We live in an age where we are surrounded by various options for the fulfillment of our entertainment cravings. On one hand, you have the option of cable TV where you can watch content produced by the TV industry along with a massive channel lineup, while on the other hand, you have streaming services that offer you a huge library of TV shows, movies, and originals. And of course, there is no denying that cord-cutting has been on the rise, especially in the last couple of years, people have increasingly started shifting towards streaming sites and this, as a result, has caused a rapid decline in the subscription of cable TV.
There is a pretty good chance that if you have clicked on this article, you might be thinking about either cutting the cord or getting bundled services. Well, to make up your mind, you need to look at both services from all angles. Cable TV and streaming sites have their own advantages and we are going to take a look at them so you can decide which one suits you the best,
Let us walk you through the advantages of both services.
1. Content Availability
Let’s first take a look at the channel lineup and the content availability on the streaming sites. When it comes to Live TV streaming services, you would find that only a few of them might have crossed the threshold of 100 channels, whereas, cable TV providers offer a massive and impressive list of channels and that too in multiple languages.
Let’s take the example of Mediacom, one of the leading providers in the United States. Its channel lineup is truly amazing and worth investing in. On top of it, if you are interested in watching content in Spanish then Mediacom canales is the right place for you. You can get more than 170 channels including the ones related to sports.
On the other hand, streaming sites may provide you content options that are currently popular and in high demand, but that too might stay on these sites for a limited period of time. Moreover, it is quite rare to get a platform that provides you with live sports, which can be a huge bummer for you, if you are a sports fanatic.
With that being said, when it comes to channel and quantity, we have got to say, cable TV does take the lead because of its wide range of channels and content.
2. Video Quality
The video quality differs significantly between both services. When it comes to on-demand OTT platforms like Netflix and Hulu, you need a consistent, reliable, and superfast internet connection to stream the content without any interruptions. Moreover, it also depends on the quality offered by these sites. Most of the time, you can only reach 1080p HD, or even if you stretch it so much, you can only get 4K, which again, depends on the quality of your internet connection.
Also, most of the Live TV streaming sites only limit you to 720p quality, which we might add is not quite good, and coupled with poor Wi-Fi or network signals, you may get even lower than this along with the very infamous Mr. Buffering.
Now, with just a few exceptions, cable TV is known for delivering higher video quality content with a 4K picture definition. Yes, your connection might suffer from bad weather or network outages but in the end, the quality of the video does make a great difference when you compare it with the one you get from streaming sites.
3. Cost
We have got to say, when it comes to pricing and cost, streaming sites do win the race. If you have a monthly subscription to a very popular streaming site such as Netflix, then you will only be paying $9.99 for a month. But cable TV can turn out to be quite expensive. The monthly fees might end up putting a dent in your account and you can even prepare yourself for pouring more money down the drain since there is always a chance of an increase in cable bills every month or so.
Also, most of the cable TV providers bound you in contracts, which at first might come with a discount but it is always a good option to go for it since what if you plan to cancel the contract? Most of these companies might place penalties or charge you hefty termination fees.
4. Portability and Accessibility
When you are moving to a new house, you might find it quite challenging to find a cable TV provider in your area. Moreover, there is also a huge hassle of getting it installed, and when you are done getting it all, there comes the issue of portability. Not many cable TV providers offer the option of getting cable TV on the go.
On the other hand, you can always watch live TV streaming or streaming sites on your devices such as a laptop, smartphone, or tablet while you are either commuting or maybe sitting at a café and trying to kill time. This makes streaming sites a bit more convenient than cable television.
Final Words
We know that it can get pretty intimidating to decide whether to go for a streaming service or stick with cable TV. However, it all comes down to your needs and requirements. If cost is not an issue for you then cable TV is probably the good choice. You can even get bundled offers and get the best of both worlds by watching content on your big screen while also taking advantage of OTT platforms.
