Cable vs. Streaming Costs and Options in New Jersey and Beyond

The way we consume television is changing dramatically as streaming services challenge the dominance of more traditional cable television.

As cable companies adapt to the demands of a more personalized and digital experience, experts predict that the future of television will bring further consolidation, innovation and possibly a return to bundled services similar to the traditional cable model.

Streaming: A Generation Gap

“Streaming has destroyed the traditional cable television business model,” said Chriss Williams, chair and professor of film at William Paterson University. “Most Generation Z kids have no idea what ‘cable’ is. You get everything on your phone or via an app. They can buy a TV or get an Apple TV, Roku, or a Google or Amazon stick and stream whatever they want.

“The old model of sitting back and allowing cable companies to give you the channels you think you want is over,” Williams said. “Older generations like cable because they know it, but their portion of the audience is getting smaller.”

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Streaming platforms offer unprecedented flexibility, allowing consumers to choose services tailored to their interests. “When my child was younger, having Disney+ was mandatory because he loved movies and series. As he got older, I was able to easily cancel it and just switch our Netflix plan to a family plan,” Williams said. “That’s the beauty of streaming: it’s easy to customize and adapt to your needs. The downside, however, is that there are so many services to keep an eye on. I probably spent hundreds of dollars because I forgot to cancel subscriptions.”

The frustration with the cable

Steven Miller, director of undergraduate journalism and media studies at Rutgers University, described how dissatisfaction with cable fueled the rise of streaming.

“People were very angry with their cable providers. They received poor service, were unresponsive, and paid higher and higher fees,” Miller said. “Then the cable companies created these triple plays where they tied the phone lines and the Internet to the cable. When you started streaming, people got cheaper services and more choice.”

Miller highlighted the big cost difference, pointing out that cable TV could cost consumers an average of $217 per month, while streaming services like Netflix or Disney+ could cost as little as $9. “I argue that the way cable television is built is becoming an obsolete technology. “The fact that you need a cable box, a cable, and you have to be plugged in at a certain time to watch shows that the programmers have created – that’s just not the way people consume media anymore,” he said .

The generation difference is a crucial factor.

“I have 150 students in the class, and when I ask them how many have cable, the answer is zero. The 18-34 age group does not have cable subscriptions. So that’s it – that’s the end of the cord,” Miller concluded.

The Price of Cable vs. Streaming

The competitive pricing of streaming services increases their appeal. Netflix’s basic plan with ads costs $6.99 per month, while Disney+ and Max are available for $9.99 per month each. More comprehensive options like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV cost $82.99 and $81.99 per month, respectively, and offer live channels in addition to on-demand content. In comparison, cable services like Optimum start at $30 to $40 per month for 250+ channels, and Verizon Fios offers a more robust package at $85 per month for 425+ channels.

Williams predicted that streaming will continue to dominate in the coming years, but noted that profitability remains a challenge. “Streaming will win because it allows for greater choice and ease of use. However, only Netflix and Disney make a lot of money. I think we’ll see fewer streaming services or perhaps more partnerships. The market cannot sustain the sheer number of options we have today,” he said.

How does the cable adapt to the changing landscape?

Eric Bruno, senior vice president and general manager of product management at Optimum, described how his company is evolving to adapt to the rise of streaming. “At Optimum, we have invested heavily in modernizing our video products to provide a more seamless viewing experience,” said Bruno. “This year, we expanded the availability of our Optimum Stream product to reach 1.5 million more households in our West location and enhanced the product experience with improved interface navigation. Through Optimum Stream, customers can enjoy a seamless entertainment experience that combines live TV with access to thousands of streaming apps via the Google Play Store.”

Bruno emphasized that personalization and affordability are key to customer loyalty.

“We have reimagined the Optimum TV model and recently launched three brand new TV offerings: Entertainment TV, Extra TV and Everything TV. These options break traditional all-or-nothing cable packages and offer content tailored to individual viewing preferences,” he said.

What does the future of television look like?

Miller argued that the biggest difference between him and the younger generation is the ability to adapt to the speed at which technology changes.

“If you had told me when I was in college, in the late ’70s, that optimizing search operations was going to be a thing, I would say, ‘What are you talking about?'” he said. “And that’s why cable TV is going to disappear. It’s not portable in terms of production, it’s not affordable, and they’ve also given the industry the impression that they’re monopolistic and don’t care about their customers.”

Bond Benton, professor of communications at Montclair State University, speculated about the future of television.

“As streaming matures, the current approach of only paying for the content you like will likely evolve,” Benton said. “Viewers may be watching shows on multiple services they are interested in and the cost of paying subscriptions to watch that content.” Multiple platforms will ultimately be unaffordable for consumers. Bundling subscriptions to access multiple streaming platforms seems inevitable. The irony is that such bundling looks very similar to the cable model it replaced.

The television landscape is changing rapidly, with streaming driving innovation and cable companies trying to adapt. Both models have strengths and weaknesses, but experts agree that consolidation and partnerships are likely to dominate the future.

“The way we watch television will never be the same,” Williams said. “But the industry, as always, will adapt to give consumers what they want.”

Price comparison for streaming and cable

Streaming services

YouTube TV: $82.99/month, live channels.
Hulu + Live TV: $81.99/month, live channels and on-demand content.
Sling TV: $45/month (Sling Blue package).
Netflix: $6.99/month (basic with ads).
Disney+: $9.99/month (with ads).
Max: $9.99/month (with ads).

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