Is Paying for Cable Worth the Entertainment?
As high-speed Internet connections are available in even some of the most rural of areas, streaming content can be easily accomplished. While this may also include the current technology you are using for your computer system, watching videos has never been easier to do. Nearly every broadcast television station utilizes some kind of streaming, and those that didn’t yesterday are planning for it tomorrow. As more and more people are dropping traditional television services, the Internet is growing in order to accommodate.
1. Favorite Shows – Many broadcast television stations offer regular televised programming directly from websites. Although some of these shows are usually a few days behind live broadcasts, a large portion of Internet users are finding themselves watching the website over changing the channel of their television. Aside from paying for the actual Internet connection itself, this viewing is completely free from these broadcasters. However, you still have to endure commercials in order to watch your favorite shows.
2. Variety – Services such as Netflix and Hulu can put your favorite programming right onto your computer or mobile device display for a fraction of what cable and satellite bills are. Although you may not be able to watch current seasons of your favorite shows, you have access to a wide range of entertainment including feature films. This is especially useful to those who love programs that have ran their lifespan and can be watched in entirety without commercial interruptions as a continuous stream. For instance, if you were a “Quantum Leap” fan, you can watch all the episodes from all of the seasons one after another on Netflix if you wanted to.
3. The News – Many have found that any news worthy of watching is usually thrown up on YouTube from a variety of people who are looking for instant content on their channels. You would be amazed at how quickly YouTuber’s can post national events right after they happen. In some respects, these account holders are as fast, if not faster, than many journalists. And for those who don’t rely on YouTube for news, nearly every major news network has a website that features the very news you watch on your high-priced cable and satellite services.
4. HBO Adaptation? – Rumors have been circulating for HBO to adapt its current service of “Go” to encompass streaming of its content regardless of the show. There are a lot of people who would dump their cable or satellite services if HBO offered a live streaming variant for the Internet. Those who are addicted to shows such as “Game of Thrones” could watch them anywhere if HBO could utilize a type of login account like Netflix or Hulu utilizes. If they incorporated past episodes, the investment of technology would surely be worth the expense.
5. Cost Comparisons – There are a lot of people around the country that are on a “service-shaming” kick against cable and satellite services. Internet connections are far cheaper than paying for a full service to your television and usually offer the same quality of televised content with one major exception; Internet users are in control of what gets watched and when. Although cable and satellite services offer “On Demand” capabilities, these are usually at an added cost that Internet users access for free.
6. Television Technology – Smart TV manufacturers have implemented methods of delivering Internet-based entertainment to televisions through the use of Ethernet cabling or even wireless access. For some of these models, accessing services such as Netflix is just a click of the remote button away. For those who have game consoles that utilize online entertainment, this feature can save the lifespan of your unit for actual gaming. Even these manufacturers have realized the importance of integrating Internet services into the developments of electronics.
As time progresses, the slow death march of cable and satellite TV can be faintly heard over the masses who enjoy programming and streaming content through Internet capabilities. In fact, it seems that many broadcasters are too narrow-visioned to see that everyone is jumping on the Internet-streaming bandwagon. Did you know that Redbox video rentals can stream to your computer through the Internet? If so many big names are developing further streaming technologies, why are some of the most popular names in entertainment dragging their feet in producing services that people would pay for? While they may have their reasons, it still doesn’t prevent the masses from moving from cable and satellite services to stream the same content for less money on the Internet.
This is a guest post by Liz Nelson from WhiteFence.com. She is a freelance writer and blogger from Houston. Questions and comments can be sent to: liznelson17 @ gmail.com.
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Category: Cable Bill, Family Finances
