838 agoodmovietowatch Staff Lists (Page 4)

In the mid-2010s, NXT would build a reputation as a safe haven or pseudo-alternative for WWE fans who had gotten sick of the company’s rotten creative direction. While branded a developmental show for WWE rookies, it would also serve as a baptism of fire for new signings who had been darlings elsewhere but still needed to adapt to the company’s presentation. The so-called “Black and Gold” era that ended in 2019 is commonly heralded as its peak, but fans watching on the USA Network today know that the brand would slowly find its groove again, in a game-changing collaboration with TNA wrestling. You can tune into WWE NXT on USA without cable with a subscription to any of these cord-cutting services.

For most of its existence, WWE Smackdown would be colloquially known as the “wrestling show” (to Raw’s “storyline” show), or even straightforwardly “the B-show.” It's had its ups and downs, dependent on factors like roster exclusivity and live vs. prerecorded shows. It's also always been the odd one out as fellow WWE programs Raw and NXT have always aired on USA, while Smackdown has been with Fox since 2019. But that all ends this 2024 as USA welcomes the return of WWE Smackdown with a fitting steel cage match. That means you can watch all three WWE (and AEW!) shows on one channel this year, before Raw moves to Netflix in 2025. 

You can tune into WWE Smackdown on USA without cable through any of the following cord-cutting services.

Raw is WWE’s flagship show since 1993. The last decade has seen a drastic decline in the weekly product creatively, in large part due to its move from a 2-hour program to a 3-hour program, which sounds as draining to execute as it is to even passively consume. But since the long-overdue ousting of WWE’s previous head honcho, the company (at least creatively) has enjoyed a massive improvement in its TV presentation, being more consistent with “edgier” content and long-term stories.

With the announcement of Raw moving to Netflix in January 2025, many speculate on the boundaries that they may push. But at least for now, you can watch WWE Raw without cable on the USA Network through the following cord-cutting services.

Beyond their glaring $57 price gap, Philo and DirecTV have other differences that are worth discussing. We talk about the more notable ones below. 

Advantages of Philo over DirecTV Cable: unbeatable price, flexibility, and free trial

Philo is so cheap, you could add up to five extra channel packs and it will still be more affordable than DirecTV Cable. Affordability is the number one draw of a budget live TV service like Philo, but it has other things going for it, too, like flexibility and trial options. Unlike DirecTV, which charges you a $20 termination fee if you cancel before their 2-year contract ends, Philo lets you cancel anytime with no extra fees. And if you're still on the fence about it, it offers a 7-day free trial that lets you test all of its features, including its 70+ channels, unlimited DVR storage, and simultaneous streams.

Advantages of DirecTV Cable over Philo: more premium channels, live sports, and local coverage

Now, with DirecTV's hefty price tag comes a lot of channels, many of which aren't available on Philo no matter how many channel packs you purchase. Unlike Philo, DirecTV airs local networks like ABC and FOX, sports channels like ESPN and FS1, and for an extra fee, it lets you add premium channels like Showtime and Starz. For a lot of people, DirecTV is more valuable for those reasons alone, but it also helps that DirecTV comes with a handy TV box that makes viewing and customizing feel like a breeze. 

If you're on a budget, Philo is a worthwhile cable alternative, as long as you don't mind losing some key channels on the lineup. But if you can afford it, DirecTV is as comprehensive as it gets, though you do have to watch out for surcharges once the 2-year price lock is over. 

Sling TV and DirecTV Cable are both popular options in their respective realms. Cord-cutters flock to Sling because it gets you the most bang for your buck, while TV traditionalists like DirecTV because it's both comprehensive and uncomplicated. But they differ in many crucial ways, so we take a closer look at them below.

For the purposes of this review, we'll be referring to Sling's Orange + Blue plan, which costs $55/month, and DirecTV's basic cable plan, which costs $85/month.

Advantages of Sling over DirecTV Cable: price and flexibility

Never mind the $30/month difference between the two—unlike traditional cable packages, a live TV streaming service like Sling will have upfront fees. You don't have to worry about hidden fees or even taxes depending on where you live. Yes, DirecTV Cable's 2-year contract prevents the service from increasing its price during that time, but it's unlikely that Sling, which has branded itself as the economical TV option, will soar to DirecTV prices.

Sling is also contract-free, so you can cancel your subscription anytime you want. In comparison, DirecTV Cable will charge you $20 if you decide to cancel before the contract ends.

Advantages of DirecTV Cable over Sling: variety, a TV box, and price lock

The main advantage DirecTV has over Sling is variety. DirecTV has more than double Sling's channels, and that includes local networks and the option to add premium channels like HBO for a fee. Meanwhile, Sling only provides local channels where available. If your area isn't covered you'll have to buy an OTA antenna or purchase Sling's AirTV device. That's another DirecTV advantage: it already comes with a TV box, Gemini, so you don't have to worry about extra equipment.

The last advantage of DirecTV is its price lock. We know we said Sling's prices don't even come close to DirecTV, but there is comfort in knowing that despite inflation and price hikes, your DirecTV billing, at least, remains the same.