Streaming 101: Don’t Scream, Just Stream!

Cutting the cord on cable tv

It’s no surprise that switching to streaming video has become a popular trend as more viewers seek flexibility, variety and cost-effectiveness in their entertainment options. With the rise of streaming services, consumers are no longer bound to traditional cable subscriptions or their ever-increasing rates. Here’s a comprehensive look at why switching your video watching habits to streaming could be beneficial. Also, some quick information about the top streaming services available in the video landscape today.

Why You Should Switch To Streaming

Many viewers out there have their own reasons for wanting to switch to streaming and that’s the beauty of the streaming market.  It allows you to take total control of your viewing wants and needs.  There are no longer a one-size fits all approach to video and we at HTC are aware of that fact.  So much so, here are the top five reasons many viewers switch from traditional cable to streaming services.

Why Make the Switch?
  1. Personalized Viewing: Streaming services often provide personalized recommendations based on your viewing history. These personalized recommendations can lead you to new movies, documentaries, and TV shows that you may have never found on your own.  There is always something new to discover.
  1. Cost-Effectiveness: Streaming services often offer lower monthly rates compared to traditional cable packages and you only pay for what you truly want to watch. These rates are also even discounted further through rebates or discounts from other businesses and services to which you already subscribe.
  1. Convenience: Streaming platforms allow you to watch your favorite shows and movies on-demand, anytime, anywhere, on multiple devices. No longer are you tied to a certain TV in a certain room of the house.
  1. Variety: There’s a vast selection of content available across different genres, catering to diverse tastes and preferences.  With various streaming platforms specializing or producing their own specific content, the options are nearly endless and often there is something to watch for every member of the household.
  2. No Long-Term Commitments: Most streaming services operate on a month-to-month basis, so you’re not locked into a lengthy contract. Free trial periods also give you a great opportunity to “test-drive” a service before laying out any money to continue the subscription.  If you find that you don’t like a service, just cancel your subscription and try something else.
 
Top Five Paid Streaming Services

If you are new to the world of streaming it can be a little overwhelming choosing a service.  As we mentioned before, nearly all services offer some sort of free or discounted trial period.  Also, many subscriptions are so much more affordable than traditional cable that you may even have the budget to subscribe to multiple services, which is quite common.  Either way, HTC is here to help connect you with the latest services.  You can check out our Streaming Recommendation Tool.  In the meantime, here are the five most popular streaming services.

  1. Netflix: Known for its extensive library of original series, movies, and documentaries, Netflix remains a giant in the streaming world.
  2. Hulu: Offers a great selection of current TV shows, movies, and originals, with the option for live TV as well.
  3. Amazon Prime Video: Comes as a part of the Amazon Prime subscription and features a robust catalog of movies, TV shows, and Amazon originals.
  4. Disney+: The go-to service for family-friendly content, including Disney classics, Pixar films, Marvel, and Star Wars franchises.
  5. Max: Provides access to HBO’s premium content, Warner Bros. movies, and a range of original programming.
 
Top Three Free Streaming Platforms

Maybe you aren’t quite ready to jump into another paid video service just yet, and that is ok.  The streaming marketplace has no shortage of FREE streaming services to offer.  The free services generally have advertisements and commercials in exchange for the free viewing options they provide.  If commercials don’t bother you then maybe you would enjoy these 3 most popular free streaming options!

  1. Freevee: Owned by Amazon, Freevee offers a mix of movies, TV shows, and original programming, accessible through Amazon devices and many other platforms as well.
  2. Roku Channel: Roku Channel is one the most popular free streaming services around. Roku Channel features a selection of free movies, TV shows, and the added bonus of original content. The Roku channel is available automatically on all Roku devices including streaming sticks, boxes, and even built right into Roku TVs.
  3. Pluto TV: Owned by CBS and best known for its free live TV service, Pluto TV also offers a variety of on-demand content. Pluto TV’s huge channel lineup of live programming is always being expanded and new on-demand content is added frequently.

Making the Switch Switching to streaming TV is relatively simple.

Steps to Getting Started
  1. Assess Your Viewing Habits: Determine what you like to watch and consider which services offer those options.
  2. Check Your Internet Connection: Ensure you have a reliable and fast internet connection to stream content without buffering.
  3. Choose Your Devices: Decide whether you’ll stream on a smart TV, gaming console, streaming stick, or mobile device.
  4. Sign Up for Services: Create accounts with the streaming services that fit your needs. Remember, you can start with free trials to test them out.
  5. Customize Your Experience: Set up profiles, parental controls, and start building your watchlist.

The recent shift to streaming video reflects the digital age’s demand for convenience and personalized content. With the array of paid and free services available, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a movie buff, a TV series enthusiast, or someone who enjoys a good documentary, streaming services offer a new world of entertainment that meets you wherever you want to watch. Switching to streaming TV is not just about following a trend; it’s about taking control of your entertainment experience and shaping it to you!

We’ll be back after a word from our sponsor, HTC.

 

Read the Entire Streaming 101 Series: 

Getting Started
Free Choices Galore
Building Out Your Viewing Options
Intermittent FAST-ing
The Holidays are Fa-La-La-La FAST Approaching
Don’t Scream, Just Stream!
Take Your Video On the Road
You Asked for It, or Did You?

65 thoughts on “Streaming 101: Don’t Scream, Just Stream!

  1. Just found this info. I am definitely interested and will look into it further, will call for help.
    Thank You……

  2. Due to financial reasons I love streaming for free…I can stop it and watch later…there are plenty movies…old and new ,I so enjoy watching…

  3. Threw away all the cables and change the outlet covers to blanks. Love all the options with streaming HTC Max

  4. Streaming offers better options than traditional cord cable due to the bloat of useless channels.

  5. Streaming allows my elderly mother with dementia to be able to go straight to shows that she likes and remembers!!

  6. I love steaming. I’d give something I’d really want to watch. Get interrupted, miss half the movie and never see the end. I can stop, start, rewind. I love it.

  7. Love it. You are in control. Never miss what you want to see. Get tied up. Come back to it. Remember those old VHS tapes we could rewind. Streaming is the ultimate.

  8. I enjoy watching free tv such as Tubi, Angel, freevee K-Love on Demand & other paid for such as, Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, Hulu, tv max. There are always great shows to watch. Old & new shows.

  9. I like streaming however we just switched from the HTC DVR boxes to HTC MAX and there were several things I liked better with the boxes. I liked the guide much better. The writing on the HTC MAX is too small? I like a remote with a light. Some channels like FOX cannot be rewinded past the current show you are watching. But I do like saving money and being able to go back 3 days to watch a program without recording it. I do like all the extra recording space etc

    1. We are always looking for ways to improve, so we appreciate your feedback. Due to contractual obligations, some channels do not allow the rewind/replay option, but they can be recorded. Glad you’re enjoying HTC TV Max!

  10. I use a fire stick on tv in guest room when my husband is watching the same stuff over and over in family room. Streaming gives me a lot to choose from and go back to if I get interrupted while watching.

  11. I have roku, hulu, disney, hbo max, pluto, and Peacock. Streaming when I want makes it convenient because not everybody can watch TV right when it airs live.

  12. I prefer streaming. Roku Ultra is our main device. We can choose free streaming and/or add premium streaming channels. We are glad HTC make this possible with great internet services.

  13. Hulu is great! Wish I still had Netflix. I use Roku for streaming and antenna for network channels.

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