Cable and cord-cutting are trending and hot topics nowadays. A huge population believes in cord-cutting as a means to save money, while others present valid points to justify having cable TV.
In recent years, there has been an increased number of streaming services, giving tough competition to cable providers. On the contrary, cable TV providers are also introducing new perquisites to retain their existing customers and attract new ones.
When it comes to streaming services, Netflix is the first name that hits our minds. Whether you like it or not, the streaming service provider is the pioneer of streaming and stays on top of the rest of its competitors.
The same is the case with some of the cable providers in the country offering bundles combining cable, internet, and phone to stay with them. Some of the best ones include Spectrum, Mediacom, and Optimum cable offering decent and affordable plans and packages.
In this post, we are going to compare cable and Netflix side by side to help you decide which one is best for you. But before anything else, look at some of the numbers indicating the trend among cable and streaming customers.
Cable VS Streaming Statistics
- Around 8 percent of residents of the United States planned to cancel cable services in July 2020.
- It is estimated that 55.1 percent of American households will cut the cord by 2022
- The share of cord-cutters in the United States was 25 percent in 2018
- In the first quarter of 2019, US pay-TV providers lost around 132500 subscribers
- In 2018, around 186.7 million United States residents watched satellite or cable TV
- Netflix spent approximately $13 billion on content in 2018
- According to eMarketer, approximately 15.4 million households will subscribe to streaming services by 2024.
- Around 77.6 million people still exist on the planet who will pay for cable TV, according to Fortune.
- The average cable TV bill is around $212.42 per month, which is increasing day by day
- 187 channels go unwatched on average
- 75 percent of adults rely on social media platforms to get the latest news.
From the above statistics, it is clear that people are inclined more towards streaming services rather than cable TV. In our opinion, cable TV has its pros and cons while Netflix has its benefits and drawbacks. To find out, let us have a look at different factors making cable TV and Netflix win over others.
Cable VS Netflix Price
Cable TV has its benefits like a huge channel lineup, DVR services, premium ads on and so much more. But when it comes to prices, cable TV is undoubtedly a money sucker vampire. Apart from high cable prices, there are some hidden charges, cable box charges, contract cancellation charges, and so much more. Plus if you have added premium channels like HBO, SHOWTIME, and Cinemax, things are going to go above and beyond $100 per month.
In comparison to cable TV subscriptions, Netflix is as economical as it gets. You have several options when it comes to Netflix like basic, standard, and premium plan starting from as low as $8.99 per month to as high as $17.99 per month. For merely less than $20 a month, you will be able to watch Netflix on four screens simultaneously along with unlimited movies and TV shows that you have been looking for, for a while.
Cable VS Netflix Channels
Cable TV is best suited for big and small families having various sets of needs. For instance, teenagers might like to watch college football and NFL championship often, while kids might love to watch Nickelodeon. Similarly, grown-ups and nerds would love to watch news and channels like Discovery and National Geographic. With the varying needs of everyone in the house, cable TV is a far better option than streaming service.
Netflix, on the other hand, allows you to watch only a limited set of TV shows, movies, and Netflix Originals. However, if you are not regularly watching live sporting events, news, and other channels, Netflix is going to be the ultimate source of entertainment. Similarly, if you live alone in your apartment and barely find time to watch television, Netflix is going to fulfill your entertainment needs.
Cable Vs Netflix Mobility
Cable TV allows you to watch your favorite shows, movies, and live events with just one subscription. However, when it comes to mobility, most cable services do not offer a mobile app to help subscribers watch TV on the go. That means cable TV subscribers can only watch TV when they are at home or any other place with a connection and television set.
On the contrary, Netflix allows mobility and gives freedom to watch anything on the go. You can download your favorite shows and movies for offline viewing or connect to mobile data to watch programs on the go. Moreover, Netflix can be watched from several compatible devices including smart TV, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Roku, and many more.
Cable Vs Netflix Contract
Cable TV is a better choice for large and small households willing not to move anywhere out of town or country. Most of the cable companies come with a long-term contract, which might put a heavy penalty in case if the period is not served. Those who need to move around frequently either need to find a cable company offering the no-contract option or simply subscribe to a streaming service like Netflix.
Netflix is free to subscribe and unsubscribe anytime whenever you want without worrying about the contract. Whether you use it for a month or a year, the only charges you need to pay are monthly charges. Plus there are no additional charges unlike cable services such as rental box service, installation charges, and price hikes after a year or two.
Final Verdict
When it comes to deciding cord-cutting VS cable TV, both have some drawbacks and benefits. It is up to you to decide which one is better and why. In our opinion, if you are single and don’t love watching sports and live events, Netflix or other streaming services will serve your entertainment purpose.
