Do you remember when TV was free? All you needed was a TV and antenna?
I remember when we had 7 channels to choose from. All from the local area. All the shows we watched. Batman, Star Trek, Saturday morning cartoons.
Our viewing pleasure revolved around those channels. News of the day, Vietnam war, man to the Moon.
Things have surely changed over the years, especially our selections of TV channels to watch.
Nowadays, ever notice, Spectrum, Comcast, Dish all have your favorite channels, but they also have channels you really are not interested in. You ever notice when you buy a service package from any cable-satellite service provider. They advertise providing over 100 + channels.
The providers give you some selected channels you are interested in, but then fill the rest of the stations with channels you never heard of, or that are free (if you know where to find them). Even the TV guide the providers use is serviced through a 3rd party. Having worked for a premium-based service provider, I personally know what goes on with these service providers.
Like everything else, there is negotiated pricing between the stations and the service providers, enabling the service providers to serve channels to you. This means, there are costs the provider has to pay to the channel. The larger the cost, the higher-end service they charge to their customers. Thus, why ESPN, STARZ, HBO might not be on the base price, but part of an upgraded package.
In the end, most of the stations can be found elsewhere, without long costly service accounts.
In a survey conducted between 2019 and 2022, 42% of respondents reported their households use some type of cable service. 82% have both a cable and internet bill. The average cost for cable service ranges around $116 a month, which approximately $55 a month going to basic TV service providers. Add Netflix, Amazon Prime and other service costs, and you could add another $50 dollars to your monthly bill. What this means is the cable-internet business is an $84.74 billion dollar business.
But for you, what if you could cut your cable-internet bill by streaming content, over paying a service provider to “serve-up” content for you, and save $55 dollars a month?
Streaming Content over the Internet
Even streaming movies, sports, favorite shows, and other premium content directly from the channel services costs money. Netflix, Amazon Prime, HULU, ESPN, all charge for their content. This too can add up. We pay Netflix, Amazon Prime and other premium channels as normal. What we cut out was the middleman, the service provider. We go straight to the source. This is a monthly savings for our limited budget.
There are plenty of free streaming services out there. If you decide to use a device like Google TV, or Apple TV, you can use their device to search and download channels. This would be a one-time cost for purchasing the device. Better than the monthly charges for using a service provider device(s). Be advised, depending on the device, you might not have a “clear” TV guide to guide your channel section, like you are accustomed to.
There are limitations
People always ask me, “by streaming, I cannot get local stations”, or “My homeowner association will not allow me to install an antenna”. These are false statements. Over-the-Air stations are still there. Under the OTARD rule, an owner or a tenant has the right to install an antenna on property that they own or over which they have exclusive use or control. This includes single family homes, condominiums, cooperatives, townhomes and manufactured homes.
This means by FCC rules “No” Restrictions that prevent or delay installation, maintenance or use of antennas covered by the rule are prohibited. For example, in most cases, requirements to get approval before installing an antenna are prohibited. If you want more information,
check out: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/installing-consumer-owned-antennas-and-satellite-dishes#
The important part if you are looking to “cut-the-cord” is look at your habits.
Best Value for my Money
Are you a bargain hunter type of person? One who looks for the freest deals you can find? If so, look at channels like Tubi, Pluto, XUMO, Philo. These channels give you plenty of free movies, shows and access to other channels through their own channel guides.
Are you a movie Fan?
Then you might want to add in Netflix, Amazon Prime, HULU, Criterion, Fandor or some other type of premium service. Shop around, it might surprise you on how cheap some of these providers charge.
What if I am the “I want it All” type person.
Again, using Google TV, Apple TV+, with HBO Max Netflix and Amazon Prime and a few other prime services is the way to go. Just remember, what you are “cutting-the-cord” for, as having all these services can add up.
Sports, Sports, Sports
Let’s not forget the all important “Sports Fanatic”. The person who loves everything sports. Football, Baseball, Basketball, Horse and auto racing, Rugby Soccer. There are plenty of both free and premium channels for you also. Do your shopping and I know you can customize your sports viewing pleasure to your liking.
In the end, look at your personal habits, and choices of what you want and like to watch. I know there are services which can and will fill you need, without the added expenses of paying someone to service the channels to you (for a cost).
If you want more information checkout Consumer Report, October 2022 issue, “Watch What You Really Want for Less”, or Review.org “Best Streaming Services 2022”. Both articles can be found at:
https://www.consumerreports.org/magazine/2022/10/
https://www.reviews.org/tv-service/best-streaming-service/
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