Deciding whether or not to cut the cord can be an overwhelming consideration, especially if you've been tethered to your cable provider for what likely seems a lifetime. But let's face it, cable billing rates are on the rise, a trend that seems to be doing anything but slowing down. With streaming Internet content providers such as Netflix (NFLX -0.62%), HULU, and Amazon.com (AMZN -1.11%), thankfully you have options at your disposal.

in the following slideshow, we take a closer look at these content providers, dissecting what they offer as well as their strengths and weaknesses from a consumer's point of view. If you're looking for more information to help you make this decision, just click on the slideshow below.