Cord-Cutting Myths Debunked: What’s The Real Truth?

Last updated May 20, 2021
Written by:
Novak Bozovic
Novak Bozovic
Tech & VPN Content Specialist

Do you know some of the cord-cutting myths being spread around? How true do you think they are? Do you think it is wise to stay with your cable and satellite TV subscription?

People sure have varying answers to these questions. Depending on your TV requirements, cord cutting could be the best option for your TV needs, just like it could be a not too good idea. But should that justify the funny thoughts and ideas some people voice out about cord cutting? Certainly not.

The Popularity Of Cord Cutting

Cutting the cord is becoming increasingly popular these days. Streaming services have become very common; and surprisingly, the cost of cable TV seems to be on the rise. Today, being connected to the internet seems to be particularly important to most households in America. Being connected to the internet seems to be more important than subscribing to cable and satellite TV. To these households, the availability of high-speed internet provides them several advantages. It makes it possible, for them to enjoy all what the internet normally offers and still gives them the opportunity to be able to access TV content online.

Internet Usage US Stats

Perhaps if the internet wasn’t popular in the United States, cord-cutting will not be quite an issue. We wouldn’t have lots of people thinking of watching TV via the internet. And if that was the case, cord-cutting myths will not be a subject of discussion. But because high-speed internet is readily available and affordable, and because it is a key component of accessing tons of TV content without a cable or satellite subscription, there is bound to be a lot of talk about cord-cutting that the myths that currently surround it.

Different People, Different TV Needs

People have different TV requirements. While some people will watch TV just to get the latest news around them, others watch TV just for relaxation. Such people don’t have any particular favorites and will enjoy whatever they meet on TV. Some other people have specific TV needs. They have particular movies or TV serials they follow very keenly. To some other people, blockbuster movies or some entertaining content like comedy, drama, or sports is their force of attraction to the TV.

People Watching TV Vintage

And while some people will sit in front of the screen for specific programs and content, others have a variety of favorites they wouldn’t want to miss out on. For such people, a mixture of comedy, drama, movies, series, sports and even news could be on their menu. Of course, it may be difficult for such people to keep track of all their favorite content. Chronic fans master the day and time their favorite shows are aired on the various channels, but most people may have difficulties keeping following up with all these, especially if they have many shows they love.

The Internet Brings Everything Together

The internet has so much to offer; almost all the stuff you get from cable TV, and much more. The options seem endless. However, with a series of mean cord cutting myths being voiced out every day, some people are held back from taking the leap to cut the cord.

Cord-cutting should never prevent an individual from switching to the online TV if he/she really wants to. Cord-cutting myths generally have as objective to sway people away from it. Americans ought to go for alternative sources of getting TV entertainment if they feel they’re not getting enough from their cable or satellite subscription. Of course, cable TV providers will never want to see their clients go. But if you are such a client and you feel the need to part ways with your service provider, you just might the doing yourself the biggest favor of a lifetime.

Cord-Cutting Myths

If you’re reading this article, you are probably thinking of cutting the cord. Now think of how many more people must have thought of doing so, and have actually done it, before you. Some cord-cutting myths can be really outrageous. In fact, some of them are simply fantasies cooked up by cable TV advocates. Perhaps the cable TV industry itself champions the creation and spread of some of these myths to prevent clients from ditching them.

Cord Cutting Streaming Services

The very fact that millions of people are cutting the cord is proof that most negative stories told about cord-cutting are not true. If cutting the cord was truly that bad, there wouldn’t be so many TV giants coming up with the initiative. The truth is; for a long time, people have always wished there would be an alternative to the ever-increasing price of cable and satellite. And with the internet, this is now possible. Americans now have different options to choose from if they want to cut the cord and still enjoy great TV content.

Some people have been open in their declaration that the despicable cord-cutting myths being thrown out to the public were brought about by cable companies in an effort to stop the rise of the number of people who are already cutting the cord. And while there is still a considerable number of people who continue to cling to the traditional cable and satellite TV, an undeniable fact is that the number of cord cuttings in America is steadily rising. Providers are now finding ways to take their content straight to their customers without having to go through cable companies.

Some of the most common cord-cutting myths include:

Cutting The Cord Doesn’t Save That Much Money

One main objective of cutting the cord is to save money. Now, one of several cord-cutting myths put forth is that it doesn’t save that much money is serious enough to make some people consider not cutting the cord. One question that is sure to pop up in your head is; ‘if I’m not going to save any money, then what is the point?’

While that is a genuine concern, saving money by cutting the cord is not a myth. Perhaps, what you would need to consider, is the amount that you already spend on cable, and whether you even watch all the channels that you pay for. The price you will pay per month for streaming services or any other means you will use to watch all your shows on, will without a doubt be way less than 50% of what you pay for cable.

Save Money by Cord Cutting

The only huge cost you may have to deal with is the setting up and or installation of your cord-cutting system. And if you think about all the money you could possibly save in subsequent months, it’s pretty worth it. So if anyone ever told you that ditching your cable and satellite TV providers will not save you money, know that they are just citing one of many cord-cutting myths out there.

Of course, one important factor you will have to consider is your internet connectivity. This is a real concern for households because cord-cutting relies on the fast internet to operate optimally. The good news though, is that a good number of households in America already have internet connectivity that is good enough to handle cord-cutting. They do not need further expenditure on this fundamental requirement.

Cutting The Cord Makes You A Pirate

The piracy claim is another of several cord-cutting myths put out to keep people away from ditching their cable subscribers. Well, while piracy cannot be completely thrown out, it takes a lot more than cutting your cord to become a pirate. Pirating only occurs if you get your shows, movies or any other content on the internet illegally. That does not necessarily have to be the case when to part ways with your cable TV provider. There are lots of legal ways you can get TV content when you cut the cord. For instance, you can stream directly from the channel’s website. Alternatively, you can get streaming services or applications that will get you all the entertainment you need legally.

Cutting The Cord Is A Very Complicated Affair

In this age of digitalization, thinking that cord-cutting would be too complicated is just absurd. Cord-cutting only requires you to fill up a few signup documents and that’s it. Any other technicalities will be well explained in the user manual of streaming devices. And usually, these “technicalities” are no more than connecting cables or a USB stick to your TV.

Cord Cutting Cables

It gets even simpler if you have a smart TV. You wouldn’t need any tech guys or anyone else. If someone really puts up technical complications as a reason to not cord your cord today, that really should be the joke of the year. Of course, it is one of many cord cutting myths put up to scare the weak from ditching the cable and satellite TV providers.

You Have To Wait A While Before You Can Watch Recent Episodes

This might have been true a while back. However, there are options to stream live TV today. These days, people can watch episodes of their favorite series as they air. For example, Sling TV lets you watch all the recent episodes of the content it airs. You can also do this if you have an over the air antenna. It is very advantageous as it will enable you to watch channels that you might have never even come across.

There Is Nothing Good To Watch On Streaming Apps

When streaming apps first came up, their content was quite limited. However, companies like Netflix have so much to offer, and if you still need to watch shows you had on cable, they will likely be available online or on the channel's website anyways. So there is really nothing to miss once you truly decide to finally cut the cord.

Final Thoughts

Despite the numerous cord-cutting myths out there, cutting the cord is doable can indeed be enjoyable. You just have to decide to get to it. One of the things you may find helpful is having an over the air antenna. You will also need good internet access and most importantly, decide which streaming service (if you decide to get any) you will need. You can find ways to watch live TV after cutting the cord easily. So go ahead and try it, the experience is worth it.



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