Why Your Grandparents Might Be Hanging Onto Cable (And Why That's Okay)

I've been a dedicated cord-cutter blogger since January 2011, and I often write about the financial and freedom benefits of leaving the cable company behind. However, after years of talking with readers and helping family members, I’ve had to step back and recognize a simple, powerful truth: cutting the cord isn't for everyone, and pressuring our loved ones to switch is often counterproductive. For many of your grandparents, cable isn't just a service -- it is a constant, familiar companion in their home. It is comfortable, it is reliable, and honestly, that comfort is worth a lot.

The Comfort of Routine and the Price of Peace of Mind

The biggest hurdle isn't the technology -- it's the comfort of the routine. They have decades of muscle memory built around that remote control, the grid guide, and the set channel numbers.

When we look at a $100+ cable bill, we see waste. We see all the sports packages and channels they never watch. But they see guaranteed simplicity. The powerful statistic here is that while a standard cable package may offer over 125 channels, the average American viewer consistently tunes in to only about 17 channels. They aren't paying $100 for 125 channels; they are paying $100 to ensure those 17 channels are always there, always easy to access, and never require an app update or a password login for something like Paramount Plus Essentials. The money is being spent on simplicity, not channel volume.

Validating the Fears of the Digital World

Before pushing your family toward a streaming device, remember the entirely rational fears that keep the cable box plugged in:

• Technophobia: Streaming requires learning a new language of apps, profiles, passwords, and interfaces. For someone who remembers a time before computers, this feels overwhelming and unnecessarily complicated. They fear breaking the system and losing access entirely.
• Reliability & Local News: The television is their primary source for local news, weather, and breaking information. They know the cable signal works regardless of a slow Wi-Fi signal or an internet outage. The risk of their screen freezing with the dreaded "buffering" circle is a legitimate fear that undermines the very purpose of television.
• Loss of the Known: They have comfort shows, and the idea of having to hunt through a dozen different subscription apps just to find that one show is a major source of stress. The channel lineup is a familiar map they don't want to redraw.

Patience and Respect Are the Only Path

The cord-cutting journey works best when it happens naturally and without pressure. I watched this happen in my own family: my mother didn't rush to cut the cord, but instead slowly added streaming to her life. After years of using the new services, she realized she was only watching cable content that was available for free on a FAST channel. This slow, natural process of discovery allowed her to make a clear choice without pressure.

This is the model we should champion. The choice must be theirs, not yours. If your parents don't want to cut the cord, it's okay. It's their decision. After all, they are adults, and have been adults a lot longer than you have.

And should they eventually make the decision to switch, please remember this: If your parents/grandparents do eventually cut the cord, don't ever say "I told you so." You rarely listened to them growing up, so you have no room to talk.

If you're not sure if you should cut the cord, it's okay. Take your time. I'm one of the biggest advocates of cord cutting, but I took a full two years of study to make the decision. The goal is to find a system that brings comfort and enjoyment, not hassle. My Streaming Life includes making space for those who need a gentler transition into the digital age.