How Has COVID-19 Led to An Increase in TV Watching
It’s no secret that the pandemic caused a severe binge-watching outbreak worldwide. With more time and less work, television was the most accessible source of entertainment. It’s cheap, readily available, and requires no human interaction. What also helps is that there are a wide variety of options available, especially with so many good TV plans.
Viewers can watch television series from any period. Whether they want something nostalgic from the ‘90s or trendy from the current year, their options are unlimited. So it’s no surprise that people turned to television during lockdowns and quarantine.
But what’s surprising is that television via online streaming didn’t overshadow television cable. Previously, there had been talking of cord-cutting because of the advent of online streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu, but this has been proved wrong. Here’s why the chances of cord-cutting have been reduced while TV’s popularity has risen.
TV is Cheaper
Online streaming sites are gaining popularity, but they can be expensive. They have a monthly fee along with a subscription cost. And in most cases, these rates continue to increase. Rates for many of these sites have doubled since they were launched. Moreover, some places like Amazon Prime and Hulu encourage exclusivity.
This means that not everybody can access the content on these sites. On the other hand, television has cheap, standard rates. And it’s easily affordable for everyone. Users pay a regular rate monthly, and they can even get a good deal from their provider.
It’s Available to All
Sites like Netflix and Hulu are not widely available. Only a limited number of countries can access Amazon Prime. The same is the case with other online streaming sites. This means that most regions are deprived of such sites. But television is available to all.
There are no geographical bounds or political issues. Cable television is available everywhere. Even poorer countries have access to it. So, it does not discriminate or limit viewership based on geography.
TV is Reliable
How often have you been frustrated by how much time it takes for Netflix to buffer? Or for Disney Plus to load Lion King. Online sites like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus are affected by the internet. And the internet can be unreliable. It begins to fluctuate on its own or disrupts Wi-Fi connections without warning.
There are also chances of slowing down because of wiring issues you can do nothing about. In such cases, online streaming is frustrating. This is where the popularity of television comes in. It is connected to a stable cable provider, and the internet does not affect it. So even if the entire world is going through an internet outage, you can still enjoy your shows uninterrupted with television.
TV Makes Sports More Accessible
All sports fans can relate to this one. It’s doubtful, even today, that you stream a sports event on the internet. Instead, football matches, cricket tournaments, and d everything related to sports are viewed on the big screen. This is because it is more communal this way. More people can watch it together if it’s playing on television.
And because watching matches is considered a communal activity, individual laptops ruin the fun. But there’s more. Online streaming for sports can be a real headache. It’s tough to find a reliable streaming site for matches. Mostly, the process of finding this site can be very exhausting. On the other hand, sports are readily available on television. There are a lot of channels to choose from, and most of them are of good quality.
It Offers Comfort
In times of uncertainty and confusion, people need a source of comfort. And television is the most popular candidate for this. It offers release from worldly problems and worries. You can instantly switch to any channel and become a part of its world. This is why television also acts as a form of escape.
Bottom Line
Eventually, from this note, you will know how Covid-19 increases TV watching from this note. Therefore you also can watch all your favorites on your respective TV without missing out on this period.