Cut the Cord: Top 5 Cable TV Alternatives

Cutting the cord from cable TV can seem like a daunting decision, but it doesn’t have to be. Streaming services offer consumers similar viewing experience as cable, but often at lower prices and with easy-to-end-subscriptions. In addition to the alternatives, we give you some things to think about before cutting the cord as well as internet connection considerations.

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Cable TV Alternatives At-A-Glance

DIRECTV STREAM

Starting Price (per month): $74.99
Free Trial: No
Channels (in entry-level package): 65+
ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC channels: Yes, in most locations
On-Demand: Yes
Simultaneous Streams: 20
User Profiles: No
DVR: Yes
Mobile App: Yes

DIRECTV STREAM, formerly known as AT&T TV Now, is a live tv streaming service that lets you watch primetime favorites, breaking news, sports, and on-demand titles. While there is no set free trial, you can get your money back if you cancel the service within 14 days. There are four packages to choose from: Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier. HBO Max is included with Premier, but the Choice and Ultimate packages come with three free months.

20 hours of Cloud DVR storage are included in each package, but you can upgrade to unlimited storage for $10 per month. DIRECTV STREAM is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, web, iPhone/iPad, Android phone/tablet, and Samsung Smart TV.

Most Popular DIRECTV STREAM Channels: ESPN, NBC Sports Network, TNT, TBS, BET, Bravo, Comedy Central, Disney Channel, FX, and Nickelodeon

Popular Channels Missing: Oxygen, Universal Kids, CBS Sports Network, Golf Channel, and FX Movie Channel

Hulu + Live TV

Starting Price (per month): $69.99
Free Trial: Yes
Channels (in entry-level package): 85+
ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC channels: Yes, in most locations
On-Demand: Yes
Simultaneous Streams: 2 ($15 for unlimited)
User Profiles: Yes
DVR: Yes
Mobile App: Yes

Hulu + Live TV is a streaming platform for watching live sports, news, and entertainment with unlimited access to the entire Hulu streaming library. Hulu + Live TV comes with 50 hours of Cloud DVR with the option to upgrade to 200 hours. Additional paid add-ons include unlimited streams, HBO Max, Cinemax, SHOWTIME, and Starz. 

Hulu + Live TV is compatible with iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV & Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One & Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Samsung (select TV models), LG (select TV models), and Nintendo Switch.

Most Popular Hulu Channels: ESPN, TNT, E!, Disney Channel, CNN, Cartoon Network, HGTV, TLC, and Bravo

Popular Channels Missing: AMC, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, and VH1

YouTube TV

Starting Price (per month): $72.99
Free Trial: Yes
Channels (in entry-level package): 85+
ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC channels: Yes, in most locations
On-Demand: Yes
Simultaneous Streams: 3
User Profiles: Yes
DVR: Yes
Mobile App: Yes

YouTube TV is one of the more popular streaming services that allow you to watch live TV from major broadcast and popular cable networks, including local and national live sports and breaking news. YouTube TV offers unlimited Cloud DVR storage space and six user accounts included with your subscription.

YouTube TV is compatible with Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Vizio SmartCast TV, Samsung & LG smart TVs, HiSense TV, Xbox One, iPhone/iPad, Android phone/tablet, and web.

Most Popular YouTube TV Channels: ESPN, HGTV, TNT, Bravo, Freeform, FX, E!, TBS, and USA

Popular Channels Missing: A&E, BET, Hallmark, and Lifetime

Sling TV Packages

Sling TV is an app-based streaming service for watching live television and on-demand content online, at home, or on the go. There are two different Sling packages for $30. Sling Blue has over 50 channels and is good for people who like news and entertainment channels. Sling Orange has over 30 channels and is more geared towards sports fans and family programming.

Sling TV is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, TiVo, iPhone/iPad, Android phone/tablet, Android TV, Xbox, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, and web.

Sling Blue

Starting Price (per month): $40
Free Trial: Yes
Channels (in entry-level package): 40
ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC channels: Fox and NBC
On-Demand: Yes
Simultaneous Streams: 3
User Profiles: No
DVR: Yes
Mobile App: Yes

Most Popular Sling Blue Channels: TBS, TNT, Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, Bravo, FS1, TLC, and HGTV

Popular Channels Missing: ABC, CBS, Disney Channel, ESPN, Freeform, and Nickelodeon

Sling Orange

Starting Price (per month): $40
Free Trial: Yes
Channels (in entry-level package): 32
ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC channels: No
On-Demand: Yes
Simultaneous Streams: 1
User Profiles: No
DVR: Yes
Mobile App: Yes

Most Popular Sling Orange Channels: TBS, TNT, ESPN, ESPN 2, HGTV, A&E, CNN, AMC, and Food Network

Popular Channels Missing: Local channels, Bravo, Discovery, Fox News, MSNBC, TLC, and USA

Philo TV

Starting Price (per month): $25
Free Trial: Yes
Channels (in entry-level package): 70+
ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC channels: No
On-Demand: Yes
Simultaneous Streams: 3
User Profiles: Yes
DVR: Yes
Mobile App: Yes

Philo is a live TV streaming service with 58 major entertainment channels but does not include local stations, news, or popular sports channels. With Philo, you can stream on three different devices at a time and create 10 different user profiles. Available paid add-ons include Epix and Starz.

Philo streaming is compatible with iPhone/iPad, Android phone/tablet, Android TV, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and web.

Most Popular Philo TV Channels: A&E, AMC, BET, Comedy Central, Discovery, HGTV, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Network

Popular Channels Missing: Local channels, TNT, ESPN, Bravo, CNN, FX, Disney Channel, and Freeform

Pros & Cons of Cutting the Cord

Cutting the cord, while offering greater flexibility and cost savings, is not as cut and dry as it may seem and does have its downsides. Keep the following in mind as you consider ditching cable TV:

What channels do you watch?

Make a list of the channels that you watch most often. If you can find those channels on streaming services, then you’re probably a good candidate for cutting the cord. But, you may have to subscribe to multiple streaming services to have access to all of your favorite content, which may negate any savings from cutting the cord.

How much do you watch TV?

If you only watch TV a few hours a week, then you may not need a lot of channels. You could get away with a basic streaming service or even just a few free streaming apps. Do you watch live and local channels? Make sure the streaming service you choose gives access to them, such as You Tube TV and Hulu + Live TV do.

Who else watches TV in your house?

How many other people are in your house that either stream or watch live TV at the same time? Be sure to find a streaming service that can support multiple streams on multiple devices at the same time.

What is your internet speed?

See the next section for more detail on this topic, but you’ll need a high-speed internet connection to stream video smoothly. If your internet speed is slow, you may experience buffering or lag.

Internet Considerations for Cable TV Alternatives

Most alternatives to cable TV are streaming based. If you’ve weighed your alternatives and considered the pros and cons of cutting the cord, then it’s time to evaluate your internet connection.

At a minimum we recommend 50 Mbps for streaming video. And that’s just for one use and one device. If you have multiple users and devices in your household, you’ll want 100 Mbps or more. Perform an internet speed test to see what your current speed is. If it’s not up to par, consider upgrading your plan or finding a new internet provider with faster speeds.

Recommended Internet Providers for Cable TV Alternatives