Above / With more than 15 years of experience, TV Pro Mike Brozovich is on the go, providing affordable packages and installations from the simple to the sophisticated for residential and commercial service.
By Mike Brozovich, The TV Pro Installation
If you think you are paying too much for pay TV (via cable or satellite companies) you are not alone. During 2018 an estimated 6 million US consumers dropped their paid TV subscription. If you are considering doing the same, you might find this article helpful in understanding your viewing options after cutting the cord.
In 2018, the average of cost of paid TV was around $107 per month. So, dropping paid TV will free up a little over $1,200 a year. But don’t start counting that money yet. You will have to spend some of it on new equipment and content.
Consider an HD Antenna
A relatively easy and inexpensive viewing option is to install an HD antenna. This solution allows you to watch network TV stations live for only the cost of the antenna and associated wiring.
The antenna connects to your TV and is installed outside on the roof or inside in the attic. An HD antenna enables you to watch local broadcast stations and is ideal for news and sports. In the Naperville area you can pick up between 5–12 HD channels depending on your location and the type of antenna installed.
Pick Your Streaming Services
Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video—these three top streaming services are pretty much household names. The services are relatively inexpensive and provide access to vast selections of TV shows and movies, plus original content. However, the services are not identical, with each offering a somewhat different focus of content, along with different pricing options for HD video and multiple screen use.
Netflix is a good all-purpose service; Hulu focuses on recently aired network shows and you can add a live-TV option; Amazon Prime Video is part of the larger Amazon Prime membership that provides free shipping and more. Viewers can also subscribe to only Amazon Video.
For those want to keep certain cable or broadcast channels, several firms offer lower-priced cable alternatives with fewer channel selections but more generous watching possibilities than cable. (YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, Sony PSVue and Sling TV are some.)
Get a Streaming Device (if you need one)
To take advantage of streaming services, you’ll need a way to display them on your TV.
New Smart TVs usually have this capability built in. For those with non-smart TVs, setting it up for streaming can still be a simple process, but you may need a separate streaming device that connects your TV to the internet to access the online services.
Depending on your needs and budget, your options include devices from among the following Roku, Google, Amazon and Apple, or game consoles from Microsoft (Xbox One) and Sony (PS4).
Lastly, if you have a laptop, you can simply plug your Internet accessible computer into your TV via an HDMI cable. This will enable you to stream content to your computer and then mirror the output to your TV.
Take Away
Cord-cutting can be a great option for those who want to lower their bill and are flexible about the programs they watch. But all the choices can get complicated. Some key points to consider: determine what shows and content are important to you; how many people (i.e. screens) do you need to enable at a time; what type of budget to set versus what you will save.
The landscape changes quickly, so check availability and current costs of services and equipment before you cut the cord.
Have questions, drop me a message at thetvpro.com.
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