Technology
By Jonathan Ushindi Zaluke 19 Comments Share This:
Are you ready to ditch the cable and join the ever-growing cord-cutter team? In this month’s Techspert column, I will answer the essential questions you must consider before returning that cable box to your current television provider company.
Q1- Why cut the cord?
The most common reason that pushes people to cut the cord is how expensive cable bills have become. Cable TV prices now average more than $200 monthly, including all the fees for DVR, an extra cable box, and taxes. Moreover, although they offer hundreds of channels, people only watch a handful of them.
In contrast, when it comes to streaming services, you only pay for the services you use. Plus, you can easily cancel or resume a service subscription anytime.
Other reasons to cut the cord include the convenience and availability of streaming services, fewer ads, access to original content unavailable on cable, and a vast library of on-demand content.
Q2- What equipment do I need to cut the cord?
Most households already have everything necessary to cut the cord. To ditch the cable, you only need two things:
- A reliable internet service– a mere internet speed of 25Mbps is enough to stream 4K quality content.
- A smart TV or streaming device – If your TV can connect to the internet, it is a Smart TV and can stream. For TVs that cannot connect to the internet, you can use a streaming device like Roku, Fire Stick TV, or Chromecast with Google TV, among many other options. These devices connect to the internet and are plugged into your TV via an HDMI port, allowing you to stream.
An optional piece of equipment worth listing here isan indoor HD antenna, which allows you to watch local channels for free in High Definition. You can buy one from Amazon for as little as $18.
Although it is not equipment, you’ll want to consider signing up for one or more streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, etc.
Q3- Which streaming services should I get?
Before answering this question, you must examine your viewing habits and preferences.
You must write down a list of all the channels, TV programs, or shows you cannot live without. (Be sure to include all the members of your household in the activity for a smooth transition!)
Once you have a clear idea of your must-have programs, you can compare and decide which streaming services work best for your household.
Types of Streaming Services
Streaming services can be grouped into four categories depending on the type of content they provide:
- Free– You can cut the cord and not pay for any streaming service. Free streaming services are ad-supported and often offer a mix of unpopular live channels, on-demand classic TV shows and movies, and a few original contents. The most popular services in this category are Amazon FreeVee (formerly known as IMDB TV), Tubi, Pluto TV, Hoopla, Kanopy, Peaco*ck (free tier), Roku Channels, etc.
- On-demand – In this category, each streaming service costs $5.99 to $22.99 per month and offers a vast library of ad-free and high-quality content, including numerous blockbusters, mainstream movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content exclusive to the service. These streaming services include Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Peaco*ck, etc. Some, like Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video, offer a few live sporting events, and others provide pay-per-view events like Showtime.
- Live– Services in this category are more expensive but still less than regular cable. They can range from $20-$76.99, depending on the service and the number of live channels. Sling TV is the most affordable service in this category, but the most popular are YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV.
- Sport– If you only care about live sports, the choice is between ESPN+ or FuboTV. Both offer enough live sports events to fill the needs of any sports buff.
You can find bundle options for live streaming, like the Disney Bundle Trio(which includes Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ for $14.99).
Want more details? Check this article by CNETfor a comprehensive comparison between the live TV streaming options.
Q4- Is cutting the cord worth it?
For most people, yes! However, only you can answer this question, given everybody’s unique situation.
A common mistake most people make once they cut the cord is signing up for many streaming services for specific shows and then forgetting to cancel the service once the show is over or on a break.
I suggest having two streaming services at a time to take full advantage of the cost-saving benefit of cutting the cord. One choice is to include a Live TV option like Hulu, and another option to access favorite shows and movies like Max™️ (Former HBO Max). People who do not watch much Live TV could save even more by getting only one streaming service at a time and an Indoor HD Antenna for local channels.
What’s next?
Here are some helpful Senior Planet resources for cord-cutters:
- Internet of Things: Entertainment– Jan 30 at 6:00 PM EST.
- Save Money on Internet.
- Ask The Techspert: 3 Cool Things to Know about Smart TVs.
Also, join the Senior Planet Community group,Ask a Tech Expert, to ask any tech questions.
Your Turn
Is cutting the cord worth it? Which streaming platforms might appeal to you? Share your experience in the comments!
Techspert Jonathan is Senior Planet’s Sr. Digital Community Relations and Product Specialist and a former Senior Planet San Antonio technology trainer. He is also an iOS developer with a background in Information Systems and Cyber Security.
How secure is your personal information? Join Senior Planet’s Intro to Managing Your Privacy webinar on January 29. Details are here.
Have a tech question that’s got you stumped? Send your tech questions to Techspert Jonathan using THIS FORM. He’ll be tackling one question a month from readers.
COMMENTS
19 responses to “Ask The Techspert: How To Cut The Cord?”
Congratulations Senior Planet!!!
It’s a fun, interesting, vast collection of resources we seniors are lucky to have access to!
If I cut the cord and did nothing but zoom with Senior Planet I’d still have a hard time keeping up with you and your innovative programming:-)Reply to Elly
Thank you so much Elly!! I am so happy we help! We will always be here for you ❤️
Reply to Jonathan Ushindi Zaluke
Hi, Looking to cut the cord. But can it be done and still keep my Landline?
Cable is so expensive and I know I’m paying for channels I don’t even watch.
Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.Reply to Loretta
The simple is YES.
There are generally three components to your cable bill:
1. Internet
2. Telephone
3. HDTVYou need Internet and Telephone and HDTV are billed and provided separately
Reply to Richard
I am so confused. Is there a step by step guide ? My guy has to have football and baseball. I can live with Netflix Hulu and live tv which would include my local station CBS NBC ABC and PBS .
I currently pay 300+ for internet, phone, and TV.
Is DVR included anywhere
Are our needs to much for an “a la carte” set up? Thanks to anyone who feels like going through the steps too educate me appreciate itHello Mary,
Getting Netflix, and Hulu with live TV should do the trick to satisfy both your needs. You may be able to save. The key is to separate those bills and completely remove cable. And yes, Hulu+Live TV comes with Cloud DVR. It works the same as regular DVR except it is easier to use and does not require an extra equipment. :)Thank you Richard
My bill has TV 155.98, internet 87.98 and voice ?22.99
Do I need these ?
Yes Loretta,
Cable is usually what makes the bill high. You should call your provider and ask them to remove the cable from the bill. When looking at the details of your bill, you should have a clear picture of what the bill would look like without cable on it. So, the first step is to call your provider, then to get the streaming service of your choice. By the way, if you have Amazon Prime, you already have access to Prime video with so many TV shows and movies.Reply to Jonathan Ushindi Zaluke
Hi.. I cut the cord last year and jumped to Direct Tv.
I’m not sure I’m totally onboard with satellite, but I am saving $70+ . I wanted your thoughts on Satellite. I believe I’m tied in fir 2yrs.Reply to Colleen A Brady
Hello Colleen,
It all boils down to what you watch. If you do not watch all those channels, and you only enjoy good TV shows, then you should ditch the satellite as well. Also, Satellite might have some connection issue especially when there is bad weather. Something to compare with is this: Netflix and Hulu+Live TV comes to a staggering total of around $100. If you can live without live TV, then you might only need Netflix and Disney+Hulu bundle (No ads) for a total of less then $50.Reply to Jonathan Ushindi Zaluke
I have never had cable and I watch a lot of TV. I get all the major channels, ABC, NBC and CBS, as well as 3 PBS channels and a bunch of others, some Spanish, and, except during stormy times, the reception is as good as cable. I pay for Netflix and Amazon Prime and have more shows to watch than I have time to watch them. Long story short, I am a big fan of cableless TV.
Reply to Patricia Hendrix
How do you get CBS, NBC, and ABC without cable? I want to cancel my cable but I don’t want to lose the local news channels and the regular TV shows. I thought I needed to have cable to access them.
Reply to Ruth
I have the same question as Ruth. I’ve worked with/warched antena type reception & probly bec I live in a rural area the reception isn’t so good.
To Jonathan: this is honestly the Best article I’ve read to date on the cutting the cord/streaming subject and I’ve done ALot of research. Thank you!!!
Thank you again Elly! This is so wonderful to hear! I will cherish your compliment forever :)
If you live in rural places where the reception might not be best, you will need a long range outdoor HDTV (or 4K HDTV) antenna. Some even go pass 200miles of coverage.
Hello Ruth,
Those are major national channels available locally. You do not need a cable for those channels. You only need an HDTV antenna. I you live in a place with bad reception, then you should opt for an outdoor long range HDTV antenna.
Hello what antenna did you get and did you have to get one for each TV?
Reply to Mary Ellen
Hello Mary,
So you can connect multiple TVs with a single antenna using a good quality coaxial cable and a signal splitter. Amazon has many great options for TV antennas, coaxial cables and signal splitter. But opting for this option will require professional help. You can also buy cheaper antenna for each TV, these ones you just need to plug it in the TV and in outlet and voila! Walmart and Amazon have great options for every situation.Thank you
That is so wonderful to hear! I am very happy for you.
Reply to Jonathan Ushindi Zaluke
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