Don’t cut the cord just yet!
At least not without weighing the options.
With the increasing popularity of streaming TV, it’s understandable why you may be quick to ditch the traditional pay-TV. Besides, who wouldn’t love streaming their favorite TV show from a laptop or phone at their most convenient time?
So, should I get rid of cable TV? You ask.
Read on to find out why you shouldn’t.
Should I Get Rid of Cable? 7 Reasons You Shouldn’t Switch Just Yet
Costs
One of the main advantages of switching to streaming TV is that it’s affordable.
But this may not be the case especially after the increase in prices by some of the major streaming service providers. This is probably because more and more renowned tech iconic companies are crawling into the subscription TV scene.
YouTube TV, for instance, recently announced an increase in its subscription fee from $40 to $50 per month, which is the second price hike since it was launched.
Now, considering that most of these TV streaming services may not have as many channels and programs as cable TV, you may have to subscribe to several streaming services. The higher the number of subscriptions, the more you’re likely to pay which might be almost the same, if not higher, than the cable TV.
You’re Dependent on Cable Company
In most cases, getting rid of cable TV means cutting off your internet and phone services.
Although you may argue that you can use the internet only and dump the TV package, you may end up paying more for your internet bills. This is due to the fact that cable companies often give a discounted rate for the internet connection when it’s part of the whole package inclusive of the TV.
What’s more, the high definition videos from the streaming services will siphon your internet which will result in huge internet bills at the end of the month.
Streaming Isn’t Reliable
With streaming TV, the quality of the video you get strictly relies on the strength of your internet connection. This means that if the internet is slow, you may miss out on your favorite programs. This unreliability also makes it harder to stream live events due to unpredictable buffering.
Unfortunately, upgrading your internet service may not entirely eliminate this problem. Even with a strong internet connection, the quality of the video may suffer if there are too many people in your area streaming the same content.
Moreover, if there are several internet users in your household, you may not enjoy great picture quality as your internet speed is reduced.
Sometimes, the unreliability can also be caused by the streaming companies themselves. This occurs when the companies get overwhelmed when too many users stream the same content at the same time. This may lead to freezing of services.
On the other hand, you can enjoy cable TV almost immediately after your TV wall installation, without compromising on the video quality. As long as you’ve paid for your subscription, you’re good to go!
You May Miss Some Channels
Upgrading to streaming TV means saying goodbye to some of the channels enjoyed on cable TV. You’ll also miss out on some broadcast networks and local channels.
To mitigate this problem, you may invest in TV antennas that can help bring in the local and additional digital channels. However, these antennas are pretty expensive and may not work if you live in a remote area.
Switching to streaming TV also translates to losing the freedom of channel surfing. You’re limited to a smaller number of channels as compared to huge lists of channels offered by the cable TV. This may not mean much to most people, but if you love binge-watching, you’re likely to feel constricted.
Besides, channel surfing can be a great way to discover new shows and interesting movies. But it’s impossible on streaming TV.
Limited Sports Content
For the sports enthusiasts, you’ll have to forego the thrill of watching your favorite team play live. Most streaming TV services don’t have channels that support live sports content due to copyright issues involved.
Even with the availability of sports apps and websites that help sports fans stream matches, these services pose challenges of their own. They may be too expensive, packed with pop-up ads, or unavailable in many regions.
Buying the sports individual streaming service such as NBA League Pass can be an ideal option. But you may not have access to other sports.
Limited Access
Some TV streaming services are available on desktop and smartphone versions only. As much as this may seem like an advantage, it can never beat the experience and comfort of enjoying your favorite shows in your cozy living room.
Unless you buy some kind of a media streamer to make the content accessible on your TV, you’re stuck to your laptop or smartphone. Alternatively, you can buy a smart TV that allows you to stream TV through special apps.
But all this will mean spending extra money that you may not have at the moment.
Delayed Content
Delay in the availability of TV shows is probably one of the most noticeable drawbacks of getting rid of cable TV.
Most streaming TV services don’t air shows as soon as they’re released. They wait for the whole season to run to completion and then release the whole batch. This is usually weeks or even months after the show first premiered.
If you’d love to follow TV shows as they evolve, you may want to consider sticking to the cable TV.
Should I Get Rid of Cable TV? Final Thoughts
If you’re still asking, “Should I get rid of cable?“
Well, switching to streaming TV is a personal choice that has to be made by looking into your preferences. From the streaming TV cons outlined above and your TV consumption habits, you can make a more informed choice.
Also, before moving to TV streaming completely, be sure to test the services before making any big changes. Most providers offer free trial periods that you should take advantage of.
To make your viewing experience even better, check out this article on how to build a TV stand with room for your cable set-box.
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