Why Cutting the Cable Cord is the Smartest Move for Modern Viewers

The cord-cutting movement has become more popular as viewers seek new ways to access their favorite content. With Smart TVs featuring built-in streaming apps and OTA antennas offering a wide range of on-demand and live content, the options are many.

However, juggling multiple services can be confusing and frustrating.

Cost

Cut the cable can be more affordable than you may think, especially regarding the cost of popular streaming services. While these services have seen recent price hikes, they’re still significantly cheaper than the average cable TV subscription.

A quality internet service is the most essential part of any cord-cutting setup. A modem and a good-quality WiFi router can provide blazing-fast download speeds to support your streaming content.

You must also choose which video-on-demand and live television streaming services you want to sign up for. Some options include Sling TV, Philo, and YouTube TV. These services are usually much cheaper than the most comprehensive cable packages, and they have the bonus of providing you with local channels that many of us don’t get with traditional pay-TV providers. This makes them a good option for many people considering cutting the cable cord.

Convenience

Many people have hesitated to cut the cord because they want to maintain access to their local channels. However, various streaming services now offer slim bundles of traditional channels at a much lower cost than cable.

It’s essential to have a speedy internet connection when streaming media, regardless of your chosen service. You can determine if your internet speed is up to the task by running an online test. In addition to a streaming service, you’ll need a modem and a WiFi router to get the most out of your cord-cutting setup.

Variety

If you’re a cable or satellite TV subscriber, you may be paying for an outdated setup that no longer works for you. Toss those RCA cables (the old red, white, and yellow cord you might still have in your drawer) and invest in HDMI or optical for more streamlined home entertainment. Premium channels offer edgy dramas, raunchy comedies, and niche documentaries unavailable on free-to-air broadcast networks.

You’ll need a home internet connection for streaming; most cable TV providers include it as a bundle. If yours doesn’t, shop around for the best deal on standalone home internet service. You’ll also need a good HD antenna to get local over-the-air broadcasts. Finding a cheap one, such as the 1byone indoor antenna, or a pricier option mounted outside is possible.

Flexibility

Cutting the cable cord can seem complicated to many people, with new devices to consider and streaming services that come and go. Every week, there’s a big new or significant change to the options.

If you’re willing to juggle, you can get everything you need for less than you would pay for a standard cable bundle. 

Plus, you can add a media server such as Plex to your setup that lets you keep a library of videos, TV shows, and movies that you can stream to any device anytime. It’s not for everyone, but it can be a great way to keep your cable-cutting options flexible and manageable.