Use the Backup addon. Can be found in the Kodi repo.

From v15 to v17 is a huge jump and a lot has changed under the hood. I'd recommend that you reinstall the Addons afresh on the V17 instead.

v15 to v17... not advisable. the 2 versions are too different.
u will likely end up redoing everything.
with same version, can use the methods already described or... what i use:
use file explorer to copy and paste the folder org.xbmc.kodi from one device to another.
that speed is good enough for most addons incl exodus, icdrama.
possible explanations:
.. u r on wifi, too far away.
.. u hv too much stuff in yr box, memory/storage running out.
.. hardware acceleration not set correctly.

I gave up and subscribed to CloudTV for this month.

Can be easily Googled. Subscribe from the app or website. To me, it's not, affordable for me.

no... it doesn't work like that.

when u upgrade from one version to another, many things old will not work - repos, addons, dependencies.

u still need to get new. cleaner to start afresh.

yes, kodi 17 is more demanding than 16 or 15.

You don't have to install all addons..only those that do what you need and are still functioning.. Personally, don't think I have more than 10 video addons installed. There's already a suggestive list on page one.

Possible to backup as described..only results are mixed. As already pointed out, Krypton is a whole new beast and very fussy if asked to migrate addons, etc to its new format. I updated once from Jarvis and settings, addons, custom code, etc were successfully migrated. But ran into some issues and had to roll back. Tried again a few days later (same installation and device) and surprisingly after updating to Krypton, launching it either crashes or shows a blank screen. So, roll back again... YMMV... For best results, do a fresh install and setup.. Only take a few minutes.
Search the garage sales section... Sure got a few sellers willing to provide such..

do not jump into that conclusion so soon, better reserve judgment.

say bye-bye ONLY if u have used enough of the ALTERNATIVES offer in kodi and other apps - what u like and what u dun.

"pro-sports"... i assume u mean live sports telecast - this will be your most challenging task.

keep in mind: live sports telecast is worth BILLIONS of $, everyone in the biz will try to stop u from getting free.

i have not come across anything useful like that.

i can think of using favorites as shortcuts.

but give it a month or 2, more than half would be dead as addons and plugins die off, need new ones.

Asking about Live TV with EPG Guide? Can be a pain to setup and maintain.. Especially if free. Need to have a bunch of addons and setup the channels to call up the particular channel from the live TV section of the addons. Major issues are dead links. Feel free to take a crack at it.