Cutting The Cord Pros And Cons

Now a days everyone is talking about “cutting the cord”. For those of you that don’t know what cutting the cord means – it means to eliminate cable as a TV service provider. For many years I have tried to accomplish this and I have tried and researched many (if not all) different combinations and services. Lets go over the different options and see if cord cutting works for you. I will also explain how you can cut the cord, if you decide cutting the cord is right for you.

Pros

1. Save Money

The cost reduction of eliminating the cable TV service is definitely a pro. It is also the main reason most people want to cut the cord. I mean who doesn’t like to save money, right? At the same time this has its disadvantages, which I will explain in the cons section below.

2. Entertainment On Demand

When you replace cable TV service for a streaming service you gain instant access to all the media available on their platform.

3. You Only Pay For What You Want To Watch When You Want

Unlike cable, when you pay for a streaming service for the most part it has the content you like. If you didn’t like it you would pay for it. With some streaming services you can watch what you want, when you want, for as long as you want. Cable on the other hand has hundreds of channels and mostly nothing to watch for most of the day. Waiting for air time, then watching live or recording it for later. Waiting weeks for entire series to complete. Some streaming services work this way too. Its annoying.

Cons

1. Some Will Not Save Money

I can only think of one real con for cutting the cord. There are many different options and alternatives to cable TV. Streaming subscription, You tube, etc. to name a few. For some a subscription to one or maybe two of these services is enough to quench their thirst for TV and movie consumption. Missing a few channels here and there, doing without some of the programming they are use to. Who knows, you may even find some new shows on your new subscription to replace the ones your missing. I know what you’re thinking – this is only one con vs. three pros, the choice should be clear. For those who are as mentioned above, yes the choice is clear. For those of you who aren’t as described above read on.

If you are a media connoisseur (like me) that can’t miss any episode of any of their favorite shows and you have a lot of favorite shows. The mere thought of missing an episode of your favorite TV shows makes you cringe with anxiety, then you may find this to be a problem. This one con may be enough to keep you from cutting the cord.

As of now 2019, no one service can replace the channel combination of cable TV for the price. There are channels missing on different streaming services, and in order to gain access to those channels you would have to subscribe to another service, if those channels are even available outside of cable TV.

Now for those types they would need multiple subscriptions to multiple services to continue watching there shows. This may become much more costly then just keeping the cable TV subscription. Therefore defeats the main reason people are looking to cut the cord – the savings.

Pros And Cons Conclusion

For the most part if you are more interested in saving money then missing out on a few of the shows and channels you watch now, then chances are you’d be fine cutting the cord. I will explain what you need and how to get started down below. Some of that group may even find that they don’t even need or want a streaming replacement for their cable service.

For those of you who really can’t do without any of their TV shows or channels then cutting the cord may not be right for you. I would be the first to eliminate my cable TV if I could, but its not an option without increasing cost or losing access to channels and shows.

As time goes on and technology advances I am certain everything will be more like the streaming services available today. I also see many media companies with their own streaming services such as HBO, CBS All Access, ShowTime, etc. Also with new ones starting like Disney. So perhaps in the future everyone would only have subscriptions to the services of their liking in turn significantly reducing the cost of these services then making more cost effective. Also at the same time only paying for what you like, unlike cable TV.

Back to top

How To Cut The Cord

Don’t worry, its easy. Anyone can do this.

Step 1. You must have internet in order to use any streaming service. For those of you that already have an internet service provider, find out if they offer internet as a stand alone service. If they do great, go on to the next step. If not or if you don’t already have an internet service provider, find an internet service provider that offers internet service as a stand-alone service and not part of a TV bundle. Phone and internet bundles are fine if your interested in adding or switching phone service.

Step 2. Research and sign up for alternative ways to watch TV or streaming services. I will list a few options down below. You will also need a device that can stream these services. Some can even stream some cable network channels. I will list a few of my favorite devices as well.

Streaming Services:

Streaming Devices:

Click on them to check prices on Amazon.

I will have separate reviews on each of these soon.

Step 3: Add your streaming apps to your new streaming device and log in to them. Cancel your paid cable TV subscription and start saving money.

Note: When you cancel your cable TV subscription, remember to leave your internet if you are using the same company. Make sure the internet is not canceled along with the TV. Keep internet, cancel TV.