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To freeze! Drop the scissors!
Did you do your research? Are you sure watching TV without cable is right for you? Hmmm, maybe we should clear this up first?
You probably know that the cord-cutting trend is going strong. In most cases, it saves you money and increases comfort.
If you are still undecided, here you will learn the pros and cons. If you decide it’s right for you, you’ll also learn how to cut the cord with ease.
But first, check out these crazy stats:
- There are 31.2 million cord cutters in the United States of America.
- In 2020, 50% between 18 and 34 preferred to watch the news on the Internet.
- 27% of American households plan to cut the cord in 2021.
Makes you think, doesn’t it? Are all these people going crazy or have they found the secret to enjoying TV the right way?
This wire cutting guide will answer your most frequently asked questions.
We see…
Should you cut the cord?
Imagine: you come home exhausted from work, immediately turn on the TV just to get some background noise, and then it’s news time. Taxes rising, two dead, 15 injured, some random politician freaking out more than the Hatter, climate change getting worse… oh look, cute puppy driving, traffic jam, sports news, and your favorite team has lost again . Every day is the same.
You eat dinner in front of the TV, not paying much attention to the old movie that’s on the air because you’ve already seen it a million times. So BOOM, the volume is suddenly 10 times louder because it’s commercial time, you jump on the roof and fumble for the remote: where is it, oh, under the couch, mute, much better? Finally. What were you looking at? What was happening? You forgot it.
I flipped channel by channel to find something you like or are at least interested in watching remotely, but to no avail. Eventually, you settle for a mediocre reality show and halfway through you’re snoring on the couch.
So you basically pay a lot of money, but only watch a few channels and/or TV shows? Tired of unmissable ads? Do you often hear that there is nothing to watch on TV because everything is rubbish? Do you want to shout that it’s “Just. No. It was worth it!”?
Then getting rid of the cable might be in your best interest. For safety, let’s consider some pros and cons of cutting off cable TV:
Money
If you’re paying more than $50 a month for TV service, it’s worth considering switching to streaming services. Most start at $40 a month and it really depends on what you want to watch.
Pros: If you choose a cheaper service like Netflix, you will save money.
Cons: If you don’t want to give anything up, you’ll have to pay for different streaming services and the costs will add up.
Contents
Pros: You will control everything you are seeing. And you won’t see ads, or at least you can pay to skip them. No more paying for the privilege of having nothing good to see.
Cons: If you watch a lot of shows on different streaming platforms, it will be more expensive to get the same content. Also, some local channels may be missing.
Weather
Pros: You will see what you want when you want instead of following the TV show. You can pause and stop something and come back to it later. Some streaming services, like Netflix, upload the entire season of a series in one day, so you can watch it whenever you want.
Cons: Sometimes you will have to wait a bit longer until some particular content becomes available on your streaming platform.
number of devices
Pros: Most services allow you to watch on multiple devices at the same time. Or watch something on your laptop and then continue on your phone, for example. Also, if it is a small family or a single person, it seems to me the best option.
Cons: You may have to pay more to add more devices to the deal. If it is a large family, cutting the cord may not be a good decision.
Geolocation
Pros: If something is not available in your country, you can simply cheat the system by using a VPN and voila – you have access to more shows and movies.
Cons: Sometimes the VPN slows things down, could be inconvenient. However, this is not always the case. If you choose this option but don’t want to bother looking for one, take advantage of our research on VPN services and their features.
Internet access
Pros: If you already have a good offer on the Internet, why not take advantage of it?
Cons: The quality of the video you get depends on your broadband. To watch in FullHD (or better yet HDR), you need a good internet package, if your provider offers one. And, if you already have a package with cable TV and internet, you should see if paying for internet alone is worth it.
Here’s the deal:
Before making a decision, it’s important to think about your viewing habits. How often do you watch TV? What do you mainly see? live sports? Reality TV? What channel is it? Do you like to scan for channels or just turn on the TV to watch one of your favorite shows?
Think about what aspects you appreciate the most. This will allow you to easily decide which services to get.
Let’s recap the main points:
Advantages of cable cutting
- It could lower your bill, especially if you have a small family or a few favorite shows
- you choose what to see
- You choose when to watch: you can do it even when you are traveling
- It can be seen on different devices: TV, laptop, tablet, phone…
- You may have access to content that is not shown in your country
- You just need a good internet provider and a bargain
Disadvantages of cable cutting
- Could increase your bill if you have a large family or many favorite shows (from different providers)
- Some channels or programs may be missing
- It may take longer to access some content
- You may need to use the VPN to access more content
- The quality of the video depends on your internet contract.
So what makes younger generations give up cable altogether?
Of course, the main reason to get rid of the cable that comes to mind is money. But that is not all. Streaming services allow you to browse the categories of thousands of movies and TV shows and watch them whenever you want. The freedom and flexibility are quite tempting. A lot of people say there’s nothing good on TV anyway, so why waste your time?
Anyone who has ever browsed Netflix or Amazon knows the thrill when you have so many options to choose from. It could also be overwhelming, but in a good way.
Even if you have to pause an episode in the middle and turn off the device, you can easily return to it later as if there was an invisible bookmark. Who doesn’t like to have that kind of control?
In addition, streaming services keep track of your preferences and suggest useful similar shows and movies that you might like.
You can understand why so many people have cut the cord and will never come back, right?
It’s no wonder cable companies have gotten serious about cutting cords, and some have started offering better and cheaper deals to keep up with the competition. You have to keep up, or you’re out.
Now, let’s see how to finally cut the cable.
Basics of cable cutting
So, to cut the cord first take the scissors…just kidding. Here are the 5 steps you must follow to cut cable tv without stress:
1. Decide if you will first try an antenna for live TV channels.
This is the answer to how to cut the cable without Internet at home. You can first try an internal or/or external antenna.
An antenna can help you save some money, but it still has many of the drawbacks of cable TV. That is, you still can’t choose exactly what to watch and when. If it doesn’t work for you, follow the rest of the steps.
2. Choose an Internet provider.
Usually this is your cable service provider. Plans start at around $25 per month, but that depends on the speed you select. If you intend to stream to multiple devices at the same time, you will need a higher speed.
Tip: Your home internet speed should be at least 15 Mbps for each working device.
3. Decide which device you will use to stream through the TV.
The main options are Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Chromecast and Apple TV. The first three are around $50.
4. Choose a live TV streaming service.
An antenna cannot give you everything. If you want more options, here are the alternatives to cable and satellite TV: You can try Hulu Live, DirecTV Now, Sling, or YouTube TV. Video streaming subscriptions range from $15 to $45 per month. Sling probably has the richest selection.
Tip: Use these resources to see which streaming player is best for you, based on what you want to watch: StreamingSupposeTechHive.
5. Select your apps.
There are numerous options that offer a wide variety of original content: Amazon, Netflix, HBO, Showtime, Starz, Sundance Now, AMC, and more. Apple TV+ and Disney+ are also available.
Costs for different apps vary widely: Netflix’s current basic streaming plan is $8.99 per month, while HBO costs around $15 per month. Most apps offer 7-day free trials, so you can try them all and find the one that works best for you.
Good. This was basically like cutting off cable TV and these were the most common cable replacement services.
final thoughts
To cut or not to cut?
We are not too dramatic! There are always pros and cons, but it’s up to you to decide what you prefer and whether cutting the cord is right for you.
You can always experience life with an antenna and/or streaming TV. Then you may find that it’s not your thing and go back to the cord, OR find that cutting the cord is your best decision and wonder why you didn’t think of it sooner. In any case, at least you won’t be left thinking “What if?”
That’s all folks!
Now you know how to cut the cable. And remember, it’s not just about saving money. It’s about control: watch what you want when you want, on a device of your choice.
Happy streaming and until next time!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
Do I have to cut the cable?
If you feel like you’re paying too much and not getting enough in return, go ahead. Even if it turns out to be inadequate, you can always go back to cable TV – the provider will welcome you with open arms.
Is cable cutting right for me?
Yes: you live alone or with another person and turn on the TV just to watch The Walking Dead; Complain that there is never anything you want to watch on TV; You want to choose when and where… then ditching pay TV may be the right thing for you.
How is the cable cut?
There are several steps:
- Try an antenna first and see if it meets your needs, if not, continue to the next step
- Choose an internet provider
- Choose a device to stream through your TV
- Choose a streaming service for live TV
- Choose your apps
What do I need to cut the cable?
You can bookmark this article for quick access to this cable cutting guide. To watch live TV without cable, you must first have an antenna and/or a good internet connection. There are many cable TV alternatives that you can try and compare to find the best option for you. This way you can safely leave the cable forever.
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