Best streaming cable TV option for Apple TV?

By Chowder84, 6 December, 2017

Forum
tvOS and Apple TV Apps

I have an Apple TV 4th Generation I wanted to know what people would recommend for a TV streaming service. I currently use Netflix, and I have used Hulu in the past. But I am looking for more of a sort of cable streaming service. So it would be accessible, but would have content like sports, news, entertainment channels. I know that Sling used to be terrible for accessibility, but has it improved? Has anyone used Direct TV Now, and does that work these days? Are there any other TV streaming services that work? Also, since I live in Northern Vermont, I have tried a digital antenna and that doesn’t seem to work well, and also wouldn’t get cable channels. Thanks in advance.
Andrew

Options

Comments

By Dave Matters on Friday, December 22, 2017 - 23:23

I have been curious recently as to what other options for streaming there might be. YouTube TV is a $35 a month subscription that offers cloud DVR as well as access to 50 or so channels/stations including sports. I currently use Netflix, Hulu, and and antenna. I also have a TiVo for recording stuff over the air. I can’t say that I will ever use YouTube TV although I have considered it, I just don’t really have a need and not a big enough want.

By sockhopsinger on Friday, December 22, 2017 - 23:23

I use Youtube.tv and love it although I'm not sure if there's an AppleTV app for it. I use it with a Chromecast and love it. Another option you might look in to is the Channels app. It will require the purchase of additional hardware. Not only can it get local channels, but I believe it can also handle unlocked cable channels. I'm no expert on this so can't really tell you more.

By Greg on Monday, January 22, 2018 - 23:23

I'm fed up with paying the high cost of cable TV prices. Would keep high speed internet from cable provider but want to seriously look at Hulu, Sling, or YouTube TV. I have a 3rd generation Apple TV on one of our TVs and a 4th gen Apple TV on the other TV. Would probably get an antenna for local stations. Does anyone have recommendations for one of the streaming services. Definitely need TV program listings to be accessible. I currently have Netflix so really want input on the three streaming services mentioned above. Thanks.

By Nate Fernandes on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 23:23

Anyone try the new Youtube TV app, and by new I mean out in the last few months? Is it accessible using Voiceover? I've been looking for a free trial before I sink $39.99 for something that doesn't work. Thanks!

By J.P. on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 23:23

I would not recommend Direct TV Now. I tried it when they were packaging 3 months service and free Apple TV 4K.
While the app and website are technically accessible, navigating is a nightmare. Focus issues and a UI which needs to be majorly redesigned.

By Roxann Pollard on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 23:23

Along with Netflix, the Hulu TV app is quite accessible. I cut the cord back in November, 2011 and do not regret it. I find that I watch more Netflix but Hulu TV does have things that Netflix does not carry. Personally, I recommend both streaming services. the only thing I miss Is the Fox News channel. If anyone has an idea as to how to get the live Fox News channel stream, I am interested.

By Voracious P. Brain on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 23:23

Sling is very bad. Guide is very difficult to use. DIRECTV now is much worse. I found it completely unusable for most things. The standard DIRECTV with satellite has a good review here. I would expect YouTube and Hulu to be the best. If you have an antenna for local TV, a homerun from silicon dust plus the Channels app is very usable. However most of the streaming package is now come with most local stations or at least the major networks. PBS can’t do it, apparently because their local stations have different licensing for their programs. I also was not able to get anywhere with the PlayStation view service, though that seemed more to do with bugs in the program at the time. Free trials all around… We used sling for about a year and now have DIRECTV now, but I don’t touch it.

By DJX on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 23:23

Not sure if the experience carries over, from iPhone to Apple TV, but I use the regular DirectTV app on my phone (not DirectTV Now) and find it very usable and quite accessible. Granted I've not really used the programming guides, but I've used various other parts of the interface, and they work well with VO, even the highlights (list of shows, channels, movies and programs listed on the main tab, that you can scroll through and choose to watch).
Even the channel descriptions and titles are read out by VO as you swipe through the channels list.

Again, not sure if this is the same case under tvOS, but on the iPhone, the directTV app is a pleasure to use; better than Prime Video IMO, which has its own issues, though it is also usable.
One thing I like about the DirectTV app, is that once DirectTV is set as your provider, you get access to various networks, and you can either install their apps, or let the TV app (the stock app that comes on iOS) show you all programming and shows that are available and supported based on your DirectTV package.

By Nate Fernandes on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 23:23

We love our Hulu Live but YoutubeTV has all the local channels in our area while Hulu only has 2.

By sockhopsinger on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 23:23

IF you look above, you will see people have tried youtube.tv smile