Prep Football TV coverage

[MC63]

I'm thinking of canceling my upper-level sports package on Comcast, which includes the Cubs and the Big Ten Network. I don't watch either. Meanwhile, I could purchase the Sox streaming service, which would actually save me money.

However, I've read that Me-TV could be dropping prep football, and that Marquee might pick it up (including playoffs). I could lose my high school coverage.

Do any of you have insight, here?

Also, if Marquee does proceed, would the infamous NFHS still have access to the playoffs? (I would think that the IHSA needs NFHS to provide coverage to the entire state. If so they'd likely be simulcasting the Marquee broadcast. That would allow for a reasonable picture - I think.)

Thank you, boys.

 

[EdgyTim]

I'm thinking of canceling my upper-level sports package on Comcast, which includes the Cubs and the Big Ten Network. I don't watch either. Meanwhile, I could purchase the Sox streaming service, which would actually save me money.

However, I've read that Me-TV could be dropping prep football, and that Marquee might pick it up (including playoffs). I could lose my high school coverage.

Do any of you have insight, here?

Also, if Marquee does proceed, would the infamous NFHS still have access to the playoffs? (I would think that the IHSA needs NFHS to provide coverage to the entire state. If so they'd likely be simulcasting the Marquee broadcast. That would allow for a reasonable picture - I think.)

Thank you, boys.

Haven't heard a word yet but it's also a bit early for those talks. I kn ow the contract is up with WCIU but also know they want the games back...Marquee? Cubs are first and main priority for them and not sure preps would fit in for them. I've worked for both FYI so....

 

[PowerI66]

Could you not just cancel it and then pay to get it back if you feel like you can't access things? Also, this seems like something you could ask their customer service.

 

[MC63]

Could you not just cancel it and then pay to get it back if you feel like you can't access things? Also, this seems like something you could ask their customer service.

Caling Comcast is a major hasssle. First, you're on hold for at least 30 minutes. The telephone guys are in another country half-way around the world and really don't understand American culture. Secondly, while I'm not sure about canceling a single element of their service, they make it very difficult for you to simply droop he whole thing.

Yes, there are Comcast retail stores, but the folks there are mostly interested in selling you more services. Plus, I've gone there with problems they couldn't solve. Also, you cannot telephone a Comcast store -- their phones do not accept incoming calls. Seriously.

If prep playoffs go to Marquee, I don't want to be shut out. If'm not sure you can just add them for a month or two - you might have to agree to something longer term.

 

[4Afan]

Caling Comcast is a major hasssle. First, you're on hold for at least 30 minutes. The telephone guys are in another country half-way around the world and really don't understand American culture. Secondly, while I'm not sure about canceling a single element of their service, they make it very difficult for you to simply droop he whole thing.

Yes, there are Comcast retail stores, but the folks there are mostly interested in selling you more services. Plus, I've gone there with problems they couldn't solve. Also, you cannot telephone a Comcast store -- their phones do not accept incoming calls. Seriously.

If prep playoffs go to Marquee, I don't want to be shut out. If'm not sure you can just add them for a month or two - you might have to agree to something longer term.

I agree with Edgy that you're getting way ahead of yourself and I haven't heard anything connecting Marquee to high school football. If it were to happen you could download the Marquee app on a firestick and pay the $20 monthly fee for the month of November.

 

[PowerI66]

Caling Comcast is a major hasssle. First, you're on hold for at least 30 minutes. The telephone guys are in another country half-way around the world and really don't understand American culture. Secondly, while I'm not sure about canceling a single element of their service, they make it very difficult for you to simply droop he whole thing.

Yes, there are Comcast retail stores, but the folks there are mostly interested in selling you more services. Plus, I've gone there with problems they couldn't solve. Also, you cannot telephone a Comcast store -- their phones do not accept incoming calls. Seriously.

If prep playoffs go to Marquee, I don't want to be shut out. If'm not sure you can just add them for a month or two - you might have to agree to something longer term.

If you don't like dealing with Xfinity, move over to someone else. More than likely better off moving to YouTube TV

 

[4Afan]

If you don't like dealing with Xfinity, move over to someone else. More than likely better off moving to YouTube TV

One of the better decisions I've made. Love YouTube TV. Can't beat multi screen on 2 different TVs on a college football Saturday. Watching 8 games at once without leaving the couch is heaven.

 

[MC63]

I agree with Edgy that you're getting way ahead of yourself and I haven't heard anything connecting Marquee to high school football. If it were to happen you could download the Marquee app on a firestick and pay the $20 monthly fee for the month of November.

Good idea - thanks

 

[MC63]

off moving to YouTube TV

I hear great things about them ... might just do it

 

[4Afan]

I hear great things about them ... might just do it

Well worth it. If you're in an area that has other options for internet, like AT&T, go with them and cut out Comcast all together. AT&T internet and YouTube TV saves me about $80/month versus Comcast internet and TV.

 

[JCHillmen]

Well worth it. If you're in an area that has other options for internet, like AT&T, go with them and cut out Comcast all together. AT&T internet and YouTube TV saves me about $80/month versus Comcast internet and TV.

YTTV is the best and there isn't a close second. I love the month to month no contract deal. I initiate every year in late August and cancel in January once I have finished with the college football playoff and bowl season.

So now all you have to pay for is a reasonable internet provider year round and about 80 a month for 4-5 months of YTTV. Sure beats paying Comcast or DirecTV a couple hundred a month for 12 months.

And the YTTV four game in one combinations are fantastic for college football Saturdays, especially set up on multiple devices. You can put on the one game you want to focus on the most on one device, pick a secondary game for a second device. And on a third device you can have four games you are semi-interested in.

And the college FB game recaps are spectacular. If I am only marginally interested in the outcome of Clemson-UNC, I can watch a series of 15-40 highlights to get the overview of the game. And there is no limit to how many games it will record. Just click that you like college football and it record every single game. Then at 11:30 on a Saturday night you can decide which games you want to catch up on in totality and which you just want to watch the highlights of.

Fall has been so much better the last few years with YoutubeTV.

 

[LTHSALUM76]

Well worth it. If you're in an area that has other options for internet, like AT&T, go with them and cut out Comcast all together. AT&T internet and YouTube TV saves me about $80/month versus Comcast internet and TV.

But how long will that savings last?

 

[LTHSALUM76]

I am a big time channel surfer because I absolutely despise commercials. Five minutes of commercials every so often would drive anyone crazy. Can't channel surf with internet channels. Every so often the picture drags as well. I have Comcast wifi and it is better than AT&T in these parts. I understand you can re-watch some programs on youtube TV. So, that's a good thing. I am just not a real fan of internet TV...yet.

But with that said, I really need to take an accounting of all the channels I do watch and see what my options are. Comcast is moving away from cable and has been for a while now. They won't budge when it comes to packages and their customer service isn't very good.

None of my kids have cable. They all say they have saved a ton. For someone my age it's a matter of having to re-learn a lot of things. Not that it can't be done. But, I am paying a lot for cable and for a lot of channels I don't watch...like ESPN.

 

[4Afan]

But how long will that savings last?

They raise their prices less than Comcast does. Even if they were to raise prices at the same rate as Comcast, the savings would still be there.

 

[4Afan]

I am a big time channel surfer because I absolutely despise commercials. Five minutes of commercials every so often would drive anyone crazy. Can't channel surf with internet channels. Every so often the picture drags as well. I have Comcast wifi and it is better than AT&T in these parts. I understand you can re-watch some programs on youtube TV. So, that's a good thing. I am just not a real fan of internet TV...yet.

But with that said, I really need to take an accounting of all the channels I do watch and see what my options are. Comcast is moving away from cable and has been for a while now. They won't budge when it comes to packages and their customer service isn't very good.

None of my kids have cable. They all say they have saved a ton. For someone my age it's a matter of having to re-learn a lot of things. Not that it can't be done. But, I am paying a lot for cable and for a lot of channels I don't watch...like ESPN.

I don't experience any lag when I'm watching anything. YouTube TV is perfect for someone who hates commercials with their multi screen viewing. You can have 4 things on at once and switch which screen has the audio.

 

[EdgyTim]

I don't experience any lag when I'm watching anything. YouTube TV is perfect for someone who hates commercials with their multi screen viewing. You can have 4 things on at once and switch which screen has the audio.

Do they carry the new CHSN network? Last time I checked....nope

 

[whitesox05]

I read that the high school championship games would end up on the new White Sox channel, CHSN, before they ever ended up on Marquee. And Edgy is correct, CHSN is not carried by YouTube TV.

But the games could end up back on the U.

The other thing I read is that Comcast, which has already placed the White Sox on the highest priced tier, will be giving the Cubs the same treatment starting next season.

It was great watching the Sox for free on the antenna...we knew that would never last.

 

[4Afan]

Do they carry the new CHSN network? Last time I checked....nope

And they likely never will. The streaming services don't want anything to do with regional sports networks. If the IHSA finals end up there I'd get the CHSN app for the month of November.

 

[Quags57]

Do they carry the new CHSN network? Last time I checked....nope

CHSN was at the state baseball finals. They were taping when I was interviewing players and coaches.

 

[LTHSALUM76]

They raise their prices less than Comcast does. Even if they were to raise prices at the same rate as Comcast, the savings would still be there.

That may be true...for now. I remember when, years ago, I had Comcast for TV and I had AT&T for phones and internet. I walked into Best Buy and they had a Comcast tent set up. I compared what I had to what they could offer for everything and I switched and saved over $125 a month.

But, as time has gone on, rate increases came brought on by people switching out of cable or going to dish, (which is hillbilly sh** in my mind but a discussion for later) and other factors.

Trust me, your package will become expensive. Internet TV is still quite young and when it becomes the only thing is when you'll see pricing soar. Then something different will come along.

I am still not completely sold on internet TV but realize where things are going.

And you still can't channel surf. And seriously, no one can watch four programs at the same time. Why buy a big screen TV only to divide the viewing surface by four?

 

[LTHSALUM76]

It was great watching the Sox for free on the antenna...we knew that would never last.

Nothing like watching terrible baseball and having to pay for it too. LOL. Yeah, the only place you can go now to get that free experience is by listening to it on the radio. It has been a long time since I listened to a game on the radio. But I do listen to NFL football games on Sirius if I am traveling or have to go somewhere on a Sunday. Oops! Gotta pay for Sirius. Nevermind...LOL.

 

[4Afan]

That may be true...for now. I remember when, years ago, I had Comcast for TV and I had AT&T for phones and internet. I walked into Best Buy and they had a Comcast tent set up. I compared what I had to what they could offer for everything and I switched and saved over $125 a month.

But, as time has gone on, rate increases came brought on by people switching out of cable or going to dish, (which is hillbilly sh** in my mind but a discussion for later) and other factors.

Trust me, your package will become expensive. Internet TV is still quite young and when it becomes the only thing is when you'll see pricing soar. Then something different will come along.

I am still not completely sold on internet TV but realize where things are going.

And you still can't channel surf. And seriously, no one can watch four programs at the same time. Why buy a big screen TV only to divide the viewing surface by four?

If by channel surfing you mean just hitting the channel up and down buttons, no you can't do that but you may be the only person that still does that, everyone just uses the guide to find a different channel, even with cable. The benefit of YouTube TV is the guide is customizable so you can set up the channels in whatever order you want.

I have 4 games on my TV every Saturday in the fall and absolutely love it. This past Sunday I was watching a 30 for 30 on ESPN and had the screen split so I could watch the US Open as well and it was great.

The factor your missing with cost is that multiple people can be logged in from the same account so if your kids have it they can give you the login info and you guys can split the cost, making it even lower than if you had it alone.

I get where you're coming from but times are changing, I got my dad to cut out cable and get on my YouTube TV account and get rid of his land line phone and he loves not having to pay for Comcast bundles.

 

[PowerI66]

If by channel surfing you mean just hitting the channel up and down buttons, no you can't do that but you may be the only person that still does that, everyone just uses the guide to find a different channel, even with cable. The benefit of YouTube TV is the guide is customizable so you can set up the channels in whatever order you want.

I have 4 games on my TV every Saturday in the fall and absolutely love it. This past Sunday I was watching a 30 for 30 on ESPN and had the screen split so I could watch the US Open as well and it was great.

The factor your missing with cost is that multiple people can be logged in from the same account so if your kids have it they can give you the login info and you guys can split the cost, making it even lower than if you had it alone.

I get where you're coming from but times are changing, I got my dad to cut out cable and get on my YouTube TV account and get rid of his land line phone and he loves not having to pay for Comcast bundles.

Word is that you can build your own multi box now as well

 

[4Afan]

Word is that you can build your own multi box now as well

Yep. Kinda limited still but I bet by the end of the year you'll be able to fully customize the multi screen.

 

[LTHSALUM76]

If by channel surfing you mean just hitting the channel up and down buttons, no you can't do that but you may be the only person that still does that, everyone just uses the guide to find a different channel, even with cable. The benefit of YouTube TV is the guide is customizable so you can set up the channels in whatever order you want.

I have 4 games on my TV every Saturday in the fall and absolutely love it. This past Sunday I was watching a 30 for 30 on ESPN and had the screen split so I could watch the US Open as well and it was great.

The factor your missing with cost is that multiple people can be logged in from the same account so if your kids have it they can give you the login info and you guys can split the cost, making it even lower than if you had it alone.

I get where you're coming from but times are changing, I got my dad to cut out cable and get on my YouTube TV account and get rid of his land line phone and he loves not having to pay for Comcast bundles.

I think you misunderstood some of my post. No, I don't mean going up and down on the buttons to channel surf. I have a handful I check during commercial breaks. From my experience with internet channels you can't move nearly as quickly as you can with cable.

Also, I don't think there is a way to DVR programs with internet channels. With cable DVR, if I want to watch any program that might come up when I am not present to watch or when I am working or sleeping I can do it and flip past commercials. Can't do that with On Demand.

Again, the split screen thing doesn't interest me at all. Why have an 80 inch screen if you divide it up by four? And you really can't watch all at the same time regardless of what you say. But, if it works for you then good.

In fairness I do like the idea of signing in on the same account in different places. I have done that from my kids' accounts. My daughter bought a firestick for me and set it up. And I never use it. LOL!! The day will come when I switch over. It is inevitable. I am ok with changes as long as it is better for me.

 

[JCHillmen]

I think you misunderstood some of my post. No, I don't mean going up and down on the buttons to channel surf. I have a handful I check during commercial breaks. From my experience with internet channels you can't move nearly as quickly as you can with cable.

Also, I don't think there is a way to DVR programs with internet channels. With cable DVR, if I want to watch any program that might come up when I am not present to watch or when I am working or sleeping I can do it and flip past commercials. Can't do that with On Demand.

Again, the split screen thing doesn't interest me at all. Why have an 80 inch screen if you divide it up by four? And you really can't watch all at the same time regardless of what you say. But, if it works for you then good.

In fairness I do like the idea of signing in on the same account in different places. I have done that from my kids' accounts. My daughter bought a firestick for me and set it up. And I never use it. LOL!! The day will come when I switch over. It is inevitable. I am ok with changes as long as it is better for me.

You want Youtube TV. Unlimited recording capacity. Not only that, you don't need to individually record items. Just say you like NCAA FB and it will record every college FB game played on any network in their plan. Without having to pre plan which games to record. And then after the game you can select "watch game in full" or just choose to watch pre selected highlights.

You can do the same for any other league. You can channel surf live tv or watch your unlimited DVR recordings. It is everything you are talking about and more.

It doesn't get smaller regional sports networks, but in Chicago you are not missing much with that. Besides, the sad reality is that all of this is going a la carte anyway. When a game is behind a Peacock paywall or a Marquee paywall or a Paramount Plus pay wall or an Apple TV paywall and you can't get it on Comcast or Youtube TV, you have to make the decision to subscribe for at least a month to that individual streaming platform in addition to Comcast or YTTV. But there is no getting around that.

 

[4Afan]

I think you misunderstood some of my post. No, I don't mean going up and down on the buttons to channel surf. I have a handful I check during commercial breaks. From my experience with internet channels you can't move nearly as quickly as you can with cable.

Also, I don't think there is a way to DVR programs with internet channels. With cable DVR, if I want to watch any program that might come up when I am not present to watch or when I am working or sleeping I can do it and flip past commercials. Can't do that with On Demand.

Again, the split screen thing doesn't interest me at all. Why have an 80 inch screen if you divide it up by four? And you really can't watch all at the same time regardless of what you say. But, if it works for you then good.

In fairness I do like the idea of signing in on the same account in different places. I have done that from my kids' accounts. My daughter bought a firestick for me and set it up. And I never use it. LOL!! The day will come when I switch over. It is inevitable. I am ok with changes as long as it is better for me.

JC beat me to it, but yes you can record until your heart's content and skip commercials when watching.

Regarding channel surfing, like I said earlier you can customize the guide so the top 10 or however many channels you watch are always at the top of your guide and it's just as easy to pull up the guide as it is with Comcast.

To each their own I guess regarding split screen but with football it's not as hard as you think to actually watch all two, three, or four games. Since there's so much downtime in football it's rare that all 4 games are in sequence and running plays at the same time.

Use the firestick and give it a trial run. If you have your daughter's login it doesn't cost you anything. All you say you want is there and more convenient than cable.

 

[4Afan]

You want Youtube TV. Unlimited recording capacity. Not only that, you don't need to individually record items. Just say you like NCAA FB and it will record every college FB game played on any network in their plan. Without having to pre plan which games to record. And then after the game you can select "watch game in full" or just choose to watch pre selected highlights.

You can do the same for any other league. You can channel surf live tv or watch your unlimited DVR recordings. It is everything you are talking about and more.

It doesn't get smaller regional sports networks, but in Chicago you are not missing much with that. Besides, the sad reality is that all of this is going a la carte anyway. When a game is behind a Peacock paywall or a Marquee paywall or a Paramount Plus pay wall or an Apple TV paywall and you can't get it on Comcast or Youtube TV, you have to make the decision to subscribe for at least a month to that individual streaming platform in addition to Comcast or YTTV. But there is no getting around that.

Recording every college game is a little excessive, even for me, but like you said it's unlimited. I just select my favorite teams in every league to record those games.

I do hate the a la carte BS they're going to, like the one ND game per year that is behind the Peacock paywall. Plus the NFL now being on about 3 or 4 different apps is dumb.