Time For You to ‘Cut the Cord’?...

Traditional Cable TV providers see huge subscriber losses in recent years

Photo image of "Cutting the Cord" cable TV

With the average US consumer’s monthly cable TV bill now topping $140 a month not including hi-speed internet costs, more and more households are ditching traditional cable TV for a growing number of on-demand and LIVE TV streaming services.  Benefits include lower costs, fewer (or no) commercials, on-demand and LIVE content streaming, just to name a few.  Recent reports from the Leichtman Research Group show that nearly nine out of ten U.S. households have one, if not more, internet-connected televisions.

Since 2019 the major Cable TV providers have collectively lost about 6 million subscribers per year through 2022.  While many households opt for one or the other, in 2019 43% had both pay cable TV plus at least one streaming service subscription.  The pandemic shifted the balance and ‘cord-cutting’ is now clearly on the rise.

As of Q1 2023, the top 3 cable TV ‘replacers’ are Google’s YouTube TV (6.3 million subscribers); Hulu + LIVE TV (4.4 million subscribers); and Sling TV (2.1 million subscribers).  A few other players are in the space but based on adoption rates, these top three are clearly preferred by most subscribers.  As their content quality and quantity continues to increase and now as LIVE TV options abound, more and more consumers are making the switch to streaming and saving dollars along the way.

For a deeper dive into the numbers, check out this recent report by CompariTech.  If you’d like to talk with an expert about your streaming options and how to get there, fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch.

A NEW SMART HOME SHOWPLACE

The local custom audio video & smart home systems company with the funny name has a brand new home.  Five Smooth Stones Audio-Video-Smart Home designed and built the new 9,000sf building that’s recently popped up on Jacksonville’s southside at 5269 Hood Road, right between the JTB/Baymeadows and Mandarin submarkets.

For over 20 years, Five Smooth Stones has helped homeowners by offering design and installation of custom home entertainment systems, home technology, and security systems in both new and existing homes in north Florida.  “Technology touches our lives more and more every day.  We believe it should simplify our lives, but all too often, it’s just frustrating for many people, especially in their homes.”, says John Prince, Sr, founder & CEO.

“While yes, we show surround sound & home music systems, smart security, WiFi & more, our dream for this new building is for it to be a place of community, where friends can gather and relationships can be built and deepened.  Our team loves what we do and we love helping our customers live better with technology,” Prince continues.

When complete, the building will feature a 3,000 sf lifestyle design studio with a full gourmet kitchen, family room area, a 12-seat custom cinema, a video gaming loft, and a gathering space that opens to a large covered outdoor pavered area with a summer kitchen, wood-burning pizza oven, and a fire table to gather around.  Of course, all sizes of TV’s and music systems are everywhere you look to enjoy in all the spaces.

Says Chris Ferrell, a senior system designer, “...what I really love about the new place is that it allows me to meet with families in a home-like setting so they can experience for themselves what the systems we offer will be like in their own homes.  Plus, we plan to host open house events for people to come in and visit with our team.”

“From concept to completion, everything we’ve done here has been intended to create a welcoming place where people can gather and enjoy a good time.  Home technology can be simple and fun…  and that’s what we want to show.” - John Prince, Sr.