09/2017 KIPLINGER’S PERSONAL FINANCE 69check out Android TV, a software
platform built into certain smart TVs
and streaming boxes. The 4K-capable
Nvidia Shield box runs with Android
TV and starts at a pricey $200 but is
popular with gamers—and soon, it
will include an option to employ
smart-home controls, such as the abil-
ity to adjust your thermostat or light-
ing, with the voice-activated Google
Assistant. With the AirTV Player, you
can connect your antenna to integrate
broadcast programs with those from
supported streaming applications
($130 for the box and antenna adapter),
watch programming in 4K resolution
and use a voice-activated remote.
Want something light and portable?
Check out Google’s Chromecast ($35,
or $69 for Ultra, with 4K resolution),
which plugs into your TV’s HDMI port
and streams video from your smart-
phone, tablet or computer. Chromecast
works with the Google Home voice-
activated speaker, too. Amazon and
Roku also offer streaming sticks ($40
and $50, respectively).
If all else fails, use this simple trick:
Connect your laptop to a high-defini-
tion TV with an HDMI cable (about $7
on Amazon.com). Video that you play
on your computer will appear on your
TV screen.
If you want to use an antenna to pick
up local broadcast stations, go to www
.tvfool.com or http://www.antennaweb.org
and enter your address to see what
channels are available in your area
and the type of antenna you’ll need to
capture their signals. Antenna brands
worth a look include Antennas Direct,
Mohu and Winegard, says Restauro.
One promising new option is the Mohu
Airwave antenna ($150 at Best Buy;
available starting Labor Day weekend).
By connecting the antenna to your
Wi-Fi network, you can watch live
broadcast programs on mobile devices
such as tablets and smartphones.
You can also integrate the network-TV
programming from your antenna
with the interface of compatible media-
streaming devices, including Roku and
Amazon Fire TV. ■
Custom ViewingPackages for Every Profile
THE SPORTS FAN
Services: FuboTV and Sling TV Orange with Sports Extra ($5 more a month)
Monthly cost: $60
FuboTV brings a little bit of everything: two major networks, Fox and NBC, plus Fox Sports
1 and 2, all 10 beIN Sports channels, NBCSN, NBA TV and NBC Golf. Sling TV rounds out the
package with three ESPN channels, NHL network, SEC Network and TNT for even more
basketball games. To get CBS, you’ll have to subscribe to CBS All Access for an additional
$6 a month.THE MOVIE BUFF
Services: Amazon Instant Video, FandangoNOW, HBO Now, Netflix, Showtime
Monthly cost: $42.25 (plus the cost of any movies you rent on FandangoNOW)
Amazon Instant Video (you must be an Amazon Prime member) and Netflix offer thou-
sands of movies in every major genre, not to mention numerous subgenres. Some are rela-
tively new releases, such as Moonlight and Manchester by the Sea on Prime and Rogue
One on Netflix, and some are classics, such as Apocalypse Now on Prime and Grease and
Blazing Saddles on Netflix. Both HBO Now and Showtime also offer a variety of critically
acclaimed films. Buy or rent movies on FandangoNOW that aren’t available on the other
platforms. There’s no monthly subscription fee; you pay only for the titles you access, and
you accumulate rewards points each time you spend.THE BINGE WATCHER
Services: HBO Now, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Showtime
Monthly cost: $42
Couch potatoes, rejoice. You can watch entire seasons of TV shows on Netflix without
having to sit through commercials. Netflix knows that when one episode ends, you’re
going to want to watch another, and it obliges by automatically starting it for you.
Among the offerings: Breaking Bad (and spin-off Better Call Saul), as well as acclaimed
Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black. On HBO Now, watch episodes of contempo-
rary hits, such as Veep, and classics, such as The Sopranos. The best part: HBO Now lets
you stream new episodes of its programs almost immediately after the live show begins
airing. So does Showtime, which boasts its own library of popular series to binge on, in-
cluding Dexter and Homeland. Hulu brings even more binge-worthy programs to the mix,
including hit cable comedies Community and South Park. New episodes are typically avail-
able on Hulu the day after they air.THE TREND SPOTTER
Services: HBO Now, Netflix, Sling TV Blue
Monthly cost: $48
With this package you can catch all the programs your coworkers are discussing around
the water cooler. Whether it’s the big game, a reality-show finale or the glitzy awards
show, Sling’s Blue plan brings together nearly all the channels that cable customers are
accustomed to—Fox, NBC, CNN, AMC, TBS, HGTV and ABC, in select markets. (To get
ESPN, you’ll need to subscribe to Sling’s premium plan, which adds $15 to your monthly
cost.) The notable exception? CBS, which can be added by subscribing to CBS All Access
for $6 a month. You’ll also need HBO Now and Netflix for access to their hotly debated
hits, including Game of Thrones.