Entertainment Wars: Cable vs Streaming.
By April
@thislittlepennyearns (65810)
Defuniak Springs, Florida
August 11, 2025 5:01pm CST
I’ve mentioned before that we ditched cable a few years ago, kept the Wi-Fi, and now just pick and choose which streaming services we want like we’re at an all-you-can-eat buffet—but for TV.
Right now, we have Amazon, Discovery, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and Paramount+.
Seems like a lot? It kind of is. But also… not really.
Paramount+ comes free with my phone bill.
Hulu and Disney+ are bundled together.
I get the cheapest version of everything. Ads? Don’t care. I grew up with commercials. I can survive 30 seconds of a random insurance jingle.
Cost breakdown:
Internet: $75
Amazon: $15
Discovery: $7
Netflix: $8
Hulu/Disney Bundle: $12
Peacock: $7
Paramount+: free-ish (thank you, cell bill)
Grand total: $124 a month.
Before? We were paying $349 a month for internet and cable. For what? So I could scroll through 400 channels and still end up watching Forensic Files reruns? No thanks.
I’d rather pay for the streaming services that actually have shows we watch than throw money at cable’s endless pile of channels, fees, and nonsense.
So there’s your answer, @porwest — we’re sticking with streaming.
2 people like this
2 responses
@xstitcher (35247)
• Petaluma, California
12 Aug
I have a Roku TV, which is my first TV that I've owned myself. I watch what I like that I don't have to pay for.
@porwest (105482)
• United States
11 Aug
Eventually the free services will 1) not exist and 2) won't be able to. Right now we save. Yes. I 100% agree. But the point I was making in my post is that's now. That's not tomorrow. We are watching a streaming future unfold that will become more and more competitive when it comes to negotiating deals for content. Many are creating their own exclusive content. Even some cable channels are creating their own streaming services. Some of those shows that say, Discovery Channel makes won't be sold to Netflix or Hulu or Paramount or even someone like Tubi. You'll need Discovery streaming to watch anything.
The bottom line is that eventually the services will consolidate and merge, and the bigger they get the more they will charge, and the more they will be able to charge. And the prices will go up because bigger deals will be made with content creators to get their content.
Suddenly Disney and Paramount and Netflix all want "April's Frugal Cooking Hour show," because it's a popular show and hundreds of millions of people watch it. A bidding war starts and the winner is of course, whoever bids the most. Now Paramount wins but they had to pay $40 million for the deal.
I'm just saying, streaming is becoming bigger and bigger business and the number of services will grow and grow and at some point, you won't be able to just have a few services. You will need many, many services. And then who's going to come along and market a cheaper package deal?
Cable companies. lol We are literally going to come full circle with this. Mark my words.
