As a result of damage to critical infrastructure, changing media distribution landscape and prohibitive costs, television services for the remote chain will end on June 1, 2025.
We understand this affects access to entertainment and communications. To ease this disruption, we created a guide outlining possible alternatives.
Questions? Please call us at 970.641.8725 and we will guide you through the available options.
live Television via home internet
Nearly all channels MetRec carries may be watched for free with an internet connection.
What if I don\’t have internet at home?
We compiled a list of estimated costs per provider. Coverage varies; be sure to call your provider of choice or check their website to confirm your address sits within their service area.
| Provider | Frequency | Charges | Cost | Year 1 | Year 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Month | Second Month+ | First Month | Second Month+ | ||||
| CenturyLink | one-time cost | Standard Install Fee | $25 | $25 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| monthly | Equipment Rental | $17 | $17 | $17 | $17 | $17 | |
| monthly | Plan | $55 | $55 | $55 | $55 | $55 | |
| Total | $97 | $72 | $72 | $72 | |||
| Tmobile | one-time cost | Connection Fee | $35 | $35 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| monthly | Plan | $55 | $55 | $55 | $55 | $55 | |
| Total | $90 | $55 | $55 | $55 | |||
| Starlink | One-time cost | Equipment Purchase | $0 | $0 | $0 | $349 | $0 |
| monthly | Plan with 12-month commitment | $80 | $80 | $80 | $80 | $80 | |
| Total | $80 | $80 | $429 | $80 | |||
| HughesNet | monthly | Equipment Rental | $0.00 | $0 | $0.00 | $14.99 | $14.99 |
| monthly | Plan with 12-month commitment + autopay | $49.99 | $0 | $49.99 | $79.99 | $79.99 | |
| Total | $0 | $49.99 | $94.98 | $94.98 | |||
| Viasat | monthly | Equipment Rental | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0 | $9.99 | $9.99 |
| monthly | Plan | $89.99 | $89.99 | $99.99 | $99.99 | $99.99 | |
| Total | $89.99 | $99.99 | $109.98 | $109.98 |
How do I know if I can use a streaming device?
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Check if your television has an HDMI input.
If your television has an HDMI port, you can watch live programs on it with the one-time purchase of a streaming device.
Streaming devices do require an internet connection.
How much do streaming devices cost?
Find the device that fits your needs and budget.
Streaming Devices
| Brand | SKU | Price (one time) |
|---|---|---|
| FireTV | Fire tv stick 4k | $29.99 |
| Roku | Roku Streaming Stick | $29.99 |
| GoogleTV | Google TV Streamer 4k | $99.99 |
| Apple TV | Apple TV 4K | $129.99 |
news, weather, entertainment without home internet
We know radio is a significantly different media than television. But for households without internet, radio provides a connection to the greater community. Radios are a one-time purchase. There is no monthly bill associated with them
| Radio Examples | ||
|---|---|---|
| Brand | SKU | Price |
| RunningSnail | Solar Crank NOAA Weather Radio | $32.31 |
| Midland | ER210 E+READY Compact Emergency Crank WX Radio | $50.00 |
| Kaito | KA500 | $54.99 |
| Midland | ER310 E+READY Emergency Crank Weather Radio | $70.00 |
| C. Crane | CC Pocket | $74.99 |
| C. Crane | Ccradio Solar BT | $100.00 |
Colorado Public Libraries offer a variety of completely free resources, including:
- Internet / wifi
- desktop computers
- Media check outs for use at home
-
- CDs, DVDs, Audiobooks
- Some libraries may have DVD players available to check out as well
-
| Library | Address | Hours | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crested Butte Library | 504 Maroon Avenue,Crested Butte, CO 81224 | Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Sunday 1-5 p.m. |
970.349.6535 | gunnisoncountylibraries.org/crested-butte-library |
| Gunnison Library | 1 Quartz St. Gunnison, CO 81230 |
Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Sunday 1-5 p.m. |
970.641.3485 | gunnisoncountylibraries.org/gunnison-library-2 |
| Buena Vista Library | 27900 County Rd. 319 Buena Vista, CO 81211 |
Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
719.395.8700 | buenavistalibrary.org |
| Montrose Library | 320 South 2nd Street Montrose, CO 81401 |
Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday 1-5 p.m. |
970.249.9656 | montroselibrary.org/montrose-regional-library |