Cutting the Cord and Streaming
Streaming video content is movies, series, and other programs you can watch over the internet or download to your computer, smartphone, or tablet for later replay. People can stream their programs instead of subscribing to cable or satellite TV. Some content is exclusively available on streaming services, like the documentary The Beatles: Get Back, which you can only watch on Disney+.
We’ll discuss streaming as a substitute for traditional broadcast and other media, the hardware required, and various streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, and YouTube TV. We’ll also provide an accurate picture of the actual costs of streaming.
What is cutting the cord and streaming?
The idea behind cutting the cord is canceling your cable TV or satellite service and viewing your programs over the internet. To accomplish this you’ll need to install streaming apps on your computer, mobile devices, or a smart TV. You can also use a streaming device like Amazon Fire or Roku.
Streaming services require high-speed internet to deliver content to subscribers. According to Nielson, streaming comprised about 26% of programming in 2021. Most streaming services are subscription-based.
What devices can I use to watch streaming programs?
You can watch streaming programs using apps on a variety of TVs, computers, mobile devices, and gaming consoles.
- Smartphone
- Tablet
- Computer with web browser
- Smart display
- Smart TV
- Google TV
- Amazon Fire TV
- Samsung TV
- LG TV
- Vizio TV
- Xbox
- Playstation
Use Streaming Devices for Older TVs
Dedicated streaming devices connect to a TV and utilize apps like smartphones or tablets. Some allow you to cast or share your screen, streaming programs wirelessly to a TV from a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
- Amazon Fire (stick or cube)
- Apple TV
- Chromecast (including models with Google TV)
- Roku (various devices, including a soundbar)
Streaming devices are required for streaming video content on older TVs that won’t connect to the internet or don’t support the streaming apps you want to use. They typically require an HDMI port to connect to a TV.
Which streaming services carry my favorite programs?
There are many streaming service providers. Here is a partial list with included programming and costs. Most require a subscription, and several have a lower-cost or free offering with ads.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime is the streaming service bundled with Amazon’s free shipping and other services included with your Amazon Prime subscription. Amazon Prime has an extensive series, movies, and original programming collection.
✔ Series
✔ Movies
✔ Sports
❌ News
✔ Original programming
✔ Parental controls
✔ Kids programming
❌ Live TV
❌ Local programming
Cost: $12.99/month or $119/year.
Disney+
Disney’s streaming service Disney+ is home to the vast catalog of Disney movies and series. Disney+ includes the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) catalog of movies and series, the Star Wars movies and series, the Pixar catalog, and National Geographic. The company also bundles its programming with other content providers like ESPN and Hulu.
Disney+ is one of a handful of streaming services that offered newly released movies on their platform on initial release during the Covid-19 pandemic, for which Disney+ charges a premium.
✔ Series
✔ Movies
❌ Sports
❌ News
✔ Original programming
✔ Parental controls
✔ Kids programming
❌ Live TV
❌ Local programming
Cost: $7.99/month or $79.99/year.
HBO Max
HBO Max has a vast catalog of movies, series, and original programming. They also include new movie releases with their ad-free subscription.
✔ Series
✔ Movies
✔ Sports
❌ News
✔ Original programming
✔ Parental controls
✔ Kids programming
❌ Live TV
❌ Local programming
Cost:
- Ad-free: $14.99/month or $149.99/year
- With ads: $9.99/month or $99.99/year
Hulu and Hulu + Live TV
Hulu offers a variety of movies, series, and original programming. Hulu + Live TV includes everything Hulu offers plus live broadcasts and is one of the few streaming services to include local TV programming.
✔ Series
✔ Movies
✔ Sports
✔ News
✔ Original programming
✔ Parental controls
✔ Kids programming
✔ Live TV*
✔ Local programming*
(*not available on Hulu)
Cost:
- Hulu: $6.99/month or $69.99/year
- Hulu (no ads): $12.99/month
- Hulu + Live TV: $64.99/month
- Hulu (no ads) + Live TV: $70.99/month
Netflix
Netflix, the pioneer in paid streaming programming, built their service on top of a successful online DVD rental business and were the first to create original programming that disrupted an industry.
✔ Series
✔ Movies
❌ Sports
❌ News
✔ Original programming
✔ Parental controls
✔ Kids programming
❌ Live TV
❌ Local programming
Cost:
- Basic: $8.99/month
- Standard: $13.99/month
- Premium: $17.99/month
Plans are based on the number of screens you can use simultaneously and HD quality.
Paramount+
The CBS All Access streaming service rebranded itself as Paramount+ in March 2021. It offers the CBS broadcast catalog as well as exclusive premium content like the Star Trek Discovery and Picard series.
✔ Series
✔ Movies
✔ Sports
✔ News
✔ Original programming
✔ Parental controls
✔ Kids programming
✔ Live TV*
✔ Local programming*
(*not available with Essential plan)
Cost:
- Essential: $4.99./month or $49.99/year
- Premium: $9.99/month or $99.99/year
The Premium plan is commercial-free and includes your local CBS live broadcast station.
Peacock
Peacock is NBC’s streaming service. It includes the NBC broadcast catalog, access to live sports, and a vast catalog of movies and series.
✔ Series
✔ Movies
✔ Sports
❌ News
✔ Original programming
✔ Parental controls
✔ Kids programming
✔ Live TV*
❌ Local programming
(*live sports available with paid plans)
Cost:
- Free
- Premium: $4.99/month
- Plus: $9.99/month
Paid plans include progressively more content, including live sports. Plus plan is commercial-free.
PBS
Access the extensive catalog of PBS movies, series, and specials, as well as local PBS programming in your area. Many popular programs are available for free for a limited time. Most PBS streaming programs require a subscription.
✔ Series
✔ Movies
❌ Sports
✔ News
✔ Original programming
✔ Parental controls
✔ Kids programming
✔ Live TV
✔ Local programming
Cost:
- Free
- PBS Passport: $5/month or $60/year donated to your local PBS station.
Sling TV
Sling TV is a streaming service with sufficient breadth that it could be a substitute for a cable TV subscription.
✔ Series
✔ Movies
✔ Sports
✔ News
✔ Original programming
✔ Parental controls
✔ Kids programming
✔ Live TV
✔ Local programming
Cost: Sling TV has three tiers of service, the most expansive of which is around $50 per month for about 50 channels. Includes cloud DVR.
YouTube and YouTube TV
YouTube debuted in 2005 and became a widely used platform for posting original short videos. It has since developed into a marketing machine for musicians, filmmakers, politicians, entrepreneurs, and corporations. YouTube still hosts free, original content, and content creators have excellent tools at their disposal.
YouTube TV is YouTube’s paid streaming service that hosts over 85 cable and broadcast channels, including the major networks, PBS, on-demand video, and cloud DVR.
✔ Series
✔ Movies
✔ Sports
✔ News
✔ Original programming
✔ Parental controls
✔ Kids programming
✔ Live TV
✔ Local programming
Cost: $64.99/month.
Internet Provider Streaming Content
Some internet providers, like Xfinity, offer streaming services and devices for use with their internet service. Check with your provider.
✔ Series
✔ Movies
✔ Sports
✔ News
❌ Original programming
✔ Parental controls
✔ Kids programming
✔ Live TV
✔ Local programming
Cost: included with Xfinity Internet service.
Live Streaming Content
Numerous websites, news, sports, filmmakers, musicians, other entertainers, and more offer live streaming content, including original content on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
✔ Series
✔ Movies
✔ Sports
✔ News
✔ Original programming
❓ Parental controls
✔ Kids programming
✔ Live TV
✔ Local programming
Cost: it depends on the content provider.
Putting it All Together
In summary, to enjoy streaming content from the internet you need:
- High-speed internet
- A computer, mobile device or smart TV
- A streaming device for older TVs with HDMI
- Streaming apps
- Subscriptions to your favorite content providers
Adding it All Up
Cable or satellite TV subscriptions are $50/month and up, depending on the content you want to view. Streaming services that are cable TV substitutes start around $50/month. You can go a la carte, but the cost of multiple streaming subscriptions starts adding up.
The Bottom Line
You’ll need to pick and choose the content you want to view, determine which streaming services provide it, then decide if the combined cost of individual streaming services is within your budget. Bundle services when you can to save a little money.
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Please contact Prime of Life Tech for help getting started streaming your programs or schedule an appointment.
