Are You Wanting to Cut Cable?

Published June 12, 2019 

By Jordan Ottaway 

More and more people are choosing to cut the cable cord because they are tired of paying more than $100 a month for 200 channels that they don’t even watch. Instead, the number of people using streaming services are through the roof for many reasons, but mostly because it’s cheaper.  

If you’re on the fence about cutting the cord, come along as we discuss why you should and then the options you’ll have moving forward.

Should I cut cable? 

Before we learn how to cut cable and the options you’ll have moving forward, let’s think about whether you should cut it in the first place. Think about these questions. 

Will cutting cable really save you money? Most TV streaming services start around $40 to $45 per month, so getting rid of your cable might not save you much if you’re already getting a good deal. It is possible to spend less with streaming services like Netflix, but not without giving up a lot of the channels you have on cable. 

Do you already have internet at your house? If you’re paying for internet and use it often, ditching cable would make sense. But if you’re adding home internet service just to cut cable, this wouldn’t do you much good because the costs would cancel each other out. 

Do you just want to get rid of your cable service? Cutting cable doesn’t have to just be about money. It’s also a way to see fewer ads, get rid of bulky boxes, set up TVs anywhere in the house, and avoid having to deal with cable companies.

How do I start my streaming journey?  

Now we get to the good stuff. You already have a good internet connection and decided to take the plunge and cut cable. Now what? 

First thing you need to do is to get a streaming device. This can be a Roku Streaming Stick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, or Amazon Fire TV Stick. These devices plug into your TV and connect via the internet. You don’t need a smart TV to use these. 

If you do have a smart TV, you can use it instead of a separate streaming device only if the TV has all of the apps and services you want. (TVs that are more than a few years old probably won’t, especially if they’re not running Roku’s software.) 

When it comes to providers, you can choose to start with on-demand services like Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, or YouTube TV. If you want to go the live TV streaming route, there are currently seven options available in the United States:

• Sling TV
• PlayStation Vue
• Direct TV Now
• Hulu with Live TV
• YouTube TV
• FuboTV
• Philo
• AT&T Watch

Each of these services have a different channel lineup, so do some research to see which one has the channels you would consistently watch. Also, before you pull the trigger, make sure the device(s) you’re considering supports the services you’re choosing.

Conclusion

Deciding to cut cable is hard to do, but these alternatives can help you be confident in your decision knowing you can still watch great shows and save money at the same time.