Cable TV and streaming services are important sources of entertainment for kids as well as adults. You can watch your favorite shows on them and also stay up-to-date with the news and sports events. If you are pondering upon sticking to the traditional cable TV or switching to a streaming service, weighing their pros and cons can help you make the right decision. Here are the main difference between streaming services and cable TV.

Viewing experience
Streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and others, depend totally on an Internet connection. Therefore, you need a high-speed Internet connection that works without any disruptions. In case the Wi-Fi signal is weak, you may experience frequent lags and buffers. If the Wi-Fi fails at any point in time, you will not be able to watch your favorite shows or movies until the connection is stable again.

Cable TV does not depend on the Internet, so you can comfortably watch different shows and movies without worrying about buffers and other disruptions. However, strong winds and thunderstorms may mess with the outdoor cables. Therefore, cable TV is not the best option for places that experience extreme weather conditions. This is an important difference between streaming services and cable TV.

Costs
Another major difference between streaming services and cable TV to keep in mind is cost. Streaming services are economical if you watch a few channels and programs. They are also a good option if you already have a broadband connection. However, if you have a family with diverse tastes, you may have to subscribe to multiple streaming services, and each subscription will add up in cost.

While you can watch multiple channels with a single cable TV package, you may still have to pay more for a cable connection. In most cases, a cable connection may cost you anywhere between $50 and $120 a month. You may also have to pay a few dollars extra for the premium channels. If budget is a constraint, streaming services are a better option.

Live news and sports
Streaming services are not ideal for watching live sports and news. Most streaming services do not show live sports events regularly. While you can subscribe to the sports channels and add news channels to your streaming services, they all add to the cost. Also, it’s no fun to watch live sports when the Internet is slow. Watching live news updates can also be a problem.

A basic cable package will include popular news and sports channels, so you can watch them without paying any extra charges. This is yet another important difference between streaming services and cable TV.

Both streaming services and cable TV have certain advantages and disadvantages, so you can decide on the one that suits your TV viewing habits and budget. If you enjoy live sports and prefer recording your favorite shows, cable TV is a better option.