Available content for cable cutters

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Level 1

54 points

Available content for cable cutters

Hello all

My wife and I plan to cut that cable cord and resort to streaming. At this point we are exploring our streaming options; we have several already. However, one area is streaming live TV such as news or sports events. I know Apple TV (which I do not yet own) provides much of this live TV. My question is if I need to have a cable provider agreement to watch on Apple TV. I know to watch much of the news content on Roku an agreement with a cable provider is required. For instance, signing up for CNN news through their app on Roku requires I have an active cable subscription in order to watch.

So the question really is do I need to have an active cable subscription in order for me to watch “live” content on Apple TV.

Thanks

Jim

Posted on Dec 11, 2017 4:05 AM

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Answer 1

Rudegar

Level 10

170,742 points

Dec 11, 2017 4:14 AM in response to ejg999

that is up to the app

I don't have one heck I don't even have a streaming subscription I rely on free stuff

an app like netflix would require a streaming subscription, other services may require a cable subscription too

some apps would only work in some countries and so forth

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Answer 2

ejg999 Author

Level 1

54 points

Dec 11, 2017 5:04 AM in response to Rudegar

Rudegar

Thanks for the quick reply. You are correct, its primarily up to the app or the actual content provider. I currently have Netflix along with Amazon Prime for content. Except for 2-3 shows and some news I primarily watch these 2 services. However, streaming content for CNN, MSNBC and Fox News and others are available on the internet for free (at least what I have found); however, for many of these streaming through a Roku app requires a cable subscription (not sure why the difference). I wasn't sure of the situation on Apple TV.

Thanks again

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Answer 3

ejg999 Author

Level 1

54 points

Dec 11, 2017 5:05 AM in response to ejg999

Additionally, I understand Apple TV provides live sporting events both national as well as local. How does that work? For instance in the DC area I like to watch the Oriole (baseball) and Caps (hockey) games along with NFL games during the season. Does Apple TV provide this option? How does it work? What is the cost if not through a local cable provider.

Thanks again.

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Answer 4

Dec 11, 2017 8:23 AM in response to ejg999

Hi ejg999. The situation for "cable" channels and live programming in general is that you need a TV provider. Outfits like SlingTV and DirecTV now offer such subscriptions. They are basically cable TV without the cable. They let you access the apps provided by the channel providers.

By the way, Apple TV does not "provide" anything. It's just an internet media player. Apps are supplied by content providers and are subject to their own subscriptions and fees. For instance, baseball is provided by the MLB app for a subscription fee. The other leagues are probably similar. Most of these are advertised on the web. Just search for "MLB Apple TV", for example.

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