Cord-cutting is on the rise. Mainly due to the introduction of streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime. Individuals find it convenient to resort to these online streaming platforms instead of subscribing to various Cable TV packages. As the number of options available online is unlimited. You get access to shows from various networks in one place.
Here are all the options that you can opt for if you wish to watch TV without cable:
Best Ways to Watch TV without Cable
Not that Netflix is the only option available to you too, there are many other platforms that you can resort to if you wish to satisfy your hunger for entertainment. Here are some of the most popular online streaming platforms that you can select from.
Hulu
Hulu is a new favorite among people who wish to stream online without relying on Cable TV. This online streaming platform comes at a very reasonable price as well. It will come as a surprise to you that you only have to pay an amount of $7.99/month if you opt for the most basic package.
However, the basic plan does not come with basic options. Selecting even the most basic deal gives you access to unlimited options that you can stream as you please. The best part about Hulu is that you do not have to go through the pain of watching an unlimited amount of commercials. The limited number of ads makes streaming online fun.
If you wish to eliminate commercials that appear between the shows or movies, you can pay a little extra to subscribe to the ad-free version. Apart from this, you can opt for advanced versions of Hulu as well. One package includes a Live TV option and comes for $39.99/month. This option allows you to not just stream the shows and movies that come as a part of the basic plan but also enables you to view over fifty Live TV channels.
You may think that this will get hefty on your pocket but the truth is that even Hulu’s highest-priced package comes at a price that is $30 less than your Cable TV packages. Hence, allowing you to save money while having access to more options than Cable TV. Apart from saving costs, you do not even have to pay a disconnection fee in case you decide to switch plans. Moreover, Hulu is compatible with many devices including Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV. But keep in mind that you may not be able to access local news or sports in every city that Hulu is available in. This is the only downside.
Don’t miss: Benefits of Cable TV to Consider Before Cutting the Cord
Sling TV
Next up on the list is Sling TV. This option is different from the rest as it gives you an ala carte TV watching menu. Subscribing to Sling TV means that you will have access to two plans- Orange Plan and Blue Plan. The former comes for $20 per month and gives you 30 channels to select from.
The Blue Plan comes for $25 per month and allows you to swap through an array of 45 channels. You can even subscribe to both plans if you want a large variety of channels. Doing so will also save you $5. And will make your TV streaming fun.
However, if you wish to add premium packages such as the likes of sports, Hollywood, or kids channels, then you will have to pay an additional cost other than the price that you pay for the plan selected. The premium channel options are also available in the form of packages and the price of each package varies accordingly.
The biggest advantage of subscribing to Sling TV is that it offers you a huge variety of channels to choose from. This may also be a disadvantage because the large variety comes at a hefty cost. Subscribing to more packages will bring your cost close to what you pay for Cable TV. Therefore, you should weigh both the options before ditching Cable TV for Sling TV.
Amazon Prime Video
In case you are already a subscriber of Amazon Prime, you will automatically get access to Amazon prime Video. Amazon Prime provides you with thousands of videos as well as TV channels to keep you entertained for a long time. However, if you are not a member already, it will only cost you $12.99 a month to subscribe to Amazon Prime.
With Amazon, you have two options when it comes to payment. Either you can opt for a monthly payment plan or you can pay an annual fee. The latter will work to your benefit as you get to save around $37 in total. You have to pay $119 if you choose the annual payment plan over the monthly payment plan.
In case you do not wish to become a member, you can save even more. The cost of subscribing to Amazon Prime Video is $8.99 a month. Choosing any of the above options over Cable TV will save you a whopping amount of $50-$60 per month on average.
The biggest advantage of subscribing to Amazon Prime Video is that you do not need to invest in a specific streaming device to watch it. All you need is an Amazon account, a streaming device, and access to the Internet. You can check the Spectrum service areas to see if the company offers Internet in your area for that purpose.
The only drawback that I see in subscribing to Amazon Prime Video is that your credit card will get charged automatically every month h to deduct that month’s payment from your account. In case, you decide to cancel the service, make sure that you make the required changes. Otherwise, get ready to pay the extra amount that gets deducted from your credit card.
Netflix
Who does not know about Netflix? Perhaps the first online streaming platform that took the market by storm. Netflix offers subscribers various plans that they can choose from. The plans start at a reasonable price of $7.99 per month. The limitation of this most basic plan is that it does not allow you the option of screen sharing. You can only stream shows and movies on one device at any given time under this plan.
However, you can always choose to opt for multiple screen plans by paying a little extra and upgrading to another plan. If you wish to watch on two screens simultaneously, then you can upgrade to the $10.99 per month plan. This is not a high jump when compared to Hulu. Provided that this plan also allows you to stream in high definition.
However, if you want Netflix to be accessible to more than two screens at one time (read: four), there is a premium plan you can opt for. The plan comes for $13.99 a month. Apart from the ability to watch on four screens simultaneously, the premium plan also allows you to stream in ultra-high definition.
The best part about Netflix is that you do not bear any sort of ads whatsoever. The online streaming platform also provides you with an option to add a Blu-ray or DVD plan. These plans come in various varieties as well. They range from $4.99 to $14.99 per month.
The only drawback that Netflix comes with is that it does not let you view local sports and or news programs. This shouldn’t bother you much especially when you compare the cost of Netflix with that of your Cable TV packages. You will notice that you get to save $50-$60.
If you opt for Netflix, you won’t need a streaming device, provided that it has a connection to Netflix which most of the latest devices do.
CBS All Access
You might not have heard about this option but this is the cheapest option available when it comes to the costs that you have to pay for a streaming service per month. At a cost as low as $5.99 a month, you can watch your favorite movies and shows. But with some ads in between, though limited in number. However, if you wish to opt for an ad-free version, you will have to pay $9.99 a month.
As compared to Cable TV, you still get to save $50-$60 even if you opt for the commercial-free version. You can watch CBS All Access on multiple devices along with many streaming devices as well. These include Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, and Chromecast to name a few.
Apart from the above-mentioned choices, you can also resort to Roku. The platform provides you with the opportunity to download the Roku app and stream TV even when on-the-go. The options are just unlimited. You just need to select the one that best suits your needs.
If you are wondering that cutting the cable cord still means that you will have to bear the Internet cost, then here’s a thought.
Don’t miss: How to Watch Movies Together with Friends Online?
The Cost of Internet Still Remains
In case you are wondering what you will still have to bear the cost of the Internet, the chances that you are already paying for an Internet connection are very high. Almost every household these days has access to the Internet. This means that cord-cutting will only save you money.
However, the scenario will change a bit if you are not already paying for the Internet but Cable alone. Then you will have to do your math. Compare the cost of Cable with that of the Internet and make an informed decision.
If you have not subscribed to the Internet already, then you will not only have to purchase a plan from the company that you wish to. But you will also have to keep in the mind the monthly subscription fee that you will pay for any of the above-mentioned services that you subscribe to.
Therefore, compare and then make a decision. You do not want to end up paying more for an alternative that you otherwise chose to save money.
Having said that, it is now time to look at the no-Internet TV watching option.
Are TV Antennas?the Cheapest Way to Watch TV?
If you think that you cannot afford to subscribe to an internet plan that will fulfill all your downloading or online streaming needs, you can opt for TV antennas as an Internet free alternative. The name antenna might put you off a bit because the traditional antennas were not that powerful. However, the antennas these days are very powerful and the TV signals are much stronger than they were in the past as well.
All you need to do is choose the right antenna that best suits all your TV watching needs. If you make a well-informed choice you can get access to around 50 channels without having to pay any subscription fee. However, the number of channels that you get access to varies according to the antenna that you decide to purchase.
Some of the highest-rated antennas include:
1byone 80 miles digital amplified outdoor HDTV antenna.
60 mile HDTV antenna.
ClearStream 4V indoor/outdoor HDTV antenna with 70 mile range.
Cable and the High Price
Subscribing to Cable TV service has become very expensive in the recent past. This is all thanks to the prominent networks and the bundling strategies. These large networks ask the cable service providers to bundle popular channels with not so renowned ones. If the providers refuse to do so, the network owners will simply move to another provider.
This does not leave the cable service providers with the room. Because the prominent networks are very powerful. They get to decide how the cable service providers will offer their channels to the viewers.?However, the situation is different now as the customers are now looking for cheaper alternatives. Once the alternatives become as common as Cable TV itself, there is no looking back by the customers.
Is Cord-Cutting an Option for Me?
You need to consider the following to answer this question:
Which TV channels or shows are your favorites?
There is a?chance?that the shows or channels that you prefer are not available on the cable alternatives stated above. Therefore, before cutting the cord, make sure that you get access to your favorite shows.
When do you watch TV?
The truth is that not all the alternatives air the most recent episodes of famous shows. Services like Hulu airs the shows right after they air on cable TV. Unlike Netflix, where you have to wait for a season to finish before you can watch it.
How do you want to watch TV?
Opting for streaming services means that you will need a strong internet connection to use?these streaming apps outside your house. If for some reason you cannot connect your streaming service to your TV,?invest in a streaming device.
Will cord-cutting save you money?
Do the math and see if cord-cutting is actually saving you money. If not, then you might as well stick to Cable TV.
Now you are in a better position to make a decision. You may decide in favor of cable and cable TV apps or you might decide against them. The choice would be yours.
Hope this blog post helps you choose wisely.
The above prices and details are accurate at the time of this writing. Prices are subject to change at any time by the provider.