With more and more content companies announcing streaming options and streaming services like Netflix and Hulu greatly expanding their original content offerings, it seems like it's a matter of time before we go back to cutting the cord. In October we had Univision join HBO and CBS in announcing stand alone streaming services. I'm sure a big part of that is just creating leverage against cable companies, but it's a good sign, IMO, that we are headed toward a world in which the current cable model is extinct. I don't think we'll ever get to a place where everything is consumed a la carte, as that would have a serious negative input on new content creation, but seeing cable companies evolve from huge bundles to offering bundle packages for streamed content that people can build on their own makes a lot of sense.
In the short term, I expect the cable industry to fight tooth and nail for victories like they had over Aereo, but eventually they are going to lose that war. As for our household, what it comes down to is a handful of shows that we watch not being available through streaming services in a timely manner, forcing us to pay for them by the episode. If those shows were to pop up on Hulu, I'd cut the cord immediately. It's that a la carte spending that closes the gap between cable and just internet.
In the short term, I expect the cable industry to fight tooth and nail for victories like they had over Aereo, but eventually they are going to lose that war. As for our household, what it comes down to is a handful of shows that we watch not being available through streaming services in a timely manner, forcing us to pay for them by the episode. If those shows were to pop up on Hulu, I'd cut the cord immediately. It's that a la carte spending that closes the gap between cable and just internet.
