How to Save Money by Ditching Cable TV
Cable TV is expensive, and the rates are constantly rising. Unfortunately, cable companies know that people become too used to their service for this to be a problem-you can’t just turn off your cable!
Cable TV has been around for decades, but now it’s time to make the switch. Learn more about all the benefits of ditching this service-saving money, bettering your social life, and becoming more engaged with society again!
Cable TV is expensive and the rates are constantly rising
We had been Cox Communication customers for probably over 30 years and honestly we just got tired of all price hikes and things weren't working correctly. We cut the cord on our cable TV for about 5 years ago now and couldn't be happier.
Cable TV is expensive because of the cost of the service. We've found Cable TV providers are constantly raising their prices, and there are never any specials or promotions to help combat that. Cable TV also has limited entertainment options, with many channels filling up with reality television shows that only air one hour a night at certain times. Cable TV may have been a good option to have when it first became available, but now it's time to make the switch!
You'll save over $100 every year by ditching cable TV. Cable providers can charge you an outrageous average —of up to or about $150 per month for their services. That means that if you have cable TV for just one year, you will have paid almost $1900! Cable TV charges are ridiculous, and there is no reason to pay that much for a service you don't even need.
Subscription Services. What's Available and How much do they Cost?
Netflix –
This is probably my favorite subscription for basic TV. There are a ton of great shows on it (keep in mind they do rotate). Some popular shows right now include Anne with an E, Schitt's Creek, Heartland, Manifest, Downton Abby, and many more. There are also exclusive Netflix movies you can find. For kids, they offer quite a bit both for younger and tweens/teens.
If you use T-Mobile for your phone carrier, they offer a FREE Netflix account for the primary account holder. See their site for details.
Sling TV –
If you're looking for a cable bundle to get your live sports and TV shows, look no further than Sling. Get channels like ABC News Now, Bloomberg L.P., Discovery Family Airways 1&2 HD+, National Geo Wild + more.
There's never been a better time to cut the cord. You can get access to 30+ channels starting at just $35/mo, no long-term contracts and save up to 70% on live TV with Sling. We personally love Sling for sports such as College Gameday, during football season.
Read why we switched to Sling TV.
HULU –
Hulu offers four different plans, with the basic plan including Hulu’s on-demand library and ads at $5.99. For those who want to avoid all advertisements or would like more flexibility in their viewing experience without paying additional fees there are three upgraded options: no commercials ($11.99 per month), ad-free viewing; live TV channel package which includes over 75 channels plus access to streaming videos online (available at $64.99/month).
The final option enables subscribers that own both a television set and internet service providers) so they don't need two separate subscriptions anymore – this combined offering includes the best features of each.
Amazon Prime Video –
If you have Amazon Prime, but haven't yet checked out this TV service, you may be missing out. One thing you may not know is that Prime Video is included with your Amazon Prime account. The basic Prime Video app includes lots of great shows, many of which are educational and family friendly.
You will need to make sure you have your password set to something kids can't accidentally access, since one downside is that it's VERY easy to access paid content. For example, Moana may be on Prime Video, but Frozen II may not. The kids don't know the difference so they will quickly click and play the Frozen movie. 😉
The nice thing about Prime Video is that you don't have to have a separate subscription– it's rolled into your Amazon account. If you have a smart device, just add the app and go.
YouTube TV-
YouTube TV is not the YouTube videos you've watched for fixing something around the house or learning how to do a crochet stitch, etc. 🙂
You can watch live sports and it has streaming content just like other TV apps. with over 85 channels and more YouTube TV does have a much higher price point than other subscriptions, considering the retail price is $64.99 per month. You can get 3 months at $10 off (limited time promo).
The full subscription also includes 6 accounts and DVR, so you can record shows to watch later. This would be a great option for larger families with many users, or perhaps those who are home may hours of the week due to physical reasons.
It can also be great for anyone who doesn't like thought of not having something to watch on TV and is really nervous about cutting the cord to cable. It has no cancellation fees, so that's nice perk if it's not for you.
HBO Max –
HBO Max Streaming Services is a subscription based service. The subscription fee ranges from $9.99 to $14.99 for the monthly plan.HBO Max offers a variety of programming and gives access to all HBO programming and content and Includes Warner Bros. movie premieres the same day as theaters.
It has a curated kids' experience with flexible parental controls and personalized streaming for up to 5 profiles. You will also be able to download your favorites to watch offline. HBO Max also has an offer to save 16% if you pay for the year in advance. If you're into HBO shows, this is a great app to have at a fraction of the cost of cable.
Paramount +
Paramount + – Access hundreds of iconic movies, from award-winning classics to hit releases. Need a new show to binge? Sign up for thousands of episodes right here. You can try one week free and students get 25% off.
How to Watch Local Channels for Free without Cable TV:
In this blog post, we'll be going over how to get free local channels with an HD antenna. This is a great way to save money on your monthly cable bill and it's easy! We'll also go over the best ways to position your antenna for optimal reception.
A digital antenna can allow you to receive signals for basic channels. You should be able to use a digital antenna along with any other subscription service, and go back and forth between the two. We got ours at Best Buy but you can also find them on Amazon.
ROKU Channel – The Roku Channel is your home for free and premium TV, with thousands of free movies and popular TV shows as well as the exclusive Roku Originals. We were SHOCKED at how many free channels ROKU Channel offered. The Roku Channel also offers over 150 live and linear channels in a Live TV Channel Guide. They do offer some premium paid options as well. Grab a ROKU Device or ROKU TV.
Peacock – Instantly watch thousands of hours of movies and TV shows — plus sports, news and pop culture—for free. No credit card required. You just need an email address and password to sign up to access thousands of hours of great entertainment instantly. Once you're signed up, you can start watching Peacock right away. No strings attached. No expiring trial period. It's just free. They do however offer Premium for $4.99 and Premium Plus for $9.99. Get Peacock TV.
PLEXTV -Tune in to 200+ channels anytime, on any device, no extra hardware required. With action, sports, kids stuff, cooking, news, and more streaming 24/7, it’s Free Live TV for the whole family. Stream Plex from just about any phone, tablet, smart TV, gaming console, or PC.
Because 200+ channels of free Live TV is just the beginning. For just $4.99 / month plus a home tuner and antenna, the power to watch, pause, and record your favorite free HD broadcast channels is yours.
Pluto TV – Pluto TV is an internet television service owned and operated by ViacomCBS Streaming. Watch 250+ channels of free TV and 1000's of on-demand movies and TV shows. With Pluto you don't even have to register with an email address or add any credit card info. Just pull up the app or website and start watching for free.
CrunchyRoll – Crunchyroll is the best place to get your anime on. From One Piece and My Hero Academia, Crunchyroll has everything you need for a perfect fix of Japanese animation!
Premium subscribers can expect faster loading speeds with lower load time requirements; non-paying users will just gotta wait those couple extra days before seeing how their favorite characters solve any crimes or find love interests along the way (all right maybe not exactly “interest” oriented!).
Kanopy – get out those library cards fold and dust them off. Kanopy is the best video streaming service for quality, thoughtful entertainment. Find movies to watch with friends and family or on your own. They've partnered with libraries to make sure you can enjoy an ad-free experience that comes in every format imaginable!Kanopy offers all types of films including documentaries & foreign films as well as classic cinema from decades past.
Tubi – Tubi has over 20,000 ad supported free TV show and movies to watch for free. It's owned by Fox and you don't need to register an account.
Sling Free – We have had Sling TV for about 5 years now. We have always paid for their premium service but they also offer ad supported free TV as well which is a great way to check out what the Sling TV platform has to offer. No card info or login required.
What Equipment Do I Need for Streaming TV?
Most people are content to watch Netflix or Hulu on their computer, but there's something about being able to watch your favorite show on the big screen that makes it even more enjoyable. Here are some easy steps for setting up everything so you can start watching all those shows and movies from the comfort of your couch.
Smart TV:
For the non-technologically advanced person (which includes so many of us!) this is probably your best bet. If you have a smart TV you can utilize apps by just logging in.
Smart TVs are already set up with a remote that you can easily navigate and switch back and forth from one thing to another. You can watch your local news, and then flip over to Netflix with just a few clicks on the remote. Smart TVs start at well under $200, so if you need a non-cable service for an older adult, a kids' room, or anyone else that needs easy navigation, you can definitely find one at a great price.
ROKU:
We think Roku is the best way to watch your favorite TV shows without paying expensive cable fees. The devices connect wirelessly and stream content for all of life's greatest pleasures – movies, music videos or even live sporting events on demand in HD quality!
Roku Streaming Players/ TVs need Internet access; they use wireless connections that can be established through Wi-Fi networks at home (or Wired Ethernet if you want more reliable connection), but there are also models available where power cords are gone entirely – making them super simple plug and play sets as well as quieter than other technologies out there today. If you don't have internet access at home, this probably isn't for you.
Amazon Fire Stick:
The Amazon Fire TV Stick is a streaming video player that plugs directly into your television's HDMI input. It comes with an Alexa-enabled remote for voice control and can be used in conjunction with other amazon devices like the Ring doorbell, Eco-bee thermostat etc., just as if you were talking on Echo speaker!
If you love Amazon devices and want to keep the continuity, this would be your best option. These also go on sale during the holidays so keep it in mind for a gift ideal
Apple TV:
Apple TV is a streaming media box that allows you to watch your favorite shows on the go, or at home. You can also mirror what's on your iPhone or iPad to watch it on the big screen, and enjoy exclusive shows from Apple. It can be used with iPhones and iPads for easy connectivity, but it also has its own remote so you can navigate through menus without touching your phone. You can download apps or rent movies right from the iTunes store.
We love Apple TV for several reasons. First, it's a one time fee. You need to buy the box and just plug it in. Secondly, you can use it with older devices that maybe don't have all the options of a current generation smart TV. And, for kids who can very quickly navigate Apple devices such as iPads, this is a super easy.
Google Chromecast:
Chromecast plugs into the HDMI port on your TV so there's no need for cables running everywhere – perfect when trying to hide cords from guests.
Thanks for Reading these Alternatives to Cable TV!
We hope this list of streaming services and ways to save over traditional Cable TV can help you trim down that entertainment budget– without missing out on your favorite shows! See more moneysaving posts from Consumer Queen Here.
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