Pros and cons of Pay TV
Pros
• As new technologies arrive, pay TV can handle them without a problem. Think the latest resolution video (4K and soon 8K) and audio (Dolby Atmos).
• Generally, pay TV is more stable, as your connection is not at the mercy of Internet service provider networks.
• No lag or buffering.
• Great for homes in neighbourhoods with low network speeds or small data plans.
• Allows for local recording of programs on a hard drive for later use.
• Can be used to purchase pay-per-view events like boxing, UFC and wrestling bouts.
• There are bundle offers with other services, such as Internet and telephone.
• Live channels make content discovery easier.
Cons
• Requires invasive installation of hardware into your home.
• Costs substantially more per month.
• Puts you on a fixed contract.
• Accessibility is restricted to your home and some mobile devices.
• Gating of the best content behind confusing price bundles.
• One profile per account.
Pros and cons of streaming TV
Pros
• Most services still offer 4K and Dolby Atmos on higher price tiers.
• Much more affordable.
• No contracts and often free trials make it very flexible.
• You get access to all the content no matter what price tier you're on.
• Accessible on more devices.
• Can set up multiple profiles.
• Easy to family share on multiple devices.
• Watch whatever you want, whenever you want, wherever you are.
• You can afford multiple services, allowing you to cater to your specific household needs directly.
Cons
• Available content can be restricted to the service's own catalogue.
• Requires decent and stable Internet connection to work.
• Lag and buffering can occur at peak times.
• Can consume a lot of data, especially on mobile.
• You can find yourself scrolling through endless carousels stuck trying to make a choice.
• Depending on your device and the age of the service, you may come across bugs.
Pay TV vs Streaming verdict: Which is best for you?
For many years, the cons of streaming TV – in particular, the reliance on fast, stable Internet – were prominent enough that cable TV remained in the conversation. For those who live in areas with poor Internet stability, that may still be the case.
But the reality is, the vast areas of poor Internet coverage that once covered Australia have been whittled down to small pockets. Most people now have the connection requirements to handle SVOD services with ease. Despite the strengths of pay TV then, the sheer price difference and bang for your buck thar you get with Internet TV makes pay TV hard to justify.
As a result, pay TV relevance is dwindling through the community. It's now mostly tiered towards older Australians who don't want the choice or the flexibility of SVOD and have the finances to pay for the more expensive service. For everyone else, streaming TV is the future. There will be no keeping this young dog down.
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