It’s time to face the fact that the cable TV industry is on a slow death over the past few years. Streaming services have taken over as the top option for entertainment. There are a few reasons why this happened.

1. Cable TV is more expensive than before – An average cable TV package currently costs at least $100 per month, and this is not in an affordable range for everyone.

2. Viewers don’t want to pay for channels they don’t need – Cable TV packages cannot be customized so viewers are stuck paying for more channels that they don’t ever visit.

3. Americans need flexible online entertainment – Viewers want the option to watch the content they want anytime and anywhere. Mobile phones, tablets, and laptops are more popular devices to watch content compared to TV.

Streaming Pros and Cons

Pros

• Free trial periods
• Cheaper than cable TV
• No long-term contracts
• Huge collection of available content
• Watch shows anytime, anywhere

Cons

• Strong internet connection required
• Limited options for live sports
• Lengthy delay before cable shows become available
• Some shows are only available on cable TV
• Inconsistent program lineups

Video Streaming and How It Works

Video and TV streaming platforms compete directly with cable providers with their affordability and convenience.

1. Streaming platforms have various price options

The basic subscription package from Netflix costs $8.99 a month while the premium live TV bundle from Hulu will set you back $64.99 a month. With any of these platforms, you get access to a wide range of content at a lesser cost than regular cable TV.

2. Streaming is at the top of the digital era

Users pay for streaming platforms so that they can watch their favorite content anywhere with Wi-Fi. They don’t have to be stuck at home to watch TV shows.

3. Consumers make their choices

Through a streaming platform, viewers don’t need to pay for any channel they don’t like. There are different platforms that cater to different types of content. FuboTV has 30,000 sporting events available for sports fans. Disney+ will give you access to beloved Disney shows and movies. Streaming services are more flexible compared to traditional cable TV, and viewers can choose whatever they want to watch.

On-Demand Streaming vs. Live TV Streaming

On-Demand Streaming

On-demand streaming services provide a library of shows and movies that viewers can choose from to watch at their convenience. The type and range of content vary depending on the streaming platform. Most services have thousands of titles that viewers can enjoy.

Some streaming platforms also allow users to download a limited number of episodes on their devices so that they can enjoy the content even without an internet connection. The convenience that on-demand streaming platforms provide is a huge factor in attracting subscribers since they don’t have to follow TV schedules.

Live Streaming

Live Streaming is like a bridge between traditional cable TV and on-demand streaming. It’s perfect for viewers who are not quite ready to give up live TV programming. Live TV streaming platforms allow viewers to watch regular TV shows through the internet as they are currently airing in their respective networks o channels. There are several services to choose from such as Sling TV, FuboTV, and Hulu.

Although the overall experience of live TV streaming is more similar to regular cable TV, it still provides viewers the convenience of watching the shows anywhere they want as long as they have an internet connection.

Other Streaming Options

Sports events are something that most fans anticipate and watch live on TV. Watching a game that’s recorded doesn’t have the same energy and impact as watching events as they unfold.
This zone is something internet TV services need to catch up on if they want the full advantage over cable TV providers. Currently, there’s a small number of streaming platforms that have a decent range of live sports content. FuboTV, one of the biggest platforms, doesn’t provide access to ESPN despite having a great variety of other channels.

However, streaming services are slowly improving in this area and are continuously trying to increase their live sports content.

Choosing the Right On-Demand Streaming Plan

With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which one you need. It’s difficult to declare just one streaming service as the best of all but we can help you decide which is best for you. There are a few factors that you can consider.

What type of content do you like?

Do you enjoy original shows? Then you might like Amazon Prime Video which has a great collection of titles such as The Marvelous Mrs. Masel and The Expanse. They are also heavily invested in creating more original content. If you or your family members are the type to enjoy Disney content, then you might prefer Disney+.

Each streaming platform caters to a different palate. In the battle for the best streaming platform, the type of content they offer is their best weapon.

How much are you willing to spend?

On-demand streaming platforms offer basic packages at really affordable prices that you can fit into your budget. Hulu’s most basic plan costs $5.99 a month and offers thousands of on-demand episodes. One of the good things about on-demand streaming is that you can subscribe to several different plans but still pay less than what cable TV will cost you.

Choosing the Right Live TV Streaming Plan

Compared to on-demand streaming, there are fewer platforms that provide live TV streaming. Depending on what they want, viewers can still find great alternatives to their cable TV subscription. The factors to consider are similar when you’re deciding on an on-demand streaming platform.

What type of content do you like?

Live sports content is most often the strongest point of live TV streaming services. We’ve mentioned before that there is an increasing number of options. For instance, Hulu is starting to offer more popular sports. Other platforms focus on live news and premium channels such as Showtime and HBO allowing viewers to watch content before on-demand platforms get them.

How much are you willing to spend?

Live TV streaming plans are more expensive than on-demand services due to the additional channels that they offer. However, it is still less than what you need to pay for a cable TV subscription. Hulu is a great platform that offers live TV with the basic package at $64.99 a month. Many big networks are also starting to launch their live TV streaming service.

If you do get a package from a network, your access will be limited to the shows that are offered by that network. This is a great option if you like most of the content they have and are looking for a less expensive option. HBO Now, for instance, comes at $14.99 while Showtime costs $10.99 a month.