Hey there! I’m Jared Newman, and this is Cord Cutter Weekly, my newsletter on how to save money on TV and make the most of streaming. Sign up here if someone shared this newsletter with you.

Quick housekeeping note: Cord Cutter Weekly will be off next week as I’m traveling with family over Passover. The newsletter will return on April 25.

This week on PCWorld: A Tablo update gone awry

Jared Newman   |   April 11, 2025

Whenever Tablo issues a big software update for its latest over-the-air DVRs, I always hope it’ll finally make them worth recommending again.

So after reading about what Tablo called a “MASSIVE” update for its Roku app, I was excited to give the system another try. Previous Tablo models once topped the best over-the-air DVR lists that I’ve maintained over at PCWorld and TechHive, but the fourth-generation version has been too buggy and unreliable.

My attempt to give Tablo another shot quickly went off the rails, though, as the aforementioned Roku update introduced a connection error that made the app unusable. While the bug doesn’t affect everyone, it’s indicative of the recurring issues Tablo users have experienced with the latest hardware and corresponding software. I’m still hoping Tablo’s close to turning the corner and living up to its promises, but it’s not quite there yet.

Read the full column on PCWorld →

Weekly rewind

Force quit Roku apps: Roku hasn’t said much about the OS 14.5 update that it started rolling out on a limited basis last week, but Cord Cutters News reports on one notable feature: You’ll be able to force an app to restart by clicking your remote’s * button while highlighting the app on the home screen. (Roku OS 14.5 isn’t widely available yet, so don’t be surprised if this capability hasn’t shown up on your devices.)

It’s interesting because Roku often restarts an app whenever you relaunch it anyway. (Not always, though; I’ve found that Netflix maintains its state if you switch to another app, then switch back.) Perhaps this change hints at a better multitasking system for switching back and forth between streaming apps; Roku’s always been behind other streaming platforms in that regard.

More catch-up

Save more money

This section of the newsletter has affiliate links, earning me a commission if you buy or subscribe to something in some cases.

Apple TV+ is running a new promo that brings the price to $3 per month for three months, down from the usual $10 per month. It’s available to both new and “qualified” returning subscribers through April 24. Check Apple’s site to see if you’re eligible. (Just need a month? Use this link for an extended free trial instead.)

Other notable deals:

Also, I know some folks have run into a “no error provided” message when trying to redeem a free month of Paramount+ (using this link). I still haven’t been able to replicate this and was able to sign up for another free month from my test account after my previous free month expired. If the error persists, you may just need to try another email address.

As always, I maintain a full list of active streaming deals on the Cord Cutter Weekly website, updated every Friday.

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Thanks for reading!

As I mentioned earlier, Cord Cutter Weekly will be off next week and back on April 25. Let me know if you have any questions in the meantime.

Until then,
Jared