Is it Cheaper to Buy a la Carte Channels?

If you're one of those people who only watches two or three channels, it may be tempting to find a way to cut the cord and buy a la carte channels instead of a traditional bundle. Is there a way to mix and match a la carte options with streaming to get a better price? 

Whether you’re moving into a new home and rethinking your television needs or just trying to figure out how to reshuffle your current cable package, here’s everything you need to know about buying a cable bundle versus a la carte channels.

Cable Bundles vs a la Carte Channels

While the idea of a la carte channels is rising in popularity, the actual execution may fall short when it comes to getting the most out of your entertainment budget. 

While it may seem easy to cut the cord and replace your current setup with streaming and on-demand platforms, the pricing for these a la carte channels and on-demand platforms can quickly add up to more than what your cable bill was initially — without the bundled savings on multiple services. 

Not only do cable companies provide bundles that offer savings with Internet, phone, and home security systems, but they also each have different options when it comes to cable channel offerings. While there are some channels that are considered premium programming such as HBO, Starz, and Showtime, there are also plenty of options that offer wide variety without these premiums if you’re looking to save money. Each package highlights a series of channels that are increasingly more niche, and often include deals on premium channels if you’re bundling your cable with other services. 

There are many critics of mainstream cable services who complain about paying for the channels they don’t want, but the same can be said about switching to streaming. No matter what channel or streaming package you pick, you’re not going to watch everything on that platform. In addition, if you’re looking for the right combination of channels for your household, cutting the cord may mean that it’s more expensive to get both the big game and Game of Thrones for affordable prices.

What matters is what you do watch, and the best way to get the content you love at the best value.

Picking the Right Package for You

When you’re picking your cable package, it’s important to approach it holistically. How can you bundle services in order to get the most value out of everything you need for your home, not just from your cable service?

Decide which channels or programs are the most important for you to have readily available, and then find which package highlights those programs and channels. Remember that you will most likely find the best price on these packages when bundled with other services, so it’s best to make sure your chosen cable provider and Internet provider are the same.

We know this can be a lot of information — that’s why SmartMove is here to help. We’ll help you find the right packages for your area.