Greetings Fellow Streamers and Happiest of the rapidly approaching Holidays to you all!
I have a suspicion and a theory to pose concerning the age-old debate here of some suggesting that its better to use a VPN when Streaming content, while others say they don’t need it, and never use a VPN while streaming. As an avid reader of ALL that is posted here, I have really enjoyed the pros and cons concerning this healthy debate, and have learned tons. Full disclosure on my stance, (not that it matters) but I choose to use a VPN because I have received the dreaded letter on multiple occasions due to my negligence. So my conjecture is that maybe,just maybe the ones that get the letter are utilizing an ISP that also offers TV packaging. They (the cable companies that also deliver internet service) do not want you to get for free what they offer for sale. I also posit that the one’s that do not use a VPN, nor have ever received a warning, are utilizing an Internet Service Provider that does not offer TV, and are maybe a smaller company. Just wondering, stay with me here, its merely conjecture mind you.
True case scenario: My previous main ISP is Spectrum. (I still have them as a backup, and now I have 2.5gb fiber as main) I loathe and detest Spectrum mightily. Last season I got caught streaming a football game without the VPN on. Got a “going to sue you” letter the very next week. So just to experiment, I streamed and watched 4 live tv shows, 2 entire seasons of a VOD favorite, and 2 live football games (so far) on the new fiber sans VPN. I have not heard anything from them concerning any wrong doing, and don’t think I will. So what do you all think? does ISP size (and type) matter for VPN’s sake? in the meantime while I patiently await your most welcome replies, here’s a video for you that goes along with our “healthy discussion” https://youtu.be/0u8teXR8VE4?si=0RlvDdnzAaIxtWId Enjoy!
Just my quick take on the subject. In my opinion its more of an issue with the “powers that be” rather than the isp or cable company. In other words if Big Media goes after spectrum to stop the illegal streaming they do so to get them off their back and the end user gets the letters with a threat…or else…etc…yada yada…
I am an xfinity customer (internet only) and ive talked to numerous people within the company and most could care less about streamers and many do it as well to one extent or another.
The vpn protects you and them. If they dont know the stream they cant act against it and really dont want to. They do so by pressure from Big Media threats.
I think it’s all about the individual ISP, if they get the DMCA notice or whatever it’s called from a rights holder then they may act. I don’t think there’s any clear cut answer. I also don’t get any speed hit from my VPN. 150 down service and I always get around that whether on or not.
I agree with your premise on internet providers who do not offer any type of TV packaging. However, I would imagine the vast majority of streamers don’t have fiber…yet.
My take on this is, why not use a vpn if it does not degrade your viewing. I get about 150 mbps down with a vpn and about 360 mbps down without a vpn. Both of these speeds are waaay more than enough to stream anything. So, again, I say, why not use a vpn for if nothing else, just the added security and peace of mind.
Btw, I use Spectrum (400 speed unlimited data package) and have an internet and phone package (no tv).
Scenario: I can cross the street out in front of my house in my sleepy hollow of a subdivision all I want. Hardly EVER is there a car insight, but I still look in both directions when doing so. Doesn’t take any more time or effort to look both ways. So, why not do it.
I do NOT use a VPN. Back in the early days (2016-2018 or so) I foolishly downloaded a few movies/shows not knowing my ISP (Spectrum at the time) would know and I received the letters. I’ve been off of Spectrum for 3 years now (Yay!!!) and luckily have an excellent Non Cable ISP in AT&T Fiber. I do have a VPN but ONLY use it when I need to download movies/shows for say a plane flight. Otherwise I never use a VPN for streaming and am not concerned with being targeted. But then again I’m way less paranoid than most here
Another concern from my perspective is throttling. I am with Rogers here in Canada (or as they are commonly referred to as “robbers”) and they are NOTORIOUS for being one of the worst around for throttling. And it seems lately they are trying to adapt to VPN’s as well. I use Express VPN but I find if I use any Canadian or US location, invariably when I’m watching hockey or football, it starts to buffer. Then I change it to somewhere in Europe and no buffering! So they must be making note of VPN IP addresses in North America in my opinion. So I just leave my VPN set to Europe now.
You might want to try a New York server. My VPN has servers in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal and I never have issues but I am not a Rogers subscriber either.
For live TV I usually don’t use a VPN unless there’s buffering or channel issues. I always use a VPN when streaming on Stremio. Years ago I was watching a show on Terrarium, didn’t realize I used a torrent, and got a notification a week later about copyright bullshit, so I just automatically use a VPN for movies and TV shows. Our apt in NYC, when we had our internet installed, the technician saw my Nvidia Shield and we started talking about iptv and streaming. He’s the one who turned me onto Apollo group, said his boss told him about it. Goes full circle.
I admire a thinker. They are a rare breed these days. Most people blindly follow while only a few will question the status quo. This applies to many things in life…religion, politics, etc. Using your brain and having your own ideas and reasoning is a good thing. Don’t live your life based on someone else’s opinion.
Thx Miki, my eyepee provider mentioned about US crackdowns on NFL. I used to use either NYC or Washington but started to run into buffering on Sundays so I figured some neutral place in Europe would be best.
On my home page I have a widget which shows where my VPN is connected to so my wife always makes a comment like “oh we are in Isle of Man today are we?” lol
Unprotected sex, in most cases, is harmless, too. 
Very bad analogy, disappointed you couldn’t do better. Plenty of documented problems with that but where are all the busted non VPN streamers? But I understand the Herd mentality in this Forum. I choose to make my own decisions
Well said @MarkxG
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You do seem to have difficulty in understanding sarcasm, huh.
I will VEHEMENTLY agree with your theory. Ironically, my wife and I were just discussing the subject of VPNs last night. We found that it’s not enough to charge exhorbidant prices for TV (commercials included…paying for TV and still forced to watch ads, but that’s another RIDICULOUS subject.), but Companies seek to control how we watch. I had a coworker that argued that companies have to right to make money. (That coworker was fired for theft, imagine that!) I don’t disagree, but treating loyal customers a second rate, forcing them to pay more and giving them less is bad business. the only time they acquiesce to the desires of their customers is when there is competition threatening to affect their bottom line. Until recently, spectrum was the only game in town. We are Spectrum customers. Recently, we switched to Quantum fiber and then watched as they bent over backwards to get our business back. We went back because they treated us like new customers and gave us deals better than nationals advertised. Hmmm. Why not just do that from the inception? We do not use their TV. Just their Internet. We use a separate router with Asuswrt Merlin, so it creates an umbrella over the devices on our network. We did this long ago before we purchased our 1st Firestick. We shop online and it protects our info. Simple concept. But the shenanigans began with Netflix and we all know what happened there. Then other mediums started in; streaming, cell phones, tablets etc. Attempts to manipulate customers into doing what the ISPs want and not what the customers prefer. Many years ago, we received that letter from Spectrum when they were still Brighthouse. After that, I made sure it’s wouldn’t happen again. I added my VPN to each of my streaming devices so if in the event my router blips, I’m still covered from the TV police. Spectrum is a big company, Quantum isn’t quite yet and I’ve never received one of those letters from them. I apologize as I know this is a bit of a rant, but VPNs are great security tools and if cable and intent companies have their way, VPNs would be eliminated altogether. We cannot allow that! Thank you for your time.
i only turn my vpn on when downloading movies,it’s never on when i stream iptv,been doing it that way for yrs and never a problem?
What’s that widget called?
I’d like to say I am already doing this but that is another story for another day. I “plan” to use a VPN only because what they don’t know won’t hurt me. (Hmmm does that makes sense?)
I use SL Channel 3 for a launcher.
When I installed Express VPN, it came with a widget.
So when I add a tile, I select Widget, then Installed Widget, then ExpressVPN.
It shows green when connected and a little flag of the country connected to and the name of the city. You can click on the widget to open Express VPN to change location or any settings.
Same exact thing here. Only use a VPN when I need to download a movie or show. Otherwise it’s off for streaming