Back in 1967, you had only one chance to catch the newest episode of your favorite TV show. You had to tune in at a specific time to one of a handful of stations. If you missed it or someone else got to the TV first, too bad. You had to wait until the summer rerun season to watch the episode you missed.
Fast-forward 50 years. There has been a revolution in the world of television. Your viewing options now seem limitless, thanks to the internet. Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video allow people to watch their favorite shows whenever they want. Watching television doesn’t even require a TV anymore: Now shows can be viewed anywhere on smartphones, tablets, and other portable screens.
While streaming services have seemingly infinite libraries of shows, there’s one thing missing: live TV. New products like PlayStation Vue provide a way to watch the same programs and channels that traditional cable packages boast. PlayStation Vue users can stream live TV, movies, and sports on a variety of devices just like they could with a cable box or satellite dish. What makes it different from traditional cable is the lack of an annual contract for service.
The flexibility and affordability of these streaming services are inspiring millions of people to “cut the cord” from the cable companies and declare their television independence.