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Should I Keep My Cable Service or Sign Up for Streaming Services?

November 17, 2021
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TV has been bitten by the technology bug. The industry has changed so much over the years that you never know its next move. When you buy a television today, you are more likely to get a smart TV – a television with dozens of apps and the ability to connect to Wi-Fi. It’s impressive and there has been a massive surge of traditional cable enthusiasts switching to a streaming service. It seems logic to cut the cord and opt for a streaming service, but is it right for you? Should you keep your cable service or sign up to a streaming service?

Cable Offers More Choice Than Streaming Services

 

Let’s be honest, cable and streaming services are both versatile and offer you a wide range of programs, TV shows, and movies. Streaming, however, appears to be the smarter choice to newbies since it’s convenient and has a huge selection of choice. It is a great choice, especially if you haven’t used cable before, but it does have limitations. For instance, cable TV offers greater choice over sporting events, news, and more.

That doesn’t mean to say streaming isn’t viable. Most streaming services will have a great selection of movies, TV shows, and documentaries. However, it all depends on what content you are specifically searching for. Not all streaming services will have the same content, even though the latest Hollywood blockbuster is available on one or two of them.

What Content Are You Looking For?

 

Choosing between streaming and cable is often difficult since they offer something different, but it may come down to what content you’re specifically searching for. For example, you like a wide range of documentaries, TV shows, movies, and programs. In this instance, you might benefit from cable TV. On the other hand, you only want access to movies and the latest TV shows. You’d be better with streaming. It really is important to understand what type of content you want and what is available. Every streaming and cable service differs slightly, so you need to look at what they have to offer. It’ll make it easier to decide between cable and streaming.

Streaming Services

When Do You Plan to Watch?

 

You like to sit down, relax, and unwind in front of the TV, but there is nothing worse when you can’t find something to watch. Let’s be honest, this is your time to enjoy some entertainment and you want shows that appeal to you. Choosing between streaming and cable comes down to how often you plan to watch them. For example, you watch shows from dozens of channels and watch to record them to your DVR and watch at your convenience. You can’t go a day without your programs. When you’re that type of person, you are more likely to enjoy cable over streaming.
On the other hand, let’s say you watch TV daily, but you watch mainly regular TV (non-cable channels). You want to watch a movie at weekends only as it’s your time to relax and enjoy some downtime. In this instance, streaming would work best.

Monthly Costs Vary

 

You love the idea of cable TV since you get access to more channels and shows; unfortunately, it can often be more expensive than streaming. You could be paying close to fifty dollars a month, rather than say twenty at most for streaming. When you have a budget, you can be quite limited to what services you use and sometimes, streaming makes more sense. You can pick a service that’s affordable or that suits your watching needs.
For example, you only want access to movies and the occasional TV show and have less than thirty dollars to spend each month. It would make more sense to opt for a streaming service. You spend less than thirty dollars and watch whenever you like. Remember, when you’re watching your shows once or twice a month, that’s not value for money, especially when you’re paying fifty or sixty dollars a month with cable. Of course, if you watch it daily and enjoy it, that’s a different story.

No Internet Needed for Cable

 

When you have a slow internet connection – or just don’t want to have to connect to the web – streaming is a nightmare. It’s worse when you’re in the middle of a good movie and it stops. Worse still, it’s the final minutes in the sporting event and it won’t buffer. You don’t want this as it’s incredibly frustrating and it often ends with you missing out. Whether you have slow internet or just don’t want to rely on the internet, streaming isn’t for you. It’s as simple as that. Cable TV probably would be more suited to your needs.

You don’t have to rely on the internet to watch and may help keep your internet costs down too. It’s annoying to have to keep your internet modern on to stream content. Of course, that’s the whole point of streaming; however, it can increase your internet usage and some companies might want to up your monthly costs.

Not All Streaming Services Will Offer a Complete Package

 

There are many great streaming services and most offer a selection of choice. You shouldn’t be stuck to find something you like or want to watch. Unfortunately, since there are several major streaming services, they differ slightly, and they don’t all offer the same content. For example, streaming service A offers the latest Hollywood blockbusters, along with a huge selection of classical movies from the 1960s. Streaming service B has one or two of the latest movie releases but a wider choice of recent movies. Both services offer a valuable service, however, the second has more up to date movies.

What you need to understand it that not all streaming services offer a complete package. In some instances, you need to have several services to get the package you want. That, of course, adds to costs and creates a dilemma. Cable can’t offer a complete either; however, you can build a package that suits your watching needs.

The Best for Your Needs

 

Cable and streaming are viable, versatile, and flexible. You can get great entertainment from both. Ultimately, however, it all comes down to what you are looking to watch. For instance, do you just want access to movies or TV shows? Or are you someone who wants a complete package without having to rely on the internet? These are the things you need to think about when it comes to choosing between a streaming and cable service.