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Cutting the Cord

October 2018

What is cord cutting?

(https://wikipedia.org)

  • In broadcast television, cord cutting refers to the pattern of viewers, referred to as cord cutters, canceling their subscriptions to multichannel subscription television services available over cable or satellite, dropping pay television channels or reducing the number of hours of subscription TV viewed in response to competition from rival media available over the Internet.

  • This Internet content is either free or significantly cheaper than the same content provided via cable or satellite.

  • As a market trend, a growing number of cord cutters do not pay for subscription television in favor of some combination of broadband Internet and Internet protocol TV (IPTV), digital video recorders (DVRs), digital terrestrial television [antenna TV] and/or free-to-air satellite television broadcasts.

  • A related group, the cord-nevers, have never used commercial cable for television service, relying on internet sources from the start.

Factors leading to cord cutting

  • The price of cable or satellite programming as compared to Internet alternatives.

  • The practice of bundling a large number of channels – many that are unwanted – by cable or satellite TV providers.

Preparing to cut the cord

(https://www.gq.com/story/cable-cuttingnon-tech-guide)

  • Make sure that your Internet service is up-to-snuff.

    • According to Hulu, your Internet download speeds (actual, not advertised) should be greater than or equal to these values:

    • 720p HD . . . . . . . . . 3 Mbps (megabits-per-second)

    • 1080p HD . . . . . . . . . 6 Mbps

    • 4K Ultra HD . . . . . . . . . 13 Mbps

    • Two TVs? Multiply these numbers by two!

Internet Speeds

  • MBps (megabytes-per-second) ≈ Mbps / 8

  • For example: 50Mbps ≈ 6.25 MBps

  • How do you learn your actual Internet Speed?

Preparing to cut the cord (continued)

  • Make sure that your Internet service is up-to-snuff.

  • If your Internet service has a data usage cap, make sure it meets the needs of your TV watching habits.

Data usage rates

  • According to Netflix, your TV viewing will chew through your data allotment at the following rates:

    • 300MB per hour on the lowest video quality

    • 700MB per hour for SD video quality

    • 3GB per hour for HD video quality

    • 7GB per hour for UHD (4K) video quality 

For example: a smart TV

  • Here is a random smart TV I looked up yesterday on sale at Best Buy.

    • Samsung 43" Class

    • 2160p – 4K

    • Smart TV with HDR

    • $329

Preparing to cut the cord (continued)

  • If, on the other hand, you are happy with your TV but it is not a smart TV, you can make it a smart TV by adding:

    • Apple TV

    • Google Chromecast

    • Amazon Firestick

    • Slingbox

    • Etc., etc., etc.

External smart devices

  • Advantages of using an external smart device:

    • You can choose the features you like best, apart from the screen size, picture quality, etc.

    • If new smart features you like become available in a couple of years, you can replace the smart device and keep the TV you like.

    • And a smart device generally is less expensive than a new TV.

  • Some examples:

    • Apple TV 4K - $179

    • Google Chromecast, 3rd gen - $35

    • Amazon Firestick 4K - $45

    • Slingbox 500 w/DVR - $120

    • Roku Streaming Stick Plus 4K - $50

  • What if you have an older smart TV, but you want the features of a newer, external smart device?

    • You can attach that external smart device to your TV and just ignore the smart features of the TV.

  • For most programming services, you could even just use your computer as a smart TV!

How smart?

  • If you choose to go with an external device, compare their features; some devices are smarter than others.

    • For example, Apple TV includes Siri navigation, so you do things such as, “Siri, show me action films” then “Only the James Bond movies” then “Just the ones starring Sean Connery”

Preparing to cut the cord (continued)

  • An HDTV antenna can provide you with local, over-the-air (OTA) stations for free (other than the cost of the antenna, of course).

  • Your choice of antenna will depend on many factors, including distance to stations, installation location, and so forth.

  • Some go in the attic, some attach to a window, and others go on a pole outside. 

For example: an antenna

  • The Lava HD8008, a best-seller at Amazon.

    • Reaches up to 130 miles

    • Optimal 40-80 miles

    • UHF/VHF/HD

    • $90

Pay only for what you watch

  • Choose your service (or services) based on your viewing preferences and budget.

    • News & weather? Local, national, international?

    • Live sporting and other events?

    • OTA network television series?

    • Recent cinema releases?

    • Original programming not available on OTA networks? 

For example: Programming

  • Netflix: $7.99 – $13.99 / month

    • Old and not so old TV series (US & UK)

    • Old and not so old movies

    • Original series

  • Hulu: $7.99 and $39.99 / month

    • Old and not so old TV series (US & UK)

    • Old and not so old movies

    • Original series o 50+ top live and on-demand TV channels including sports, news, and entertainment

    • HBO, ShowTime, and Cinemax available forextra charges.

  • Amazon Prime Video: included with $119 /year Prime membership.

    • Old and not so old TV series (US & UK)

    • Old and not so old movies

    • Original series

  • Sony Crackle: free (supported by ads)

    • Older TV series (US)

    • Older movies

    • Original series

Don’t be afraid to experiment

  • Some services (e.g., Hulu) provide a free trial period.

  • Don’t be afraid to subscribe to and then drop a service if you are unhappy with it.

  • Watch for price changes, and change your service accordingly.

  • Search out the free services, such as Sony Crackle.

Don’t be in a hurry

  • Get everything in place (hardware, Internet service, and new subscriptions) before you cut off your current cable or satellite service.

  • Be aware that – especially for satellite service – you may have to pay a fee if you cancel before the end of your contracted period.

  • Don’t rush into purchasing too much or too little Internet speed.

Need more info?

And Next Time …

 

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