The Pros and Cons of Cord Cutting
Depending on who you talk to, cutting the cord is either the best thing to do or the worst. In reality, both viewpoints have their pros and cons. Here’s a closer look at each.
The Cons of Cord Cutting
It may seem obvious, but cord cutters lose access to all the cable channels — and any local channels — provided through their cable TV subscription. While, theoretically, it might seem possible to recreate what cable TV has to offer via streaming services alone, the reality is that some parts of the cable TV experience can’t be had elsewhere.
For example, anyone who cares about professional sports (e.g. MLB, NHL, WNBA, NBA, NFL, MLS, NWSL, The Premier League, etc.) will lose some access to games without ESPN. ESPN’s broadest range of offerings is only available through a cable TV subscription.
In addition, most cable companies now have on-the-go apps that make it possible for their customers to access their offerings from anywhere via any mobile device. Yes, streaming services offer that service, but again, some channels, events, and experiences are still only available through traditional cable TV offerings.
One more reason to stay connected to your cable cord? More and more cable TV providers are teaming up with streaming platforms. This means some cable TV subscribers won’t need to get a separate subscription to a streaming platform like Netflix; the subscription will just come with the cable TV service.
The Pros of Cord Cutting
One of the main reasons people end up moving away from a cable TV subscription is the cost. Cable TV is sometimes viewed as simply being too expensive. With so many popular streaming services available that offer original TV shows, movies, comedy specials, and documentaries that can’t be viewed with cable anyway, it can seem like going with a streaming platform approach is best.
Popular streaming services such as Disney+, Netflix, fuboTV, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu (and Hulu with Live TV), Philo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and more are available and accessible on Smart TVs like Apple TV, mobile phones, tablets, and more. Plus, streamers can access much of the same content they watched with a cable TV subscription, provided they have adequate Internet service — including HBO, Showtime, the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and more. Streaming apps and platforms offer a world of on-demand, live sports, and on-the-go programming. What’s not to love?
A Balanced View
In reality, relying strictly on streaming platforms for entertainment can also be limiting and expensive, and your favorite shows still may not always be available. As we’ve said, every household’s entertainment and connection needs are unique, and many people are finding that a balance of streaming and a good package from their cable provider is ideal for what they need.
Watch On
In addition to your home Internet having the appropriate Internet speed, Internet connection and bandwidth, as well as a high-quality router and modem to deliver a positive streaming experience, you'll also need to be sure that you and your family members have access to the content that's important to you. Whether it be specific news channels such as CNN, sports networks like ESPN and the Big Ten Network, kid-friendly channels including CBS, ABC, and PBS, or your go-to guilty pleasure reality shows, we're here to help you discover the right streaming services for your needs.