TV series discussion {'ware Spoiler Alert}

[DejaBrew]

“Slow Horses” S3 done and dusted. Brilliant!! Hooray for confirmation of S4!

 

[Pushka]

So an allied question. Many of these are streaming services I'm not subscribed to. We need Foxtel for sport and lifestyle, we have Stan and Netflix but that's my limit. Oh. And Prine for Amazon postage.

So how many streaming services is enough here?

I've managed to get VPN for the series Mr Banks and the Post Office which DIL and son say is a must watch and a travesty of justice lasting for years and reminded me somewhat of Robodebt here.

 

[Duffa]

So how many streaming services is enough here?

I rotate mine - 3 months in each
currently apple TV
moving to Netflix at end of month for 3 months then Binge
keep a list on my phone of all the series and movies I have read about with good reviews
Binge-watch them all, then on to next streamer
It means I don't have to wait for a weekly episode drop either

At one stage in Covid we had 5 subscriptions running together. Ridiculous

 

[Lynda2475]

You can get all the sport foxtel has for far less with Kayo, freeing up $ to add other streaming services.

I was horrified at the ridiculous cost of Foxtel That Dad was paying just to watch the NRL games. Spent one off $30 on chromecast, signed him up for Kayo immediately extra $80/month in his pocket.

 

[DejaBrew]

So how many streaming services is enough here?

I currently have 8 (including Foxtel) but it isn’t as bad as it sounds on the face of it (at least that’s what I tell myself…)

• Foxtel - Primarily for sport and love the UltraHD broadcasts. Currently paying considerably less than normal due to prior threat of discontinuing service, but seriously contemplating ditching it entirely.
• Kayo - Currently on a discounted plan courtesy of a Telstra offer. Originally purchased so that I could cut the cords on Foxtel multi-room and is my main driver for seriously contemplating ditching Foxtel entirely. After all, between Kayo and Binge, you get most of the best of Foxtel for a fraction of the price.
• Disney+ - Currently enjoying a free year courtesy of Foxtel (ending next month) but will likely extend (especially if I can get another discounted offer).
• Amazon Prime - I buy enough from Amazon to easily justify Prime and Prime Video is just the icing on the cake. In any case, the way I look at Prime is that you pay $79/year for unlimited next-day shipping from Amazon and they throw in a video service as a bonus. Also, at roughly $6.58/month for unlimited delivery + a streaming service, it’s a decent value proposition.
• AppleTV+ - I pay for Apple One on a family plan as much of the household is well embedded into the Apple ecosystem these days. TV+ comes with the package (in addition to Apple Music etc). Early days, I’d say there was minimal value in TV+, but they’ve really been hitting it out of the park of late. Wouldn’t by TV+ in isolation, but as part of the broader package of services, I can easily justify it for my situation.
• Netflix - The most heavily-used service within the family. Can easily justify the cost based on monthly household-wide consumption.
• Stan - Probably my most under-utilised service right now, but it does have some good content.
• Crunchyroll - Paying a fraction of the normal cost - literally got a year for about $1.30. Primarily used for Japanese-language content as I’m currently learning the language (so dead simple for me to justify).

When all is said and done, I wouldn't have a problem terminating most of these services if push came to shove. No way I would pay for all this if it was just me consuming.

 

[Pushka]

You can get all the sport foxtel has for far less with Kayo, freeing up $ to add other streaming services.

I was horrified at the ridiculous cost of Foxtel That Dad was paying just to watch the NRL games. Spent one off $30 on chromecast, signed him up for Kayo immediately extra $80/month in his pocket.

Yes. I’m considering that. It’s insanely expensive. Wow. So does Kayo cover all cricket and AFL - likely you may not know but I should do my research. Son has Kayo not foxtel. At least we can use it in two places we own but if foxtel stops that then they’re out.

 

[Pushka]

Binge anyone?

 

[Flyfrequently]

So how many streaming services is enough here?

Mmmm @Pushka
We have none!
Make do with catch up Freeview and the audio and visual channels that come with our very smart telly.

 

[DejaBrew]

Yes. I’m considering that. It’s insanely expensive. Wow. So does Kayo cover all cricket and AFL - likely you may not know but I should do my research. Son has Kayo not foxtel. At least we can use it in two places we own but if foxtel stops that then they’re out.

Kayo is Foxtel and essentially includes most everything that is otherwise included in the Foxtel Sports package. Live and on-demand coverage of cricket, AFL, NRL, motorsports etc, and also includes livestream channels of Fox Sports News, Fox Footy, Fox League, WWE (who cares?!), Fox Sports 3, Fox Cricket, Fox Cricket+, Fox Sports 6, Fox Sports 7, ESPN, ESPN 2, Racing.com, CNN and Sky News.

The one thing Kayo does not offer at present - and the main selling point Foxtel as a service has over it - is UltraHD broadcasts of the various sports. Basically though, Kayo is Foxtel’s way of getting a slice of the streaming service pie from folks who refuse to pay for Foxtel Purely for sport.

Binge anyone?

Kayo + Binge covers most of the best content from Foxtel for a fraction of the price. Again, no UltraHD broadcast if that matters to you. Otherwise, I would highly recommend trialling both to see if they would work as an alternative for your circumstances.

 

[VPS]

“Slow Horses” S3 done and dusted. Brilliant!! Hooray for confirmation of S4!

and Series 5 as well. I've caught up on all the book series as well

So an allied question. Many of these are streaming services I'm not subscribed to. We need Foxtel for sport and lifestyle, we have Stan and Netflix but that's my limit. Oh. And Prine for Amazon postage.

So how many streaming services is enough here?

I've managed to get VPN for the series Mr Banks and the Post Office which DIL and son say is a must watch and a travesty of justice lasting for years and reminded me somewhat of Robodebt here.

I have none

Mmmm @Pushka
We have none!
Make do with catch up Freeview and the audio and visual channels that come with our very smart telly.

ditto

I will do sign ups for 2 months for $2 sometimes but don't miss it. Apple often has three months free as well

 

[DejaBrew]

and Series 5 as well. I've caught up on all the book series as well

Excellent! Assume the books are worth checking out?

 

[VPS]

Excellent! Assume the books are worth checking out?

They are indeed. He writes beautifully. The first one I struggled to work out all the characters but watched the first season and then went back and read all the books. I met Mick Herron on a literary cruise last year and he's just delightful.

 

[DejaBrew]

They are indeed. He writes beautifully. The first one I struggled to work out all the characters but watched the first season and then went back and read all the books. I met Mick Herron on a literary cruise last year and he's just delightful.

Guess I’ll be adding those to my reading list. Cheers!

 

[VPS]

Watched first episode of this on w/e. Loved it. Clive Owen is great and dialog is well written and amusing.

Monsieur Spade (TV Mini Series 2024) ⭐ 6.8 | Crime, Drama, Thriller

| TV-MA

www.imdb.com

What platform are you watching it on - from just Watch is seems to show Apple but I can't find it on Apple

 

[MARTINE]

Binge anyone?

Got it when I HAD to watch White Lotus 2 after returning from there. Had foxtel in prior house and the cost was not worth it to us. Other than Olympics and tennis we dont watch sport.

 

[kookaburra75]

“Slow Horses” S3 done and dusted. Brilliant!! Hooray for confirmation of S4!

Agree - it was a great season and finished well. I just can't believe how well Gary Oldman can play such a disreputable character, that you can't but help like.

I currently have 8 (including Foxtel) but it isn’t as bad as it sounds on the face of it (at least that’s what I tell myself…)

• Foxtel - Primarily for sport and love the UltraHD broadcasts. Currently paying considerably less than normal due to prior threat of discontinuing service, but seriously contemplating ditching it entirely.
• Kayo - Currently on a discounted plan courtesy of a Telstra offer. Originally purchased so that I could cut the cords on Foxtel multi-room and is my main driver for seriously contemplating ditching Foxtel entirely. After all, between Kayo and Binge, you get most of the best of Foxtel for a fraction of the price.
• Disney+ - Currently enjoying a free year courtesy of Foxtel (ending next month) but will likely extend (especially if I can get another discounted offer).
• Amazon Prime - I buy enough from Amazon to easily justify Prime and Prime Video is just the icing on the cake. In any case, the way I look at Prime is that you pay $79/year for unlimited next-day shipping from Amazon and they throw in a video service as a bonus. Also, at roughly $6.58/month for unlimited delivery + a streaming service, it’s a decent value proposition.
• AppleTV+ - I pay for Apple One on a family plan as much of the household is well embedded into the Apple ecosystem these days. TV+ comes with the package (in addition to Apple Music etc). Early days, I’d say there was minimal value in TV+, but they’ve really been hitting it out of the park of late. Wouldn’t by TV+ in isolation, but as part of the broader package of services, I can easily justify it for my situation.
• Netflix - The most heavily-used service within the family. Can easily justify the cost based on monthly household-wide consumption.
• Stan - Probably my most under-utilised service right now, but it does have some good content.
• Crunchyroll - Paying a fraction of the normal cost - literally got a year for about $1.30. Primarily used for Japanese-language content as I’m currently learning the language (so dead simple for me to justify).

When all is said and done, I wouldn't have a problem terminating most of these services if push came to shove. No way I would pay for all this if it was just me consuming.

After cycling through a lot of the different options, and using up free monthly trials we've settled in on:

• Kayo - but I suspend it once the AFL/AFLW and Formula 1 are finished for the year, and restart it in the new year when I need to
• Amazon Prime - we pay the annual fee to make it cheaper. Shows like Mrs Maizel are good
• Disney+ - pay the annual fee too, mainly for the Star Wars channel, and the grandkids/nieces/nephews too when they drop over
• Apple TV - I only activate it when there's something I want to watch e.g. Slow Horses

We've tried Stan, Netflix, Binge in the past, but not enough content to keep us going. We find iView and SBS OnDemand keeps us going.

 

[Lynda2475]

Kayo also has a bunch of US sports too, Dad is fine with the resolution, as he doesn't have a 4k TV anyway, and the picture is good enough. The other criticism on Kayo is lack of subtitles on some broadcasts when the same show on foxtel has the subtitles.

I loathe all sport so any sport content on any streaming service is a turn off for me, and i certainly would not pay for it.

I personally have 6 subscriptions (4 of which I share with my Dad, i let him use my account gratis with his own profile) and they all add up to less than the cost of Foxtel. I find I favour different services at various times of year depending on what new content has dropped, but rarely bother suspending as usually Dad is watching when I'm not, fetch is the only one I suspend as it is typically 8 months between new seasons of the UK shows I watch there.

1. Netflix ($10.99/month) - I downgraded to plan which no longer allows for simultaneous streams on multiplescreen, since they prevented sharing by multiple IPs. Dad now has his own subscription. I refuse to downgrade to the cheapest plan that has ads, but do watch on tv and tablet if travelling.

2. Amazon Prime ($69 annual, although will increase to $79) this is the least expensive as if you go annual you only pay for 10 months, there is always some cash back from Amex (typically 25-50%) and you get free parcel delivery. Order 6 items a year from Amazon and the savings on delivery have paid for it, plus you get music and audio books which I don't bother using.

3. Disney+ (increasing to $139 a year next renewal) also only pay for 10 months, I mostly watch the Star content (US Dramas) but also Doctor Who and some Star Wars and Marvel. I don't watch any actual Disney shows.

4. Stan ($16 a month) least watched, and one i would ditch first if cost was a problem.

5. Paramount + ($89 annual) also only pay for 10 months.

6. Fetch Variety Pack ($6/month) I pay for this this Dec-Mar each year to mostly watch BBC first content (and Xmas specials) such at Call The Midwife which all drop from Xmas and are done by Easter. But also has Universal and UKTV.

Of the free streaming SBS is best as no ads unlike iView. At the moment quite enjoying season 2 of Muster Dogs on iview.

 

[Flyfrequently]

We find iView and SBS OnDemand keeps us going.

Ditto @kookaburra75 - just watched Utopia (only first aired in 2015!)

 

[DejaBrew]

Utopia (only first aired in 2015!)

Now that is an exceptionally good show

 

[MARTINE]

Now that is an exceptionally good show

Isn’t it a documentary that remains current no matter how old? Love it. As Jeremy Clarkson would say ‘down at the red tape factory’….