Cable television remains to be one of the major sources of home entertainment. However, recent years have seen the rise of the Internet as a major source of media content such that if you are looking to watch something you no longer necessarily have to grab the remote and turn on that TV. Apparently, cable subscription is no longer as necessary as it was a decade or so ago. As a matter of fact, it is now entirely feasible to let go of your subscription and entirely depend on online sources for your favorite TV shows!
So yeah one way to cut on cable costs is to quit subscription altogether and just rely on alternative content streams. As suggested in one of our previous articles, one option is to turn your computer into a TV by getting access to TV channels via the Internet. This route usually involves the use of software (which usually entails a one-time fee) that collates digital content from television channels all around the world. Take note however that most of these services may not provide premium content so forget about getting free access to the latest season of your favorite HBO series or that blockbuster boxing or MMA match.
For premium content, you might want to look at streaming services provided by the likes of Netflix and Hulu which also charges for content but at comparatively lower costs. If you do not mind watching your favorite shows a couple of days late then these guys should be perfect for you. The best thing about this is that you no longer have to pay for cable channels that you aren’t really into and just pay for shows that you really want.
Can you cut down cost by getting an a la carte cable deal?
A recent CNN article discussed this to address increasing concern about the price of cable deals. Apparently this isn’t going to work as the price of cable bundles aren’t really linear. In other words, reducing the channels in your cable package won’t necessarily correspond to a proportional increase in price. A la carte deals could work for really light viewers but most will probably end up paying more because providers, individually speaking, will likely charge higher to cover lost revenues as an effect of the a la carte system. For example, ESPN is reported to have 100 million home subscriptions and earning about $6 for each but only 20% of those homes are avid sports fans. This means heavy losses for ESPN in an a la carte system. It is indicated that only about 20 channels will survive if such an option became widely available.
Cut subscription and find a better one
If you’re not happy with the service you’re getting with your cable then it’s probably high time to stop giving them your money and find a better service somewhere else. A recent report in Yahoo!Homes suggests that there is indeed no shortage of options when it comes to choosing a cable company. In fact, as such companies improve their infrastructure, systems and services in the hopes of retaining customers, you will likely find deals that are cheaper than the one you are currently in. No company wants to be a target of Facebook pages like this I hate Time Warner Cable page so chances are, a better option is available for you somewhere.
Cutting your cable television expenses isn’t rocket science. The ultimate solution to saving some money while still getting your television content needs is to simply stop subscribing and get your TV cravings from somewhere else. Taking the online route does have its downsides. And one glaring downside is that if you’re a heavy sports watcher who follows a lot of live games, taking the Netflix or Hulu route will never sate your appetite as these providers do not provide live games. Just find a better deal if you’re heavy on sports.
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