Cutting the TV cord? Call the anti-cable guy

The cable guy has a new competitor: the anti-cable guy. He helps you cut the cord on traditional television services and hooks you up with alternatives.

Most Canadians still watch cable or satellite TV. However, cord-cutting is catching on as more people seek potentially cheaper and more versatile viewing options.

• Cord-cutting continues as Canadians ditch TV & landlines

But not everyone has the technical chops to break with tradition.

So enter the cord-cutting consultant, a hired hand who does the job for you. Its a small but growing business model fuelled by expanding viewing options in the digital age.

'Your nerdy best friend'

Sean Whitehead started his cord-cutting business last year to monetize what he had already been doing for free: setting up online video streaming services for technically challenged friends and family who yearned to cut the cord.

He likens his Toronto company,Kutko Canada, to "your nerdy best friend."

Cutting the cord is a very personal process.- KutKoCanada

The service begins with a visit from a "cord consultant"who assesses a customers TV habits and wish-list.

"Cutting the cord is a very personal process,"Kutko explains on its website.

The consultant then installs the necessary hardware and most often sets up customers with a variety of online video streaming services that suit their needs. The fee is $125 excluding equipment.

Whitehead says hes already served about 200 customers. He claims hes cut down customers TV bills, on average, by 40 to 60 per cent.

"Once they see the amount of content thats on those [streaming] services and the amount of money theyre paying, their eyes light up."He adds, "Ive had people say, 'I was home all weekend and I binged-watched so much content.'"

To give his customers wide variety, Whitehead also helps people access foreign streaming services like Sling TV in the U.S. and Netflix from the U.S., the U.K. and Mexico.

"Ive helped families that are Russian access content through Russian iTunes,"he adds.

Virtually crossing borders to use streaming services violates many companies' terms of service, including those set byNetflix.

"We employ industry standard measures to prevent this kind of use,"Netflix told CBC News in an email.

However,the practice of streaming content beyond borders is widespread. "None of those companies really enforce terms of service,"claims Whitehead.

• U.S. Netflix accessed by 1/3 of anglophone Canadian users

• Netflix upholds geoblocking rules amid reports of crackdown

High ratings

I call myself the geek squad for people who want to get rid of their cableJohn Brillhart,Cable Alternatives

Suzan Lorenz believes she never could have made the switch without Kutko. The mother of three was frustrated with her cable providers cost and service.

But she had no idea how to set up an adequate alternative. "Im not savvy with all of that stuff," she admits.

Whitehead installed for Lorenz a variety of video streaming services, allowing her to access everything from European documentaries to sporting events for about $30 a month.

She says what she used to pay for her internet and cable bill combined has dropped by about half and she has better viewing options.

"Theres more than enough that anyone should have time for," she says.

Cord-cutting U.S.A.

Cord-cutting consulting is also catching on across the border. John Brillhart in Minneapolis set up his company, Cable Alternatives, just months ago.

"I call myself the geek squad for people who want to get rid of their cable,"he says.

Brillhart installs both streaming services and TV antennas for an increasing number of clients.

He runs his business from home with the help ofhis wife. But he hopes to grow it to the point where he has multiple crews serving the city.

"I think the industry is transitioning in a way that will allow me to turn it into something that's really sustainable," says the laid-off project manager.

The antenna guys

Theres also a growing business for the TV antenna guy.

Five years ago, when some networks starting broadcasting over the air in high definition, Geoff Tebbutt envisioned a new beginning for those old-fashioned rabbit ears and roof-top antennas.

"In the old days, we used to watch TV with an antenna, and some days it was ghostly, some days it was snowy, depending on the weather, says the former food prep worker.

But now, antenna users can pick up free, high-qualityHDTV signals.

So Tebbutt set up his company,The Antenna Guys, offering outdoor antenna installation across much of southwestern Ontario.

He says the outdoor devices offer the widest range of channels up to 35 American and Canadian stationsdepending on where you live.

He charges between $550 and $750 for equipment and installation, but emphasizes viewers only pay a one-time fee.

Tebbutt says business is booming with customers from all walks of life: "rich people, poor people, anybody who watches TV and doesn't want to pay the cable companies anymore."

His clients include small businesses such as a barbershop and dentists' offices.

Tied with tradition?

Of course, cable-cutting isnt for everyoneyou may not have access to every show you want, and most viewers still enjoy the comfort and ease of cable or satellite TV.

Andin 2016, cable companies will have to give subscribers more choice when selecting TV packages.

• CRTC rules cable companies must offer pick-and-pay channels, $25 basic package

Whitehead with Kutko Canada admits that, during the consultation, even he advises some clients to stick with their traditional service.

"Cables current delivery form is like a warm and cozy comfort blanket,"he explains. "I dont think some people are quite ready for [streaming] because it is completely different way of watching TV."