Discussions

We are interested in cutting our cable. Spend way too much for the amount we watch. Just wondering if anyone can give us info on the Amazon Firestick. What are the channel selections like? Can you access most of the networks with it? Any advice is appreciated.

I have two Fire Sticks, the basic ones.  
 
They come with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, standard. Crave is also available for it. I have not seen a lot of apps for specific networks. However, you can side-load Kodi which allows you to get some of that content.  
 
Wait for when they are on sale from Amazon. At $30 its an easy buy, unless you already have devices providing Prime Video and Netflix.  
 
You should know that Amazon and Google are in a war. Amazon won't sell the Chromecast or the Google Home devices on its website. So, in retaliation, Google has removed its Youtube App from the Fire Stick. There are some third party apps that work for Youtube on the Fire Stick and you can download a couple of browser options that will play Youtube.  
 
For specific apps, I suggest you Google the apps for Fire Stick Canada and see what comes up.

We cut our cable a few months ago and went to the firestick. Love it and wished we would have done a long time ago. Easy to set up. We got netflix. Can get prime and increase your channeks which we are considering. Easy to get apps and watch other channels. We made a cost savings tally and we are way way ahead of where we were. We paid the 49.99 but heard at one pint it was 19.99 over summer.

with the firestick which network channels are available? We are just wondering if we will still have access to the regular shows we watch on networks like CBS, NBC, etc.

Used to always use a Roku. Then I tried a newer firestick. I'm regretting it to some extent.  
 
First of all there was no NHL gamecenter app (which I like) without side-loading a poorer version of it through kodi.  
Next, they show a ton of available things on the menu that you aren't even subscribed to. So it is much more cluttered.  
Plus on Roku there is a free "Roku Channel" that shows a certain amount of free things that you won't get on the firestick.

Have tried both the Roku and Firestick and they are both just okay. The Roku I wouldn't recommend at all it just isn't good. The firestick isn't much better. It is wifi only. It is a bit clunky and buffers quite a bit on higher quality video. You can side load pretty much any apk (app) to all android devices. It's easy, google it there are several how tos and walk throughs to help you get it all set up. You can side load YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Video (if you have Prime) and pretty much anything else you want. You won't get any shows or networks like CBS, NBC etc. You could load Kodi for that but that is a grey area you will have to figure out on your own.  
 
I would suggest spending a few more dollars and buying a good android box, like a Nvidia Shield (saw a few Black Friday deals on them). It is the best android streaming box on the market right now in my opinion. It's fast, its user friendly and you really can't beat it for what it is. Stay away from all those cheap Chinese android boxes you see for sale on Amazon or in the classifieds here, they are all crap. Don't be cheap you will regret it (unless you enjoy aggravation) Or you could always build or use an older PC and turn it in to your own HTPC with a wireless keyboard or something. Lots of options but I would really try and stay away from the cheapest option.

MSR said "Have tried both the Roku and Firestick and they are both just okay. The Roku I wouldn't recommend at all it just isn't good. The firestick isn't much better. It is wifi only. It is a bit clunky and buffers quite a bit on higher quality video. You can side load pretty much any apk (app) to all android devices. It's easy, google it there are several how tos and walk throughs to help you get it all set up. You can side load YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Video (if you have Prime) and pretty much anything else you want. You won't get any shows or networks like CBS, NBC etc. You could load Kodi for that but that is a grey area you will have to figure out on your own.     I would suggest spending a few more dollars and buying a good android box, like a Nvidia Shield (saw a few Black Friday deals on them). It is the best android streaming box on the market right now in my opinion. It's fast, its user friendly and you really can't beat it for what it is. Stay away from all those cheap Chinese android boxes you see for sale on Amazon or in the classifieds here, they are all crap. Don't be cheap you will regret it (unless you enjoy aggravation) Or you could always build or use an older PC and turn it in to your own HTPC with a wireless keyboard or something. Lots of options but I would really try and stay away from the cheapest option. "

Go with the Shield. Best streaming box we've used so far. There is no legit free software to watch TV for free though however. I signed up for USTVnow . The basic package gets you all american networks (ABC, NBC FOX etc) $19.99 a month. Another option would be to get a satellite dish. There are very small packages starting at 24.99 a month for Shaw. Might be something for you to check out.