). 

As Kareem said, “Looking back on what I have done with my life, instead of gazing at the sparkle of jewels or gold plating celebrating something I did a long time ago, I’d rather look into the delighted face of a child holding their first caterpillar and think about what I might be doing for their future.”

Links to Learn More

Be sure to visit Kareem’s personal website to learn more – you can find it at:

https://kareemabduljabbar.com/auction/

Meanwhile, these trusted news outlets have also written articles on this topic:

  1. ESPN.com: “Kareem puts rings up for auction“
  2. NBA.com: “Abdul-Jabbar puts four NBA title rings, other memorabilia up for auction“
  3. NY Times: “Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Puts Memorabilia Up for Auction“
  4. Yahoo Sports: “Oh, how the Mighty Rise – Kareem auctions his memorabilia“

Continue Reading…






Life Lessons

No Winter Lasts Forever

5 Comments

Are you facing a time of trouble? Does it seem like life is going in the wrong direction? If so, then today’s life lesson is specifically for YOU.

Our wisdom today reminds us to keep in mind that…

“There is no winter that lasts forever; the spring will always come.”

Seasons Change

Think about this quote for a moment and allow it to sink in.

There’s a power in these words – they can help you CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE and realize that your life is filled with different ‘seasons.’ Sure it would be great to always be able to live in the ‘summer’ and enjoy life to its fullest every day without any cares in the world – but that’s obviously unrealistic. We all know that our lives are sure to have their fair share of ups and downs.

These are the seasons of our lives.

It’s only natural that we experience periods of growth (spring), plenty (summer), ebb (the fall), and challenge (winter). But always remember…

No season can last forever.

Once we accept this, we can allow ourselves to make the most of each season. We can better appreciate the good times and try to learn from the bad times.

Learn, Growth, Rebirth

If YOU are currently experiencing a winter season of despair, take heart, remember that nothing lasts forever…

There will be end to our sorrow and a time of rebirth and joy will come again with the spring.

Meanwhile, understand this as well – nobody said you have to just sit around and let your winter drag on and on while you do nothing and remain miserable.

  • Instead, try to take action yourself by endeavoring to learn from your current challenges.
  • Have you ever considered that there may be lessons that you can learn during your trying times?

The sooner you learn and grow, the sooner you can emerge from your winter and enter a new spring – a period when you can take what you learned from your winter and become an even better person.

Help Yourself, Help Others

Be sure to give this lesson a try in your life and if you have someone you know who could benefit from it, please share this lesson with them as well.

Final Thoughts: today’s lesson was inspired by a quote attributed to Hal Borland – the exact quote is “No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” I first heard this quote over a decade ago. It helped me through some tough times back then and keeping it in mind has continued to help me over the years. I’ve since shared it with numerous friends. I hope that it can help you too.

You May Also Like






Online Streaming TV Tips, practical solutions

How to Watch Super Bowl LIII ONLINE – Which Streaming TV Services and Apps can you watch it on?

Leave a comment

Want to watch Super Bowl LIII online but not sure how? This article and video can help. We’ll review all the streaming tv service providers that offer CBS (the channel showing the Super Bowl), talk about what to do if your provider does not offer CBS, and review the FREE apps you can use to watch the Rams-Patriots Super Bowl.

If you are new to cord cutting and streaming tv online, it’s important to know that all of these major streaming services offer a FREE TRIAL so if you are a new subscriber you can sign up for free and watch the Super Bowl online for free too. Bonus!

Basic Info about Super Bowl LIII

Date: Sunday Feb 3, 2019

Time: 6:30pm EST

Teams: New England Patriots vs Los Angelos Rams

CHANNEL: CBS

Quickest Possible Way

If you do not already have a streaming tv service provider like one of those listed below (or even if you do), by far the easiest way to watch the Super Bowl online is to simply download the CBS  or CBS Sports App onto an Amazon Fire Stick. Open the app and watch the game. 

If you don’t yet have a Fire Stick, buy one today, plug it into an HDMI port on your tv, log in with your Amazon id, download the CBS or CBS Sports App, and enjoy. 

Here’s all you need. 

Amazon Fire Stick

Streaming TV Service Providers

If you already have a streaming tv service provider then this section is for you. In this section we’ll review the following streaming tv service providers: DirecTV Now, Hulu with Live TV, FuboTV, Sling TV, PlayStation Vue, and YouTube TV. Specifically we’ll tell you if they offer CBS or if you need to find another solution:


DirecTV Now = YES

In most locations, DirecTV Now does offer CBS so most subscribers should be good.

Be sure to check your local zip code with DTVN to make sure. 

CLICK HERE to check YOUR Local DirecTV Now channels

If you don’t get CBS live in your area, look at the recommended solutions below. 


FuboTV = Yes

In most locations, FuboTV does offer CBS so most subscribers should be good.

Be sure to check your local zip code with FuboTV to make sure.

CLICK HERE to check YOUR local Fubo Channels

If you don’t get CBS Live in your area with Fubo, look at the recommended solutions below. 


HULU Plus Live TV = YES

In most locations, Hulu with Live TV does offer CBS so most subscribers should be good. Keep in mind this is NOT regular Hulu, this is the streaming service Hulu with Live TV. 

Be sure to check your local zip code with Hulu Plus to make sure.

CLICK HERE to check YOUR local Hulu Plus Channels.

If you don’t get CBS Live in your area with Hulu, look at the recommended solutions below. 


PlayStation Vue = YES

In most locations, PlayStation Vue does offer CBS so most subscribers should be good. 

Be sure to check your local zip code with PlayStation Vue to make sure.

CLICK HERE to check YOUR local PlayStation Vue Channels.

If you don’t get CBS Live in your area with PS Vue, look at the recommended solutions below. 


Sling TV = NO

Unless you speak Spanish and have the ESPN Deportes channel as part of the “Best of Spanish” extra package on Sling Orange then you are NOT going to be able to watch the Super Bowl on Sling TV. The reason is because Sling TV does NOT offer CBS and that’s the network that is showing the Super Bowl.

This is a real shame because Sling TV is the #1 provider of online streaming tv services. But with CBS there are not a lot of options for Sling TV Users within the Sling TV universe.

To their credit, Sling has not tried to hide from this issue and has put together a Help Guide for their subscribers who want to watch the Super Bowl online. You can read the Sling Super Bowl Help Guide here: https://help.sling.com/en/support/solutions/articles/46000000195-can-i-watch-the-super-bowl-on-sling-tv-

Sling is recommending any of the following as solutions for Sling TV users to watch the Super Bowl online:

  1. OTA Antennae
  2. CBS App or CBS Sports App (see below)
  3. LoCast App (see below)


YouTube TV = Maybe

In some locations, YouTube TV does offer CBS so some subscribers should be good. 

Be sure to check your local zip code with YouTube TV to make sure.

CLICK HERE to check YOUR local YouTube TV Channels.

If you don’t get CBS Live in your area with YouTube TV, look at the recommended solutions below. 

Other Options – APPS

If you don’t get CBS on your streaming tv provider’s channels, then just use one of the following apps…


The game will be available to stream for free on the CBS Sports app, or on cbssports.com without the need for a cable login. CBS Sports is available on many devices including Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV, as well as iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.

Visit https://www.cbs.com/all-access/


As noted above, the game will be available to stream for free on the CBS Sports app, or on cbssports.com without the need for a cable login. CBS Sports is available on many devices including Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV, as well as iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.

Visit: https://www.cbssports.com/mobile


Customers in the Denver, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Houston and Dallas markets can watch local channels, including the Super Bowl on CBS for free using the Locast app or by visiting locast.org. The Locast app is available for your Android or iOS smartphone, laptop or Roku device.

Visit https://www.locast.org/

How to Watch the Super Bowl Online – The Video

You May Also Like








Online Streaming TV Tips, Product Reviews

Sling TV Review and FAQs | Sling TV Packages, Channels, Login, and More (2020 Updates)

3 Comments

Are you considering making a switch to cut the cord and use Sling TV as your streaming service? If so, this article is for you. We’ll tell you the pro’s and con’s of using Sling TV from a point of view of an actual user. 

[lwptoc]

Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series devoted to helping people learn how to stream tv online and get rid of their high cable bills. The Series is called “Essential Guide to Cord Cutting“. Our latest video review is here:

https://youtu.be/dxbg19CMGP4

1. What is Sling TV?


Sling TV is a genuinely viable alternative to cable tv. As one of the early to market players in this “cord cutting” category, Sling TV was really the first major online streaming tv service provider to hit the mainstream and (as of the time of this article) it is still the market leader in this space – followed by Hulu, YouTube TV, AT&T Now, Philo, Fubo TV, Pluto TV, and more. 

If you want to ditch cable tv, you can choose Sling TV and get an experience that is similar to cable. 

But is Sling TV the best cord cutting option? That’s what we’ll discuss in this article. 

2. How do you watch Sling TV?

In order to watch Sling TV there are a few things you need:

  1. The Sling TV App
  2. A device that is compatible with the Sling TV App – here’s a full list of compatible devices. 
  3. A Sling TV package plan.
  4. Access to WiFI or the internet. 
  5. Login to your Sling TV account and watch tv 🙂

Watching Sling TV is different than watching cable tv or tv from an antennae – and that’s a good thing!

With cable TV you get the content from the cable tv provider and it is delivered to your home via the cable line to the cable box and then to your TV. With over the air television, you get the content via an antennae hooked up to your TV.

With streaming tv providers like Sling TV, you do NOT need any cable boxes but you DO still need the internet. You will get the tv content from the Sling TV app that is downloaded onto the device you are watching – this could be a “smart” tv or your phone, tablet, or another mobile device that works with the app.

Basically you just download the Sling TV app (for example from the Apple App Store, Google Play, or the Channel Store on your Smart TV) onto the device you want to watch on, login to Sling TV, and then watch the content from inside the app environment. It’s easy and it works great – once you change your mindset from watching via a cable box and instead just watch from within the app. 

Why watching Sling TV on a TV Streaming Device is the best way to watch Sling TV:

In many cases,  the ideal setup for watching Sling TV on a television is to use a digital media player such as the Amazon Firestick, Roku, or Apple TV. 

Some of the benefits of using a digital media player (DMP) like Roku or Amazon Firestick vs. a smart tv are that the DMP’s are usually the first to get updates from the streaming service providers like Sling TV so you always have the latest version of the Sling TV app with the most features AND the interface for DMPs are often friendlier and easier to use than the clunky interface on most smart tvs.  Here are the DMP’s I recommend…

3. What are the Sling TV Packages?

What Channel Packages are Available on Sling TV?
Currently there are 3 plans available:

  • Sling Orange: $20 per month. About 30 channels, including ESPN and Disney (but not Fox or NBC channels). Limited to one simultaneous stream at a time.
  • Sling Blue: $25 per month. About 45 channels, including Fox and NBC channels (but not ESPN or Disney channels). Up to three simultaneous streams.
  • Sling Orange + Blue: $40 per month. Includes all channels from both. Up to four simultaneous streams, but only one at a time of Orange channels.

Here is a few screenshots:

To learn more visit this page: Sling TV Channels or watch this in-depth video of the Sling TV Channel Packages and how to CUSTOMIZE them to meet YOUR needs…

https://youtu.be/u0rNsmAOr6o

4. What Channels are offered by Sling TV?

Sling TV offers tons of great content and prides itself on giving you the channels you want while removing the ‘useless’ channels. The channels you access are based on the Sling TV plan you choose (as noted above). You can also customize your Sling TV channel package with premiums like HBO, extra sports channels, kids networks, foreing language, and more. 

Does Sling TV Offer Local Channels and Regional Sports Networks?

Because I am honest and transparent I will advise you that potentially the biggest problem with Sling is local and/or regional sports channel availability in some areas. 

If you only subscribe to Orange, you won’t get any local channels!

Blue subscribers in certain cities can watch Fox and NBC live, and outside those areas can watch Fox and NBC on-demand only.

In some areas your main option for getting local channels if you have Sling TV is to have an over the air antennae – which is a bit of a pain, however Sling TV has a promotion that combines Sling + over-the-air antennae viewing if this applies to you. More importantly, Sling TV continues to add more and more locals so it’s possible your area may have better local channels than mine. If so, that makes Sling TV a great option for cord cutters!

IMPORTANT LINK: To see what local channels are available in YOUR area with Sling use this link: http://help.sling.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/How-do-local-channels-work-on-Sling-TV or you can just visit the Sling TV LIVE TV Page. 

Does Sling TV Have Extra Channel Packages?

Yes – Sling TV offers LOTS of extra channel packages – perhaps the best of any streaming service provider.

To add these channels you’ll first have to be a Sling Orange or Blue subscriber and then pay an additional monthly fee – except for the premiums, most of following ‘packages’ are currently $5 mo each.

  • Sports Extra: NBA TV, NHL Network, more ESPN channels (Orange only), NFL RedZone and Golf Channel (Blue only), and more. Fans of international Soccer and Cricket will love Sling because of Sling TV’s many programs for fans of these sports. To see all the sports programming Sling TV offers visit this page: Sling TV Sports. 
  • Comedy Extra: MTV, Paramount, Logo, TV Land, CMT, and more.
  • Kids Extra: Boomerang, Nick Jr (orange), Teen Nick, Disney Junior and Disney XD (Orange only), and more.
  • News Extra: BBC World News, HLN, The Blaze, MSNBC and CNBC (Blue only), and more
  • Lifestyle Extra: VH1, Cooking Channel, Hallmark, DIY, FYI, Lifetime Movies, and more.

Does Sling TV Offer Premium Channels like HBO and Showtime?

Yes, Sling TV offers HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, Starz, and more. You can add these channels for an additional $5 to $15 per month.

To learn more about Sling TV’s channels – visit the Channel page of the Sling website. 

Does Sling TV offer International programming?

Sling also offers numerous foreign-language channel packages – including Latino, Polish, Chinese, French, Italian, German, Hindi, Punjabi, Arabic and other international language  programs. You can generally add international programming to Sling TV for a small monthly fee. For example, here is an ad for Servicios en Espanol desde $10/mes…

5. Sling TV Reviews

https://youtu.be/9G93r0x4gno

After watching my video review, if you are still looking for more reviews of Sling TV, visit these quality sites…

  1. CNet Sling TV Review
  2. Reviewed.com Sling TV Review
  3. Tech Radar Sling TV Review
  4. PC Mag’s Sling TV Review
  5. Tom’s Guide Sling TV Review

6. Sling TV FAQ’s

What is Sling TV’s website?

https://www.sling.com/

How Can I Watch Sling TV?

Sling TV is available on pretty much every streaming device (Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, etc), as well as on tablets/phones, computers and also via the XBox One.

You can watch it anywhere, not just in your house. To learn more about this click here: https://www.sling.com/devices?locale=en&hd=1

Does Sling TV Limit the Number of Screens I Can Watch on?

Yes – you can watch Sling TV on 1-4 screens at a time depending on your plan.

  • Orange Plan: 1 stream
  • Blue Plan: 3 streams
  • Orange + Blue Plan: 4 streams

Does Sling TV Have a DVR?

Yes – for $5 more you can record up to 50 hours on your Sling Cloud DVR and watch it anywhere. It works similar to your cable DVR and you can skip commercials but only on certain channels.

Also the DVR doesn’t actually work on all channels – for example you can’t use the DVR currently on ABC owned networks (that means all ABC, Disney, and ESPN networks).

Does Sling TV Have On-Demand TV Show and Movies?

Yes, Sling has on-demand content that varies by channel but it’s limited to the past 3-7 days.

Also many channels do not allow you to skip through commercials while watching on-demand content. To learn more: http://help1.sling.com/en/support/solutions/articles/33000218995-how-do-i-access-video-on-demand-

7. What Does the Sling TV Channel Guide Look Like?

What’s the Sling TV User Interface (TV Guide) like?

Sling has updated it’s User Interface (UI) to make it more user friendly. This includes the addition of a ‘traditional’ guide which is especially important if you are a current cable tv user who wants to cut the cord and you like using a traditional channel guide to see what’s on.

Here are some pics of the Sling TV UI:

8. Does Sling TV Offer a Free Trial?

What Promotions does Sling TV Offer New Subscribers?

Sling usually offers a 7 day free trial and other promotions.

To see what Sling it currently offering visit the Sling TV Promotions Page. 

On top of this, Sling TV often partners with Roku on various promotions as well: check out this Page: Sling TV + Roku for more info. 

Transparency Notice: I am an average consumer just like you. This is an honest review. I am a real life cord cutter. That said, I am part of the Sling Affiliate Network and if you elect to sign up, I may be paid a small referral fee. I trust you agree this would be a win-win for both of us. 

9. How does Sling TV Compare to other Streaming TV Providers?

If you are interested in learning more about Sling TV vs ATT Now vs vs Hulu Plus vs YouTube TV you may also like these articles…


ATT Now Review





Or watch my latest video about the best streaming tv providers…

https://youtu.be/dxbg19CMGP4

10. What’s the bottom line on Sling TV?

Sling TV was the first major streaming service provider to make cord cutting a realistic option for the masses and it’s still one of the most popular ways for cord cutting.

If you can live with the limitations (the biggest being a lack of local channels on your stream) then you may be able to save a lot of money with Sling. It really is a great service. 

Want more tips like this?

If you like helpful tips like this and practical solutions to real life problems, be sure to subscribe to my blog. It’s free and super easy to sign up…

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }
/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */

Never Miss a Tip!