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2 min read 7 stepsApril 2, 2026Verified April 2026

How to Cut the Cord: Ditch Cable TV

Replace expensive cable TV with streaming services and save $50-100+ per month.

At a Glance

Calculate your savings

~15s

Average cable bill: $100-150/month. Streaming alternative: $30-60/month for multiple services. Potential savings: $500-1,200 per year. That adds up to thousands over time.

What you need

~15s

Reliable internet (at least 25 Mbps for one 4K stream, 50+ for a family). A smart TV or streaming device (Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV — $29-129). That's it.

Replace live TV

~15s

YouTube TV ($72.99/month): all major networks, DVR, sports. Hulu + Live TV ($76.99/month): live TV plus Hulu's library. Sling TV ($40/month): cheaper, fewer channels. These replace traditional cable.

Or skip live TV entirely

~15s

Many cord-cutters don't need live TV. Netflix + Hulu + Disney+ costs about $30-40/month total. Add a free digital antenna ($20 one-time) for local news and sports broadcasts.

Free antenna for local channels

~15s

Buy a digital antenna ($15-30 at any electronics store). Connect it to your TV's antenna input. Scan for channels. Get ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and PBS in HD — completely free, forever.

Sports without cable

~15s

Sunday NFL: on free antenna (CBS, FOX) or YouTube TV/Hulu Live. ESPN: included with YouTube TV, Hulu Live, or Sling. Specific sports: MLB.tv, NBA League Pass, ESPN+. Many games stream on Peacock and Amazon Prime.

How to switch

~15s

Set up your streaming services first. Try them for a month while you still have cable. Once you're comfortable, call your cable company and cancel TV service (keep internet). Return equipment to avoid fees.

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