I’m a freelance writer (check my credentials at www.martinspiration.blogspot.com) and I'm working on a new story for AARP The Magazine on the following topic: CUTTING THE CORD: Sick of cable or satellite TV services that offer limited choices for high prices? Here are economical ways to fill the entertainment void. This story would suggest options for seeking out entertainment alternatives to pricey satellite or cable TV subscriptions, including free over-the-air digital TV, streaming services like Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Prime, renting or buying movies to play in your blu-ray/DVD player, and more.For this story, I’m looking to interview retirement-age consumers (age 50 and up) who have cut the cord or are preparing to, as well as media watchdog experts, consumer electronics suppliers/providers, and other experts in the industry. I can either conduct a phone or email interview (with the latter, you can type up responses to my questions below and email them to me). My deadline to complete all interviews is Thursday, July 17 by 4 p.m. central time.
QUESTIONS:1. (FOR CONSUMERS AGE 50+): When and why did you decide to “cut the cord”? What exactly did you eliminate (e.g., cable/satellite subscription, etc.)? Did you make this choice to save money, simplify your life, reduce your TV watching, or otherwise? What screen-watching entertainment choices will replace those options now (e.g., Redbox movies, free over-the-air TV, Netflix, YouTube, etc.)? 2. (FOR CONSUMERS 50+): What are the pros and cons of your decision? Do you have any regrets? What advice would you give to other consumers who may be on the fence about whether or not to cut the cord? What is your full name, age, city/state? to incorporate, form an LLC or otherwise? Are you available to be photographed by AARP The Magazine for this story? 3. (FOR INDUSTRY EXPERTS): What are consumers considering “cutting the cord” on today—primarily cable and satellite services? Any others? What is driving this decision (e.g., high costs, lack of time to watch, too many unused choices, cheaper alternatives, etc.)? 4. For consumers considering cutting the cord, what are the alternatives for them to switch to, especially if their goal is to save money? Are there any up and coming services/devices/technologies that may be introduced soon that consumers should keep on their radar?5. Can you provide a hypothetical or real-world example of how much someone can save annually by eliminating cable and/or satellite and switching to something cheaper?6. Would you advise that those seeking to save money consider contacting their cable/satellite provider and trying to negotiate a lower monthly cost before cutting the cord? Are there any advantages to sticking with what you have that cord-cutters may not be considering? What advice would you give here?7. The U.S. Supreme Court recently dealt a crushing blow to Aereo--the service that captures over-the-air TV signals and streams them over the Internet. Will this defeat by Aereo slow the cord-cutting movement? What Aero alternatives are afoot for consumers to explore and look forward to (e.g., Apple TV, Comcast's X1 set-top box offering streaming services, etc.)8. Do you have any statistics/research findings that indicate how common cord-cutting is today, as well as what % of consumers use cable vs. satellite vs. streaming vs. free over the air TV, etc.? Any other data you can share that helps illustrate this topic? 9. Any other thoughts, comments, or tips you wanted to offer on this topic?10. What is your full name, title/company, and city/state location?
Keywords
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