CUT THE CORD
Cord cutting is an alternative, Internet-based way to stream all of your TV and movie entertainment. It takes a lot of bandwidth…but luckily, that’s what RS Fiber does best. Ask us how you can get a free Amazon Fire TV stick!
WHAT IS CORD CUTTING?
Put down the scissors—you won’t actually be cutting anything. “Cutting the cord” means canceling a cable television subscription in favor of getting video over the Internet from a streaming service like Netflix, Hulu, fuboTV, or Philo…to name a few. A related term, “cord shaving”, involves downgrading to a lower tier of cable services to save money.
BUT, IS IT RIGHT FOR ME?
The short answer is…it’s complicated. It depends a lot on what you like to watch. We want to help you discover which combination of devices and services work best for your viewing habits and budget.
WHAT DO I NEED TO GET STARTED?
Streaming Device
Streaming Services & Apps
Fast & Reliable Internet
If streaming services are part of your cord cutting plan, you will need a way to bring those subscriptions to your screens. In some cases, between gaming consoles and Internet-connected smart TVs, you may already have what you need. If not, there are various other options to choose from including, but not limited to: Apple TV®, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, or a Roku Streaming Stick.
The key to effective cord cuttery is being aware of what apps are available on your streaming device of choice and just how much they’re going to cost you. On-Demand services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime are the most popular. Recently a wave of live TV streaming services like Apple TV+, fuboTV, Philo, Sling TV, and YouTube TV have become serious competition for traditional cable service. There are tons of additional apps to choose from, including plenty of free content. We’ve included a Live TV Streaming Matchmaker and Streaming Services Comparison Chart below to help you identify which streaming services might best fit your needs.
Streaming TV over the Internet requires a fast and reliable Internet connection—one that won’t leaving you hanging with buffering or lag. Luckily, RS Fiber has you covered with speeds up to 1 Gigabit (1,000 Mbps) and unlimited data.
Most streaming services will recommend anywhere from a 5 Mbps to a 25 Mbps Internet connection. When deciding which Internet speed is right for you, keep in mind all the Internet-connected devices in your home. The more devices you have, the more your network bandwidth is accessed, and the more speed you need.
A FEW COMMON MYTHS ABOUT CORD CUTTING
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| If I cut the cord I have to give up live TV. | You can get live TV, including most of the major broadcast networks, local news, and sports. |
| If I cut the cord I have to give up DVR. | Many streaming services now include cloud DVR with your service subscription. |
| If I cut the cord I have to give up my favorite shows. | You can most likely get all of your favorite shows and pay less to watch them. |
RS FIBER PARTNERED STREAMING SERVICES
fuboTV
140+ channels. Starting at $69.99/month.fuboTV is the world’s only sports-focused live TV streaming service with top leagues and teams, plus popular shows, movies, and news for the entire household. Watch live TV channels, thousands of on-demand titles, and more on your TV, phone, tablet, computer and other devices. 7-day free trial included.
Philo
60+ channels. $25/month.Philo is live and on demand TV with 60+ channels, including A&E, AMC, Discovery, Hallmark, Nickelodeon, MTV, VH1, and much more. Your Philo subscription comes with unlimited DVR, ability to customize your experience with multiple profiles, and gives you the ability to watch from your TV, laptop, phone, or tablet. 7-day free trial included.
STREAMING SERVICES COMPARISON CHART
| Sports | Live TV | Local Networks | Movies | TV Shows | Kids Content | Free Content | Original Content | Top TV Channels | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | X | X | X | X | X | X | AMC, PBS, Shudder | ||
| Disney+ | X | X | X | X | N/A | ||||
| Discovery+ | X | X | X | X | Discovery, HGTV, TLC | ||||
| ESPN+ | X | X | X | X | X | MLB, MLS, NFL, PGA | |||
| fuboTV (RS Fiber partnered streaming service) | X | X | X | X | X | X | ABC, BBC, ESPN, FOX | ||
| HBO Max | X | X | X | X | Cartoon Network, HBO, Studio Ghibli | ||||
| Hulu | X | X | X | X | ABC, CBS, HISTORY, TNT | ||||
| Hulu + Live TV | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | CBS, ESPN, NBC | |
| Netflix | X | X | X | X | N/A | ||||
| Paramount+ | X | X | X | X | X | X | BET, CBS, Nickelodeon | ||
| Peacock | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | NBC | |
| Philo (RS Fiber partnered streaming service) | X | X | X | X | A&E, Animal Planet, Food Network | ||||
| Uzzu TV | X | X | NBA, NHL, MLB | ||||||
| Vudu | X | X | X | X | AMC, MGM, Universal | ||||
| YouTube TV | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ABC, FOX, NBC, TNT |