“Just one more episode.” All night I’ve been procrastinating writing this article as I click on the next episode in the series I’ve been watching. I guess what makes the shows easy to watch is that I don’t have to wait through commercials and I get to pick when, what and how I watch.
For the past couple years I’ve subscribed to Netflix online and on-demand video streaming service. I made the swap from cable simply due to cost, and although I feel like my choices are somewhat limited, I’ve been fairly happy. I’m probably going to add another service in the coming months.
I field the question of whether to cut cable quite a bit. I’m always surprised when I get asked because I fix computers and don’t have anything to do with TV. My stock answer almost always boils down to money but mixes in the cons.
Last week I heard that cable TV companies lose an estimated 3% of business to streaming video companies each year. Though they didn’t list a reason, I suspect it’s due to cost. As television shows enter syndication companies like Netflix and Hulu have the option of buying them. For example, the television show Seinfeld was just purchased by Hulu and will be available online in coming weeks.
Convenience is another reason many have chosen to go with online services. I receive Netflix with a wireless adapter that plugs into the back of my TV. The adapter connects to my wireless network and allows high definition video. My television needs only be within range of my wireless router to receive the broadcast.
When I was subscribed to cable I had the option of a video recorder so I could view shows later. One of the beautiful choices with streaming services is those video recorder boxes are unnecessary. If I want to stop watching a show I can pick it back up days later and from any device.
Downsides? Yes there are plenty. Watching major sporting events – or for that matter any sporting event – is impossible. I watched this year’s Super Bowl by connecting my laptop to my TV with an HDMI cable. It might have been easier to buy the neighbors a few bags of chips in exchange for the use of their couch space.
Current news is also not going to happen with online streaming services. I haven’t seen the six o’clock news in some time and am not sure it even comes on at six. I supplement by reading the paper everyday and listening to the radio. I still don’t trust the internet for news.
One last negative to streaming services is not finding all the shows you watch on one service. Some services own some shows while others own a different selection. Seinfeld can only be seen on Hulu while some shows are only available on Netflix. It’s rare, but some are on both. True television addicts may have to subscribe to multiple services.
For now, I’m satisfied with the choice I made to cut my cable bill out of the picture. Though I was never really addicted to the tube, I still enjoy killing some time catching up on my home improvement reality shows. If making the cut is something you’ve considered take my advice and research the shows you like to make sure they’re available. You’ll still need an internet connection, but the cost savings may well be worth the change.
(Jeromy Patriquin is the President of Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. located at 509 Main St. in Gardner. You can call him at (978) 919-8059 or visit www.LocalComputerWiz.com.)