Are you tired of paying for cable TV every month? Several alternatives can help you save money. This post will explore different options for cutting the cord on cable TV. So whether you're looking to save money or just want to watch your favorite shows without commercials, we have the perfect solution for you. Here are several alternatives to cable TV that can help you save money.
How Much Could I Really Save By Using Alternatives To Cable TV?
When most of us think of cutting down expenses, cable bills are not usually the first thing that comes to mind. The cost of cable TV is 53 percent more than it was ten years ago, and experts have projected that the rates will continue to climb.
Today, the average American pays approximately $116 for cable and watches about 3 hours of TV every day, according to a 2022 study by Statista. That translates to a whopping $1392 per year to watch TV – and that’s just an average figure; some households pay substantially more than that.
Our article on automatic savings apps mentioned that 70 percent of Americans have less than $1000 in savings. You can see how shelling out big bucks on cable TV can hurt your budget and long-term financial goals. Check your monthly statement to determine how much you're paying for cable.
Since you are already entertaining the idea of cutting the cord, it is a good guess that the figure is more than you want to pay.
To answer your question, how much you can save by using a cable tv alternative depends on how much you pay for your cable TV. Generally speaking, you can save approximately 50 percent of your cable TV bill.
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Best Alternatives To Cable TV
Several live tv streaming services offer a cable tv alternative. These services allow you to watch live tv without a cable or satellite subscription. They typically offer a variety of channels, and some also offer on-demand content.
The prices of these services vary, but they are typically much cheaper than a traditional cable or satellite subscription. Additionally, many live tv streaming services offer free trials, so you can try them before you commit to paying for a subscription. Whether you're looking to save money or want more control over your television viewing, many excellent cable tv alternatives are available.
1. Netflix
| Netflix | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per month | $9.99 | $15.49 | $19.99 |
| Simultaneous streams available | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Number of devices you can have downloads on | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Unlimited movies, TV shows and mobile games | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Viewable on laptop, TV, phone and tablet | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HD available | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ultra HD available | ✓ |
Netflix is arguably one of the most popular cable tv alternatives on our list. With Netflix, you can watch thousands of original programs, full seasons of completed TV series and documentaries from several networks on multiple devices.
Most devices (including smartphones, gaming consoles, tablets, laptops, streaming devices, and TVs) these days come pre-installed with the Netflix app. There are currently three plans to fit your specific needs; Basic, Standard, and Premium. All plans give you full access to unlimited TV shows and movies.
You can also download select movies and shows for offline viewing- your plane rides and long road trips will never be the same again.
Netflix allows you to cancel any plan at any time. The Basic plan only allows you to watch one screen at a time, which makes it suitable if you live in a smaller household. Standard and Premium packages allow 2 and 4 screens, respectively.
They cost more than basic, but if there is more than one viewer in your household, then the prices might be worth it. HD is available on Standard and Premium plans, while Ultra HD is only available on Premium.
Netflix boasts several popular exclusive TV series such as Stranger Things, Orange Is the New Black and House of Cards.
The only downside to Netflix is that unless what you plan to watch is a Netflix original series, you will be forced to wait until the season finishes airing to binge-watch.
2. Hulu
| Hulu | Ad Supported | No Ads | Hulu+ Live TV | Hulu No Ads + Live TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per month | $6.99 | $12.99 | $69.99 | $75.99 |
| Simultaneous streams available | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 65+ live tv channels | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Access to the streaming library | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cloud DVR storage | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Offline viewing | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| No ads | ✓ | ✓ |
Hulu is increasingly gaining popularity among TV watchers as it regularly updates recent episodes to the most popular TV shows, kids’ shows, movies, and original Hulu programming. With an almost similar streaming subscription plan to Netflix, Hulu has some exciting features absent from Netflix.
Some episodes are uploaded just a day after they air on cable TV. You will have to wait much longer to watch new episodes with most streaming services.
The basic package allows you to view all the movies in their library. If you are a TV junkie who likes to follow the latest shows from ABC, FOX, the CW and NBC, look no further than Hulu. For an additional cost, you can add on: HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, or Starz.
Hulu With Live TV
For those looking for a comprehensive streaming service, Hulu also offers its Hulu With Live TV package. In addition to all the great features of Hulu basic, this package includes access to over 50 of the top live and on-demand TV channels.
This is an excellent option for sports fans, as it includes channels like ESPN and Fox Sports, as well as news channels like CNN and MSNBC. Plus, with entertainment channels like TNT and TBS included, there's something for everyone in the family.
Money-saving tip: If you choose the Hulu streaming service, make sure you sign up with Rakuten first to get additional cash back on your subscription.
3. YouTube TV
| Price Per Month | Channels | Simultaneous streams available | Cloud DVR storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| $64.99 | 85+ | 3 | unlimited |
Youtube TV is a streaming service that offers users access to 85+ top channels of entertainment, news, live sports, and more. There are no storage limits for recordings, and six accounts are included. There are also no cable boxes, contracts, or hidden fees.
The service includes NFL, NBA, and MLB networks. Youtube TV is a great option for those who want to cut the cord and ditch their expensive cable bill. It's also a great option for those who want to be able to record their favorite shows without worrying about storage limits. Overall, Youtube TV is a great streaming service that offers users a lot of value.
4. Sling TV
| Sling TV | Orange | Blue | Both |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per month | $35.00 | $35.00 | $50.00 |
| Simultaneous streams available | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Live tv channels | 31 | 41 | 47 |
| Access to the streaming library | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cloud DVR storage | 50 hours | 50 hours | 50 hours |
Sling TV is one of the best options on this list that lets you watch over 30 Live TV Channels, including CNN, ESPN (up to ESPN 3), NFL Network, HBO, TBS, Fox Sports, and HGTV, just to mention a few. With Sling TV, you won’t need to pay installation fees or use rental equipment.
If you want to minimize the number of cable TV channels to remain with a few that you actually watch, Sling TV can be the ideal alternative for you. You can conveniently stream shows from your smartphone, tablet, laptop or Smart TV.
Sling Orange package offers you 31 premium channels, while Sling Blue offers 41 channels. There are also add-on packages that have different variations to let you personalize your viewing choices. Lovers of international shows will enjoy the International extra package.
If you prefer Ala Carte premium channels such as Showtime, HBO, Cinemax, and Starz, there is something for you too.
You get half off your first month with Sling. The only downside to this service is the commercials. If you hate commercials as I do, try to go for the other alternatives to cable TV on our list.
5. Amazon Prime Video
| Price Per Month | Channels | On-Demand Content | Streaming Quality | Simultaneous streams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8.99 | 100+ | Yes | 4k | 3 |
Amazon Prime Video is a streaming service that offers its users a vast library of movies and TV shows to choose from. It's an affordable option for those who want to enjoy the convenience of having their favorite entertainment at their fingertips. If you're already an Amazon Prime member, you can watch Prime Video at no additional cost.
However, if you only want access to the streaming platform, you can subscribe to it as a standalone service. You can find Prime Video on many different devices, including smart TVs, game consoles, and streaming devices such as Roku and Amazon Fire TV. Whichever way you choose to watch, you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of TV shows and movies.
Whether you're looking for something to watch with the family or want to binge-watch your favorite show, Prime Video has something for everyone.
6. Philo
| Price Per Month | Channels | On-Demand Content | Cloud DVR storage | Simultaneous streams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25.00 | 60+ | Yes | Unlimited | 3 |
If you're looking for a cable TV alternative that offers a great selection of entertainment, lifestyle, and knowledge-focused programming, Philo is a great option. For just $25/month, you'll get access to 60+ top-rated channels, including:
- A&E, AMC
- BBC America
- Cheddar
- Comedy Central
- Discovery Channel
- Food Network
- Hallmark Channel
- HGTV
- ID
- Lifetime
- MTV
- Nickelodeon
- OWN
- Tastemade
- and many more.
Plus, you'll have access to a deep on-demand library of 60,000 movies, shows, and specials. So if you're looking for an affordable way to cut the cord and still get great TV programming, Philo is worth checking out.
How do I get rid of cable and still watch TV?
If you're looking for alternatives to cable tv, there are a few ways to still watch your favorite shows and stay up-to-date on the latest news. One option is to use an indoor tv antenna that plugs into an HDMI port on your TV. This will allow you to receive local channels without paying for a cable or satellite subscription. You can also find many of your favorite shows and movies on streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
And don't forget about YouTube! Your local ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX affiliates will all have their own channel on YouTube, where you can find the latest weather forecasts and big news stories. With so many free streaming options available, there's no need to pay for an expensive cable or satellite TV subscription.
Final Thoughts On Cable TV Alternatives
If you’re looking for cable TV alternatives, there are plenty of options out there. We’ve outlined some of the best ones for you here, so take a look and see which one is right for you. Have you tried any of these alternatives? Let us know in the comments how it went!