Why You May Not Want to Cut Your Cable Subscription Just Yet
Life and Leisure

Why You May Not Want to Cut Your Cable Subscription Just Yet

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While the number of consumers who opt to cut out cable and rely solely on streaming video services continues to grow, those cord cutters may not be totally thrilled with the end result.

A new report from J.D. Power finds that among consumers who have used a streaming service in the past six months, those who have completely cut out cable are the least satisfied with their ability to access video content. Cord-stackers, those who have both cable and streaming services, are the happiest.

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The study found that 60 percent of streaming video customers are cord-stackers, 23 percent are “cord shavers” (those who have still subscribe to TV but downgraded their package), 13 percent are cord-cutters and 4 percent never subscribed to television.

A Pew survey last year found that about 15 percent of Americans adults have given up cable, with young adults far more likely to use streaming services alone. Those numbers will likely grow as more cable channels launch apps that allow users to access their content without paying for a full cable subscription.

Mort than 60 percent of those who use video-streaming services admit to binge-watching programs, and those who do binge watch are 35 percent more satisfied than other consumers, according to J.D. Power.

No matter what service they use to stream content, most consumers (65 percent) are still watch it on their televisions. More than half say they use a laptop or computer, and 48 percent watch via mobile devices.

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