Technology has been advancing day by day, offering more services through the internet at the tips of our fingers. We know how the internet has managed to be a highly competitive alternative to several activities like in-store shopping, gaming hubs, etc., by offering the same services at more ease. Similarly, the internet has been rapidly replacing a significant part of our daily lives, like cable television. That’s right, “wireless” is the new fascination for content viewers, and cord-cutting has been one of the trendiest activities seen by the television and broadcasting industry for all the right reasons. More than 39 million people have canceled their respective cable companies’ subscriptions and switched to wireless internet plans and online streaming apps.
In this write-up, we shall have a detailed look at this trend and explain why such an increasing wave of cord-cutters has flourished and why you should consider doing the same. But first, let’s address some fundamental questions:
What is cord-cutting?
In broadcast television, cord-cutting means canceling the traditional cable company subscriptions or satellite streaming and altogether boycotting the consumption of pay-tv content. Instead, wireless internet services are used, which offer either free or relatively cheaper and more easily accessible content watching. These internet services may include online streaming apps such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, YouTube TV, and streaming devices such as Sling TV, Amazon Fire TV, and the list goes on. Apart from these, people also use smart TVs and HD antennas.
What Are The Benefits Of Cutting Cords And Opting For Internet Services?
Research conducted by OpenX and The Harris Poll discovered that around 52% of cord-cutters did not desire cable TV at all after having canceled their subscription. This tells us that there is genuinely something worthwhile about it which has caused such behavior. However, many people are still unaware of the upper edge you can get after making this switch in your daily content consumption activity. So, here’s how you can truly benefit.
Saves Money
One of the most prominent reasons people move from cable television to other means is the increasing prices and limited services offered by them. The cable network cost has increased exponentially in the previous decade, making cable a highly expensive “utility” in American households. DecisionData conducted an extensive study in 2020 on the issue, and it reported that the average cable package in the US is $217/month for one household. On the other hand, a standard entry-level Netflix package costs only $9 per month. Even the premium package of Netflix costs merely $18 per month, offering impressive features like ultra-HD streaming and multiple screens. Similarly, other streaming services are also more cost-effective than traditional cable subscriptions, hence the shift.
You Can Watch Content Anytime, Anywhere.
Another massive plus point of cutting the cord is the limitless portability that it comes with. You can access any of the streaming apps you own a subscription to and watch it from any corner of the country. Besides, if you have a strong VPN, you may even enjoy content from any part of the globe. Other than that, people who spend a significant portion of their day traveling end up paying a great deal of money to their cable operator without being able to use it to its full potential. At such times, internet-based streaming packages can come to your rescue, as you can watch your favorite shows at any time and from any place. Mobile apps also offer decent download speeds, so you may watch them even without a stable internet connection while traveling. This is yet another feature that has attracted people to streaming services.
Easy Mobility
Another benefit of getting rid of your cable cord is that you can easily move without worrying about changing your cable service provider. The hunt for it every time you move to a new place gets sorted completely. There is absolutely no need to contact the cable company and pay a reinstallation charge at your new house. You can continue watching your favorite shows without needing any drop-in service. For people who need to switch their place of residence every few months, changing their cable service provider every time is an annoying yet unavoidable challenge. But with streaming services, smart TVs, and antenna networks, they can easily have the same content at any place without having to worry about the quality, facilities, and costs of the changing cable connections. It is a one-time investment lasting for an extended period.
