Thinking of cutting the cable cord? You have good reason to. According to a 2017 Federal Communications Commission report, cable subscription rates have climbed 3% to 4% annually since 2004. Today, the average household cable TV bill tops $217 a month.
If you’re lucky, cable may already be included in your rent or homeowners association fees. But if not, cable can be a pricey luxury.
A cable subscription can include access to hundreds of different channels, which is great. Let’s be honest, though, how many do you really watch? If you’re looking to save money on your household bills, cutting the cable cord is a great way to find savings.
Just because you cut the cord doesn’t mean you have to say good-bye to TV altogether. There are a variety of options for streaming TV, so you can just pay for what you actually watch.
The big three streaming services today are Amazon Prime, Netflix and Hulu. Disney+ has also made a big splash since jumping on the scene last year. In addition to offering classic syndicated TV shows, each of these streaming service providers has their own library of original shows.
If there’s a particular show you want to check out, another option is to pay to stream that specific channel. For instance, you can stream all your favorite CBS shows from Star Trek: Discovery to The Good Fight with a CBS All Access subscription for just $5.99 a month.
Just a sports fan? No problem. Streaming choices like FuboTV offer packages that cover NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL plus dozens of college, regional, national and international games. The games are all live - and in HD.
If you still aren’t convinced that cutting the cable cord is for you, here are five more reasons to consider making the switch to streaming now.
According to a recent survey by The Wall Street Journal and the Harris Poll, Americans spent an average of $37 a month on streaming services. That’s a savings of $180 a month when compared to the $217 average monthly cable bill.
Cable and satellite TV subscriptions often come with hundreds of channels, and a hefty price tag. But do you really watch 300 channels? Instead, curate the shows you want to watch and select your streaming services based on that.
Myth: Without cable, you won’t be able to watch the Super Bowl or Oscars live.
Fact: When you cut the cord, you can still watch the live programs you want. Yes, even sports.
If ESPN, NFL RedZone, and the NBA Network are your go-to viewing picks, check out a streaming service like Sling. Most of the major sports leagues from MLB to NFL and NHL now offer streaming services as well.
Tip: Watch live TV by picking up an HD TV antenna, which can be found for as little as $20.
Say no more.
Honestly, sometimes it just feels good to purge. And that includes cable or other monthly subscriptions you aren’t using. Sure, it’s great to spend a whole day on the couch with your bestie and a few bags of chips. But it’s also great to get outside, travel to a new destination or explore a new local restaurant.
If you’re still on the fence about cutting the cable cord, I have two words for you: Free. Trial.
Most of the online streaming services offer a short free trial allowing you to check out their full library of movies and TV shows.
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