Cord Cutting is for Everyone!

TOPICS:

Who said cord-cutting is “only for Millennials?” The cable TV providers, that’s who!

Are the cable companies spreading the rumor that cord-cutting is a “Millennial thing?” Anything is possible, I suppose. A high-priced marketing firm could exploit the fears of self-conscious, middle-aged consumers. This demographic might be swayed by something that makes them feel out of place amongst today’s youngsters. And we all know that cable companies have the money to hire good marketing teams. (Not as good as Solid Signal’s marketing team, mind you!)

The Face of Cord-Cutting?

While it would be easy to blame the cable companies, it might not be their fault. Millennials love their tech gadgets, and streaming is a big part of their lives. Many Millennials work low-paying jobs while attending college or trade schools. As a result, these youngsters are frugal, and cord-cutting is an excellent way to save money. Maybe this made Millennials the poster children for TV antenna and saving a few dollars? “face of cord-cutting?”

Will the Real Cord-Cutters Please Stand Up?

Sometimes people just get the wrong idea about something. If they see no evidence to the contrary, their false notions become their reality. If we’re being honest – and we are – the average cord cutter is a bit older. In fact, many of you who regularly read this blog are the true cord-cutting demographic because you:

  • Are between the ages of 35 and 60,
  • Tend to purchase TV antennas and other gear,
  • And enjoy the how-to tips in this blog.
  • Ditto for the product recommendations.

So, we’re really talking about baby Boomers and Generation X. That’s who makes up the majority of our readers and clients. Let’s take a closer look at each of these groups starting with those…

…Baby Boomers

These folks were born after World War II between the years 1946 and 1964. This is the group that was alive when TV was invented. It was a time when ALL TVs utilized over-the-air antennas. Because of this, Boomers tend to enjoy cord-cutting. Some say it takes them back to how TV was enjoyed during their collective youth.

And Generation X

They’re also known as Gen X. This was the first generation to grow up with TV as their “babysitter.” It’s also the “cable TV generation,” so Gen Xers came to view TV antennas as outdated technology. Members of this demographic are often surprised to discover that TV antennas provide better reception than cable. Once Gen X gets over this hump, many are quick to embrace the concept of cord-cutting and OTA TV.

Back to Millennials

We talk about Millennials like they’re still kids but that’s not true anymore. Many of them are old enough to leave the nest and start families of their own. Because of this, they’re looking for ways to cut costs. Now, it’s true that most Millennials prefer streaming over live TV. But there are plenty of good reasons to have an OTA antenna for free local TV. We’ll continue to try convincing these youngsters to embrace what their parents and grandparents already have.

Enough of This “Generational Warfare!”

Personally, I’d like to see everyone trade their cable bills for free TV. Part of this desire is selfish, of course. I do work for a company that sells TV antennas and other consumer electronics products. But I also have firsthand knowledge of how much people save when they cut the cord. I’d like to see everyone – Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and even Zillennials – enjoy these savings. Plus, it helps make the cord-cutting movement stronger!

About the Author

Jake Buckler
Jake Buckler is a cord-cutter, consumer electronics geek, and Celtic folk music fan. Those qualities, and his writing experience, helped him land a copywriting gig at Signal Group, LLC. He also contributes to The Solid Signal Blog.