The Essential Cord-Cutting Dictionary: Don't Let Jargon Stop You

I'm the first to admit it: as a long-time cord-cutter, I'm guilty of slipping into a stream of confusing acronyms. It's tricky sometimes. For those of us who have been in the streaming world for years, terms like vMVPDs and FAST channels roll right off the tongue, but I realize that for someone just thinking about cutting cable, it can sound like I'm speaking Latin.

I never want to talk down to my experienced readers, but I especially don't want to lose the newcomers who need this information most. This post is for the curious, the newcomers, and anyone who wants to understand the essential terms that matter most to your wallet and your TV experience. We are going to demystify the key terms, making sure you know the difference between a TVOD and an SVOD, and what a Connected TV actually is. If you are wondering that the words mean, keep reading.

Cost and Content Models: How You Pay

This category contains the essential terminology that defines the pricing structures and viewing styles that will directly impact your monthly budget.

The Content Format

• Linear TV: The traditional style of television viewing where content is scheduled to air at a specific time, on a specific channel, and you must tune in live to see it. This is the alternative to on-demand streaming. (Examples: YouTube TV, Pluto TV).
• On-Demand: The opposite of Linear TV. The content is stored in a library, allowing you to choose what to watch, when to watch it, and control playback (pause, rewind, fast-forward) instantly. All SVOD, AVOD, and TVOD services rely heavily on on-demand viewing. (Examples: Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max).

The Pricing Acronyms

• SVOD: Subscription Video On Demand. This is the model you know best. You pay a flat monthly or annual fee for unlimited access to a library of content. This is the simplest model for saving money, and all content is typically Ad-Free. (Examples: Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus).
• AVOD: Advertising-Supported Video On Demand. The content is free or offered at a reduced price because you must sit through commercial breaks. Many SVOD services now offer a cheaper AVOD tier to appeal to budget-conscious viewers. (Examples: Paramount Plus Essentials, Hulu's ad-supported tier, HBO Max's ad-supported tier).
• PVOD: Premium Video On Demand. This is a specialized, high-cost type of TVOD used primarily for movies that are available for rental or purchase very soon after or simultaneously with their theatrical release. (Examples: The latest major studio movie available to buy digitally).
• TVOD: Transactional Video On Demand. This is a pay-per-view model. You pay only for the specific movie or TV show episode you want to rent or purchase. This is often used for new release films or when you just want one episode of a show without subscribing to an entire service. (Examples: Amazon Prime Video Rentals, Google TV Store, Apple TV App Store).

The Distribution Acronyms

• vMVPD: Virtual Multichannel Video Programming Distributor. This confusing acronym refers to services that are essentially streaming cable TV. They offer a "bundle" of live cable channels streamed over the internet. Services like Philo and Frndly TV are sometimes called "skinny bundles" because they keep costs down by cutting expensive channels like major sports networks. (Examples: Hulu+Live TV, YouTube TV, Fubo, Sling TV, Philo, Frndly TV).
• FAST: Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV. These are channels that stream live, programmed content 24/7, just like cable, but they are entirely free and supported by ads. They require no subscription or login, making them a fantastic, zero-cost starting point for any new cord-cutter. (Examples: Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel).

Hardware, Connection, and Quality

Understanding the technology that gets the stream from the internet to your screen is the next step in becoming a savvy cord-cutter.

The Devices

• Streaming Stick / Dongle: These are small, portable devices that plug directly into your TV's HDMI port and usually hang behind the TV. They offer the essential streaming experience and are typically the most budget-friendly option. While they are essentially the same as a box in function, a beginner may view them as distinct categories. (Examples: Chromecast with Google TV, Roku Streaming Stick, Amazon Fire TV Stick).
• Streaming Box: A larger, square or rectangular device that sits on a shelf (like a cable box). It often includes more advanced hardware features, like a faster processor, more storage, or an Ethernet port for a wired internet connection, offering a premium viewing experience. (Examples: Apple TV 4K, NVIDIA Shield, Roku Ultra).
• Connected TV (CTV): This is the general term for any television connected to the internet. This includes TVs with a streaming device plugged in, as well as smart TVs that have the streaming functionality (like Roku TV, Fire TV, or Google TV) built right into the television set itself. Casting and Mirroring are two ways to get content from a phone or tablet onto a Connected TV. (Examples: Samsung Smart TV, Roku TV, a TV with an Amazon Fire TV Stick plugged in).
• The Big Four: This refers to the four major device ecosystems that dominate the streaming market, dictating the apps and user interface you use. Most streaming services are compatible across all four, but each has a distinct menu and device selection. (Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, and Apple TV).

The Antenna and Compatibility

• OTA (Over-The-Air): This refers to the content you receive for free using a traditional antenna. This is a crucial first step for cord-cutters as it provides major networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC) without needing a paid streaming service. (Examples: ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, The CW, MeTV).
• Device Compatibility: The unfortunate reality that your streaming device must be running a modern operating system to continue accessing apps. Older devices, even if they still power on, are frequently abandoned by services like Netflix and Disney Plus as they can no longer support new security and performance features. This is a crucial factor to consider when buying a used or older model. (Examples: Older Apple TV models, First-generation Roku devices).

The Experience

• Resolution (4K/UHD, Mbps): Resolution refers to the clarity and detail of the picture (4K or Ultra High Definition is the highest standard). Mbps (Megabits per second) is the speed of your internet connection. You need a fast internet connection (usually 25 Mbps or more) to consistently stream 4K content. (Examples: 1080p, 4K, 25 Mbps).
• Buffering / Lag / Latency: These terms describe when your video stops, pauses, or struggles to load. It happens when the content is being delivered more slowly than the player is trying to stream it. This is usually due to a slow internet connection or an outdated streaming device, and is one of the most frustrating parts of the viewing experience. (Examples: A spinning circle icon, choppy video playback).

Account and Usage Rules

Once you have chosen your services and hardware, these are the critical terms and concepts you need to know about account management, etiquette, and maximizing your savings.

• Password Sharing: The practice of sharing your account credentials with individuals who live outside of your primary personal residence (your "Household"). Major streaming services now strictly enforce the rule that accounts are only meant to be shared within one household, and sharing outside of that is a violation of the Terms of Service. This is one of the most common mistakes new streamers make that can lead to account suspension. (Examples: Sharing a Netflix account with a family member in a different city).
• Geo-Restrictions: These are digital boundaries that limit what content you can access based on your physical location, usually determined by your IP address. Adhering to the Terms of Service means respecting these restrictions. (Examples: Being unable to watch a regional sports network when traveling outside that region).
• Cord-Cutter / Cord-Shaver / Cord-Never: These terms describe the type of consumer: a Cord-Cutter has completely abandoned traditional pay TV; a Cord-Shaver has downgraded to a cheaper, smaller pay TV package; and a Cord-Never has never paid for traditional TV service.
• Stacking: This is the habit of subscribing to a large number of SVOD and vMVPD services simultaneously. Stacking can quickly drive your monthly costs back up to the price of a cable bill, negating the financial benefit of cutting the cord.
• Rotating Services / Stream Hopping (Industry term: Churn): The budgeting tactic of subscribing to one or two SVOD services at a time, watching all the content you want, canceling, and then subscribing to a different service the next month. This is the most effective way to save money and directly counteracts the high cost of Stacking.

Fluent in Cord Cutting

If you've made it this far, you are now fluent in streaming. The goal wasn't to memorize these definitions, but to give you the context needed to navigate this strange new world of streaming without being confused or intimidated. Now you can speak confidently about the savings and the technology. My Streaming Life has been significantly cheaper and more flexible since I cut the cord over a decade ago, and I hope this dictionary helps you start or continue your own successful cord-cutting journey.