Many people are moving away from traditional cable in favor of streaming services that offer significant savings while still providing access to shows, sports, and news.

Thinking about leaving your cable provider to save cash? It’s doable! If you’re stuck with an expensive monthly cable bill, you’re likely frustrated by rising rates and limited channel options. You might be paying for numerous channels you never watch just to access a few favorites. This is why many are opting for streaming TV, which is often much more affordable and still gives you all the entertainment you enjoy.

Gather Essential Gear

To start enjoying television without cable, you’ll need some basic equipment. High-speed internet is essential for streaming services like Netflix.

If you have a smart TV, which connects to the internet, accessing streaming content should be straightforward. Most new TVs are smart, but if yours isn’t, consider using devices like Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire Stick to enable streaming.

While these services provide a wealth of shows, they typically don’t cover local news or weather. For that, invest in an HDTV antenna, often referred to as “rabbit ears.” These antennas are usually under $15 and let you access local broadcasts without any additional fees.

Select Your Streaming Services

Once you’re equipped, the next step is choosing the streaming services that suit your viewing habits. Most platforms charge a low monthly fee and offer optional channels at an additional cost, ensuring you only pay for what you need. Even subscribing to a few services can save you a considerable amount compared to a standard cable bill.

Here are some top choices based on your viewing preferences:

  • TV shows and movies: Enjoy a vast selection of binge-worthy content through affordable services like Netflix (starting at $7.99/month), Hulu (also starting at $7.99/month), or Amazon Prime Video (included with a $119/year Prime membership).
  • Sports: You can still catch live sports without cable. Streaming services like CBS All Access provide coverage of all NFL games. SlingTV offers a package of 20 channels for $25/month, including ESPN and ESPN2, with an option for a “Sports Extra” package for die-hard fans.
  • News: If you love keeping up with the news, you won’t have to sacrifice this when cutting the cord. DIRECTV NOW offers a basic package with over 60 channels, including CNN and FOX News, starting at $40/month. SlingTV also features a $5 “News Extra” add-on after signing up for the $25 monthly package, giving you access to breaking news from HLN and other channels.

Reducing your cable costs is a smart move. Not only will you save money, but you can still enjoy all your favorite shows without compromise.