Cable vs. streaming costs and options in NJ and beyond

On By Littum

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The way we consume television is changing dramatically, with streaming services challenging the dominance of more traditional cable television.

As cable companies adapt to the demands of a more personal and digital experience, experts predict the future of television will see further consolidation, innovation and potentially a return to bundled services similar to the traditional cable model.

Streaming: A generation gap

“Streaming has shattered the traditional cable television business model,” said Chriss Williams, president and professor of film at William Paterson University. “Most Gen Z kids have no idea what ‘cable’ is. They get everything on their phone or through an app. They can buy a TV or get an Apple TV, Roku or a Google or Amazon stick and stream , what they want.

“The old model of sitting back and letting cable companies give you the stations they think you want is over,” Williams said. “Older generations like cable because they know it, but they’re becoming a much smaller part of the audience.”

Streaming platforms offer unparalleled flexibility, allowing consumers to choose services tailored to their interests. “When my kid was younger, having Disney+ was a must because he loved the movies and shows. As he got older, I could easily cancel it and just upgrade our Netflix to a family plan,” Williams said. “This is the beauty on streaming: It’s easy to customize and fit your needs. But the downside is that there are so many services to keep track of. I’ve probably spent hundreds of dollars forgetting to cancel subscriptions.”

The frustration with cable

Steven Miller, director of undergraduate studies in journalism and media studies at Rutgers University, described how dissatisfaction with cable drove the rise of streaming.

“People were very angry with their cable companies. They were getting bad service, they weren’t being responded to, and they were paying more and more hefty fees,” Miller said. “Then the cable companies did these triple plays, where they tied phone lines and Internet to cable. Once you started streaming, people got cheaper services and more choices.”

Miller highlighted the stark difference in costs, noting that cable could cost consumers an average of $217 a month, while streaming services like Netflix or Disney+ can be as low as $9. “The way cable TV is set up, I would argue, is becoming an obsolete technology. The fact that you have to have a cable box, a cable and have to be connected at a certain time to watch shows, that the programmers created — that’s just not the way people consume media anymore,” he said.

The generation gap is a critical factor.

“I have 150 students in the class, and if I ask them how many have cable, the answer is zero. The 18-34 age group does not have a cable subscription. So that’s it – that’s the end of cable,” Miller concluded.

The price of cable vs. streaming

The competitive pricing of streaming services adds to their appeal. Netflix’s Basic plan with ads costs $6.99 per month, while Disney+ and Max are available for $9.99 per month. month each. More comprehensive options like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV cost $82.99 and $81.99 per month, and deliver live channels along with on-demand content. By comparison, cable services like Optimum start at $30 to $40 per hour. month for 250+ channels, and Verizon Fios offers a more robust package for $85 per month. month for 425+ channels.

Williams predicted that streaming will continue to dominate in the coming years, but noted that profitability remains a challenge. “Streaming will win because it allows for greater choice and ease of use. However, only Netflix and Disney are making a lot of money. I think we will see fewer streaming services or maybe more partnerships. The market cannot sustain the large number opportunities we have today,” he said.

How does the cable adapt to the changing landscape?

Eric Bruno, senior vice president and general manager of product management at Optimum, described how his company is evolving to adapt to the rise of streaming. “At Optimum, we’ve invested heavily in modernizing our video products to deliver a more seamless TV experience,” said Bruno. “This year, we expanded the availability of our Optimum Stream product to reach 1.5 million more homes across our Western footprint and enhanced the product experience with improved interface navigation. Through Optimum Stream, customers can enjoy a seamless entertainment experience that brings together live TV along with access to thousands of streaming apps through the Google Play Store.”

Bruno emphasized that personalization and affordability are key to retaining customers.

“We’ve reimagined the Optimum TV model and recently launched three brand new TV offerings: Entertainment TV, Extra TV and Alt TV. These options break conventional all-or-nothing cable packages and provide content tailored to unique viewing preferences ,” he said.

What is the future of television?

Miller argued that the biggest difference between him and the younger generation is the ability to adapt to how quickly technology changes.

“If you told me when I was in college, which was in the late ’70s, and you told me that search engine optimization was going to be a thing, I’d be like, ‘what are you talking about?'” he said .” And cable TV will disappear because of it. It doesn’t have the portability, production-wise, it doesn’t have the affordability, and they’ve also created a perception of the industry that they’re monopolistic and they don’t care. about their customers.”

Bond Benton, professor of communications at Montclair State University, speculated on the future of television.

“As streaming matures, the current ‘only pay for the content you like’ approach will likely evolve,” Benton said. “Viewers can watch shows on multiple services they’re interested in, and the cost of paying subscriptions to watch the content on multiple platforms will eventually be prohibitive for consumers. Bundling subscriptions for access to multiple streaming platforms seems inevitable. The irony is , that such bundling closely resembles the cable model it replaced.”

The television landscape is changing rapidly, with streaming driving innovation and cable companies scrambling to adapt. Both models have strengths and weaknesses, but experts agree that consolidation and partnerships are likely to define the future.

“The way we watch TV will never be the same,” Williams said. “But the industry will adapt, as it always has, to give consumers what they want.”

Price comparison of streaming and cable

Streaming services

  • YouTube TV: $82.99/month, live channels.
  • Hulu + Live TV: $81.99/month, live channels and on-demand content.
  • Sling TV: $45/month (Sling Blue package).
  • Netflix: $6.99/month (Basic with ads).
  • Disney+: $9.99/month (with ads).
  • Max: $9.99/month (with ads).

Cable and satellite providers

  • Optimal: $30 to $40/month, 80+ channels.
  • Spectrum: $45 month, 85+ channels.
  • Xfinity: $20/month, 10+ channels.
  • Verizon Fios: $85/month, 425+ channels.
  • DirecTV: $89.99/month, 125+ channels.
  • Dish: $111.99/month, 240+ channels.