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With cable no longer being as affordable as it used to be, more and more people (including myself) have cut the cord and become completely reliant on streaming platforms for their entertainment needs. But as I’ve learned through my own experiences, transitioning from cable to on-demand streaming comes with challenges.
So, here’s my take on everything I wish I’d known before switching from cable. Some of these turned out to be pleasant surprises, while others were unexpected hurdles that I wish I had been better prepared for.
1I Can Still Watch Almost Everything
Given this, I no longer feel I’m missing out on popular shows, movies, or even new games. Take, for example, the 2024 Summer Olympics, which I was able tostream using Peacock. I didn’t have this convenience a few years ago, but with so many options available now, transitioning away from cable has become easier than ever.
One of the challenges with cutting the cord is that you’ll need to upgrade to a reliable, fast internet plan to keep up with your streaming needs. With so manyplatforms offering 4K viewing, a basic internet plan won’t cut it anymore. Buffering and slow loading speeds can really affect your streaming experience, which is why it helps to have a high-speed plan.
The good news is that finding such a plan is no longer a challenge. Numerous providers offer standalone internet plans tailored for low-latency gaming and streaming. So, do your research and pick the best provider in your area.
3Cutting the Cord Increases Your Reliance on a Single Provider
If you have your home internet and phone services bundled with the same provider, cutting the cord means you’re putting all your eggs in one basket. Should your internet service go down, you’ll be left without any option to stream your favorite content.
In all honesty, this hasn’t been overly difficult to deal with. There have only been a handful of times when I’ve been really frustrated with an outage that has affected my ability to stream shows or movies. During these times, I, in fact, welcomed the opportunity to unplug and step out. But, of course, if you were, say, looking forward to watching some live entertainment and the internet went out, it can be a real bummer.
44. The Savings Aren’t as Great as I Hoped
The reason I switched from cable to on-demand streaming was in the hopes of saving some money. Over time, my cable bill had steadily increased, and I figured switching from that to a couple of streaming platforms would help reduce some of my entertainment-related expenses.
5Being Free of Contracts is Refreshing
Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of cutting the cord has been the freedom of not being tied down by a contract. I regularly try out new streaming services and cancel the subscription if I’m unhappy with what I’m getting. The best part is that I get to do this without paying any penalties.
This can be a game-changer for someone who travels regularly or who is just looking for a little more flexibility in managing their budget.
6I Really Appreciate On-Demand Content
A perk of on-demand streaming that I’ve gotten really used to and don’t appreciate as much anymore is how I can now watch anything I want without having to rely on a pre-determined schedule. Whether binge-watching an entire show or watching all the movies in a series back-to-back, streaming platforms allow me to tailor my viewing experience to exactly whatever I’m in the mood for.
When I switched to on-demand streaming, one of the things I really loved was watching content without interruptions from ads. But times have changed, and most streaming players have now rolled out ad-supported versions of once-free plans. These plans are cheaper than the ad-free plans, but the trade-off, of course, is that you’ll have a few ads popping up and interrupting your viewing experience sporadically.
This doesn’t bother everyone, and subscribing to an ad-supported plan can be a great way to save money. However, it takes away from the uninterrupted experience many of us associate with streaming. If this really bothers you, and you don’t want to spend more on ad-free plans, consider only subscribing toad-free platforms.
8Do a Trial Run Before You Go Cable-Free
Cutting the cord to cable can be a game-changer for many in terms of access to content and financial flexibility. But if you’ve relied on cable primarily so far, there’s no denying that the transition can be challenging. To avoid getting out of your cable contract only to regret it after a few months, consider trying out a few streaming services.
Many platforms, from Hulu to Prime Video, offer free trials. Signing up for these will allow you to explore the available content while still having access to cable TV. If you like the experience, you’re able to cut the cord and be cable-free.
