Advertisers Cling To Traditional Television As More Viewers Cut Cords With Cable Providers

The writing is on the wall and truth be told, it has been for years. Cable television subscription rates continue to dwindle as eyeballs move online for steaming video services or toward cell phones for ever-expanding social media outlets. Regardless of this shift in consumer preference, an advertising buying frenzy was unfolding in New York City in mid-May 2017 as executives prepared to plunk down millions of dollars in exchange for air time on the big broadcast stations.

According to The New York Times, the gathering of television stations and advertising companies unfolded amidst the knowledge that more and more people were cutting the cord with their cable providers. The typical reasons for such a move often includes the desire to save money and dissatisfaction with the programming they are paying for. The solution for those in this camp is simple: find the best HD antenna.

Generally, these devices are capable of receiving over-the-air signals from the same big television broadcasters that were courting advertising dollars at the New York City gathering. The upshot in the financial department is the relatively low price of an high-definition television antenna, which pales in comparison to the more than $1,000 the average consumer spends annually on a cable television bill. In exchange for the price of admission, HD television antenna owners will be able to access more than a dozen broadcasters, including big names such as ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox as well as local news, sports, classic movies and more.

According to The New York Times report from May 14, 2017, one media analyst said that the tired tradition of buying a 30-second spot on TV will continue until it no longer works. Compounding the problem, according to the report, is that television viewership among younger people and even adults is dropping. Turner Entertainment’s chief creative officer told the newspaper that the industry is in a “transitional phase” being kept “afloat” by the baby boomer generation. Fortunately for consumers today, we aren’t beholden to tradition and can cut the cord whenever we see the cost-benefit analysis as no longer working in our favor.

Television News Broadcasts Remain Top Source For Viewing Public To Get Their Information

An informed electorate is an essential component of crafting a representative government. Without the former, unqualified individuals could come to hold office based off of gut-feeling votes, not educated ones. Without the latter, fair and quality legislation doesn’t get introduced or passed. The right to vote – and vote out those who don’t do their jobs for that matter – is an important aspect of being an American. To best utilize that right, it’s crucial for citizens to educate themselves on Washington D.C., candidate platforms as well as state and local government. The real question, however, is how exactly are Americans accomplishing this?

Readers searching for free cable TV have good reason to be doing so, as television played a huge role in how Americans get their news. According to a Pew Research Center study that analyzed news media consumption, 57 percent of Americans get their news from cable, local and nightly network broadcasts. Those between the ages of 30 and 49 used TV 45 percent of the time to watch the news. That figure climbs to 85 percent for those over the age of 65. In second place for common  news source was the Internet, with radio and print newspapers coming in third and fourth, respectively.

 Given the prevalence of TV news and the importance of being informed, purchasing a digital television antenna will allow consumers to both cut out their monthly cable bill while retaining access to local news and national nightly broadcasts. While such digital antennas will also aid with the reception of other national and local broadcasts plus movies and children’s entertainment, we’re here to tout the benefit of being informed. The role of the Fourth Estate – as the independent act of journalism and reporting has been known as since the late 1700s – has never been more important as it is now. Supporting news outlets by watching their programming is one of the best ways to improve yourself.  For more information on free cable TV, visit cleartvkey.com.