Cord Cutter Weekly
In a perfect world, we’d all have ample time and energy to monitor all our subscription video charges. We could keep spreadsheets, regularly check our banking statements, and never forget to cancel.

Reality, of course, is messier. Between work, family, and household obligations, ending unnecessary subscriptions might be the last thing on your mind at the end of the day. It doesn’t help that many subscription services will run your credit card without any kind of notification beforehand.

While I still think immediate cancellation is the best strategy for any streaming TV service you don’t plan to keep year ‘round, a little extra auditing can’t hurt. Read the full column on TechHive for advice on how to do that.

YouTube TV boots Apple billing customers: If you previously signed up for YouTube TV through an in-app purchase on an iPhone or iPad, your service will be cancelled one month from the next billing statement the occurs after March 13. That means you’ll have to sign up again through the YouTube TV website.

To compensate for Apple’s cut of all App Store subscription revenue, YouTube TV was already charging $55 per month through in-app billing, versus $50 per month directly through its site. My guess is that not many folks are still paying those higher prices, and with slim to non-existent profit margins in live TV streaming, YouTube didn’t see the point in supporting whoever was left. While YouTube TV isn’t the highest-profile streaming service to try and dodge the so-called Apple Tax–Netflix and Spotify are bigger examples–it’s the first to give existing subscribers the boot in the process.

Sideclick’s remote finder: Back before TV volume and power controls became standard-issue on streaming remotes, a device called Sideclick filled the gap. The remote control attachment for Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV had an infrared blaster and programmable buttons, so you didn’t have to grab a second remote for things like volume, power, input, and mute.

Now, Sideclick is back with another remote control accessory called Beep. It’s a silicon sleeve with an embedded speaker that wraps around a Roku or Fire TV remote, plus a separate freestanding button. Press the button, the remote plays a sound to help you find it. While streaming devices do have remote finder features built in, including the Roku Ultra and the new Nvidia Shield TV tube, those are the exceptions to the rule.

Beep’s Fire TV and Roku versions both cost $20. Sadly there’s no Apple TV version, even though its slim design is the most prone to getting lost in the couch, but you can always try sticking a Tile tracker to that remote instead.

Amazon’s spruced-up web guide: Amazon has made a few changes to its Prime Video menu on the web. You can now check out a live TV guide for add-on “Channels” subscriptions such as HBO and Showtime, similar to the one that already exists on Fire TV devices and there’s a new “Categories” menu for browsing things like children’s programming and sports. The likely goal here is to upsell Prime subscribers on more add-on subscriptions, but I also wonder if it’s a precursor to bigger changes in Amazon’s Prime Video app and Fire TV devices. Amazon has already said that making content discovery easier is a major focus for this year.

Not much happening on the streaming device or over-the-air TV front, so let’s spotlight a couple of TV deals.

Over on Amazon, Toshiba’s 43-inch Fire TV Edition television with Dolby Vision HDR is down to $230, matching previous record low prices. It’s rare to see smaller TVs with Dolby Vision, which helps accentuate colors in bright and dark scenes, and this set also has Amazon’s Fire TV software built-in.

If you’re more into Roku, TCL’s 55-inch 6-Series TV (also with Dolby Vision HDR) is down to $400 at Walmart. This is actually the 2018 model, so it lacks the color-enhancing Quantum Dot tech that TCL has introduced in newer sets, but it’s still a great set for cheap. (Here’s CNet’s review from a couple years back.) Walmart is also selling refurbished models for $310.

Speaking of subscription services, I’ve got a humble one of my own in Advisorator. Subscribers get a weekly newsletter packed with all kinds of tech advice, from interesting apps and privacy tips to insights on which tech products are worth buying. I also send out deal alert emails and provide advice on-demand for subscribers via email or live chat. (There are no sneaky charges either; subscribers get email reminders in advance of each recurring payment.) Get started with a free trial here.
As always, I’m eager to hear your cord-cutting thoughts, questions, story ideas, and feedback. Just get in touch by replying to this email.

Until next week,
Jared