Cable

Four Things to Consider Before You Cut the Cord

Cord Cutting
Know the trade-offs before you ditch cable

Cutting the cord is tempting as pay TV costs rise and service slips. Before you cancel cable or satellite, weigh four key factors that decide whether streaming really saves you money.

1 Why Consumers Are Cutting the Cord

Many consumers today are cutting the cord and saying good-bye to their cable and satellite providers. And who could blame them? The cost of traditional pay TV is on the rise and customer service is declining rapidly.

According to Leichtman Research, the largest pay TV providers in the United States (approximately 95% of the market) lost twice as many subscribers this year: about 975,000 net video subscribers in 3Q 2018, compared to 410,000 in 3Q 2017.

With a large selection of streaming subscription services available to consumers, cutting the cord seems to make sense. But is it always the right decision? These are four things to consider before you cut the cord.

2 You Depend on Your Internet Service

You are dependent on your internet service. Depending on where you live, you may not always have a reliable internet connection. Although most people can live with the occasional blip in their connection, this could pose a huge problem when you’re engrossed in a show or sporting event.

3 Streaming Is Harder for Major Live Events

Streaming is harder for major live events. Although most streaming devices can handle high traffic, really big events could cause a slowdown. The quality of the video that you receive depends on the bandwidth available. This is directly affected by how many users in your neighborhood are on the same connection. Even more problematic is the number of people in your home who have devices using the same WiFi.

4 The Cost of Streaming Could Be Significant

The cost of streaming could be significant. Consumers who make the switch are seeking to decrease the monthly financial burden of pay TV. However, the cost of streaming services like Netflix, HBO Now, Amazon Prime, YouTube Red or Hulu Plus could be higher than you think. In fact, prices for streaming services continue to go up. Furthermore, if your internet connection is not fast enough, you have to consider the cost of upgrading the speed to ensure high-quality streaming.

5 You Might Be Stuck With Your Bundle

You might be stuck with your “bundle.” Companies like AT&T U-Verse and Verizon FiOS know how to ensure that customers depend on them: they provide bundled packages that make your services seem less expensive. In addition to the convenience of getting one bill, internet service is less expensive when you bundle it with your TV, and home phone services.

6 Is Cutting the Cord Right for You?

For many consumers, cutting the cord is a great decision. For others, there is not enough financial gain to justify losing a full array of network choices and to risk video quality. For consumers who aren’t quite ready to cut the cord, there are other, reliable ways to save money on your monthly bills.

Billshark can negotiate your cable, internet and phone bills while you sit back and reap the rewards. We have an 85% success rate lowering consumers’ monthly bills, with a $275 average savings per bill. Send us your bills, and we’ll do the rest.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are so many consumers cutting the cord?

The cost of traditional pay TV is on the rise and customer service is declining rapidly, so many consumers are saying good-bye to their cable and satellite providers. According to Leichtman Research, the largest pay TV providers in the United States lost about 975,000 net video subscribers in 3Q 2018, twice as many as the 410,000 lost in 3Q 2017.

Does cutting the cord depend on my internet service?

Yes. When you cut the cord you are dependent on your internet service. Depending on where you live, you may not always have a reliable internet connection. While most people can live with the occasional blip, an unreliable connection can pose a huge problem when you’re engrossed in a show or sporting event.

Why is streaming harder during major live events?

Although most streaming devices can handle high traffic, really big events could cause a slowdown. The quality of the video you receive depends on the bandwidth available, which is directly affected by how many users in your neighborhood are on the same connection and how many people in your home have devices using the same WiFi.

Could streaming end up costing me more than cable?

It can. The cost of streaming services like Netflix, HBO Now, Amazon Prime, YouTube Red or Hulu Plus could be higher than you think, and prices for streaming services continue to go up. If your internet connection is not fast enough, you also have to consider the cost of upgrading the speed to ensure high-quality streaming.

How can I save on my bills without cutting the cord?

If you aren’t quite ready to cut the cord, there are other reliable ways to save. Billshark can negotiate your cable, internet and phone bills while you sit back and reap the rewards. We have an 85% success rate lowering consumers’ monthly bills, with a $275 average savings per bill.

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Four Things to Consider Before You Cut the Cord page context

Four Things to Consider Before You Cut the Cord is a Billshark resource with information and navigation relevant to recurring bills, consumer choices, and savings decisions.

Thinking of cutting the cord? Weigh internet reliance, live-event streaming, the true cost of streaming and bundle traps before you cancel cable today.

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Cutting the cord is tempting as pay TV costs rise and service slips.

Many consumers today are cutting the cord and saying good-bye to their cable and satellite providers.

According to Leichtman Research.

With a large selection of streaming subscription services available to consumers, cutting the cord seems to make sense.

You are dependent on your internet service.

Streaming is harder for major live events.

The cost of streaming could be significant.

You might be stuck with your “bundle.”.

For many consumers, cutting the cord is a great decision.

Billshark can negotiate your cable, internet and phone bills while you sit back and reap the rewards.

The cost of traditional pay TV is on the rise and customer service is declining rapidly, so many consumers are saying good-bye to their cable and satellite providers.

Yes.

Although most streaming devices can handle high traffic, really big events could cause a slowdown.

It can.

If you aren’t quite ready to cut the cord, there are other reliable ways to save.

Billshark negotiates your bills for you — no savings, no fee.

Billshark helps lower internet, wireless, cable, satellite radio, and other monthly bills.

Our experts handle providers for customers and share updates throughout the process.

Customers pay only when Billshark finds savings on eligible bills.

1 Why Consumers Are Cutting the Cord.

2 You Depend on Your Internet Service.

3 Streaming Is Harder for Major Live Events.

4 The Cost of Streaming Could Be Significant.

5 You Might Be Stuck With Your Bundle.

6 Is Cutting the Cord Right for You?.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Why are so many consumers cutting the cord?.

Does cutting the cord depend on my internet service?.

Why is streaming harder during major live events?.

Could streaming end up costing me more than cable?.

How can I save on my bills without cutting the cord?.

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