Are you made for streaming?

Are you thinking of cutting the cord because you can't afford cable TV or satellite anymore? That could be a smart move - if you're the type of person who can adjust your viewing habits.

So before you call your cable provider to cancel your service, keep reading to find out if you can truly live with the services offered by Netflix and other streaming companies.

#1 - You're a Sports Fan

Streaming Compatibility: Bad

If you're a sports fan, chances are you won't be cheering when you notice that your streaming options are limited. In fact, according to Jeff Haynes, editor at the consumer-savings website, TechBargains.com, “streaming is actually a horrible choice for sports fans.”

For starters, Haynes says that the cost attached to stream sports coverage is way too high for too little content.  “For example, the premium package for MLB.TV costs $130 a year, or $25 bucks a month,” he explains.

For that streaming price, you’re only getting access to baseball games. And this is another problem Haynes says you’ll find when streaming sports:  Packages are usually attached to only one sport.

“That means that if you're a fan of multiple sports, you have to fork out similar prices for each league's package,” he explains.

Finally, Haynes says that streaming sports packages will get you just the game itself. “If you're a fan of analysis or highlights, like Sports Center, Total Access, or NBA on TNT, that's not included with these apps, so expect to spend twice the time tracking down info on external sites,” Haynes explains.

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#2 - You're a Movie Lover

Streaming Compatibility: Perfect

If you're a big movie buff, cutting the cable cord in favor of a streaming subscription - like Neflix - can give you much more value for far less money.

Why is that? Well, according to Marcy Bonebright, a features expert writer at DealNews.com, a website showcasing online deals, the main disadvantage to watching movies on cable is time, as cable relies on a programming schedule.

“If you want to watch a movie on your time, you'll have to record it or hope it's available in the tiny on-demand selection,” Bonebright says.

On the other hand, Bonebright says that streaming services have vast libraries that you can access anytime, “as opposed to cable's selection, which depends on how many movie channels you're willing to subscribe to."

This is partly the reason why consumers like Miranda Marquit, who lives in Logan, Utah, chooses to stream her content.  Marquit has subscriptions with Netflix and Amazon Prime.

“Prime is great because there are hundreds of old movies available for rent - free of charge - and we can also watch HD versions of newer movies for a reasonable rental fee of $2.99 and up [depending on the movie], and on any device,” she explains.

Amazon Prime costs $99 per year, but comes with other perks, including free shipping on Amazon purchases and a chance to borrow e-books free of charge every month, according to Haynes.

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#3 - You're Addicted to Shows on Premium Channels

Streaming Compatibility: Not Good (But There's Some Progress)

“Consumers who are willing to pay for an HBO subscription aren’t going to go to ‘all-streaming’ anytime soon,” says Kyle James, who runs the coupon and deals website, Rather-Be-Shopping.com. That’s because you can only stream HBO programs if you already have an active cable subscription, James explains.

So, if you want to keep up with your current favorite HBO or Showtime shows, a cable connection might be your only option.

“HBO puts out some truly wonderful cable-exclusive content, and it's a bugbear for cord-cutters,” Bonebright says.  And while Amazon just added HBO content to its library, Bonebright points out that those shows are going to be three years old. “Hardly water cooler fodder,” she says.

The exception? Depending on where you live, you could get HBO without a cable subscription.

Here's how: “Comcast offers HBO only as part of an Internet package,” says David Bakke, an editor of MoneyCrashers.com, a personal finance website. “The cost is between $40 and $50 per month and is not available in every city.”

Will other networks and providers follow in Comcast and HBO's footsteps? Only time will tell.

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#4 - You're a Home Improvement Fiend

Streaming Compatibility: Bad

Unfortunately, very few home improvement shows are available for streaming online, according to Haynes.

“You may find a few episodes of shows from HGTV online on places like Hulu, but they don't always carry over to streaming cable boxes, tablets or cell phones,” says Haynes.

Instead, he explains that many home improvement shows are stored directly on the company's website - behind a secure login, Haynes explains. That means you’re going to have to enter your cable provider’s log-in info in order to gain access, Haynes says.

“So if you're a fan of shows like House Hunters or Kitchen Crashers, you're going to be out of luck without a cable subscription,” Haynes says.

Bottom Line

Depending on your viewing habits - switching to a streaming provider could be the best money you'll ever save, or just a terrible experience.

It all comes down to what you want to watch - and more importantly, when you want to watch it. If you're fine waiting weeks (or possibly months or years) to watch your favorite shows, then streaming should be your go-to option.

If you need to watch sports events live and your TV shows when they air - sticking to traditional cable or satellite TV is your best bet.

[Do you want to save on your TV package? Click to get quotes from providers in your area now.]