To Stream or Not to Stream

TJ Juvera

Many households have cut the cord with cable tv and moved to streaming services.
ConsumerReports stated earlier this year, “Most of the cable-replacement plans cost less than
half as much as the average pay-TV bill.” However with so many streaming options available it
is difficult to decide which service to use. Below is a guide to help you narrow down your
options for home entertainment based on the top trending services of 2019.

1. Netflix:

Netflix reported 150 million subscribers at the beginning of 2019 each paying a monthly $11.99
fee. Netflix offers the largest variety of content, and has also grown popular by producing its
own original content, including big name shows such as Stranger Things and Orange is the New
Black.

2. Amazon Prime:

Amazon prime asks a yearly fee of $99 or a monthly fee of $12.99, and boasts a large
collections of movies as well access to newly released movies for additional fees. Amazon Prime
also offers more children’s programming than any other streaming service.

3. Hulu:

Hulu is as close to a cable subscription as it gets. There are two options for this streaming
service. Hulu Live at $44.99 a month which grants access to major network shows as they are
released, and Hulu at $5.99 a month which airs those same network shows the day after
episodes air on cable tv. Additional add-ons include access to shows without commercials and
student bundles making it the most cost effective streaming option.

4. HBO Now/ HBO GO:

HBO Now is the streaming subscription for cable cutters. HBO Now offers access to all available
HBO content for $14.99 a month. HBO GO offers the same access and content but must be
bundled with an existing cable subscription. HBO hits our list as the most costly app but their
top shelf content which includes Game of Thrones, Sopranos and Dark Materials must be
noted.

5. Sling TV:

Sling TV gives you access to live TV and limited network channels based on the package you pay
for. Sling price ranges very from $20 a month to $59.99 a based on the package selected.
Packages include differences in sports networks, movie channels and news outlets.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said “the future of TV is apps” and with so options available in streaming
there is no reason to hang on to your outdated, expensive cable subscription.