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March 2, 2021


Let's see here. We now have Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Paramount+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and a whole host of live TV services (like Sling TV, YouTube TV, and fuboTV). That's just the tip of the iceberg. With literally hundreds of cord-cutting options out there, is the price starting to get untenable?

Streamer's Spotlight: Cord-Cutting Is Not Just About Saving Money Anymore

Cord-cutting started on a simple premise: Saving money getting access to high-quality content. Netflix might be seen as the original "cord-cutting" service, but it wasn't until they began to offer must-see original programming alongside their licensed content that they truly became something you could use as a cable TV replacer.

Fast forward to 2021. There are hundreds of streaming services and live TV services that could easily replace traditional cable TV. But thanks to original programming, they're all heavily attractive --- and signing up to each one would likely cost more than a traditional cable TV service. But as we're quickly learning, cord-cutting is no longer about just saving money. It's also about flexibility and control. 
 

Traditional Cable TV Is An Abusive Model


The traditional cable TV model is like an abusive relationship. You need it, but you can't get out of it because it has you locked in and invested. And trying to cut and run early brings its own punishment, typically in the form of hefty early cancellation fees.

There's also the problem with those "first-year" prices far too common with traditional cable TV providers. You might pay $80 the first year, only to see it nearly double the second year or whenever the contract renews. 

That model was what everyone accepted for decades because it was the only model available. The only alternative? Free over-the-air networks and boxsets of popular cable TV shows after they aired. These weren't really consumer-friendly models. Then again, the concept of a consumer-focused market in entertainment is only just now emerging.
 

Subscription-Based Models Offer Flexibility


The newer, month-to-month subscription-based models bring something to premium entertainment that didn't exist for most of its history: choice. We now have the option to choose what content we want (or don't want, to a degree). But more importantly, we can choose how long we want to maintain that relationship. 

Therein lies the true shift in the cord-cutting market. Saving money is still a goal, although content siloing, market fragmentation, and increasing prices have made that lofty goal a bit more difficult. However, the month-to-month subscription model is here to stay. And that is where the true advantage is and what the market demands. 

Amazingly, this has yet to be widely adopted by traditional cable TV providers. Some have begun to offer month-to-month subscription offers or their own "cord-cutting" streaming TV services. Most, however, still emphasize their expensive long-term contracts. 

The market is changing. Price increases for cord-cutting will keep happening. And while the market will eventually begin downsizing (every network can't be in the money with its own streaming service), the ability to pay for a month here and there for select services is exactly what consumers want right now.

This Week's Streaming Guide

1. Discovery+ 'Race Across the World' Streaming Today

This real-life adventure series sees real people teaming up to win a race across the world, with just two rules: No planes and no phones. Streaming today, March 2, on Discovery+. - Watch on Discovery Plus

2. 'The Flash' Returns to The CW

Season 7 of the hit superhero show with the fastest man alive returns to The CW. Watch live at 8 PM EST today, March 2. - Watch on The CW

3. New 'Pacific Rim' TV Show Premieres on Netflix

Say "yes" to animated fighting robots and giant monsters. Watch Pacific Rim: The Black on Netflix this Thursday, March 4. - Watch on Netflix

4. Bow Before Your King! 'Coming to America 2' Available this FRIDAY

The full cast of the hit comedy is back in this straight-to-Amazon sequel. Watch Coming to America 2 on Amazon Prime Video this Friday, March 5. - Watch on Amazon Prime

News and Industry Developments

1. Everything Coming to Amazon Prime Video in March

Coming to America 2 isn't the only thing to look forward to this month. - CNET

2. Everything Coming to Netflix in March

New shows are back on order at Netflix this month. - Mashable

3. Everything Coming to Hulu in March

Mel Gibson stars in Boss Level, and more. - NBC News

4. Disney+ Reveals Spring TV Release Schedule

There's more Marvel content than you can shake a Tesseract at. - ScreenCrush
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