This is a topic we’ve been thinking of covering in Stream This for a long time.

Each week, we delve into stories from the world of digital entertainment, seeing what’s available on Netflix, YouTube, shomi, CraveTV, Crackle, iTunes and others. There are a lot of quality options out there. But is it time to finally ditch your cable bill?

“It seems to be the time of year for that kind of choice, because everyone’s looking forward to the new school year,” says Carmi Levy, an independent technology analyst and journalist based in London, Ont. “They’re considering their family budget, and they’re starting to make decisions. They’re changing their phones; they’re changing their entertainment options. And in many cases, they’re deciding, ‘The things I’ve had for many years, it’s time to switch them up a little bit.’”

Thinking of making a change for autumn? We’ve reached out to some of Canada’s smartest technology journalists and authors to help you weigh that decision. Here are some things to consider if you’re contemplating cutting the cord:

ANALYZE YOUR INTERNET USAGE:

Since you’ll be streaming video instead of watching traditional TV, you’ll want to make sure that your Internet plan gives you enough gigabytes per month. Could it be time to switch to an unlimited plan? “It may cost you an extra $10 a month from your Internet provider, but make sure you have unlimited,” says Marc Saltzman, technology columnist and broadcaster. “You’re not going to want to go with anything less, because the last thing you want to do is watch your data per month.”

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR ROUTER:

This isn’t something that a lot people think about, but it might be time for an upgrade. “A router that’s been around for five-plus years probably isn’t going to be up to the task of handling multiple video streams in your house,” says Levy. “So, newer routers are just better. They’re faster, they’re more robust, they’re easier to set up and they’re more secure.”

ASSESS YOUR DEVICES:

Do you have all of the necessary hardware in place, or do you need to purchase something new? If you’ve got a video game system like the PS4 or Xbox One lying around, you might be able to use that. Some cord-cutters prefer streaming set-top boxes like the Roku 3, and others like to stick with either Apple or Google products. “That’s like the basics you have to have in place – either you need an iPad and an Apple TV, or a Nexus 9/Samsung Galaxy Tab plus the Chromecast,” says Daniel Bader, editor-in-chief of Canadian tech site Mobile Syrup. “You’re probably in the best position to have access to everything as soon as possible with an iPad, because Apple products tend to get the newest apps first, and the quality is usually the best.”

MANAGE YOUR SERVICES:

So, which streaming service do you sign up for? This question will be even more relevant in the next little while, as shomi and CraveTV eventually become available to all Canadians – not just people who are already consumers of Rogers, Shaw or Bell. We’re also assuming here that you won’t be using virtual private networks to access titles from the U.S., or torrent clients to download content illegally. In terms of the above-board services, it might not hurt to sign up for a few at the same time, especially since many of them offer free trial periods. “If you’re a cord-cutter, rather than getting all of your stuff in one place, like you used to do with TV, you’re going to have to get it from several different sources,” says Peter Nowak, technology journalist and author of Humans 3.0: The Upgrading of the Species. “But, that said, it’s still probably going to end up being cheaper than what you were paying for TV.”

PREPARE TO LOSE OUT ON SPORTS AND LIVE TV:

You have to think about how much you value watching sports or live events. Will you feel like you’re missing out if you’re not able to follow along with the Toronto Blue Jays, or watch the Academy Awards? While most major sports leagues offer their own streaming services, these can often be pricey and include regional blackouts. And Sling TV has been earning some praise in the U.S. – since it gives users a package of channels, including ESPN, for $20 a month – but it’s not available in Canada. “You may be relaxing on a Sunday afternoon, going, ‘You know, I’d really like to watch the baseball game, it’s too bad I cancelled my Rogers,’” says Saltzman. “There are certainly more options than ever before, but expect some remorse for cutting the cord.”

Twitter: @SeanDFitzgerald

sean.fitzgerald@sunmedia.ca