It’s been simply over per week since Roku and Google had a public falling out, culminating in Roku’s resolution to take away YouTube TV from its Channel Store final Friday.
Since then, a bunch of parents have requested me what to do about it, and for good purpose: Some of Roku’s earlier carriage disputes have stretched on for months with out reaching a decision; and up to now, neither Google nor Roku have indicated that they’re near an settlement. (You can learn extra about why they’re combating in final week’s column.)
If you’re delay by the thought of your total TV bundle being held hostage in a carriage dispute, possibly it’s time to rethink the entire proposition.
Pay TV bundles are deteriorating in worth as the perfect content material strikes from cable channels to standalone streaming providers. While huge bundles are nonetheless mandatory for particular cable channels or sports activities crew protection, you’ll get vastly extra to look at at a fraction of the worth by switching to standalone providers like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and HBO Max.
That doesn’t imply you’ll by no means run into one other carriage dispute by ditching the bundle—Roku, for example, had its personal points getting HBO Max and Peacock onto its platform final 12 months—however these incidents are uncommon, and shedding entry single service is much better than having your total TV bundle taken away. The spat between Roku and Google is pretty much as good a time as any to contemplate a clear break.
Check out Jared’s Cord Cutter Weekly e-newsletter for extra assist navigating the post-cable period.
