What The Tech: The Truth About Canceling Cable TV | Entertainment

Are you thinking about canceling your cable TV? Your friends aren’t telling you

Many football fans are desperately looking for a way to watch their favorite teams after Disney cut ESPN from DirectTV subscribers. If you’re one of them, you may be thinking about canceling cable or satellite and switching to a streaming service like YouTube TV or Hulu. But before you do that, there are a few things you should know that your friends may not be telling you.

1. The remote control and menu are different.

You’ll have to get used to a new way of navigating channels. Streaming services typically use smaller remotes with fewer buttons, and there are no “back” or “return” buttons. To change channels, you’ll have to go back to the menu and find the other channel, which can be a hassle for sports fans switching between games.

2. There are no channel numbers.

You’ll have to scroll through a menu to find the channel you want, or you can set your favorites to appear at the top.

3. The start is slower.

Loading, connecting to the Internet and displaying the menu on streaming services takes only a few seconds, while on cable TV this happens instantly.

4. You may need to update your Wi-Fi.

If you have multiple TVs streaming in 4K, you may need to upgrade your Wi-Fi router and internet plan to avoid buffering and lag.

5. You may not save as much money as you think.

YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV have increased prices in recent years and now cost $73 and $77 per month, respectively.

Is cutting the cord right for you?

If you’re a creature of habit who hates change, you might want to think twice before canceling cable. But if you’re willing to get used to a new way of watching TV, streaming services can be a great way to save money and get the channels you want.

Which service is right for you?

For non-sports fans, YouTubeTV is the best deal. Most find the menu is easier to navigate and that you can skip the commercials on recorded rather than live shows. For serious sports fans, Hulu Plus Live TV offers more benefits, as the ESPN+ add-on broadcasts dozens of games not available anywhere else. Although you’ll still have to watch the commercials, you have the option to pay $90 per month for ad-free Hulu. Other options include Fubo TV and Sling.

Take advantage of the free trial versions.

Most streaming services offer free trials so you can try them out before committing to anything. This way, you can see if you like the interface and channel offerings before you cancel cable.