Most Tempted by Cord Cutting, But Don't Follow Through A new survey of 4,000 pay-TV and OTT subscribers across seven countries has found that while many people think about cord cutting, the majority don't follow through. According to the new survey by Rovi, only three percent of global pay TV customers have actually cut the cord. While 57 percent of all respondents had given cord cutting either “a lot of” thought or “some” thought, most simply don't follow through with cancelling traditional cable.

That's not to say things are rosy for traditional pay television, or that cord cutting isn't a threat. The survey notes that among all the countries studies, the United States saw the highest number of customers actually cutting the cord (7%), thanks to soaring cable TV prices and some of the worst customer service in any industry. The study focuses heavily on arguing that many potential cord cutters would stick around if cable operators offered better GUIs and more accurate search technology (you may be shocked to learn that's precisely the kind of technology Rovi sells). Rovi argues 73% of survey respondents have a hard time finding the content they're looking for, and 67% are more likely to stick with their TV provider if they can find what they're looking for. Still, the survey makes it clear that it may not take much on the part of cable operators to get potential cord cutters to stick around. If upgraded search functionality sways this many customers (assuming Rovi's study is accurate), imagine how well the traditional pay TV industry could manage cord cutting if it finally started competing on price? Still, the survey makes it clear that it may not take much on the part of cable operators to get potential cord cutters to stick around. If upgraded search functionality sways this many customers (assuming Rovi's study is accurate), imagine how well the traditional pay TV industry could manage cord cutting if it finally started competing on price?







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Most recommended from 72 comments

riffin1

join:2013-12-17

Saint Paul, MN 7 recommendations riffin1 Member Statistics are flawed. Comcast has a deal where having the lowest video tier with internet is usually cheaper than not having it. When someone tries to disconnect it's always suggested. "Do you want a 65.00 Comcast bill or a 63.00 Comcast bill?" Did those people cut the cord?

davidc502

join:2002-03-06

Mount Juliet, TN 1 edit 6 recommendations davidc502 Member cutting the cord was strange I remember cutting the cord nearly 2 years ago......... For me it was about flipping all the channels, and finding something to watch (100+ channels).. then suddenly after cutting the cord, you realize flipping channels is over. These days time is spent being more productive, and less time watching stuff I really didn't have an interest to watch.

Packeteers

Premium Member

join:2005-06-18

Forest Hills, NY ·Verizon FiOS

·Charter

Asus RT-AC3100

(Software) Asuswrt-Merlin

5 recommendations Packeteers Premium Member cabletv just works every time i see a neighbor she goes on about her cabletv bill, and how she want to cut the cord like i did. i regularly offer to help her through it, and what to buy, etc. but i don't sugar coat the fact that it will be more "hands on" than the idiot proof cabletv she's so used to. this has been going on for 2 years. just last week she texted me asking exactly what docsis3 modem she should buy to avoid the $8/mo fee - that's the third time she's asked me. it's like knowing you need to go on a diet, but never actually following through with the lifestyle changes required.

rudnicke

Premium Member

join:2004-10-23

Rantoul, IL 3 recommendations rudnicke Premium Member Best thing Best thing I ever did was get rid of cable. I just use our provider for internet access only. A little patience goes a long way.

Trimline

Premium Member

join:2004-10-24

Windermere, FL 114.5 12.1

3 recommendations Trimline Premium Member OT: For those interested in new a Cutting The Cord Forum



Cheers. This topic has been discussed so many times it deserves it's own forum for members to share their setups, trials and tribulations. If you agree, please see » Cut The Cord Forum? and vote for it.Cheers.

ctaranto

join:2011-12-14

MA 2 recommendations ctaranto Member Because... They are tempted because of the cost, but are impatient and can't wait for their favorite show to appear on Netflix/Amazon Prime. The result is paying a premium to see new content now.



In addition, it takes some technical skills to set up a whole house DVR system for OTA broadcasts. It was pretty easy for me (and probably most who read this forum). But if my mother wanted to do it? Not happening without my help. Once you have a DVR with the cable company, it's tough not having it after cutting the cord.

buzz_4_20

join:2003-09-20

Biddeford, ME (Software) Sophos UTM Home Edition

Ruckus R310

2 recommendations buzz_4_20 Member For Me I grew up with TV and having cable and there are some big plusses.



However, having to pay the high price to be subjected the increasingly annoying and absurd commercials is the deal breaker, plus the majority of the shows I watch I'm behind on and they are on Netflix. The only thing I miss, is watching TPIR when I'm sick.



At the end of the day, there are so many viewer friendly options now that the cable model is really falling out of favor.

gigahurtz

Premium Member

join:2001-10-20

USA 1 edit 2 recommendations gigahurtz Premium Member We were one of those, until earlier this year. My wife and I were one of those who were tempted to cut the cord but never did. Finally, earlier this year in February we took a chance and did it. We haven't looked back since. I still pay an exorbitant amount for internet access through my local provider Brighthouse, but we are saving money in the long run which is great.



We have Roku's on all of our TVs and we get everything we need. Sure, we are missing a lot of live TV that we had when we subscribed to a TV package, but we find our overall watching experience is much better now than it was before.