Cable television is great, right? After all, the average viewer will have anywhere from 50 to 2,000 channels depending on their cable provider, subscription, and budget. That’s a boatload of content, so why are so many subscribers quickly and quietly making their way over to internet TV? In fact, in a recent study, it came out that cable subscribers who jumped ship for streaming services instead numbered a whopping 33 million citizens at last count. What’s up with that?
Of course, ardent cable fans will argue that you can’t get live footage of your favorite games or watch some shows the night they come out. This was true a few years back, but it’s not anymore, thanks to services like DirectTV NOW, Philo, and Sling. No, today there are simply more and more people waking up to the reality that cable just doesn’t pay anymore. If you’re on the fence about the switch, here are ten reasons why you might want to cut the cord in 2019.
Reason #1 Why it’s Time to Switch: Live & in color
So, we already touched on this one a minute ago, but we figured we might as well get it all clear before we go any further. Yes, the number one complaint most cable lovers always had on streaming services was that you couldn’t get your up-to-the-minute kind of screen time like you could with cable TV. Well, those days are gone, and there are now plenty of services to choose from that offer you live streaming of the best sports, news, and entertainment content around today. Take that, cable.
Reason #2 Why it’s Time to Switch: It’s just so easy
Probably one of the biggest pulls towards internet TV is how freakin’ easy it is. If you’ve got an internet connection, you are good to go. There’s no complicated configuration, equipment, or (gasp) installation. You sign up, and you can get down to serious entertainment business within minutes. Cable just can’t hold a candle to that kind of convenience. And don’t even get us started on equipment (think compatibility, think wiring, think dollar bills flying out of your wallet)…
Reason #3 Why it’s Time to Switch: Too much of a good thing…
As mentioned, the average American can toggle through roughly 2,000 channels. In fact, if you add them all up, it’s probably closer to ten times that number. The real question is, who the hell needs that many channels?! We challenge you to find one friend who has ever sat through all of the channels made available to them through their cable network. You won’t find them because nobody needs that much content. In fact, the numbers are just an inflated projection of would-be entertainment.
After all, how many viewers are really tapping into the Recipe Channel, Smithsonian Live, and Rural Free Delivery TV? And even if you’re into niche shows, how many cooking channels do you need? Streaming gives you plenty of variety without the headache of surfing through endless options. (Do you want us to say that in fifteen different languages you don’t speak, like half the channels you get on your cable network?)
Reason #4 Why it’s Time to Switch: Original content you’re going to love
What’s more, when you sign up for a lot of these streaming services, you get access to some of the hottest original content available today. From the epic HBO fantasy drama series Game of Thrones to Netflix’s hilarious Orange is the New Black, there’s some amazing programming available through these networks, and we’re talking Emmy award-winning shows.
Reason #5 Why it’s Time to Switch: Get content under the radar
This is something travelers are really going to love. Cable TV is available at your house, but if you go anywhere else, you’re stuck. So, if you want to watch your favorite shows while you’re on vacation, sorry Charlie.
But with internet TV, this is not the case. In fact, you can use a good Hulu VPN service to take your subscription with you wherever you go. Log in through the VPN, and there are no geo-restrictions on your favorite shows, games, music, and channels. It’s all there, all the time.
Reason #6 Why it’s Time to Switch: Not interested? No problem
When it comes to signing up for cable, we already mentioned what a process it is. But what we didn’t tell you was how much harder it is to CANCEL your subscription too. Some customers have complained vehemently online about what kind of loops you have to jump through just to get someone to answer the phone, and then you have to explain yourself. And if you don’t have a really good reason for cancelling, well, you might just be out of luck.
So, unless you’re a fan of the idea of selling your firstborn to get out of a contract basically signed in blood, internet TV is a better option. These services let you sign up for monthly contracts. That means if you want to cancel the next month, it’s no problem. There are no strings attached and no lengthy commitments that you’re obligated to stick to.
Reason #7 Why it’s Time to Switch: Personalization
From t-shirts to shopping experiences, everyone likes to have things personalized. Streaming services learn your viewing habits and use AI to generate new suggested content that fits your preferences. It’s like having a personalized shopper for your shows!
Reason #8 Why it’s Time to Switch: Download content for offline viewing
Another convenient perk to streaming services is that most of them let you download their content so that you can watch it later. That way, even if you don’t have a solid internet connection, you’ll be able to enjoy the show anyway. This is also a good option if you’re going on vacation to a remote destination that might not have 3G or internet access constantly. And of course, downloaded content means you can watch your fave scenes over and over again.
Reason #9 Why it’s Time to Switch: Who says you can’t take it with you when you go?!
Ok, this is a really big one. One of the most frustrating things about cable is the installation and setup. Like we covered already, internet TV is just so much easier on so many levels. What’s more, it’s portable. You can take your streaming with you wherever you go and onto multiple devices. That’s a big perk if you’re moving apartments, but it’s an even bigger perk if you like to watch content on the go or want to switch from one device to another.
So, if you’re riding the train, waiting in line, or going on vacay, all your content comes right along with you. No fuss, no muss.
Reason #10 Why it’s Time to Switch: $$$
But of course, the number one reason why so many Americans are switching from cable, satellite, or telco TV to streaming (up by 32.8%) is…the price tag. No surprise here, Americans are a frugal nation, always looking to save a buck when they can. And as it turns out, switching from cable to internet viewing can save you a whole lot more than a pretty penny.
The typical cable subscription costs you $100/month, and that’s before fees. Streaming services can run you less than half of that, and for the real penny-pinchers, there are workarounds to save even more (like sitting through ads or minimizing the number of devices you can stream from). Cable is exorbitantly priced, rates keep climbing every year, and you’re paying for thousands of useless channels that you’ll never even watch.
Obviously, internet TV is the wave of the future, so cut the cord, and start enjoying entertainment the way it was meant to be viewed.