Flixed Newsletter 1 - May.18/2019

Flixed Newsletter - How to Cut Your Internet Bill, Game of Thrones Alternatives, and MORE

May 20, 2019

Issue 26: May 20, 2019

Cutting the cord does mean keeping a few cords around, namely, your ISP. Unfortunately, your ISP may be creeping its prices up on you, but you don't have to put up with this. This week, we explore a few ways to help lower your monthly internet bill.We've also taken a look at what's coming this week, including a new Indiana Jones-inspired TV show from CBS, and the NBA Conference Finals. Finally, feel free to pursue some interesting industry-news this week, including a few upcoming shows from Amazon and Netflix that may be next Game of Thrones, and some great news for Sling TV subscribers.Read on to find out more in this week's Stream Report.

.Interested in sharing Stream Report with a friend? Send them here!

Cord-Cutting Tip of the Week:

How To Lower Your Internet Bill

Even when you cut the cord on traditional cable TV, there's one thing that's not going to change:

you still need Internet

. For most of us, the cable TV provider is also the Internet provider, so cutting the cord often means removing cable TV from the package (or, for you "cord-nevers", just picking up an Internet plan).

There's a bit of a sticky problem with that, though. Most Internet providers offer an introductory price on their Internet plans and then hike the price after the first year or two. And quite often, those Internet-only plans are intentionally priced higher in order to persuade you to get the TV+Internet+Phone bundles instead.

Nevertheless, you don't need to keep paying higher for your Internet. Here are a few ways to keep that Internet bill as low as possible without sacrificing speed.

1. Switch to a different provider

If you live in an area where there are 2 more high-speed internet service providers, competition for your business can be fierce. This actually gives you some good power to up and switch to the other provider in your area to lock in lower rates.

As stated earlier, most providers offer a lower-cost introductory rate which is often good for a year or two. If your internet bill with your current provider has crept up over the years, don't be shy to make the switch. Depending on your ISP, you may be able to break your current contract without penalty. If you can, do so, otherwise, wait until your contract ends, then switch.

2. Bargain for a lower rate

Note that this will only work if you have more than one provider of high-speed internet access.

Most consumers don't realize that ISPs are willing to bargain if you try hard enough. To do this, you'll need to:

  • Call your ISP's customer service line

  • State that you're unhappy with the current price of your bill, and that you plan to change services

Your ISP may do one of several things at this point. They may try to persuade you to switch to a TV+Internet bundle which likely has a lower introductory rate, but will jump in price in a year.

Reject that offer. Your goal is to get a lower-cost Internet-only plan.

What most likely happens at this point is that you'll get transferred up to a manager, who can offer you a discounted (and often unlisted) rate on your Internet-only plan.

For you Verizon and Comcast customers, I've personally done this twice, once for both services. Each time, I was able to cut my monthly bill by around $20 per month.

Here's the kicker, though: they'll creep that price up on you in a year or two, so you'll need to come back and do it again later.

Unfortunately, if you're one of the 50 million or so Americans who only have

, you're out of luck. Your ISP knows you have no bargaining power so they won't be willing to budge much, if at all.

3. Purchase your own router and modem

If you're currently renting a modem and a router from your ISP, STOP. Some ISPs may require modem rental, but few, if any, actually require you to rent a router.

Most, in fact, will let you use your own internet equipment, but few openly advertise that detail. If you purchase and use your own modem and router, you can

.

The upfront costs for both routers and modems can be high, depending on the equipment. We can't really recommend any specific modems, as different providers will have a list of modems that work with their system, but you can use pretty much any router on the market with any ISP.

I told you guys last week about my ardent love for the

, but there are plenty of much-cheaper routers on the market which you might want to consider if you're on a budget. That includes the

, which is highly regarded, packs a nice bit of speed for the cost, and is actually cheaper than some worse products (like the

which I ditched in favor of the Nighthawk due to the poor quality WiFi speeds the Almond was giving me).

This Week's Streaming Guide

1. CBS's New Treasure-Hunting Drama 'Blood & Treasure' Premieres this TUESDAY

Who said treasure hunting adventures were dead? CBS channels its inner Indiana Jones this week as its new action-drama show Blood & Treasure premieres this Tuesday at 9.

is your cheapest option for CBS, but more options exist. -

2. NBA Conference Finals Continue This Week

Both the Warriors and the Bucks are leading their respective conferences so far this year. Don't miss out on Game 4 this week! You'll need TNT and ESPN to watch both, and

is a low-cost option for cord-cutters. -

Streaming Deals

1. Get 40% Off Your Sling TV Subscription

2. Sign Up For Sling, Get a Free Roku

is currently giving away a free Roku Express to all new subscribers who prepay for one month of service. -

3. Sign Up For Sling, Get a Free Indoor Antenna and Air TV Bundle

is currently giving away a free indoor antenna and an Air TV Bundle to all new subscribers who prepay for three months of service. -

4. Get $5 Off Your First Month of Philo

Use coupon code "R9RFWJVG" at checkout to get $5 off your

. -

5. Sling TV Currently Giving Free Preview of Add-on Bundle

From now until May 19, Sling TV is giving subscribers free access to four channel add-on bundles: Comedy Plus Extra, Kids Extra, Lifestyle Plus Extra, and News Extra. -

6. Get $15 Off Your First Two Months of DirecTV Now

Use code 15OFF2 at checkout to get $15 off your first two months of DirecTV Now's PLUS or MAX packages. -

News and Industry Developments

1. Both Netflix and Amazon Think They Have the Next 'Game of Thrones'

With the original

Game of Thrones

series finally ended (upcoming spin-off notwithstanding), both Netflix and Amazon are gearing up to provide some high-quality book-to-TV content that both companies likely hope will become as big a hit as HBO's

Game of Thrones

series. And both appear to be hedging their bets on two popular fantasy book series to do it. -

2. Sling TV (Finally) Adds More Apps to TV Everywhere

One of Sling TV's biggest limitations has been its lack of TV Everywhere authentication. That just changed this week as the service expanded its authentication to 24 channels in its line-up, including ESPN.

Reply

or to participate.