People used to be entertained by watching TV, but nowadays everyone prefers to watch online streaming and live video. The demand for television that introduces some persons and their tales to the public will never dwindle. People who were watching a certain show were continually anticipating what will happen next. Currently, the situation has altered to the point where technology allows the general public to watch their favorite shows at their leisure.
We frequently hear about people being addicted to Netflix or watching online videos of their favorite series. Once upon a time, the only method to watch your current favorite shows was through a cable connection. Since the pandemic has hit the world back in 2020, the world has only seen a rise in this addiction to streaming services due to the ease and undeniable convenience.
The internet service providers have only made people switch to online streaming much easier as well. When the users are aware of the quality connections and are also worry-free with customer services, they tend to make the decision quicker. For instance, with Charter customer service, Spectrum users are free to contact the support representative at any given time to have their connection-related concerns taken care of.
When it comes to the debate that is online internet streaming going to kill cable TV, two arguments come to mind that are evident for causing people to cut their cords and why possibly it will be affect cable in the future.
The Pricing Factor
Who does not want to save themselves any small buck that they can? What astounds us is how costly cable television has become. It’s a $100 monthly membership with all the setting up and also the remote control fees included in the price. Furthermore, canceling a membership is time-consuming and difficult.
Cable TV usually broadcasts movies and TV shows that are already available on streaming services. TV is great for sports like the Superbowl, or the FIFA Cup as well as specific events and game shows, but is it worth paying extra to see a once-a-year event? Not at all, especially now that more games and sports are available online. Hence giving more and more reason to the people to make a switch from cable to online streaming.
The Advertising Factor
Commercial breaks have all but disappeared. It’s so old-school to watch a movie at a set hour. The days of rapid cooking to create snacks between commercial breaks so you don’t miss the movie are remembered fondly. It has been a driving force for the viewers to leave cable TV behind and turn to stream options. The number of advertisements and commercial breaks continues to increase and proportionally affects the viewing experience.
This also does not mean that online streaming is an entirely ad-free space. We have also been witnessing a rise in the streaming services that offer a rather cheaper yet ad-supported plan. But once again, it does give you affordability. Whereas, when it comes to the cable, the entire model has commercials inserted into it. So you might be paying more than $40 for the basic cable while subscribing to an ad-supported plan of a streaming service will never cost you more than $15 to the maximum.
Is TV Cable Being Killed?
People are increasingly turning to the Internet for television programming. However, this does not imply that traditional television is no longer relevant. Networks and service providers are becoming more sophisticated, and they are following their customers to the Internet. Plenty of major networks have agreements with online streaming providers that give them access to programs after they have aired. Some even offer their online streaming services.
Recent episodes of popular shows are available on the websites of networks such as NBC, ABC, and FOX.
Despite numerous predictions of television’s demise, it has not yet died out and is unlikely to do so. However, mass free-to-air broadcasting’s reach and power have been steadily falling for decades. Everyone used to watch the same shows twenty years ago. Because of narrowcasting via cable and satellite, the viewership has been much more dispersed since then.
Conclusion
People watching a certain show will always be anticipating what will happen next. Currently, the situation has altered to the point where technology allows the general public to watch their favorite shows at their leisure. As a result, the general fate of cable television is shifting, and resultantly people are becoming increasingly reliant on streaming services.