Looking for ways to save money? Did cord-cutting strike your mind too? Well, you are not the only one. Many people have started considering it as an option in the past few years. As cable and satellite monthly bills rise, there are a lot of alternatives available, thanks to the new technologies and streaming services like Netflix and Hulu.
If you are one of those people confused about cord-cutting, this guide will help you decide if it is right for you. It will show you how to still watch live TV and network television, as well as provide you with useful information on the popular streaming services that you may want to add.
Is Cord-Cutting Right for you? How to Decide?
Before you commit to cutting the cord, make sure you are ready for it. You will have to pay more if you change your mind about new contracts.
The first thing you need to do is find out the exact cost of your cable or satellite bill before you decide to cut the cord. Check your monthly statement for this information. As you are reading this article and looking into cord cutting already, it is reasonable to assume that it is higher than you would like. When you look at the total of your bill, you will be able to compare the other costs associated with each of the below options. Saving money is, of course, the ultimate goal.
Take a moment to look at your monthly bill and see if there are any smaller bundles that you might like. Because if you are only considering switching to streaming services to reduce costs, there are other ways. Cable companies are now beginning to offer slimmer bundles at a more reasonable price as cord-cutting becomes more serious. You might be pleasantly surprised to read this, but it actually is true.
Take Spectrum as an example. The company offers amazing deals at affordable rates, coupled with the option to bundle your internet and TV. The channel lineup exceeds 125 and that is something you would not want to miss. The best part is that even the customer service is fast and reliable, in case you want issues to be catered to in the future. Spectrum servicio al cliente is another plus point, which means it is available in Spanish along with English.
Your internet speed will need to be fast enough to handle streaming if you will be depending on some streaming services. You can check your internet speed by conducting a speed test.
Watching Local Stations Using an Antenna
Connecting an antenna is the cheapest way to receive your local stations live. Antennas are no longer confined to the past, thanks to improvements in technology that make them work better than rabbit ears.
There will be no charge to watch any of these network stations. All you need is a good antenna and to hook it up. If you use an antenna, remember that what channels you can receive will depend on where you live.
While you may have live TV, you do not have to watch your favorite shows live. Over-the-air TV shows can be recorded by DVRs at all price points. Be open to this option.
However, if you have made up your mind and cord-cutting is the only solution to all your problems, go for it. With so many amazing streaming services, you would not even miss cable. Well, that is a promise.
Below are the top 3 streaming services to consider.
Top 3 Alternatives to Cord-Cutting
At first, streaming services offered second-run movies and TV shows as an addition to DVDs and digital downloads. Cable TV aired them on their initial (and second) runs as supplements to the original shows. The decline of the traditional cable has been accelerated by faster internet connections and the proliferation of media streaming devices. In spite of the good reasons to keep the cable cord, an increasing number of viewers are turning to dedicated streaming alternatives instead.
If you are one of those, below are the top three picks for you to choose from.
- YouTube TV
YouTube has and still is, one of the most popular free streaming services. In addition to free access to good content, it also afforded many talented individuals the opportunity to create their own video content and become instant celebrities.
The concept of YouTube TV expands on this concept by allowing subscribers to watch content without being bothered by ads by paying a fee. However, despite its original programming efforts, YouTube was unable to compete with Netflix and Prime alone.
There are currently more than 85 channels available on YouTube TV, including content for sports, news, and entertainment. Your favorite shows can be recorded with unlimited storage and you can have up to six accounts simultaneously.
- Netflix
This list would not be complete without Netflix, which started it all. Nobody could have anticipated the revolution Netflix would unleash with regard to the online streaming of entertainment when it began showcasing licensed content. The service it provided charmed people and made them addicted to it.
Netflix is the largest producer of content in the United States as of 2021. The company also collaborates with creators around the globe to create original content. Ozark, Peaky Blinders, and Stranger Things have already become pop-culture sensations.
Despite fierce competition from new and old players, Netflix still has the edge since it pioneered the streaming services we know and use today.
- Hulu
With its original award-winning content offerings, Hulu has done quite well in the streaming wars, competing against giants like Netflix and Prime, while still carving out a niche audience of its own. The best TV streaming service today is without a doubt Hulu Plus.
With Hulu Plus, you can access 65+ channels as well as Hulu’s acclaimed library of content. There is no reason not to subscribe! Additionally, the service gives users access to record their shows with a 50-hour storage allowance, allowing them to stream on multiple devices simultaneously.
Conclusion
Deciding if cord-cutting is right would vary from person to person. If you like the element of surprise and can afford cable, there is no reason to go for Netflix or some other streaming service. However, if you worry about blowing out your budget then streaming services are definitely to be considered. We hope you have made up your mind by now. Let us know in the comments what your take on this streaming service vs cable debate is.
