Should you just stick to cable?
You may be on the fence about cancelling your cable subscription. Both cable TV and streaming services can come with their pros and cons.
Advantages and disadvantages of cable
Advantages:
● Access to live news, sports, and events
● No need for a WiFi connection
● No data charges or worries about going over your allotted monthly data
Disadvantages:
● You could get locked into a long-term or annual contract
● You could have limited to no flexibility to watch shows away from home
Advantages and disadvantages of streaming services
Advantages:
● Operates on a subscription basis that is often month-to-month
● You can stream content from almost anywhere
Disadvantages:
● Requires a WiFi connection and a streaming device
● You may have to pay extra charges for data if you go over your allotted monthly data
● May not have access to live event coverage
Cut the cord quiz: Figure out how to choose a streaming service that fits your needs
Ask yourself these questions about your viewing habits to figure out what is the best TV streaming service for you:
- Do you prefer watching movies or binging TV shows?
- Which movies/shows do you want to watch?
- Do you prefer original content you can’t find anywhere else?
- Who else will be watching at home?
- Do you watch live events that are available through streaming services (such as major league sports)?
- How often do you watch cable TV programs?
- What is your entertainment budget? Can you use free streaming to satisfy your needs?
- Which of the following do you find most enjoyable: rewatching your favorite shows, finding new or independent movies, watching live news and events, or keeping up with pop culture?
Depending on your answers to the questions above, you may want to sign up for one or multiple streaming services that offer genre-specific options, like live events streams, sports streams, classic or international films, new movies/shows, or TV shows. Alternatively, you may want to consider casting, which allows you to watch content only on your phone.
Who watches what in your house?
Keep in mind that you might not be the only one at home consuming content. If children will be part of your viewing group, look for the best streaming service with age-appropriate programs. Some services allow you to set up separate profiles so kids can’t access adult content.
If sports fans rule the remote, consider streaming services that provide coverage of specific sports or a range of sports programming.
Find great streaming deals by experimenting and rotating between the best streaming services and alternatives
Because many streaming services offer month-to-month memberships, you can easily cancel one to try another. Look for free trial periods and other deals for new members to help you make your decision. You can also keep track of which platforms offer fresh episodes of your favourite shows or new releases you’d like to watch and time your subscription accordingly.
Look for free and discounted options on the best streaming services
If you’re willing to watch a few commercials, you might be able to access free ad-supported streaming. Also, check out your local public library for free on-demand movies and TV shows. And if you decide to keep your cable, it could come with some free or discounted streaming content services as well.
Use your American Express Card to earn rewards on streaming service purchases in Canada
One of the benefits of using an American Express Card to pay for a streaming service is that you can get cash back or earn points on eligible purchases. Setting up a recurring payment can help you rack up rewards each month, getting you even more value for your regular streaming subscriptions.
