EOTO #2: Cord Cutting

 

Technology has changed the way we live our everyday lives. One way for the world to communicate is through Television. This is a way to provide entertainment, get our daily news, and a way to educate ourselves. As technology has progressed so has the way we use it. Updates and new technology is coming out every day. The invention of wireless devices has been booming over the past 10 years. There are now devices like cell phones, headphones, computers that are all now wireless. We even have our TVs wireless with streaming services. Services are bringing our favorite shows, movies, and originals right to our phones, laptops, and tablets. So why would we even need our cable TVs? 

That question is now creating a huge group of people to be known as cord-cutters. Cord-cutting is the action of cutting off all cable, satellite, and landline phone subscriptions. Cord-cutters are ditching their cable and using streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney +, and many others. There are multiple benefits to cord-cutting, but also many stipulations. By subscribing to streaming services you are able to access them off of most wireless devices. This is a benefit because with cable you have to be at home with your TV. Hotels are also starting to ditch cable and are adding in streaming TVs like Roku, Apple Tv, and Amazon Fire Stick. This is a huge benefit because you can log into your account and pick up right where you left off on your show or movie. There are also financial benefits to using a streaming source. Streaming services can be free or a small monthly fee. Cable packages can be in the hundreds. One of the only financial downsides to cord-cutting is if you don't want to miss out on all shows and movies you have to pay for multiple streaming services. They start to add up quickly. Most services have created discounts for people like students and veterans. 

People all over the United States and World are starting to cut the cord. There are about 31.2 million cord-cutters in America which is continuing to grow. Cord-cutting is affecting society in so many ways that we don't see. Tv channels are having to create their own streaming services just to make as much revenue as they used to. If the company can't create a streaming service then its programs are being bought out by bigger companies. This also creates a problem of renewing shows and actors. Cable companies are also losing revenue which is creating fewer jobs. This also affects our generation in a huge way. If cord-cutting continues to grow then cable TV may go out of business. This then pressures us to pay for streaming companies. Personally, I have a wide range of movies and television shows that I like to watch so I will be paying for multiple services which could be more expensive than cable. 

Overall, cord-cutting is on the rise. There are great benefits to cutting the cord and progressing with technology. We also have to be careful about cutting cords and realize there can be consequences that don't affect us but can affect others. One way that my family contributes to both is we are fortunate enough to have cable and also subscribe to some streaming services. This is great because when I'm at school I'm able to use my streaming services then when I get home I have cable to get all of my movies. Before you decide to cut the cord look up all of your options and make sure you are making the right decision.