You can drop the set top box and oversized TV package next time you settle in to watch your favorite show. Streaming through your TV offers a great experience without the hassles of traditional cable.

In the past few years streaming has become more and more popular. The latest research shows that 56 million (46%) of U.S. households with internet are “cord cutters” who have left traditional cable, which points to the popularity of streaming video services. In addition, 12% of U.S. households with internet are “cord nevers” who have never subscribed to any sort of traditional pay TV.

But why?

Streaming offers more choice: No more being forced into a pre-determined channel package filled with many you don’t even watch. With streaming, you can choose the services that offer the channels and programs you actually want to watch! In addition to live TV, you can access low-cost or free services that offer movies, shows, and documentaries that match your interests. Plus, you can record programming in your own personalized library to watch later, and access movies and shows on demand (when you want).

Streaming is portable: Stream whatever you want, whenever you want. You can take streaming with you instead of being tied to your living room. Feel free to watch on your TV, but you can also stream from your computer, smartphone, tablet, or gaming console, giving you the freedom to watch on the go or curled up on the couch.

Streaming is flexible: Streaming offers variety, including live sports and news, without the need for a long-term commitment. The vast majority of streaming services have no contracts. You can sign up for one month and cancel the next if you don’t like it anymore, if your favorite show ends, or if something new comes along. If you watch less TV in the summer, you can drop the service and pick it back up in the winter.

Streaming is simple: You can leave behind the set-top box and equipment rental fees. All you need is your Internet connection and a simple device (which we’ll review in our next streaming blog post) to enjoy all your favorite programming, live or on demand. Streaming devices are relatively cheap and you don’t have to pay the cable company every month to rent one!

In short, while traditional TV offers restrictions, streaming offers freedom and control. You can enjoy the same programming and channels you’re used to without equipment rentals, a bunch of channels you don’t watch (but do pay for), and the limitation of only at home.

SRT can walk you through your options and help you get exactly what you want based on your preferences. We can also offer you a free in-home setup of the TV streaming service you’d like. We’d do all the work and all you have to do is enjoy watching your favorite programming.

To get started, click Find Your Streaming Service with SRT Communications or call us at 701-858-1200 for a free streaming checkup.

NEXT UP: We’ll explain how to stream in our next streaming blog post.

Streaming may sound mysterious or complicated, but at its heart, it’s simply a new, improved way to enjoy one of our favorite past-times: watching TV. As technology often does, it adds to your experience with a familiar activity.

Look at cell phones, for example. They have evolved from big boxy things with a coiled car charger, to a rad flip phone, to the smart phones we use today. Essentially a little computer in your hand that can do just about anything. But you can still count on it for a good old-fashioned phone call (or text!) to mom. You can just do a lot of other stuff, too.

The same is true for TV. The old cable box is giving way to online streaming, but you’re still breaking out the popcorn to enjoy a fun movie with your family. Watching TV is still watching TV. You can just do a lot of other stuff, too – such as searching, creating your own watch list, sorting your channel lineup, and more.

Today you have more options and more control over your viewing experience, all thanks to streaming.

Streaming in a Nutshell

Put simply, streaming is when you watch or listen to media content over your internet connection instead of through a cable box or satellite dish. If you watch a movie on Netflix, or listen to music or a podcast on Spotify, you are streaming.

Streaming can be “live” like what you might be accustomed to with cable TV – when you tune in to watch a show scheduled in the TV guide. An example of a live streaming service would be YouTube TV. Or streaming can be “on demand” – when you select any movie or show you want to watch now from a service like Netflix.

No Need to Download

With streaming, the media file you’re watching or listening to is stored remotely (not on your own device) and is transmitted a little at a time over your SRT Internet connection. Streaming happens in real-time, while you’re watching your program, and is more efficient than downloading media files.

When you download a video, a copy of the whole file is saved locally on your device. You can’t play the video until the download is complete. That takes time and storage space. However, when you stream, you can play the video without saving it to your device.

The Nuts and Bolts (and Packets) of Streaming

Video data travels over the Internet as little “packets.” Each packet contains a small piece of the video, which your device receives continuously. Once the packets reach your device, your media player turns them back into video.  

What do these tiny packets add up to? When you sit down to watch the latest Stranger Things season or a true crime documentary, it will play instantly without interruption. And you’ll be too busy enjoying your show to be thinking about data packets!

It’s All About Your Experience

The key to streaming is having a good Internet connection and solid Whole Home WiFi. From there, it’s pure entertainment! With your reliable SRT Internet, you can stream your favorite TV channels, shows, movies, documentaries, and more – live or on demand. You won’t need a set top box anymore to watch endless content from services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or Max.

SRT can walk you through your options and help you get exactly what you want based on your preferences. We can also offer you a free in-home setup of the TV streaming service you’d like. We’d do all the work and all you have to do is enjoy watching your favorite programming.

To get started, click Find Your Streaming Service with SRT Communications or call us at 701-858-1200 for a free streaming checkup.

NEXT UP: We’ll share the benefits of streaming in our next streaming blog post.