Television has become a go-to way for people to relax. Taking a load off the stressful week and loafing in front of the TV is part of many people’s weekend activities.
Binge watchers are spoilt for choice with many different platforms to check out their favorite shows. Some prefer their trusted cable provider, while others prefer to stream their content. Many factors could contribute to this decision. We need to look at the differences and similarities to make the right choice for our lifestyle. Here are some Q&As to aid you.
What Is Cable TV?
In the late 1940s, the United States started to look for a solution for remote areas to likewise have access to television and its various networks. Thus, cable TV was born.
Signals sent via cables (fiber or coaxial) to the television would bring the different networks into homes across America, with many homes being sold with fitted connections already.
Along with high-quality broadcasts, cable TV could provide more than 50 different channels to viewers at any given time. News channels, sports channels, and other services could broadcast exclusively on cable networks as they have been scripted for this platform.
Long-term contracts for viewing packages make it convenient for users, too. The choice is often between regular monthly payments and annual payments.
How Does Online Streaming Work?
Streaming services have become more popular in recent years because of their convenience. Viewers can access content anytime from anywhere using devices like phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs.
Services like Compare TV could bring fan-favorite television shows and movies to their audience through the internet. With thousands of options, subscribers can choose from a wide range of content for their viewing pleasure.
Streaming services have varying applicable fees. Usually, there are no contracts involved, and payments are made on a month-to-month basis. Some services even offer a one-time rental fee to watch a movie.
Is There A Difference?
If we look at each type of service, there are a few differences that could change the mind of any person looking for a solution to their television woes.
Although cable is more reliable than streaming due to the constant connection, streaming services may offer just as many shows as a cable offering would. Online services, however, could struggle to provide seamless playback if the Wi-Fi signal is not optimal, for example.
Switching from one service to the next to find all the shows worth watching may be just as annoying as channel surfing on cable; the difference would be that each streaming site could have additional costs involved.
These services may require extra equipment to view through the television. For cable television, a set-top box would receive the signal from the cable connection, and from there, it is displayed on the television. For streaming services, there may be a tv box needed if the television is not already compatible with a smart TV, in which case no extra connections are required.
Cable services could also offer special bundles for viewers to purchase that could be less expensive than streaming services. Yet many streaming sites have started to provide different packages for their viewers, too.
Which One Is Right For You?
Depending on your lifestyle, the choice may not be as clear-cut. Weighing up all the options and looking at the pros and cons of how these two services fit into our daily lives would seem like the best way to solve this puzzle.
When considering cost, cable TV may most likely win, but streaming may come in first when it comes to convenience. Suppose traveling is not on the priority list and you’ve always been a homebody, go for cable TV. If you’d like a travel companion while you explore different places, then a streaming service suits you best.
If an unsteady internet connection hinders the streaming of shows, a cable option would be more reliable in this instance. Still, if there is no pre-existing cable connection, you might have to fork out a few extra bucks to have it installed and connected.
As the song goes, “video (may have) killed the radio star,” but when comparing cable TV and streaming services, the latter could become the future of television.
Final Thoughts
When choosing between cable TV and streaming connection, take individual preference, affordability, affordability, and convenience into consideration. Each of these factors would help narrow down the positive and negative concerns of the viewer.
People are known to have different tastes in movies and television shows. With cable and streaming services offering various kinds of entertainment, the decision may be swayed to one side or the other. In the end, your preference is what truly matters as you will be the viewer after all.