{"id":3304,"date":"2019-08-17T15:14:01","date_gmt":"2019-08-17T19:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.greatflorida.com\/?p=3304"},"modified":"2026-05-12T20:41:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T00:41:40","slug":"is-it-time-to-ditch-cable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/2019\/is-it-time-to-ditch-cable\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it Time to Ditch Cable?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Are you tired of paying for TV channels you don\u2019t watch? Or,<br \/>\nexperiencing dissatisfaction from your cable provider, but locked into a<br \/>\ncontract? Many TV watchers are getting rid of cable.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.leichtmanresearch.com\/major-pay-tv-providers-lost-about-1530000-subscribers-in-2q-2019\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Leichtman<br \/>\nResearch Group\u2019s<\/a> latest data shows cable companies lost 455,263 subscribers<br \/>\nin Q2 of 2019, while the entire traditional TV industry lost 1.53 million<br \/>\nsubscribers. Leichtman also reports this is the fourth consecutive quarter of<br \/>\nrecord losses for the cable TV industry. In 2018, the industry reportedly lost<br \/>\nover 3 million subscribers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Should I Cut the<br \/>\nCord?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cTraditional cable TV used to be the only option for TV<br \/>\nentertainment, but not anymore,\u201d says <a _blank=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dustyns\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dustyn Shroff<\/a>, Vice President of<br \/>\nGreatFlorida Insurance, Florida\u2019s top independent insurance agency.<\/p>\n<p>Viewers are discovering more options available with loads of content from streaming and cable-replacement services. Not only do people have more to select from, but streaming services are cheaper alternatives to cable. Many would rather cut the cord than continue paying over $100 a month for traditional cable services. <\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery alignright columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3312 lazyload\" data-id=\"3312\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/?attachment_id=3312\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Family-Watching-TV-e1514910417382-1024x543.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Family-Watching-TV-e1514910417382.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Family-Watching-TV-e1514910417382-300x159.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Family-Watching-TV-e1514910417382-768x407.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Family-Watching-TV-e1514910417382-150x80.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Family-Watching-TV-e1514910417382-696x369.jpg 696w\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"543\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/543;\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Family-Watching-TV-e1514910417382.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Family-Watching-TV-e1514910417382-300x159.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Family-Watching-TV-e1514910417382-768x407.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Family-Watching-TV-e1514910417382-150x80.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Family-Watching-TV-e1514910417382-696x369.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>How do you know if getting rid of cable is for you? Most of<br \/>\nus need internet and possibly a landline or security system, provided by a<br \/>\ncable company. So, saying goodbye for good to your cable company is<br \/>\nunrealistic. <\/p>\n<p>However, when it comes to entertainment, there are many more<br \/>\noptions at different price points so you can find the ideal option for you.<br \/>\n\u201cThis can be a complicated process and some research is required,\u201d says<br \/>\n<a _blank=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dustyns\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dustyn Shroff<\/a>, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida\u2019s largest<br \/>\nindependent insurance agency. If you cannot be bothered, stick with cable. If<br \/>\nyou do not mind a little challenge to save money, proceed.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the complexities stem from recent changes in pricing<br \/>\nfrom streaming services (Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime). Also, cable-replacement<br \/>\nservices such as YouTube TV and Sling TV are providing more channels for<br \/>\nsubscribers. Adding to the competition, major media companies are ready to<br \/>\nlaunch their streaming services.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, most of these streaming services come with a<br \/>\nfree trial period. Some services might not provide good reception in your area<br \/>\nor you may find one service does not fit all your needs. Some viewers are<br \/>\nstacking, or streaming more than one service, but you could subscribe to so<br \/>\nmany you are paying the same as cable. <\/p>\n<p>If you want to really scale back on entertainment, you can<br \/>\nget an HD antenna that provides free access to local channels such as, ABC,<br \/>\nNBC, CBS, FOX, CW and more. However, you may want to check out the signal<br \/>\nbefore switching, especially if you live outside of a major city. The strength<br \/>\nof signal can vary from location to location.<\/p>\n<p>Cable and satellite companies will try to tempt you with<br \/>\npromo prices, but those offers soon expire, and the price goes right back up<br \/>\nwhile you are still committed to a contract. Being able to choose what you<br \/>\nwatch can give you more control. For more information on available services<br \/>\ncheck out the following articles from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cordcuttersnews.com\/the-beginners-guide-to-cord-cutting-2019-update\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cord<br \/>\nCutters News<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerreports.org\/streaming-video-services\/video-streaming-services-that-let-you-cut-cable-tv\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Consumer<br \/>\nReports<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>GreatFlorida Insurance makes sure you have adequate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/florida-homeowners-insurance\">homeowners insurance<\/a> to suit all of your needs. Contact us today.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\n<figure><img alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-521 lazyload\" data-id=\"521\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/2016\/buy-or-rent\/goggleimage_home_h_1\/\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1.jpg 728w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1-300x37.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1-150x19.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1-696x86.jpg 696w\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"90\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 728px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 728\/90;\" width=\"728\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1.jpg 728w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1-300x37.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1-150x19.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/GoggleImage_Home_H_1-696x86.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you tired of paying for TV channels you don\u2019t watch? Or, experiencing dissatisfaction from your cable provider, but locked into a contract? Many TV watchers are getting rid of cable. Leichtman Research Group\u2019s latest data shows cable companies lost 455,263 subscribers in Q2 of 2019, while the entire traditional TV industry lost 1.53 million [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1219,"featured_media":3308,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1,3,4,6,5,7,8,82,9],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-3304","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-floridainsurance","8":"category-auto-insurance","9":"category-boat-insurance","10":"category-commercial-insurance","11":"category-homeowners-insurance","12":"category-motorcycle-insurance","13":"category-renters-insurance","14":"category-rv-insurance","15":"category-umbrella-insurance"},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3304","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1219"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3304"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3304\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13748,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3304\/revisions\/13748"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3308"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3304"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3304"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}