“Cord-Cutting” Proposal: Advantages and Disadvantages to the Audience

Abstract

This paper explores the aspect of “cord-cutting” in the modern-day, it explains why there is an increasing issue of cord-cutting. The research also discusses various advantages and disadvantages to the audience. Research shows that 90 percent of American households subscribe to either satellite or cable. However, an increasing number is shifting to other terms and platforms that include the antenna and streamlining platforms, (Snickars et al. 2012).

Definition

Cord-cutting refers to a process where people disconnect satellite cable connections in favor of other financially favorable and consumer-specific television subscriptions. These convenient subscription channels may include free broadcast using the antenna and internet broadcast. It is a growing situation that is negatively affecting the cable industry since a considerable population has opted for low-cost broadcast over cable installation in America today. Since the beginning of 2010, cord-cutting has been reorganized, and the increasing number has forced many satellite subscribers to change to video streaming (Tryon, 2013).

Methods

Finding out more about cord-cutting involves literature reviews from satellite broadcasting houses that explain the role of cord-cutting and its effect on the revenue and returns on media houses. It is also important to find the audience involved in cord-cutting, this will explain different reasons why cord-cutting is gradually increasing at the expense of connected satellite cable broadcasting. It is also important to survey and learn the difference in the content, carried by both satellite and other free television media.

Findings

As digital delivery rises as a more frequently used form of entertainment. A considerable number of media users look for alternatives to digital cable television that is “cord-cutting”. Cord-cutting is an idea that promotes liberation where users don’t depend on cable television and hence mobility, (Ulin, 2013).

The exercise of “cutting the cord” is perceived as a real possibility since the audience could find access to every television they wanted to view through other media sources such as the internet and antennae.

Despite the increased dominance of cable television, consumers, especially the young people, and other households that previously paid for digital television decreased by a considerable 1.5 percent from the previous year, (Neumann, 1991)

The increasing cases of cord-cutting have forced digital providers to turns to other terms of video streaming to respond to flexibility since it forms one of the principal reasons for cutting the cord. Various companies such as Apple launched apps that enabled consumers to access various data that they wanted without plugins in any cable. However, there is no access to these different applications without having to pay for the bundles.

Discussion

The process of “cord cutting” has mixed answers to as why people opted to cut the cord other than use the digital and cable broadcast provided by several media houses. A study by Leichtman Research group found out that, pay TV systems lost up to 25,000 subscribers. Leichtman Research group, (2014) discovered that, Media houses like Sonny had announced plans to switch to pay-TV systems that were inexpensive and broadcasted through the internet. The increased migration from cable transmission is happening due to configuration and installation protocol. People tend to look for processes that are quick without involving technicians. It is also important to remember that content ownership define consumption procedures. Cable bills are wasted expenditure since consumers pay for extra programs they don’t need. It significantly affects cable and satellite broadcasting, since the audience will look for the content they need and, as a result, are not willing to pay for extra channels that they don’t watch.

The increasing situation of cord cutting at the expense of cable television is as a result of various advantages. Albarran et al. (2013) stated that, with frequency platforms such as over the top video market overview, consumers were able to select different packages according to choice and affordability to personalize their TV viewing.

Although cord cutting is cheap, it also has some undesirable reasons and, as a result, the audience seek cable platform, (Jeffrey, et al. 2014). These may include lack of live streaming of various programs, low channel coverage and poor quality content associated with bandwidth.

Straubhaa et al., (2004), discovered that a considerable number of people are deviating from cable transmission to other forms though the dispute still appears small. However tit is true that cord cutting will not save us cable owners own much since a large population of internet streaming.

Conclusion

Cable television broadcast has improved on the technology and availability of a wider frequency for television broadcasting around the world today. However, it remains undesired by a significant number of populations who are specific and can get other cheaper forms of transmission which has led to an increased, migration and disconnection from monthly pay-TV subscription

Recommendation

Various media houses should address the raising concerns that include tailoring the service to suit different clients. They should come up with cheaper forms of broadcast such as video streaming and other applications which will enable the audience pay for what they desire.

References

Albarran, A. B. (2013). Media Management and Economics Research in a Transmedia Environment. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis, 18-46.

Cole, K., & Amazon.com (Firm). (2013). The frugal guide to: cutting the cord: Save thousands a year by cutting cable and utility costs, 328-330.

Cord cutting accelerates as 150,000 cancel TV service. (n.d.). Web.

Maresh, J. S. (2004). Sewing for Dummies. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Pub.

Neuman, W. R. (1991). The future mass audience. Cambridge [England: Cambridge University Press, 165.

Snickars, P., & Vonderau, P. (2012). Moving data: The iPhone and the future of media. New York: Columbia University Press, Chapter 6.

Strangelove, M. (2015). Post-TV: Piracy, cord-cutting, and the future of television.

Straubhaar, J. D., & LaRose, R. (2004). Media now: Understanding media culture and technology. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 197.

Tryon, C. (2013). On-demand culture: Digital delivery and the future of movies. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 41-58.

Ulin. (2013). The business of media distribution. Monetizing film, TV and video content in an online world. 2nd, rev. ed. Oxford: Focal Press, 43.