Tech Talk with Tony: Streaming Into The Future

You may have heard the term “cutting the cord” recently or have a friend or relative who was eager to tell you about the money they save each month by using video streaming services instead of traditional cable TV. If you haven’t yet heard this phrase, don’t worry, it’s just a clever expression to describe the process of canceling cable TV in favor of using video streaming services.

In the ever-evolving world of entertainment, many find themselves at a crossroads when it comes to the world of cable television. Perhaps you’re wondering if it’s time to bid farewell to cable TV and say hello to the world of video streaming services. It’s a decision that can bring a breath of fresh air to your TV experience while saving money along the way. Cable TV bills do have a knack for creeping up over time which is done by design.

Cutting the cord is usually a budget-friendly move and is about striking the right balance between your favorite channels and cost. An additional advantage of cutting the cord is saying goodbye to those pesky cable box rental fees as well.

Consider this: with cable TV, you’re likely paying for channels you never watch. It’s like ordering a buffet and only eating a few select dishes. Streaming services offer a variety of subscription options, letting you choose the channels and content that matter most to you, so before making the leap, it’s crucial to understand your viewing preferences. What do you like to watch? Is local network TV enough for you, or do you have to have traditional cable stations like CNN, MSNBC, TLC or HGTV? Is catching the big game a must, or could you care less about sports?

The beauty of cutting the cord lies in its flexibility – it allows you to tailor your entertainment choices to fit your unique preferences, but you need to be very specific about what you must have and can’t live without. All streaming services are not created equal. This is where it can begin to feel overwhelming and challenging due to all the available options. To help make the decision a bit easier, consider these factors before making the switch.

If there are specific cable channels you can’t live without, live TV streaming services like Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV offer a comparable channel lineup to traditional cable TV, but without the extra broadcast and network fees that cable companies charge. These streaming services provide access to live channels, including news, familiar cable TV networks, sports, and local programming, giving you the flexibility of streaming with the convenience of live television. This is the easiest and most comprehensive alternative to canceling cable TV.

On the other hand, if live TV or traditional cable TV stations aren’t a priority, you might find that a combination of streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Disney+, or other video streaming services will meet your entertainment needs. While these services don’t offer live TV or local channels, they do offer huge libraries of video content. Depending on how many services you subscribe to, this is usually a less expensive option than using a single video streaming service like Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV.

An even simpler option, as well as the most cost-effective, is to purchase an amplified, digital antenna that connects to an electrical outlet as well as your TV. These antennas allow you to access “over the air”, high-definition channels with crystal-clear picture quality, providing a budget-friendly option for staying connected to local news and network shows. While this is the most cost-effective option, it is also the most restrictive from a channel lineup perspective and the least reliable of the options I’ve mentioned. Antenna placement within your home, distance from the broadcasting antenna as well as any objects between your antenna and the broadcasting antenna are all variables that affect signal reliability. But if you don’t watch much TV or don’t generally care about what you watch, this may be the perfect option for you.

Even if you do decide to cancel your cable TV subscription, don’t cancel your internet service. You still need to have internet service to use video streaming services, but it is very likely that you are paying a monthly rental fee to your cable provider for a modem or modem/ router combo unit. Check your bill if you’re not sure. A modem is a device that helps bring the internet into your home and a router is a device that distributes the internet wirelessly within your home. They can be separate devices or combined into one device. Instead of renting these devices from your internet provider, an additional cost-saving consideration is purchasing your own modem and router. While there is an up-front cost to purchase these devices, over the long run it is more economical to own this hardware rather than rent it.

Making the switch may seem daunting at first, but fear not. Streaming services are designed to be user-friendly, even for those who aren’t digital natives. If you can navigate a TV remote, you can easily master the world of streaming. Most streaming platforms have intuitive interfaces that make finding and watching your favorite shows a breeze.

Cutting the cord and embracing video streaming is more than just a change in how you watch TV; it’s a shift towards a more personalized and cost-effective entertainment experience. It’s about having the freedom to choose what you watch, when you watch it, and how much you’re willing to spend.

So, why not take the plunge and join the streaming revolution? Your favorite shows, movies, and a world of entertainment await – all at the touch of a button. Don’t be afraid to explore this new frontier in television, where the possibilities are endless, and the savings are real.