Phynx Fiber

Should You Unbundle or Cut Your Cable?

You may have heard us mention the idea of cutting the cable but you’re just not ready to say goodbye to your regularly scheduled programming. We understand eliminating cable is a tough thing to do – breakups are hard, man. Sure, you don’t love flipping through the channels during three minute commercial breaks, or maybe you’re bored with your cable company’s current lineup, but you’re not ready to get rid of watching your television altogether. And that’s OK, you don’t have to! Unbundling might be the best option so you can keep your cable package and still upgrade your Internet.

Unbundle your cable

Which content option is best for me?

To help you determine whether it makes the most sense for your home to unbundle cable versus completely cutting the cord, think about what you and your family enjoy watching and how/where you prefer to watch it:

What do you like to watch?

  • Local news and weather
  • Standard broadcast channels
  • Primetime dramas, comedies and… dramadies
  • Cartoons
  • Live sports
  • New movies
  • Classic movies
  • A mix of everything

What will you watch it on?

  • Your standard television – This setup will require you to install new hardware in order to get access to streaming content, such as a Roku, Amazon Fire, AppleTV or Chromecast.
  • A SmartTV – Fortunately, most new HD TVs come preloaded with basic streaming apps. Anything beyond these basics may also require additional hardware.
  • Gaming console – Xbox and Playstation consoles have turned into vast content libraries to provide access to multimedia apps and many different streaming services.
  • Mobile device – As long as you have a fast Internet connection, your phone or tablet has the potential of connecting to almost every streaming service available.

When do you prefer to watch it?

If you’re able to sit down and watch a primetime show as soon as it premiers, live and uninterrupted, then we commend you on your superb time management! (We’re also guessing you don’t have young kids…)

But, if you find yourself trying to squeeze-in a show at the end of the day so your DVR doesn’t start deleting previously watched episodes, or you’re wishing you had something else to watch while your kids zone out to their Saturday morning cartoons, then getting content on your schedule sounds like an important factor to consider.

Option one: unbundle your cable

In an interview with Harvard Business Review, Jim Barksdale, former CEO of Netscape Communications, tells the story behind his famous quote, “There’s only two ways I know of to make money: bundling and unbundling.” While the majority of cable + Internet + telephone bundling companies promote simplifying your programming, they’re also designed to guarantee your customer loyalty and, in-turn, a steady stream of your dollars.

These cable bundles also limit your online experience by capping your Internet speed based on “the average customer”, (Are you average? Mr. Rogers didn’t think so and neither do we.) which can be especially frustrating when you could have access to fiber Internet.

If you like watching the local news broadcast and live sporting events without the need for new hardware, then maybe the best option would be to keep your cable subscription and upgrade your Internet through a different provider.

Go beyond cable to get your content

Option two: go beyond cable to get your content

Why? Because content distribution has evolved and is still evolving. Media megacorps such as Amazon, Netflix and Hulu are now producing premium content for their subscribers, in addition to streaming existing shows and blockbusters. They understand viewers are moving on from traditional, linear programming and are looking for nonlinear options. They know you want to choose what you watch, when you watch it, and where you watch it. (Raise your hand if you also stream a show on your tablet while washing the dishes!)

Last year, Fox Networks distribution president Mike Biard told Variety, “There has been a proliferation of content outside the traditional pay-TV system. Consumers are itching to get more content on their terms, and they’re finding it many places.”

Our team wants to help you get access to your favorite content via the fastest Internet connection in town, delivering 1 Gbps of data directly to the screen of your choice within the comfort of your home, outside of the traditional cable bundle.

What are the streaming services available?


Broadcast TV

  1. Playstation Vue
  2. SlingTV
  3. DIRECTV NOW
  4. Hulu with Live TV
  5. CBS All Access


Primetime Series

  1. Hulu
  2. SlingTV
  3. CBS All Access
  4. Amazon Prime Video
  5. HBO Now


Live sports

  1. FuboTV
  2. DIRECTV NOW
  3. N.B.A. League Pass
  4. MLB.TV
  5. ESPN+ *coming Spring 2018


New movie releases

  1. Amazon Prime Video
  2. Redbox On Demand *currently in Beta
  3. Vudu
  4. Google Play Movies
  5. iTunes


Classic and miscellaneous movies

  1. Crackle
  2. FilmStruck
  3. Mubi
  4. Shudder
  5. SundanceNow


Kids cartoons

  1. Netflix
  2. Amazon Prime Video
  3. Boomerang
  4. PBS Kids Plug and Play
  5. CartoonsOn!


Platforms with original programming

  1. Netflix
  2. Hulu
  3. Amazon Prime Video
  4. HBO Now
  5. Acorn TV


Pro-tip: If you’re interested in subscribing to one of these streaming services, be sure to search for promotional discounts before you sign up as many offer free trials!

Sony's 'Playstation Vue' Streams TV On-Demand to Gamers | Photo credit: BagoGames on Flickr

But first, you’ll need to get faster Internet

Whether you decide to keep your cable package or opt into content streaming, you’re going to need to upgrade your Internet connection to handle the data.

Our basic Phynx 100 plan will definitely give your home enough speed to improve your streaming capabilities. However, many family-based households opt for the Phynx 250 or Phynx 500 plans to ensure they have plenty of speed to handle multiple devices all streaming at the same time.

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