Dumping your expensive cable TV provider yet still having access to quality TV content can seem daunting at first.  Don’t worry, after a brief learning curve you’ll be watching what you want and saving a bundle of money every month.  Below are a few answers to questions you might have.  As this cord-cutting FAQ remains a work in progress, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have that have thus far been overlooked here, as well as any suggestions or corrections you may have that might make this page more helpful to others.

“Streaming” in the common vernacular, and as it is discussed on this site, refers to a steady flow of data from the Internet to your device (TV, computer, phone, tablet, etc.) that manifests as video and/or audio on your device as soon as it arrives.  Though done in a different way, it’s much the same as watching TV or listening to the radio by traditional means, but it often allows for more user control. Streaming is NOT the same as downloading a file, though in certain cases that distinction can be a bit murky.  However, generally speaking, streaming is a flow of entertainment data that doesn’t save to a file (unless you make it).  Streaming content can be watched or listened to in your browser and through various proprietary third-party apps.

YES.  The concept is pretty much the same for all streaming, but the delivery and manner of access can be different.  The biggest distinction is that some streaming access is free while other access is not.  The breakdown goes something like this:

* Free streaming sites and services that bundle channels and provide access through a single website.

* Paid streaming sites and services that bundle channels and provide access through a single website.

* Free single channel streaming access from a content producer’s website (i.e. your local TV station, which tend to loop their locally produced content but NOT network fare).

* Many streaming sites allow you to watch their content through your browser, especially podcasts, but others, both free and paid, require you to access their content through their own free proprietary app.  Those requiring the use of their apps to watch content almost always include some sort of internet use or location tracking software within them to allow the content provider the ability to target their own marketing to you or to sell or share that data with third parties for the same use.

* Many smart TV’s these days come with preloaded browsers and streaming apps.  For example, Samsung TV’s come already loaded with a browser AND the Samsung TV Plus streaming app (which is pretty good).  Any TV that comes with a browser should be able to access streaming content on the internet if connected.

This section is currently under construction.  Please check back soon.