Week 7 

3/11:  Cutting the Cord

Our agenda today:

Our web lesson contains lots of information. There are many issues surrounding Cutting the Cord, and we could not address them all.  Use the discussion board to ask questions or open up discussions regarding this topic.  

Review from last time (online safety)

Presentation

Homework:

Lots to do.  Use the worksheet to work the math on cutting the cord.  If you have already cut the cord, it will be useful to see what you have and perhaps to add or delete some services.  No quiz this week.  But lots of work (do your worksheet!).  And please take the survey on our class so far.

Recording

Lots of information in Cutting the Cord.  You can review Tuesday's class by clicking here. 

Bonus from students: 

 How to cancel subscriptions, unsubscribe from apps and more.  This very useful document tells it all! 

From Consumer reports: Best free streaming services

FAST (free, ad sponsored streaming television) sites on the Verge website.

From Tom's Guide:  Best free streaming in March

Bonus:

Do you want "Just the Facts"?  Here are links to all of the services and companies mentioned, as well as valuable resources to help you learn more.  

What is Cutting the Cord?

Cutting the cord refers to people who are frustrated with cable and satellite services and costs who cancel their traditional cable or satellite service to receive entertainment options using a different option.

What to consider when switching




Advantages and Disadvantages of Cutting the Cord

Advantages:

·        Cost savings:  Cable TV comes with lots of channels, many of which we don’t watch.  There are also fees and taxes included, making it expensive for many people. Streaming services start at a much lower cost, and you can subscribe only to the services that offer what you want.

·        Flexibility and customization:  While cable TV may require contracts and penalties for early termination, most streaming services are month-to-month.  This allows subscribers to come and go as this wish.

·        On-demand content:  Streaming services offer on-demand, meaning you watch what you want when you want to watch it.

·        Wide range of content:  Streaming services include something for everyone from the mainstream platforms (like Hulu and Netflix) to specific genres like horror, documentaries, and international content. 

·        No equipment rentals:  With streaming services, there are no cable boxes and DVRs to rent or buy.  You can stream from your smart TV.  If you don’t have one, you can stream from your smartphone or device, or you can purchase streaming device like Roku or Amazon Fire Stick.

·        High-quality streaming:  Many services offer high-definition (HD) and even 4K streaming quality, which may be better than you are getting with your cable plan.

·        Access anywhere:  With streaming services, you can watch it everywhere with an internet connection.  They are not tied to a location.  You can sign in at vacation rentals, hotels or other non-home locations to watch.

·        No hidden fees:  Cable will sometimes charge for things like equipment rental, installation and even some types of programming.  Streaming requires just the monthly fee.

·        Multiple users:  With cable, you are tied to one stream, which with streaming services you may be able to access multiple streams.   This means you can be watching one thing; your significant other can be on another device watching something else, and the grandkids can be at a 3rd device watching their shows.  (Some services are cracking down on sharing your account outside of your household though).

Disadvantages:

·        Dependance on the Internet connection:  If your service is slow, unreliable or has data caps, you might experience buffering or low video quality.  You may even have to upgrade your service to accommodate these increased needs.

·        Complexity:  It can be overwhelming to pick and choose those services that you wish to use.  And managing them can also be confusing, which includes signing in with your username and password, understanding how they are being paid (and through what accounts), and navigating the different platforms (streaming devices vs TV).  It might challenge those who are not tech-savvy. 

·        Multiple subscriptions:  Yes, you are cutting that big expense for cable.  But depending on your household and what people like to view, you may find yourself with many options.  If you aren’t careful, the cost for multiple subscriptions might override the savings from cable.

·        Live TV and Sports:  You can purchase packages for live TV and sports.  However, they may be more expensive or have a slight delay.  And not all sports or events may be available on streaming platforms or might require specific subscriptions.  So you need to make sure that your sports lover knows where they will access their favorite team.

·        Local content and news:  While some services may offer local channels, coverage is not universal.  You might have to consider an over-the-air antenna to watch your local TV.

·        Content availability:  The streaming services will often change their content libraries, meaning that they lose shows and movies due to licensing changes. 

·        Ads and additional fees:  More and more, the services are charging more for an ad-free experience.  Or they may offer premium content with more features for additional fees. 

·        Multiple user limitations:  And while a benefit is that multiple users can access the services, there may be a limit to the number of additional streams. 

·        Equipment costs:  Although it would be a one-time fee, if you do not have a smart TV, you will have to have a streaming device to view your content on the TV.


Conclusion:  Before making the decision to cut your cord, it is important to note what you like to watch (channels and sports).  .  This lesson will provide an overview of the streaming services and the add on packages and help you to decide whether this is right for you.

Worksheet

This worksheet was created to help you determine the current costs of your plan, the services you already receive and the speed of your Internet.  You can then compare the costs of removing that cable TV service and replacing with a streaming service and/or stand-alone apps. I recommend printing it, and then filling it in as you go along. After class, you should have a clear idea of what you have and what you want.


worksheet for cutting the cord.pdf

Costs

Local Cable: Begin by looking at the options that we have in San Digo.  Keep in mind that some of these are not available in all areas.  Below is a chart of what is available in San Diego County.  If you want to sign up, or learn more, go to:  https://cabletv.com/ca/san-diego

Cable TV with and without the TV

In order to make an informed decision, you need to compare apples to apples.  For this, you can take a plan that your currently have, and delete the cost of the Internet from that plan.  What you will find is what you are getting and how much you are paying for that.  

Different packages offera  different selction of channels.  These are channels like AMC, ESPN, History Channel, etc.  

You will have to look at your  own provider to see what you are having.  Below, we will discuss Cox TV as an example.

Cox prices:  The prices below show the cost of each plan when you remove Internet from the service.  You would still pay for the Internet regardless of what you choose.  Internet cost can range depending on the speed and data that you need. ( I pay $77/month for 500 Mbps through Cox, which is sufficient for my needs).  You will need an Internet connection to stream.  Many people will keep the same one that they have used for TV, but it is not required.

Prices for Cox TV  plans

TV starter plan (75 channels, local programming, free HD programming) Cost:  $151/month.

Contour TV Preferred, (140+ unique channels and streaming apps), Cost:  $205/month.

Contour TV Ultimate (250+ channels and both Sports Pack, a movie pack and a variety pack ) Cost:  $242/month

Here is a link to all of the channels offered through Cox Cable Services.

Activity:

Open your worksheet to record this  information

1. Current plan:  Name, web address and phone number of your current provider.  Indicate if you have Cable TV and the total cost.  Note your Internet speed and the cost (apart from the TV fees).  Insert this information into the 1st step of the worksheet.

2. Channels you need:  Talk with household members to determine what shows they prefer. Look at what you watch most with your current plan.  You want to make sure that the cable replacement service you decide on will fit the needs of your family.  More information about this follows. Insert this information into the 2nd step of the worksheet.

Complete this activity before continuing.

Introduction to streaming services

Streaming services are digital platforms that provide access to a vast library of TV shows, movies, and other video content over the internet. These services allow users to stream content on-demand and often without advertisements. Many streaming services require a monthly subscription fee, while some offer a combination of free and premium content.

 There are two main types of streaming services:

Streaming on-demand

A stand-alone streaming service is a subscription-based service that offers streaming content without requiring a cable or satellite TV subscription. It is a service that allows users to access movies, TV shows, and other content directly over the internet, without the need for a traditional cable TV or satellite subscription. These services offer a variety of content, including original programming, movies, and TV shows, and can be accessed on a variety of devices, including smart TVs, computers, tablets, and smartphones.


Examples of stand-alone streaming services: (prices may vary)

Amazon Prime:  If you have an Amazon Prime membership ($139/year or $14.99/month), you have access to Amazon Prime Video. If you do not want ads in your videos, you will be charged $2.99/mo.   If you do not have a membership, you can purchase a plan for $8.99/mo (with ads) or $12.99 without ads. 

Hulu (7.99 or 14.99 with no ads):  Hulu’s streaming library of movies and TV with limited commercials.  A bundle will give you 3 options (Hulu, Disney Plus and ESPN).  We will talk about Hulu + Live TV later in the lesson.  You can also add-on to your subscription at an additional cost for certain movie channels including Max, Cinemax, Paramount+ and Starz.

 Netflix:  Ranges from $6.99/month to $22.99/month.  (Click the down arrow to view)

MAX ($9.99/mo, $15.99/month no ads, or $19.99/mo no ads with more streams and better quality. to 15.99/mo (no ads):  HBO has rebranded to MAX so it can be confusing.  Click the down arrow to view.

Paramount+:  ($5.99/mo basic or $11.99 no ads including Showtime):  Paramount Plus offers shows from channels like CBS, Comedy Central, Paramount Network and more. 

 Apple TV+ Apple TV+ is a subscription service with Apple originals, other movies and more.  It is $9.99 a month.  If you like soccer,  you can purchase an MLS Season Pass for $14.99/mo or $12.99 month if you have an Apple TV+ subscription. There are two ways to view your Apple TV content:

o   Apple TV streaming device:  For those without a Smart TV who wish to view their Apple content, they can purchase an Apple TV device ($129 - $149) which can be used  to stream content from Apple, as well as other providers like  Amazon Prime, ESPN, Hulu, Netflix and more. 

o   Apple TV app:  A free app/service that is a hub for content from various streaming services including Apple TV plus.  It comes preloaded on most Smart TVs or can be installed.  If you have the Apple TV app on your Smart TV, you do not need to purchase a streaming device.

·        Disney Plus: (9.99/mo with ads to $24.99 with no ads) Disney plus is a streaming service that collects of Disney’s franchises into one family friendly service. The various plans can be very confusing, choosing from Basic, number of services, and more.  When visiting the website (https://www.disneyplus.com/) you will see an option to choose Disney+, Duo (with Hulu) or Trio (with Hulu and ESPN).  Within each is the ability to choose basic (with ads) or premium (no ads).  Below, we are viewing the trio options.  

Here are the Trio options (click on the down arrow)

Peacock (Free with ads and limited options, $5.99/mo with ads to $11.99 a month no ads)

YouTube Premium ($11.99/month):  YouTube ad free and offline.  Includes downloads and YouTube Music premium for music without ads 

Did you find any additional add-on services that you would like?  You can add them Step 4 of your worksheet.

Cable Replacement Services (Live TV and more)

Cable replacement services are streaming services that provide users with access to live TV channels and other content, like traditional cable or satellite TV. These services are often called "skinny bundles" because they offer a smaller selection of channels than traditional cable or satellite TV packages. Cable replacement services usually require a monthly subscription fee and can be accessed on various devices, including TVs, smartphones, tablets, and computers. Cable replacement services have become popular in recent years as an alternative to traditional cable or satellite TV due to their flexibility and affordability.

Examples of Cable Replacement services

 Sling TV : Sling is one of the services designed to take the place of your existing cable subscription.  Your options include Sling Orange, Sling Blue and Sling Orange and Blue.  Different options include different content packages, but plans offer live TV, sports and specialty stations.  Plans start at $40/mo for one or $55/mo for both. Below are two charts, each summarizing which channels are available on each color.  Note that there are 24 channels included in both plans, so you want to see which exclusive channels are offered for each.  Both services offer 50 hours of DVR storage.  The Orange plan only allows streaming on one device at a time, while the Blue plan allows streaming on three devices at a time.  The prices shown are for the one month trial.  

 Hulu with Live TV  ($76.99/mo with ads to $89.99 mo for no ads) Unlimited access to Hulu streaming library (with limited commercials) and full seasons of series, hit movies and more.  Stream 50+ top Live and On Demand TV channels including sports, news and entertainment.  Unlimited DVR (up to 9 months) and bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+(with ads).  For an additional fee, you can choose add options like unlimited screens, Paramount+ with Showtime, Starz, Entertainment, Spanish and Sport.  These are in addition to the $76.99/month fee.  Here is a link to all of the channels offered through Hulu+ Live TV.  Hulu+ also offers local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox).  Below, you can view some of the add ons offered as well as a list of all channels.  For more information, visit this resource on TV Guide.  


Hulu with ads + Live TV ($89.99 w/o ads) Click the down arrow to view

Add on channels and premium (click on the down arrow to view)

All Channels (scrolling) Click on the down arrow to view

YouTube TV: $72.99 a month and up, good for sports (multiple stations from ESPN, CBS Sports and Fox Sports).  Includes live TV, NFL, NBA and MLB networks, PBS and more.  Also includes unlimited DVR feature, which you can record as much as you want, and keep for up to nine months.  One account includes 3 devices streaming at once and six accounts per household.  Premium channel, sports and 4K quality available as add ons. 

Below, you can access the different plan options and the channels available on YouTubeTV.  Click on the down arrow to view.

Plan options

Spanish Plan Channels

Spanish Plan Add-on

Sports plan Add on

Channels available

Add-on Networks

FuboTV offers live sports and TV without cable from $79.99/month to $99.99/month.   Includes live sports, entertainment and news.  Also includes Cloud DVR for recording.  To see all channels available, go to their site. Click the down arrow to view.

Plans available for Fubo TV

 All channels for FuboTV (scrolling) Click the down arrow to view

Summary of cable replacement and streaming services add-ons

Summary of streaming services 

Various plans are mentioned in this lesson and the monthly costs of each.  The chart below summarizes them.  Remember that the chart does not include the monthly Internet service which will still be required. Click on the down arrow to view.


Are you overwhelmed? 

This site provides an interactive quiz to see what you like and to suggest services that you will enjoy. It also contains additional tools which you might find useful including:

·        Comparison of bundles in your neighborhood (TV, Internet, Phone)

·        Comparison of mobile plans in your neighborhood

·        Fixing broadband connections


Activity:  

In this section, we learned of the cable replacement services and all of the channels associated with them.  Go back to your worksheet to Step 2 and look at the channels that you cannot live without.  Which of the streaming services offer most of these channels?  Can you add them as an add-on?  Go to Step 5 and enter the cable replacement service that you would want.  Include the cost of the service, and of any of the add-on channels that you would want.  

Evaluating Internet speed

Internet Speed Requirements:
Internet speed, measured in megabits per second (Mbps), determines how fast data travels from the internet to your devices and vice versa. Higher speeds mean that web pages load quicker, videos stream more smoothly, and downloads complete faster. The quality of your online experience, especially when streaming video or playing games, greatly improves with higher speeds. Devices with higher resolution displays, like 4K TVs, require more speed for optimal quality compared to standard TVs or computers. Additionally, the more people and devices using your internet at the same time, the more speed you'll need to keep everyone's online activities running smoothly without lag or buffering.

Below is a chart which shows the amount of speed required for each of these tasks.  These are cumulative, meaning that you add up all the things that you will do.  For example, if you do email, streaming video (HD), streaming music and group video calls, you will require at least 65 Mbps up to 135 Mbps. 


Additional scenarios include:

·        Families of 3-4 People:  Add 5-10 Mbps for each additional person, adjust streaming video and gaming speeds accordingly.

·        Households with Smart Home Devices: Smart speakers, thermostats, and video doorbells typically require minimal bandwidth, but if you have multiple smart devices, allocate an additional 5-10 Mbps.

·        4K TV Streaming: For smooth 4K streaming, aim for at least 50-100 Mbps.

·        Upload Speeds: Video calls and file uploads benefit from higher upload speeds. It is a good rule to have at least 20 Mbps for uploads.

Activity:  

In this part, we looked at the various needs in your household for Internet speed.  Do some math to determine what an ideal amount of speed would look like in your home.  Compare this to what you have.  Use Step 6 of the worksheet to write down  your current speed and your ideal speed.  What would it cost to upgrade?  Make a note of that as well.

Additional resources handpicked for you!

Do you need more information?   Here are some resources to help you arrive at your final decision.  


·        HighSpeedInternet:  This link takes you to the options available in San Diego.  You will have to enter your address to see if the plan is available.

·        BroadBandNow: Broadband Now is a website dedicated to Internet Providers and additional resources.  In addition to ISP options, it also includes the following tools:

o   Bandwidth calculator (how much speed you need)

o   What is your current speed? (your current speed, may vary)

o   Best Wi-Fi routers (might be a little biased)

o   Guide to bundling versus streaming

·        Antennas

o   Best Digital TV Antennas for 2024 (PC Mag)

o   Find what is available for you  based on your Zip code (FCC)

o   Best antenna for your area (Antenna Secure)

o   Video: Steps for connecting your antenna and channels (RCA)

·        Routers and Extenders

o   Guide to the best wireless routers (Consumer Reports)

o   Mesh Wi-Fi versus traditional routers (PCWorld)

o   What is a Wi-Fi Range extender (Linksys)

o   What is an Access Point (Linksys)

o   Video:  What is the difference between a modem and a router?

·        Using your streaming devices

o   Introduction to streaming devices (Century Link)

o   Video:  How to add a streaming device to your TV (Best Buy)

o   Video:  How to set up a Chromecast to your TV

o   Video:  How to connect a Smart TV to the Internet (Gary explains)

o   Video:  How to stream your laptop to your TV


Decision time!

Final activity

Your worksheet is nearly complete.   Go to Step 7 and put in the costs of your monthly bill that you have projected.  Then, go to Step 1 and compare the costs.  They should be similar in what you are getting, but may be different in what you are paying.  

What did you learn?  What did you decide?  Comment via email, the discussion board, or in class on your final decision.  

Bonus:  Free movies

Everything up to here has included cost.  But you can find free content online.  Here is a sampling of some of the movie streaming sites that you can use.  They might have commercials, and you might want to look at their privacy statement (on the website) to make sure that they are not tracking your data.  But these are free to use and offer a nice alternative to packages.  Here are some possibilities:

·        YouTube: Some public domain movies, and some sites host full movies via YouTube.

·        Crackle:  Popular, award-winning TV, movies and originals.

·        Vudu: Free movies with limited commercials (click on Free tab).  Also includes movies you can rent ($4.99 and up).

·        Top Documentary Films  Nice selection of documentaries of all lengths

·        Tubi TV (https://tubitv.com) A free (and legal) site which offers free movies and TV with ads.  Also features Live TV and Tubi Kids.

·        Popcorn Flix (https://www.popcornflix.com) Free  movies and TV.

·        Crackle (https://www.sonycrackle.com/) Owned by Sony pictures

·        Free Movies Cinema ( https://www.freemoviescinema.com/), provides more independent movie choices

·        Pluto TV (https://corporate.pluto.tv/)

·        Classic Cinema (https://classiccinemaonline.com/) So classic, it includes silent films and serials!