WarnerMedia and TVE

Channels DVR Server TV Everywhere
#1

I've recently set up a Channels DVR for my parents at their second home. They have a large DirecTV package at their primary residence that they are using to feed TVE channels into their second home. However, the satellite costs keep increasing, and they want to consider other options.

WarnerMedia stations (TNT, TBS, CNN, etc.) are one of the sticking points that is making the break harder. It seems that TVE access to WarneMedia networks is only available to traditional cable/satellite credentials; OTT services—even AT&T's own—don't seem to allow TVE access.

Does anyone know of an OTT/streaming provider that includes WarnerMedia TVE access? If not, they might be able to pursue Spectrum Choice, as that's their internet provider; but a cable package is not the direction they really want to take.

TIA

(Edit: Lacking any OTT option, a skinny cable package might still be an option. It could end up being cheaper than some OTT options, and I still have an unused Prime, assuming that Spectrum will still rent CableCARDs.)

#2

T-Mobile TVision has access.

#3

Yes, but TVision is only available to existing T-Mobile/Sprint customers, which disqualifies it.

#4

True, until they open it to everyone.

Can I get TVision services if I'm not a T-Mobile or legacy Sprint customer?

TVision services are exclusively available to T-Mobile and legacy Sprint postpaid customers, but we're going to make it available for everyone over time. You can enter your info here and we'll let you know as soon as it's available.

#5

I have direct tv premier and get cnn, tbs, tnt via tve. Ahh I see you are looking for a non sat option

#6

You also have Spectrum stream which is 25 set channels including Warner. I don’t consider it a traditional cable package.

#7

I was looking at that, but the docs aren't clear whether TVE credentials are provided with that package. Do you have experience with this package?

#8

No, I would guess it does because it's the same as choice which I have. You do get a 7 day trial

#9

IIRC, the Choice package allows you to use a box (STB/CableCARD) to receive your channels; the Stream packages are tied exclusively to their app. This difference might indicate that the stream packages do not include TVE credentials.

#10

I believe it’s only essentials that can’t be used with a box

#11

In a lot of areas Spectrum has copyright protection enabled on everything except local broadcast stations. When this is enabled, the prime only really works with the hdhomerun app for those stations.

I have direct experience with this in a former Time Warner market (in NY state) and a former Bright House market in FL. I’ve read that former Charter markets are where you would have the best results (least stations with this enabled)

#12

TVE doesn’t have drm

#13

Indeed. I'm in a Charter region, but each month it seemed new channels were being flagged. We dropped our cable for this reason, but it has left me with an unused Prime. Of course, even if the channels are flagged CCI-Copy Once, the TVE credentials will allow for Channels integration.

Their primary residence is a former TWC, and therefore unlikely to have many non-flagged channels. (Also, the internet service is business-class, which I believe in Spectrum exempts the account from TVE access.) I am uncertain if the second residence is historically Charter, or if it was TWC before.

Unfortunately, the consensus seems to be that Spectrum is the best option to get WarnerMedia networks. It does not appear that any OTT providers offer TVE credentials, even if they include the networks within their own apps.

#14

I tried using my T-Mobile account from a previous prepaid number I used when traveling, but because that account is not active with a T-Mobile number, it won't continue through the signup process.

I'm not going to maintain a secondary T-Mobile account/number—nor ask my parents to—just to get access to their OTT service.