The average American household spends over $103/month on cable TV. What do you get? Endless ads, unused channels, and poor customer service. No wonder cord-cutting is surging in popularity.
This comprehensive guide is available as a free PDF download. Download Cut That Cord! How to Ditch Cable Now. Share it with friends and family.
In Q2 2017, pay TV lost over 760,000 subscribers. Experts forecast cable subs dropping to 181.7 million by 2021—a 10% decline. Netflix alone boasts 52 million U.S. subscribers, surpassing any 'big six' cable provider.
Cord-cutting is here to stay. If you're ready to cancel cable but unsure how, this expert guide—drawn from years of testing devices and services—covers everything you need.
Cord-cutting isn't for everyone. Consider these pitfalls first: 7 Cord-Cutting Hazards to Watch For and 7 Common Mistakes to Avoid. Ask yourself key questions before canceling.
Here's a quick overview:
Save Money: You'll almost certainly cut costs. The True Cost of Cord-Cutting crunches the numbers—even with initial gear, streaming beats $103/month cable. Multiple VOD services cost far less.
Fewer Ads: Most streamers are ad-free. Free options like The Roku Channel show far fewer interruptions than cable.
Flexibility: Ditch bloated bundles for custom lineups cable companies refuse to offer.
Internet Speed: Streaming demands reliable broadband. Netflix's guide helps; supplement with OTA antennas for locals: What Can You Watch with a TV Antenna?.
Data Caps: Upgrade if your ISP limits usage.
Favorite Shows: Streaming covers most, but niche viewing might require compromises or multiple subs.
You'll need a streaming device/stick, OTA antenna, local media app, and VOD apps. App support is similar across devices—choose by hardware/OS. Compare: Chromecast vs. Apple TV vs. Roku.
Roku is the versatile choice, simple to set up: How to Set Up Roku Streaming Stick. Updated 2017 lineup:
Built into many smart TVs. Channels via store; private ones need codes: Top Free Roku Channels, Best Private Roku Channels.
Google's HDMI dongle casts from phone/PC. Super-easy setup: Set Up Chromecast. Ideal for secondary TVs: 7 Cool Chromecast Tricks.
Supports Netflix, Hulu, etc. ~$35, but Roku edges it out.
Premium for Apple users. Seamless Siri/HomeKit integration: Set Up Apple TV. AirPlay mirrors Macs.
Note: Cheaper AirPlay options exist: 4 Budget AirPlay Receivers.
HDMI stick with apps/UI. Alexa smart home control: Set Up Fire TV Stick.
Tip: Secure with Velcro to avoid HDMI strain.
Varies widely. Top: Nvidia Shield: 7 Reasons Nvidia Shield Rules. Avoid cheap knockoffs.
Great for Kodi: Choose the Best Kodi Box.
Install free first, then paid based on needs/budget. 8 Streaming Apps to Replace Cable.
Plex, Kodi, Emby stream your files.
User-friendly: Your Guide to Plex. Free or Plex Pass ($4.99/mo+). Live TV/OTA, news: Plex Live TV, Plex News. Unofficial channels: 20 Must-Install Plex Channels.
Customizable/open-source. Legal, but avoid pirate addons: What Are Kodi Boxes?. 12 Kodi Customizations.
Balanced Kodi/Plex hybrid. Wide compatibility; Premiere for multi-device ($4.99/mo).
Get majors free: NBC/CBS/ABC/FOX/CW/PBS. Big events too.
Use HDHomeRun tuner for apps: Buy HDHomeRun $69.99. Mohu Leaf: Buy Mohu Leaf $47.43.
Grab a streamer, free/paid apps, local media software, and OTA antenna. We've tested these for seamless setup and reliability.
Have you cut the cord? Share tips below—or what's holding you back?
