Cable TV is expensive. The average American pays about $100 a month for cable, and that's just for basic channels. If you want premium channels or add-ons, your bill could easily be twice that amount. But there's a growing movement of people who are saying "enough is enough" and cutting the cord on their cable TV service.
There are a number of reasons why people are choosing to cut the cord. The high cost of cable TV is certainly one factor, but it's not the only one. People are also tired of long-term contracts, poor customer service, and rising prices. And with so many streaming options available, it's easier than ever to watch your favorite shows and movies without paying for cable.
If you're thinking about cutting the cord, there are a few things you need to know. In this blog post, we'll go over some of the basics of cord-cutting and explain why more and more Americans are choosing to do it.
People cutting the cord: Key cord cutting statistics in 2023
- In 2023, an estimated 22 million Americans will have cut the cord on their cable TV service.
- The average cord-cutter saves about $100 per month by cutting cable.
- Cable companies are losing about 1 million subscribers per year as people switch to streaming.
What cord-cutting means and why people cut the chord
Cord-cutting is the act of cancelling your cable TV service and switching to a cheaper alternative, like streaming. There are a number of reasons why people are choosing to cut the cord, but the two most common are the high cost of cable TV and the increasing availability of streaming services.
Cable TV is expensive. The average American pays about $100 a month for cable, and that's just for basic channels. If you want premium channels or add-ons, your bill could easily be twice that amount.
But the cost of cable TV isn't just the monthly bill. Cable companies often require customers to sign long-term contracts, which can be expensive to get out of. And if you do cancel your service, you'll usually have to pay a cancellation fee.
The other reason people are choosing to cut the cord is the increasing availability of streaming services. In the past, if you wanted to watch your favorite shows and movies without cable, you had to use illegal streaming sites or buy DVDs. But now, there are a number of legal streaming services that offer a wide variety of content.
Some of the most popular streaming services include Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. And many of these services are much cheaper than cable TV. Netflix, for example, starts at just $8.99 per month.
You also aren't limited. You can add one or more streaming services to whatever device is compatible. So you can watch your TV shows and movies via streaming services wherever you are!
What you need to know before you say goodbye to cable
If you're thinking about cutting the cord, there are a few things you should know. First, it's important to understand that there are two types of cord-cutters: those who supplement their streaming with an antenna, and those who don't.
Antenna users can get most of their favorite channels for free, without having to pay for a streaming service. All you need is an antenna and a TV with a digital tuner.
But if you want to watch more than just the basic channels, you'll need a streaming service. And that's where things can get tricky. There are a lot of different streaming services available, and they all have different libraries of content.
So before you sign up for a streaming service, make sure it has the shows and movies you want to watch. You can usually find this information on the service's website.
You should also be aware that not all streaming services are available in all areas. Some services, like Netflix, are available worldwide. But others, like Hulu, are only available in the United States.
And finally, it's important to remember that streaming services can be expensive. Live streaming doesn't mean free TV (although some platforms do offer free live TV streaming content). If you're not careful, you could end up spending more on streaming than you would on cable TV.
Is cable TV dead? Is streaming TV the future?
The answer to both of these questions is "maybe." Even the largest cable TV companies are feeling the pressure with how many people are opting to move to the streaming market.
Cable TV has been on the decline for a while, but it's still the most popular way to watch TV in the U.S. And streaming services are becoming more popular every year.
But that doesn't mean that cable television industry is going to disappear anytime soon. There are still millions of people who prefer to watch TV the old-fashioned way over video streaming. And as long as there are people who want to watch cable TV, there will be companies willing to provide it.
So if you're thinking about cutting the cord, do your research and decide what's best for you. There's no one right answer for everyone.
How are cable companies responding to cord-cutting?
Cable companies are losing subscribers every year as people switch to streaming. Although streaming has surpassed cable, the later is not giving up without a fight.
In response to cord-cutting, major cable companies are starting to offer their own streaming services. These services, like Comcast's Xfinity Stream and AT&T's DirecTV Now, offer a limited selection of channels for a monthly fee. It combines the best of streaming video with cable TV!
Cable companies are also bundling their services together in an effort to keep customers from switching to streaming. For example, Comcast offers a package that includes TV, internet, and phone service for one monthly price.
It's still too early to tell how effective these strategies will be in the long run. But it's clear that cable companies are willing to do whatever it takes to keep their customers.
How to cut the cord on your cable television service
If you've decided that you're ready to cut the cord, there are a few things you'll need to do.
First, you'll need to cancel your cable TV service. This can be done online or over the phone. Cable companies will often try to convince you to stay, so be prepared for their sales pitches.
Once your cable TV service is canceled, you'll need to choose a streaming service. As we mentioned before, there are a lot of different streaming services available. So take some time to research your options and find the one that's right for you.
Finally, you'll need to get an antenna if you want to watch any channels for free. Antennas are relatively inexpensive, and they allow you to watch most of your favorite channels without paying for a streaming service.
Cutting the cord can be a great way to save money, but it's not right for everyone. So take some time to think about whether it's the right choice for you.
FAQs about cord cutting?
How can I watch live TV without cable?
There are a few ways to watch live TV without cable. The most common is to use a streaming service like Sling TV or PlayStation Vue. These services offer a selection of channels, and you can usually watch them on your computer, phone, or tablet.
Another option is to use an antenna. Antennas are relatively inexpensive, and they allow you to watch most of your favorite channels without paying for a streaming service.
What is the best streaming service?
There is no one "best" streaming service. It depends on your individual needs and preferences. Some people prefer one service because it has a particular show or movie that they want to watch. Others prefer a service because it's cheaper than another option.
It's important to do your research before you sign up for a streaming service. Read reviews from other users, and make sure you're getting what you want for your money.
What are the best Cable TV alternatives?
There are a few Cable TV alternatives that offer a similar selection of channels to Cable TV. These include:
- Sling TV
- PlayStation Vue
- DirecTV Now
- Hulu with Live TV
- Youtube TV
These services offer a variety of channels, and they usually cost less than Cable TV. You'll need to do your research to figure out which one is right for you.
What do cord-cutters think of cable and satellite TV?
Cord cutters are people who have decided to cancel their cable TV service. Most cord cutters say that they save money by cutting the cord, and that they don't miss having cable.
Some cord cutters do still watch TV, but they've switched to a different way of doing it. They may use an antenna to watch free over-the-air TV, or they may subscribe to a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu.
In general, cord cutters are happy with their decision to cancel cable. But there are still some people who miss having cable TV.
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Is your cable TV subscription becoming a drag? Join the millions of cord-cutters who are choosing to leave the cable industry and traditional cable subscriptions in favour of alternative TV options that better service. Saving money is a big reason why so many people are cutting the cord but there are other pros (and cons) to dropping cable.
In this article, we've gone over why there has been a significant rise in the number of cord cutters, the main reasons people cut the cord, how to set up streaming services such as NetFlix and if this is the death of the cable industry.
To the last point, even though the cord-cutting movement is making cable networks shiver, there are still many Americans that love traditional TV and currently have cable packages they enjoy.
If this is you, that's great! Continue to enjoy your cable channels. If you're fed up and want to make the jump to streaming content, we hope this article has helped you!
Whichever side you fall on (team cable TV subscribers or team ditch cable for Apple TV), HomeLinkd is here to help. We know that there's no one size fits all for TV providers. That's why we offer a library of free resources on our website to help find the right solution for you.
We publish posts about live TV options, if you should choose cable or satellite TV, cable bundles and other cord-cutting strategies. Give us a visit to find out more!
