Blog

June 11, 2019

5 Ways to Seamlessly Make the Shift From Traditional Pay TV to Live Streaming TV

 

It Might Be Time to Cut the Cord.

 

 

We often receive questions from local residents regarding streaming TV instead of continuing to pay hefty cable TV bills. Unfortunately, many of these same residents feel that the process of making the switch is complicated and they don’t have enough information to move forward.

 

Month after month, they continue paying their outrageous TV bills.

 

We want to educate you on how to pull the plug on traditional cable and have everything you want from TV—straight from your wireless Internet.

 

One thing is for sure you don’t want to be left behind staring at your TV like a deer in the headlights.

 

As Ty Pendlebury and David Katzmaier say in their Media Streamers blog, “All the cool kids, and a lot of the cool grownups, are cutting the cable TV cord.”

 

Here are some reasons to make the switch:

 

(1) Educate Yourself on What’s Happening.

 

Americans are getting rid of hefty cable bills. Soon, traditional pay TV will become obsolete and “go the way of the dinosaur.”

 

There are pros and cons for walking away from traditional cable service, but research is progressively showing that Americans are indeed leaving traditional-pay TV behind.

 

According to an article by Recode, the main reason consumers are still paying for cable because it’s bundled with their Internet.

 

The truth is, you no longer need to pay for cable TV. You only need reliable Internet service.

 

We know that change can be hard. Oftentimes, people continue to do things the “old way” due to lack of knowledge about how to do it the “new way.” Our goal is to remove the stigma that making the switch is complicated and help local residents understand how to make the change.

 

The frustration often lies in consumers having to patch together multiple services in order to watch all of their favorite programs.

 

“Television isn’t going extinct; it’s just evolving as the market reshapes around content that is deliberately chosen rather than passively accepted,” says NoCable contributing author, Megan Southard.

 

According to the Deloitte Digital Media Trends Survey, consumers aren’t letting frustration get in the way. Instead, they are taking control over their own entertainment experience which includes selecting for themselves which streaming services they find most valuable.

 

In other words, people are figuring it out. And we plan to help our customers do the exact same thing.

 

With CT’s Preferred Internet Packages, you can get the reliable Internet service you need combined with the assistance you want to get your streaming set up the right way, the first time!

 

 

(2) Determine Whether or Not You Have a Smart TV.

 

No more walking around blindfolded when it comes to streaming TV.

 

The first thing you need to understand is whether or not you have a Smart TV or a traditional TV. Here is a great breakdown on Smart TVs by Lifewire. In a nutshell, a Smart TV comes with an operating system/streaming platform integrated into the TV software that allows you to access, manage, and view online and network-based media content without the need to connect to an additional streaming media device such as a Roku or Firestick. You’ll want to refer to your TV’s manual to determine if your TV has Smart TV functionality.

 

If you do not have a Smart TV, NO PROBLEM. You can use an “old-school” TV however it may need to be 4K/HDR compatible to work with your selected streaming media device. This information is provided on the box or website for the streaming devices, while the instruction manual for your TV should indicate whether it is 4K/HDR capable.

 

Here are a few of the most popular streaming media devices to choose from:

 

Roku Streaming Stick Plus

Roku Ultra

Nvidia Shield

Apple TV 4K

Amazon Fire TV Cube

Google Chromecast 3rd Gen

 

You can check out the ratings for all of these products by referencing this Digital Trends Guide. Once you decide on a streaming device it’s best to price check the available options and buy the product you think will best suit your media preferences.

 

(3) Understand the Difference between a Streaming Media Device and TV Streaming Services.

 

The most basic rule you need to understand is this: if you don’t have a Smart TV you need a streaming media device. Once you have your streaming media device you can then decide which streaming service(s) you want to utilize.

 

If you want to join those ditching their cable TV but don’t want to ditch live TV completely, you’ve come to the right place.

 

Best Live TV Streaming Services for Cord-Cutters explains the basics of streaming TV:

 

“Live TV streaming services in the US like Sling TV and DirecTV Now let you watch most, if not all, of your favorite live TV channels—from ABC to CBS to CNN to ESPN to Fox News to Nickelodeon—streamed over the internet. And the monthly fee is likely far less than you’re paying the cable company for TV. Prices start at $15 per month with no extra fees or contracts. In place of a cable box, you’ll use an app on your smart TV, RokuAmazon Fire TV or Apple TV. And you can watch at home or on the go via a phone or tablet, or even a PC browser.”

 

Among the most popular multichannel live TV streaming services available today are:

 

 

Here is an additional article by Consumer Reports that we recommend you read prior to making the switch. Listed are additional options for streaming TV services such as Amazon Prime Video, CBS All Access, The Criterion Channel, ESPN+, Netflix, Starz, and HBO Now.

 

Take a breath. We know it’s a lot. But all of the previously-mentioned options offer a free trial, are contract-less, and trying them out and canceling them are a breeze. But be careful: we don’t advise simply selecting a streaming service based on price alone. Spend some time figuring out what you really watch, and select one or multiple streaming services to accommodate your current TV preferences.

 

(4) Select Your Streaming Service and Confidently Practice.

 

Hey hey, this isn’t a multimillion-dollar deal on the table. You aren’t going to break your TV playing around with these services. Just relax, watch a few YouTube videos, read some articles, and play around with your new streaming services. Again, if it isn’t the right fit all you need to do is cancel your subscription, which nowadays is as easy as unsubscribing from an unsolicited email campaign. No. Big. Deal.

 

It might take a little bit of trial and error until you figure out what works best for you. And yes, you’ll probably have to refer to your streaming media device manual a time or two, but that’s okay you’ll get the hang of it.

 

 

 

We are fully committed to helping you understand changing technology and equipping you to stay ahead of the times. For all your phone and Internet needs, CONNECT with CT Comm and get the answers and the bandwidth you need.

 

Please call our customer service team at (937) 653.4000 with any questions you have about your current Internet concerns. We are here to help you enjoy a faster, simpler, more reliable connection between you and the things that matter most.


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