Cutting the Cord (Cable TV): Did We Win or Did They?

In the good old days, “cutting the cord” was the move. 

It meant freedom from cable giants like Spectrum or Xfinity. It meant fewer bills, headaches, and, most importantly, fewer commercials.

But now, I’m sitting here, streaming my life away, and I can’t help but notice: I’m paying more than ever to watch TV and back to being bombarded by ads.

How did we let this happen?

Breaking Down the Numbers: My Streaming Hell

Here’s what I pay every month to keep up with shows, sports, and the occasional “must-watch” that some coworker told me about:

Streaming vs. Cable: The Ads Still Win

Even with YouTube TV, which costs $70/month for live channels, we’re back to the cable model. You still have live TV (and ads), you’re still tied to internet costs, and it’s just as expensive—if not more.

• YouTube TV: Costs $70/month for live channels but still has commercials.

• Netflix, Peacock, Disney+: Ads are everywhere unless you upgrade.

• Paramount+: “Binge-watching” is dead. Episodes are released weekly now, so you can’t even cancel after a month to save money.

The Real Winner? Corporate Giants

We thought we beat the system. “We’ll cut the cord!” we said. “We’ll save money!” But in reality, streaming turned into a piecemeal version of cable that costs more and feels worse.

The ads are back. The price hikes are back. And the old cable companies? They still get your money when you pay for the internet.

Streaming is cable in disguise but with a fancier user interface and no remote to lose.

The Final Verdict

Cutting the cord doesn’t always save you money. If you want live TV, premium shows, and a handful of ad-free experiences, you’re looking at $267/month—almost double the cost of a decent cable package.

So, ask yourself: Is the streaming “freedom” worth it, or did the corporate giants just sell us a shinier version of the same old scam?