For years, cable television services have been the only way to enjoy high-quality entertainment. Yet with the rise of alternative options, more and more users are switching off their traditional cable services for good.
The cost of cable has also increased, growing at a rate of around 6% each year. So is it worth it, or are you better off looking into alternative options?
Keep reading for a guide on the ultimate TV debate.
How Much Could You Save?
When deciding if cable and satellite TV services are worth it, you should first assess your financial situation.
The average cable cost is now $217.42 per month. This is more than the cost of all other utility bills combined. Although not all cable options are this expensive, their cost is still substantial.
If you calculate the savings the average user could save over a year, it ends up being more than $2,500. Convert that into a 5-year period, and you’re looking at savings of around $12,500.
This is more than enough to take several luxury vacations, pay off different forms of debt, or invest in the stock market. What would you do with the savings?
Consider the Alternatives to Cable
Although cutting the chord can seem like a difficult choice, keep in mind the extent of alternatives that exist.
Today, streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime let you watch a huge number of shows and movies for a monthly subscription. For most of these services, the cost is around $10 a month.
If you subscribe to these three services, the cost ends up being around $30 a month. Purchasing Roku or an Apple TV will let you watch basic channels, and will cost you a one time cost of $49 or $99.
For spending a fraction of the cost, you’ll still be able to watch a near-endless variety of TV shows and movies. Yet the debate rages on. Check out DTV USA Forum to learn more about the latest television news and reviews.
Ask Yourself What You Would Miss
Although the savings are substantial, you’ll also need to ask yourself what you would be missing out on if you switched away from cable and satellite TV.
One thing you might miss out on is the variety of TV channels. Modern satellite providers offer hundreds or thousands of channels, letting you watch anything your heart desires. This also means losing some subscription-based channels, such as Showtime and HBO.
Another thing you may lose is the ability to watch something the moment it’s released. Many channels upload TV episodes onto their websites, but you may have to wait a while for this to happen. If you’re impatient and want to see your favorite show the moment it comes out, it might be worth sticking with cable.
Make the Decision: Are Cable Television Services Worth It?
It can be hard to decide whether or not it’s worth it to stick with cable television services. Yet by following this guide and assessing your situation, you’ll be able to make an informed decision.
What do you think? Is it worth it to make the switch to modern alternatives?
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