Cord cutting is easier and better than ever, but it’s not the right choice for every TV fan

With the prices of cable and satellite TV subscriptions rising, while customer satisfaction rates hit all-time lows, it’s no surprise that streaming services and other cable-cutting options have become more popular than ever. The average cable subscription in 2016 costs more than $100 per month, compared to $10 per month for a basic Netflix subscription.

For consumers who want a more television-like experience, Hulu now offers its new live-TV package with 50-plus channels of live-streaming content. With YouTube, Facebook, major film studios, and even some of the biggest leagues in sports getting in on the streaming-video action, there are fewer and fewer excuses for not cutting the cord.

That said, there are still naysayers who claim that cutting the cord isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, often citing the cost of standalone internet plus various streaming apps to support their position. But quite frankly, most of these arguments hold little water when you dig into them. Despite my defense of cord cutting, the truth is that it isn’t for everyone. Here’s why.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Satellite remains the best option in rural areas
Local sports streaming remains an issue in some markets
Lag time for live streaming services
Difficulty finding the right mix of channels
Cord cutting can be intimidating if you’re not tech savvy

Satellite remains the best option in rural areas

thinkstockphotos 521694944 white noise — Slow internet connections and poor antenna reception keeps cord cutting unrealistic in remote locations.

Urbanites might not realize it, but high-speed internet isn’t ubiquitous throughout the world. Large swaths of the U.S., particularly in rural areas, still lack access to broadband internet connections. That can make it difficult to stream high-definition content without experiencing buffering.

Internet options such as satellite, DSL, wireless broadband, or tethering to your mobile-phone hot spot can be options, but speed limitations, reliability issues, data caps, and high prices can pose barriers to regular video streaming using those methods.

Then there’s the need for local broadcast channels. While you can getextreme-range antennas that will pick up channels 60-plus miles out, you still might not be able to get signals for all the channels you want. Cable TV operations rarely extend their networks outside the city limits, so your best option for TV service is probably a satellite service such as DirecTV or Dish Network (provided you have a clear view of the southern sky, since those satellites orbit the equator

[Source”pcworld”]