How Cutting The Cord Will Save You Big
As the cost of cable continues to rise, many people have turned to on-demand streaming to watch quality shows and movies at a lower cost. This shift away from cable appears to be more than just a passing trend as an estimated 33 million adults in the US will have cut their cable or satellite services by the end of 2018. Viewers cite many reasons for making the switch as indicated below:
Price
Cable TV is often pricier than streaming. The average cable bill runs approximately $106 per month, whereas the average cost of streaming through the internet for most is closer to $55 per month. Streaming channels, such as Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime come with monthly amounts that range from $7.99 to $14.99 per channel. Many of us already have subscriptions to these channels, in addition to cable.
If you miss live television, many providers have options for this as well. Sling Television, Hulu, and Philo are a few providers that stream live TV for a monthly fee ranging from $16 to $70.
For a television with a USB drive, you can also consider Amazon Fire TV or Google Chromecast. While these require an initial equipment purchase, they allow you to stream free content easily and at a lower cost than cable TV. Other products, such as Apple TV or Roku, require a higher initial investment but allow for easier streaming. These options are often supplemented with paid streaming channels, such as Netflix or Hulu.
Missing the local news and your local sports team? You can still watch local TV through the purchase of a digital antenna, which runs about $100. Many channels provide a free introductory period. This allows you to try it out before you make a purchase. Streaming channels also do not include contracts, so you can cancel them at any time.
More Content
As streaming continues to rise in popularity, channels such as Netflix, Hulu, and Youtube are increasing their content offerings. In addition to existing shows and movies, many are creating their own original shows and movies. With big-name actors in some of their productions, it’s easy to see why original content has become popular. In addition, easy access to multiple seasons of shows has led to what’s commonly known as “binge-watching.”
On Demand
With the younger generation growing up to video on-demand, streaming is appealing to the audience that wants to choose what they want to watch and when. Streaming is also portable. With a monthly subscription, you can watch television shows and movies on your phone or laptop. For those that desire flexibility, streaming is a great option.
Alternatives
There are other alternative ways to watch television shows and movies. Networks such as CBS, NBC, and ABC allow you to watch television shows on their site. Most shows can be viewed for free for a period of time. In addition, many public libraries offer current television shows and movies for free.
Bottom Line
Choosing to get rid of cable can save you money each month if it’s done correctly. Find out what your savings each month will be and compare this to the cost of streaming. Paying for multiple channels can drive your costs up, so it’s best to stick with a few that provide the content that you are looking for.
If cost isn’t your motivating factor, there are many streaming channels that provide a variety of shows and movies around. Streaming is a great option if you are looking for more choices and flexibility.