If there was ever a perfect way to be lazy, achieve nothing of value, and love every minute of it, it’s watching TV.
We certainly have excelled at it. The Atlantic reported that Americans spend an average of eight hours a day in front of a TV. What’s really surprising is that the rise of the Internet didn’t slow down TV consumption. If you look at the figures, TV watching peaked in 2012, a good 12 years after the majority of American homes gained access to the Internet. No getting around it – we love TV.
But one thing that most people don’t love about their TVs is the cost. Statista reported that the average cable or satellite TV package cost about $100 per month. Providers try and justify that expense with the hundreds of channels you get access to, but NBC News reported that the average household only watches about 17 channels regularly. That’s a lot of money wasted. There’s got to be a better way.
If you want to stop wasting money on services you never use, you need to cancel your cable subscription now – “cut the cord,” so to speak. I’ll explain how you can do it safely, and still enjoy as much great TV as you want. All you’ll need is a TV, an Internet connection, and a strong desire to save money.
Decide What you Watch Most
When you’re ready to cut the cord, start by thinking about the channels that you enjoy the most. You should ask yourself:
- Why do I watch the channels I do? For one or two shows or the whole network?
- Do I enjoy movies, TV shows, or sports the most?
- Do I ever use pay-per-view or just what comes in the standard subscription?
Find Services that Provide Your Preferred Content
Once you know what you enjoy most, your next task is to identify a service that caters to your preferred content. Some examples you can explore include:
Crunchyroll
Crunchy roll is all about anime. For $5 a month, you get access to hundreds of different anime titles that you can stream directly to your TV. Crunchyroll distinguishes itself by offering more simul-cast series than any other service, meaning you can watch new episodes as they debut in Japan.
The only real downside is that the majority of shows are in Japanese with English subs only. If you don’t like to ‘read’ your TV shows, Crunchyroll may not be for you. Plus, their programming is exclusively anime/Japanese pop culture focused. You won’t find Martha Stewart here.
Netflix
Netflix offers a host of great content at a more than reasonable price. Business Insider reported that Netflix currently has over 5,500 TV shows and movies. If TV shows are your thing, Netflix has really started to focus in on the TV market, bringing in both fan favorites and original programming.
The big downside with Netflix is that they frequently swap out programming and tend to cancel new shows if they’re not exceeding expectations. There’s a big risk here that you’ll lose the programming that you love most. It also takes them much longer to get access to new shows and movies.
Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)
IPTV is cable without the cable. For a fraction of what your subscription currently costs, you’ll access the majority of the same channels, movies, and sports seasons that you enjoy most. Additionally, IPTV is streamed over the Internet, meaning you don’t have to deal with running any cables or installing a satellite dish. You can also hide any channels you don’t watch – no more surfing through dozens just to find one.
IPTV is the best overall option for getting the same experience you have with cable, without any of the hassles.
Make Your Decision and Break Away!
Once you’ve decided what service or services match your preferences, it’s time to cut the cord! Cancel your subscription, and get signed up with the service of your choice. You’ll be spending the same time you always do, watching your favorite shows, with more money in your pocket.