Your Comprehensive Guide in Cord Cutting 2016

For more than a decade, our primary resources to get high-quality shows would be the cable TV.  But the original purpose of cable TV is now offered by various streaming media.  Cable still has some good shows left in them; however, you will not be obliged to pay to get them when you choose to cut the cord.  In this Cord Cutting 2016 guide, we will tell you about ways on how you can cut the cord but still enjoy your favorite shows.

Cord Cutting 2016 Guide:  How to Cut the Cord and Find Your Favorite Channel

Cord Cutting 2016 requires you to ship back your cable box to the service provider.  The next thing you will probably think of is how to stream your favorite content into your TV.  Fortunately, the process related to this is cheap and relatively easy.

Using Streaming Devices

In case you want to watch with the streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, you need to know how you will be able to display them on your TV.  In the event that your TV is manufactured recently, you may no longer need to purchase additional equipment to do this.  Smart TV nowadays comes with a built-in application, and you just have to set-up your TV for streaming after you decided to opt for cord cutting 2016.  On the other hand, if your TV is a little outdated, you will need game console, streaming stick or set-top boxes.  Price range on these devices is around $35-$400.

You will also need to sign-up for a monthly subscription on the streaming services.  Amazon Prime costs $99 annually, Hulu charges $8-$12 every month and Netflix is also around the same price range.  When you are looking for comprehensive streaming services after your cord cutting 2016, Playstation Vue and Sling TV (cable-replacement) would be the ideal choice.  It works just like a cable TV, but the streaming is done via the internet.

Sports would be one of the toughest channels that you need to give up on your cord cutting 2016.  You will be able to find your favorite sports channel on the cable-replacement, or if you do not prefer to pay a premium amount of money, you may choose the sports streaming services.  MLB.TV offers complete events of the major sporting organization such as NBA and NFL.  Yearly subscription may cost $100-$200.

When you resulted to cord cutting 2016, you will also lose your access to the Premium Channels such as HBO, Starz, and Showtime.  With the help of the streaming services, you can avail this premium channels for a minimum amount of charge.  Starz comes with a $9 charge monthly, Showtime will cost you $11/month and HBO requires you to pay $15/month for the subscription.

When you plant to go on with your cord cutting 2016, remember to take everything into account before settling on a decision.

How to Cut the Cord and Find Your Favorite TV Shows Online Without Cable TV

There is only one word to describe the state of cord cutting 2016, messy. Cord cutting, which is simply defined as cable TV subscribers discontinuing their subscriptions, is not a new thing. It peaked five years ago in 2011 when a record 744,000 cable subscribers opted out, according to research by the SNL Kagan firm.

Efforts by Time Warner and Comcast to derail cord cutting and keep subscribers were futile, as more and more people still discontinued their cable TV subscriptions. So much was cable cutting, that only last quarter saw 298,000 subscribers choosing internet TV. With such great numbers in lost subscribers, potential subscribers never even bothered signing up. The reason behind this great cord cutting 2016 is mainly because of the high cost of cable subscription as well as endless irritating commercials.

As cord cutting 2016 continues to happen, so be the amount of TV shows available for streaming. Streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon are releasing new original content by the day, and therefore, subscribers are unable to keep up, therefore, we have categorized content as per the viewers.

1. People Who like Movies

Cord cutting options for movie buffs come with multiple options from Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. Amazon’s library alone contains 18,400 titles. Netflix will offer you the best collection of new, original content for about $8 - $20 per month. A renting option is available for Amazon, Google Play and iTunes at $5 or for purchase at $15-$20.

2. People Who like Sports

Sports fanatics also have lots of options when cord cutting 2016. Their best option is the PlayStation Vue and/or Sling TV. Subscription will give you access to Fox Sports 1 and ESPN content, with an additional choice of channels to suit your taste. With a $40 antenna, you will also be able to watch N.F.L games and local news networks such as ABC, NBC, Fox and CBS.

3. People Who like Premium Network Shows

Premium network shows are also available for direct subscriptions, therefore, for those fans of ‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘Game of Thrones,’ cord cutting 2016 will mean you discontinue watching the show. These shows can be viewed directly on your streaming devices such as phones or tablets. Content for networks such as HBO and Showtime is always available, which includes movies.

4. Binge Watchers

Netflix is arguably most preferred when it comes to binge-watching TV shows since the shows are released all at once. Moreover, as soon as the current shows such as “Mr. Robot” are available on DVD, subscribers will be able to view this show as well as other current shows hot on TV.

  

5. Kids/Family Shows

Parents contemplating cord cutting 2016 need not worry as streaming services such as Netflix has content for the kids and the whole family. Speaking of Netflix, they recently entered into a partnership with Disney that will see them air Disney content on their streaming service. Sling TV, on the other hand, offers channels such as CN, Disney Junior/Channel and Nick Jr.

Cord Cutting 2016: Go Digital and Join the Revolution

There is a new revolution that is gaining more popularity nowadays – cord cutting 2016. As the name implies, it is all about cutting the cord. In this case, cord refers to your cable subscriptions. The latter can be expensive, and you can be bombarded with tons of channels that you don’t need, yet you pay for them. If you decide to cut the cord, on the other hand, you can enjoy access only to the content that you need. This is sure to improve entertainment experience at home. With these internet-based streaming services, you can enjoy a la carte programming, which will be easier for the wallet.

How It Can Be Done

Cord cutting 2016 is not as easy as bidding goodbye to your cable company. There are essentials that you will need, such as the hardware requirements. Aside from the TV, you will also need the box, which will serve as the streaming device. You will also need to invest in an antenna. Most of the modern designs are sleek and stylish, which won’t make them an eye sore. High-quality hardware is essential in order to ensure reliable streaming of content.

Aside from the hardware, you also need to consider which streaming services should be chosen. This is one of the most critical concerns when it comes to cord cutting 2016. Year after year, there are newer options being introduced. The good thing with these services is that you do not have to be tied to a long-term contract. If you do not enjoy their services, you can opt-out and choose other providers. Among others, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime are some of the best choices. They are known for providing high-quality and entertaining contents.

  

Finding the Right Streaming Service

When it comes to cord cutting 2016, one of the hardest decisions would be with regards to choosing streaming service subscription. In this case, Netflix is perhaps the most popular. It is known for its collection of original shows that attracted global audience, such as Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, and Narcos, among others.

Hulu is another option that you might want to take into consideration. This is owned and operated by Disney, NBC Universal, and 21st Century Fox. Your favorite primetime programs will be available in Hulu just after a few days they are aired. They also have a monthly plan that allows you to go commercial-free.

Another option for those who opt to cut the cord is Amazon Prime. The latter is known for airing classic shows. They have also created some original shows in the past, such as The Man in the High Castle and Mozart in the Jungle. 

CBS plans to livestream Super Bowl commercials for the first time

If you've been livestreaming the Super Bowl and missing out on all of those commercials, that's about to change. Variety reports CBS will stream all of the ads during the game in February, so those watching via the internet will be privy to the same quality entertainment each time there's a break in the action. In the past, advertisers have had to choose a streaming option on top of the regular broadcast slots. If you streamed this past February's game, you likely noticed the same handful of commercials on repeat. That's why. This time around, though, CBS is said to be treating all of the ad spots equally and advertisers will have to consider delivering content in both places. The report also indicates that CBS plans to charge a record price for each 30-second spot -- likely more than the $4.5 million NBC commanded this year. What's more, the network won't let companies "opt out" of the livestream either. In recent months, NFL content has made a big splash online with clips on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside Yahoo's plans to stream a regular season game from London.

Disney is toying with selling ESPN as a standalone service like HBO Now

Disney CEO Bob Iger told CNBC’s Squawk Box this morning that ESPN and the company’s other properties might eventually be sold a la carte, but not likely within the next five years.

“Technology is the most disruptive force that so-called traditional media […] is facing,” Iger said. “[But] while the business model may face challenges over the next few years, long term for ESPN […] they’ll be fine.”

Iger said discussion of such a service’s cost “would be conjecture at this point.” Given the amount of administrative and contractual overhead involved in ESPN’s many pots, though, it wouldn’t be cheap. Industry analyst Michael Nathanson projects that in order for the network to maintain its current profit margin, Disney would have to charge at least $36.30 for an a la carte ESPN bundle. By comparison, HBO Now starts at $15 a month

The PGA Tour Gets Its First Over-The-Top Subscription Service

Developed in partnership with MLB Advanced Media, this is the first over-the-top subscription offering from the PGA TOUR, and will include exclusive content that had never before been produced or aired on TV.

The inclusion of this additional content speaks to how a niche subscription service like this can better target the most zealous of fans – meaning, it may have the ability to not just pick up cord cutters who are looking for a different way to tune into the tournament itself, but could convince pay TV subscribers to tack on the subscription service as well.

“Certainly we think that this content will appeal to our core audience. Our sport is unique in that so much competition does not actually make it on to television in that our events are played over four days, with typically over 120 players. This gives us an opportunity to bring the stars of our game to digital platforms, all of which is incremental and complementary to our television products,” he says.

“We also hope that this coverage will appeal to people who prefer to get all of their content on digital platforms and mobile devices. Our goal is to reach as many fans as possible,” Anderson noted.

The new PGA TOUR LIVE subscription service will cost $4.99 per month, and will kick off this Thursday at 7:30 AM ET to provide access to tournament rounds from the Quicken Loans National.

The mobile app will be available today on iTunes, and will feature on-demand highlights and previews until the streams begin on Thursday morning.

Starz Evaluating Direct to Consumer Offering

Starz CEO Chris Albrecht said the premium network is evaluating its own direct-to-consumer offering, but is currently concentrating on its Starz Play TV Everywhere product. - See more here. 

The CEO stated “We certainly see an increased interest; new distributors [are] placing value on premiums, ” Albrecht said of a Starz direct-to-consumer product. “We think that is a good story for Starz. We are evaluating what others are doing; it’s early days, we have yet to see any hard reported data on the benefit of that to brands. That said, I can tell you that a lot of people are interested in distributing Starz. We have the full capability of following in the footsteps of what other premium brands are doing. We are evaluating all of these things on the basis of which ones we think provide the best net benefit to Starz.”