Cut the Cord, Cut the Cost

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

The exodus from cable toward streaming has reached its highest level. 

With an average rate of $107 per month, the rates for cable and satellite TV are substantially higher than streaming platforms.

The a la carte nature of streaming appeals to many viewers. If you don’t care to watch sports, why pay for ESPN as part of a viewing package, for example? 

For those who already pay for a high-speed internet connection, adding a couple streaming platforms provides a custom viewing experience more affordable. 

Spectrum in Rochester charges $49.99 for an internet connection of up to 300 Mbps, which is fast enough for streaming programming. Viewers can watch live TV and stream new and favorite movies, documentaries, cartoons (for the grandkids, of course) and other new content.

Streaming platforms also allows viewers to watch on any device they want, download programs to watch later without a WiFi connection, and group watch with people elsewhere. Streaming includes no-contract options, which is ideal for someone who wants to access viewing choices seasonally, such as more programming while “hibernating” during the winter but less during more active warmer months. Perhaps adding Disney+ would help during the summer while babysitting the grandchildren. Cable and satellite require contracts.

Streamed programs may or may not include advertising, but when they do, the ads are very short and infrequent. Some streaming platforms like Hulu + Live TV include broadcast television. 

Streaming does bear a few disadvantages. During times of heavy internet use, views may experience occasional lag time. Internet outages also disrupt playback.

If you want to watch television via streaming, these options are much less expensive than cable or satellite: 

• YouTube TV: $64.99/month (100+ channels)

• Hulu + Live TV: $69.99–$75.99/month (70+ channels, also offers on-demand movies)

• Philo: $25/month (63+ channels, also has on-demand movies)

• fuboTV: $69.99–$74.99/month (111–166+ channels)

• Sling TV: $35–$50/month (30–50+ channels, also has on-demand movies)

If movies and documentaries appeal to you, consider these on-demand providers, which work like a virtual video collection. Most of these allow a certain number of simultaneous streams, where members of your household can watch something different at the same time on their devices. Some of these services rotate what is available, so movies and programs come and go:

• Netflix: $10 (6,000 titles, four simultaneous streams)

• HBO Max: $10 (2,000+ titles, three simultaneous streams) 

• Amazon Prime Video: $9 (14,000 titles, three simultaneous streams)

• Disney+: $8 (50+ titles, four simultaneous streams)

• Hulu: $7 (10,000+ titles, six simultaneous streams)

• Apple TV+: 5 (50 titles, six simultaneous streams)

• FreeVee: $0 (9,000 titles, unlimited simultaneous streams, includes ads)

Most platforms offer a free trial period to help you make up your mind.