The growing popularity of streaming services and cable networks have made the use of regular TV outdated. But why do students prefer these types of services, and what are their benefits?

For one, streaming services like Netflix and Hulu give you more options as to when and what shows you watch.

Shana Wright, senior, has recently started using Hulu, and she enjoys the show options this service offers over Netflix.

“Hulu has more variety,” Wright said. “It has more options for anime shows and movies as opposed to Netflix. It also advertises new movies I have not seen yet very well.”

Affordability is another big factor when people choose their streaming services.

“Hulu is very cheap; it’s eight dollars a month,” Wright said. “Netflix is $10 dollars a month.”

So why would anyone use Netflix when Hulu has more variety and is cheaper? For one, Netflix is commercial free.

Another factor is the video and audio quality of the shows. However, Wright does not seem to mind the quality difference. She is satisfied “as long as the show is clear” enough to be watchable.

Netflix might be slightly more expensive, but its shows buffer less often and its advertising-free series might make the extra two-dollar-investment worth it for some users.

Cable networks, though they may give users less options as to what they can watch, have their benefits over streaming services.

Students like Rithik MadHanna, junior, enjoys the variety of foreign shows cable networks such as Dish offer.

“I use Dish because I get all the international channels I want to watch at a good price,” MadHanna said.

Visual quality is also a big factor for MadHanna’s enjoyment.

“The video quality must be great, or else I don’t feel like watching it,” Madhanna said. “It has to be at least 1080p.”

Video quality of online streaming services is dependent on the user’s internet connection, so those looking for consistent quality would benefit more from cable networks.

Brandon Woolworth, senior, uses both Google Fiber and Netflix. While he enjoys both services, he believes it all comes down to the original shows these services offer.

“If I had to choose between Cable or Netflix I would stick with Netflix because of the exclusive shows and a stand-up comedian special they put out there,” Woolworth said.

Woolworth also likes to watch American Horror Story and Black Mirror on Netflix.

“I like how abstract [Black Mirror] is. It shows unique ideas that invoke thoughts about society as a whole, like where we are headed or what is wrong with people nowadays,” Woolworth said. “It is a different perspective that I really enjoy.”

In the end, whatever service users pay for comes down to affordability, video quality and the original shows these services offer, and students should choose according to what better suits their interests.