How to Stream Bama Games (no cable or satellite)

[CrimsonNagus]

For me that is a tough question but, I tend to always use the YTTV app.

I think both apps offer very similar picture quality but, I would give a slight nod to the ESPN app. My problem with the ESPN app is that it takes longer for each stream to reach it's best quality when it starts up and I get a whole lot more buffering when using the ESPN app. I rarely ever have buffering problems with the YTTV app and the streams start streaming immediately and at their best quality. I don't know why the ESPN app can't get this part right (and it's not my ISP, I get on avg. 900-950 Mbps up/down every time I do a speed test and our Apple TV uses a wired connection to the router).

The thing I really like about he ESPN app is the ability to stream 4 games at one time. I'd use the all the time for this feature if it wasn't for the buffering issue.

 

[rylandtide]

What is everyone using this year?

 

[J0eW]

Youtube TV. (As long as they stop their monkey business.)

 

[oskie]

What is everyone using this year?

YouTube TV for me and has been for a while. Mine has been paused for the summer, which is a feature I like and take advantage of. Not having a monthly payment, for the months that I don't watch live sports, is a plus for me. Averages out to be as competitive as any other service out there.

I have several other reasons why I prefer it - many of which have been mentioned by others on this thread (and several other threads) - so I won't bore you with them.

Just check it out for yourself

 

[rylandtide]

Youtube TV. (As long as they stop their monkey business.)

I was unsure if YouTube TV carries the SEC Network. Is this the case?

 

[oskie]

Youtube TV. (As long as they stop their monkey business.)

... I think "monkey business" is the way they all operate, whether it's streaming, cable, or satellite

... they are driven by the almighty dollar - which, by the way, starts out in your (and my) pocket

 

[oskie]

I was unsure if YouTube TV carries the SEC Network. Is this the case?

It was carried previously (before I paused it), so I expect it to be there.

A quick look at their website would answer your question for sure.

 

[rylandtide]

It was carried previously (before I paused it), so I expect it to be there.

A quick look at their website would answer your question for sure.

I did not see it there, hence the question in case I overlooked.

 

[bamamoss2]

It was carried previously (before I paused it), so I expect it to be there.

A quick look at their website would answer your question for sure.

I have You Tube TV and it SECN is carried.

 

[rylandtide]

I have You Tube TV and it SECN is carried.

Thank you!

 

[J0eW]

I have You Tube TV and it SECN is carried.

"Monkey Business" is YoutubeTV giving me no option if I want to watch YTTV but climb my stairs to access my desktop computer so I can login. They are advertising their new "+" option but provide no "continue" button for existing customers to side step a full login. This is where one must go and input a code to proceed with login. One must go to a smart device (mine is the desktop upstairs and do not have a smart phone). This has occurred 4 - 6 times in the last month.

A PITB!

 

[oskie]

I did not see it there, hence the question in case I overlooked.

... yeah, it's listed on their website, I just wasn't able earlier to check it myself

 

[DrollTide]

Not streaming, exactly, but for over-the-air games (which is maybe a third of the games) I have an antenna and an HD Silicon in the attic. The HD Silicon puts broadcast TV on your local network (there is a FireTV and lots of other things that does this also).

The great thing is, broadcast TV is surprisingly good quality, and once it is on your network, you can watch from your regular TV, your laptop, phone, whatever.

 

[oskie]

Not streaming, exactly, but for over-the-air games (which is maybe a third of the games) I have an antenna and an HD Silicon in the attic. The HD Silicon puts broadcast TV on your local network (there is a FireTV and lots of other things that does this also).

The great thing is, broadcast TV is surprisingly good quality, and once it is on your network, you can watch from your regular TV, your laptop, phone, whatever.

... There are people on this board that are more well versed on this subject than I am, but I just wanted to respond to the "surprisingly good quality" part of your post.

... since the FCC required all broadcast stations to convert to digital, 20-something years ago, the over-the-air quality is better than anything piped (streamed/cabled) into your set. Of course, your reception of that digital signal is what determines what you decide is "good quality". All sources have access to the same signal, but because of bandwidth restrictions, and other factors, the signal is compressed if it is piped to you. Hence, the quality degradation.

Sorry, if I have belabored the point. That's probably TMI, as my daughter would say

 

[Toddrn]

Has anyone used Sports Surge using a Firestick? I haven't tried it except for MLB.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Strangely - just fired up Sling to watch some football, and I can't find the SECNetwork. So I went over to espn.com, clicked on the Ball State game, ESPN had me sign in to my Sling account, and 'there was a problem, please try again'...

Making me think I better have a back-up plan to watch the game Saturday.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Strangely - just fired up Sling to watch some football, and I can't find the SECNetwork. So I went over to espn.com, clicked on the Ball State game, ESPN had me sign in to my Sling account, and 'there was a problem, please try again'...

Making me think I better have a back-up plan to watch the game Saturday.

Cancel Sling (it sucks anyway). Sign up for Hulu or YouTube TV

 

[Ole Man Dan]

I use Rohu and Youtube. Never miss a game.

 

[imauafan]

Strangely - just fired up Sling to watch some football, and I can't find the SECNetwork. So I went over to espn.com, clicked on the Ball State game, ESPN had me sign in to my Sling account, and 'there was a problem, please try again'...

Making me think I better have a back-up plan to watch the game Saturday.

The SECN is part of the Sports Extra add-on package for $11. To save a few bucks over YTTV a person could get the Orange package ($35) and the Sports Extra add-on ($11) for $46/month if you only wanted the ESPN channels and SECN. If you wanted other sports channels such as FS1 and the NFL Network, those are part of the Blue package.

One advantage that YTTV has over sling is that you can share your account with up to 6 people although there can only be 3 different streams at a time which I believe has changed from what it was previously. I've gone with YTTV in the past, even though it costs more, so my parents could watch Bama games but at times I've jumped back to Sling TV to cut costs. Sling does allow multiple simultaneous streaming but only with their Blue package which does not include ESPN.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Cancel Sling (it sucks anyway). Sign up for Hulu or YouTube TV

It's been fine here and I don't watch TV outside of CFB (and some NFL), so it's fine.

Occurred to me last night that I might have been blacked out since I live in TN.