We talked about it once after he found out how much DTV was costing us. He agreed to try the Roku since I had one for my TV and like it. No matter how I tried, he couldn’t learn it. Most of the time he even forgot he had it.
We have to use Hughes.net satellite for Internet since we are so remote. We have a 20GB package. After that, they don’t cut you off after you use your data allowance, but they slow you down too much to enjoy watching streaming anything. They have a free data time between 2:00am and 8:00am so I watch shows on it until 8:00am.
If we ever get modern unlimited data Internet, Roku will be my choice for sure. DTV or any other will be gone!
Hughes.net does offer landline phone service so I shut off my AT&T landline and we are using their Internet phone service. It doesn’t use any data. The only downside to that is that if the Internet is down for any reason like weather, you don’t have a phone.
We each have a cell phone, but they don’t work in the house. Part of the reason is the remote location and the other part is that the house is 70 years old with a metal roof and it sits on the bottom of the valley. The cell towers are on the other side. LOL We have to sit outside on the deck to use them. There are times that is not convenient.
Like I said, living in rural TN without neighbors has its perks but it also has some downsides.
I envy your ‘ruralness’ but not your communications/radio/TV difficulties.
You need a TV antenna up high on a tower. And even that is no guarantee of acceptable performance.