Previously on Cord Cutter Weekly …

As online video transitions from “skinny” bundles to more standalone streaming services, you might wish for a way to bundle them all under one bill—kind of like you did with cable. Streaming platforms from Apple, Amazon, Google, and Roku are best-suited for this new type of bundling.

The Roku Express is currently the cheapest streaming device on the market at just $30. Unfortunately, it makes several compromises to get there, including a sluggish processor, no dual-band Wi-Fi, and an IR remote that requires line-of-sight to the box.

It turns out some folks at Roku read last week’s column about how the quality of its streaming video apps is falling behind other platforms.

Roku is no longer the primary destination for some major content providers such as PlayStation Vue and Twitter, and when those providers do get around to supporting Roku, the quality of their apps doesn’t match other platforms.

One of the best things about ad-free streaming services such as Amazon Video and Netflix is that there’s no friction when you sit down on the couch. Just hit play, and the video you’ve selected launches without interruption. At least that’s how it’s supposed to work.

Although Amazon’s Fire TV has the makings of a great streaming device, it’s always been way too emphatic about pushing Amazon content. A recent software update for Fire TV moves things in the right direction.

Every few months or so, I see the same argument bubble up against cord cutting. It always goes something like this: Gee whiz, the costs of all those streaming services sure add up.

Not only do these arguments lack any sort of original thought, they’re also demonstrably wrong.

As with every other major U.S. sport, the NFL is getting a lot easier to watch without cable.

Officially, cord-cutters aren’t welcome to use video-streaming apps from TV channels such as ABC, Discovery, The Food Network, and many others. But if you look in the right places, these apps can provide plenty to watch.

While Netflix has gotten quite good at serving up recommendations in its own app, the company has avoided participating in system-wide viewing guides on streaming devices such as Roku.