The internet is becoming a fast-paced entity, full of different users with varying needs accessing at different times and spaces. Why would it be “A La Carte”? Simply, because it hosts a number of options ranging from internet TV, streaming, gaming, 24/7 connection with friends and family, and this is not where it ends yet… the list simply goes on.
One of the prominent reasons for the hyped “popular culture” is “streaming TV” like YouTube TV or Hulu TV etc. which is being used across the board by Gen Y from the end of 20th century to Gen Z from the start of the 21st century. However, the unignorable fact is that the widely used method of watching TV still is cable TV without a doubt. According to the recent stats of 2021, 56 % of Americans still watch cable or satellite TV. However, the popularity of Cable TV has seen a slow decline in the last 3 years as people have switched to online streaming options like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, etc, From the younger people in the USA, about 90% prefer the internet and chose to cut the cord (cable use).
However, the older population being the Millennials make the largest chunk of the US population according to the 2019 stats. They will continue to be a major part for many more years and will continue to prefer cable TV for their homes. In the US, several top internet providers have cable services offering 100+ channels at reasonable pricing with great channel lineups. For example, Spectrum Cable has over 125channels and the best channel lineup starting from as low as $45. The package includes great features like HD TV, play store app, several live streaming channels like with HBO Max™ and many more options to choose from.
The Question Is Which one Is Better?
Here we detail 12 pros and cons to ease your choice:
| Cable TV | Streaming TV |
| Pros: | |
| Reliable | On-demand/Anytime & Personal choice |
| Live & available all times | Usable on any device with an internet connection |
| Available even when an internet outage occurs | Content options in HD or 4K |
| Comes with hundreds of on-demand options | No Contracts |
| No outages or down-time | Basic streaming is cheaper than cable |
| Content quality in HD depending on the device | Dependent on internet |
| Multiple tiers and premium content
Discounts and combo with internet/phone service |
Very few packages unless the high-end provider |
| Independent of internet quality | |
| Cons: | |
| Internet outages happen even if not frequent | |
| One year contracts with discounts and packages | Not many options/extra payment for the premium or quality content |
| Provider selection limited by the area | Provider selection limited (very limited in the USA) |
| Entry-level tiers are expensive
|
Dependent on internet quality |
Let us cut the chase and understand which one is better. There are varying factors like disposable income, locations, and the needs of the family or independent people when considering these options. Independent people would rather stream because they don’t spend much time at home and families may get the option of cable because there is a continuous need for something to watch on movie nights or for kids’ entertainment.
However, when it comes to the availability of the content, the cable is a norm in the USA. The range of channels go up to a hundred or more and will contain almost all variants of channels, if not all such as niche topic channels like health or fitness. But this is one reason for paying so much for all the variety. While streaming has variety, some channels may not be available for streaming if it is the choice of someone who personally likes certain news of sports channels.
Wrapping Up –Last Verdict
Cable TV brings you premium content based on the packages and deals a person pays for. These range from low tier to high tier ones. The higher payments have better added benefits, with good quality like HDTV and 4K high-class content options. While on a per-channel basis, it can cost less since you cannot pick and choose depending on your mood or what “you” want at that exact moment as cable TV does not give that option.
However, the benefits outweigh this slight issue because cable TV has so many options, you can move on to another if you don’t like the one you’re watching. Overall, the streaming TV offers lesser channels and does not necessarily serve every taste bud. However, it will likely include the main channels that most viewers will need belonging to the Gen-Z. Thus, while streaming is a newly popular method to watch TV, nothing beats the cable TV that keeps expanding into new domains and channels, keeping it grwoing with the much-needed change.