Entertainment has taken a great toll after the emergence of the internet. There are plenty of platforms to enjoy movies, documentaries, cartoons, and TV series. Two of the most popular platforms are cable TV and streaming services. You can find plenty of cable providers offering packages and plans that suit most of the household needs. Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity, Mediacom, and Optimum TV are few to name.
When it comes to streaming services, you can find free and paid services. Although the premium ones are undoubtedly offering a huge collection of movies and TV shows. Free ones are great too if you are tight on budget. Some of the best streaming services include Netflix, Hulu, Philo, ESPN, HBO Now, and many more.
Both cable TV and streaming services offer you plenty of content to watch, but when it comes to deciding the best one out of two, it puts you in a state of confusion. But don’t worry, we are here to help you out in deciding the best one. Let’s have a side by side comparison of cable TV and streaming services.
Cable TV
The best part of cable TV is its channel offering. You can find plenty of channel list along with premium channels add-on to fulfill your craving. From news channels like ABC, FOX, and CBS to sports channels like ESPN, NBC, MLA, and Fox Sports. You can also find channels like E! Entertainment, Food Network, and History Channel to digest more than you could crave.
Cable TV also allows you to add-on DVR service, which is free to add for some services, while others may charge a nominal price. If for some reason you missed your important show, you can record it and watch later through DVR service. Moreover, you can watch it on your smartphone, and other smart devices.
On the other hand, the cost of cable TV is much more expensive than streaming services. Even some streaming services also add up the cost later on, but not as much as cable TV subscriptions.
Cable TV subscriptions can cost you around $50 to $150 as per your plan. However, there are some other charges as well that you have to bear during the first time installation and after the completion of the first year. Some of the cable TV providers also charge you extra for opting out of the service before the contract ends. This may put a dent on your budget.
For those who are on the move and can’t afford early contract termination charges should consider streaming services. However, for large households, cable TV is one of the best options to fulfill everyone’s needs.
If you add premium channels like Disney+, Showtime, Cinemax, or HBO to your cable TV, you need to pay more. Most of the people who are busy in their work and can’t find time to watch TV should consider streaming service. But if live sporting events and other live broadcasts are on your list, cable TV is undoubtedly ahead of streaming services.
Most of the cable TV providers also offer you bundle plans to help you save more and enjoy a lot of benefits. For instance, if you subscribe to Optimum TV packages, you can enjoy up to 220+ channels, a voice-activated remote, and a $100 amazon gift card.
Pros of Cable TV
- No need to worry about internet connectivity
- Easy to follow TV guide to watch shows at a particular time
- Favorite channels available only through cable TV
- Sports fans can watch live sporting events
- Bundle plans offer you plenty of savings
Cons of Cable TV
- Prices are too high
- Extra charges for terminating the contract
- The surge in bills after one or two year
Streaming Services
Streaming services have gained immense popularity in recent years due to flexibility, convenience, cost, and mobility. You don’t need to pay a rental fee for equipment, neither you need to buy. However, if you want to watch Netflix originals, Amazon Prime Videos, or HBO Game of Thrones, you need to have a stable and high-speed internet connection.
Streaming services require you to pay a subscription for your favorite service and get hooked to the latest TV series, blockbuster movies, documentaries, animated shows, and much more. The best part is you do not need to confine yourself to a place to watch your favorite shows and movies.
Connect any smart device to the internet, and start watching whatever you like. In addition, if you have multiple streamers at home, you don’t need to worry about them as well. Paying a bit more would allow you to stream on multiple devices simultaneously. Streaming services are best suited for singles who aren’t much into watching news, and sports channels, but rather rely on movies and TV series provided on respective streaming service.
Compared to cable TV, streaming service subscription is affordable and within the reach of everyone. Plus, you don’t need to have any special equipment. You can start streaming on your mobile device, smart TV, PC, or tablet.
Unlike cable TV, streaming services come with fixed prices and plans. Apart from a few, you know what you need to pay every month. There are no gimmicks and no hidden charges. If you are a frequent mover, streaming services is much better than a cable subscription.
Streaming services provide a huge collection of movies and TV shows. However, if you are a sports buff or want to watch the live broadcast, streaming service is not for you. Apart from a few of them which provide local channel broadcasts such as Hulu and Philo, you can’t watch your favorite channels on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, or Disney+.
Pros of Streaming Services
- Affordable option as compared to cable TV
- Flexibility, ease, and convenience
- Watch everything on the move
- No hidden charges
- Ability to download your favorite movie to watch in offline mode
- Stream on multiple devices simultaneously by paying a small fee
- No need to buy any extra equipment
Cons of Streaming Services
- Wait for the next season to be available on streaming service
- News, sporting and live broadcast is unavailable
