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Issue 42: September 6, 2019

Are you getting the most out of your cord-cutting? This week, we explore an important question: Is saving money always the end goal for cord-cutting? We answer that question and explore a few important headlines, including whether Netflix really is trying to kill your binge with weekly episode releases.Read on to find out more in this week's Stream Report.

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Cord-Cutting Tip of the Week:

Cord-cutting is Not Always Cheaper (But That's Not a Bad Thing)

By and large, most of us cut the cord because we were tired of paying too much for traditional cable TV or satellite. All of the hidden fees, unwanted channels, and device rentals quickly add up. Cutting the cord can easily result in saving money. But for some cord-cutters, it might be more expensive. That said, there are a few reasons why even paying more to cut the cord still makes it a valuable endeavor.

1. No long-term contracts

Despite current market demands, traditional cable providers mostly still use the long-term contract model. This model locks you into a 1, 2, or even 3-year contract with the provider, who agrees to provide during that time. But in most cases, the contract also notes that prices may (and usually do) rise over time, as those introductory rates go up.

With cord-cutting, however, you always pay month-to-month. So even when prices for your OTT streaming services go up (and they almost always do -

we've checked

), you can just cancel your contract with no penalty. The freedom to end your relationship easily, and without penalty, is an important one for cord-cutters. 

2. No hidden fees

Traditional cable providers just love sliding in hidden fees, don't they? To be fair, the fees aren't so much "hidden", as they are "unexpected." By law, service providers can't actually charge you amounts they didn't declare upfront. But they often couch payments in the Terms of Service mixed along with legalese. 

That's just not something major cord-cutting options like Netflix, Sling TV, fuboTV, Philo, or others engage in. Even AT&T, which is no saint when it comes to this practice, does away with the hidden fees through its AT&TV Now and AT&T WatchTV service.

3. More choice (to a point)

One thing that has always bugged cord-cutters is the lack of variety in packaging. Most cable TV options throw in a lot of channels, but you have to pay for far more than you want or need. Thankfully, some cord-cutting options, like Sling TV, let you pick and choose a fair set of channels you want. 

You can even mix and match services to get better channel packaging that more suits your needs. That in mind, no streaming service is perfect, and some still pigeonhole you into a service package with no variability. Still, they're often cheaper and only provide the channels most subscribers want.

This Week's Streaming Guide

1. Comedy Central Goes Live to Cover Presidential Debates

The normally pre-taped

The Daily Show

is going LIVE this TUESDAY at 11 PM EST. Host Trevor Noah will deliver undoubtedly biting commentary following the CNN's Democratic presidential debate. Watch it all on Comedy Central. -

Flixed

2. Texans vs. Saints, Broncos vs. Raiders, TONIGHT in NFL

NFL Week 1 continues this with Monday Night Football. Watch the Texans vs. Saints at 7:10 PM, followed by the Broncos vs. Raiders at 10:20 PM. ESPN has these games' live streams. -

F

lixed

News and Industry Developments

1. FuboTV's Original Programming Launches This TUESDAY

FuboTV subscribers need wait no longer. The service is launching its first original programming options this Tuesday through its new fubo Sports Network channel. -

Flixed

2. Don't Worry: Netflix Won't Kill Your Binge

Multiple news articles released this week claiming Netflix was moving to a once-per-week model with TV show releases, similar to what Disney+ has in store. According to Forbes writer Paul Tassi, that might not be the case. 

- Forbes