According to the FCC, Cable TV subscribers in the US peaked in 2000 at 68.5 million. Since then, cable TV subscriptions have been declining. There are a variety of estimates on the number of current subscriptions, but what is not in dispute is that the numbers are heading down.
In 2017, a total of 22.2 million U.S. adults will have cut the cord on cable, satellite or telco TV service to date — up 33% from 16.7 million in 2016 — according to one researcher’s predictions.
If you are considering becoming one of the “cord cutters” and reducing the ever larger cable TV bill, this series is for you.
“Cord Cutting” replacement options come in two flavors.
1) OTA (Over The Air). In most major metro areas, there are plenty of these, and we’ll discuss your options in this area as part of this series. These are broadcast TV channels that are in High Definition, available for free.
2) Streaming Services. Many people are discovering that there are many entertainment options available over the internet “pipe”. Almost everyone knows about Netflix, streaming video for a low monthly cost. High speed internet is becoming a standard requirement in a modern home. Because of this, there are now many “streaming” services that can bring you most or all of the cable channels you need over the internet, at a fraction of the cost of standard cable.
In this multi-part series, we’ll be discussing the hardware and software as well as the pros and cons of implementing a “cord cutting” strategy. This technology is rapidly evolving, so stay tuned for an overview and then we’ll post updates as they occur.
If you have any questions about Cord Cutting, or any other Home Automation advice, feel free to give us a call at 303-665-2238.