Guide To Cord Cutting 9 Ways To Watch Tv Without The Cable Bill

Leo Migdal

-Dec 6, 2025, 5:38 AM

guide to cord cutting 9 ways to watch tv without the cable bill

Among U.S. pay‑TV subscribers, the average monthly TV bill is now about $110–$115 before taxes and common provider fees, and many households pay roughly $120–$140 after broadcast/RSN surcharges and equipment rentals (J.D. Power; Consumer Reports; Leichtman Research Group). There’s a better way: by switching to a live TV streaming service, using a TV antenna, and tapping into free options, you can cut that bill dramatically or eliminate it. If you bought a TV in the past few years, it likely includes built‑in apps. If your set can’t run everything you need, add a TV streaming device such as Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, or Google TV.

These plug into HDMI, are typically $30–$50 at regular prices, and support the major services with user‑friendly interfaces. Historical disputes (for example, a past Amazon–Google app feud) are the exception; most devices today run the full range of mainstream streaming apps. Live streaming services (vMVPDs) deliver cable‑like channel bundles over the internet with month‑to‑month billing. Current regular rates: YouTube TV $72.99/month with unlimited DVR (plans and price); Hulu + Live TV from $81.99/month (includes Disney+ and ESPN+ with ads; plans and price); Fubo from $79.99/month (a Regional Sports Fee... You’ll still need home internet from an internet service provider. When comparing total costs vs.

cable, include taxes, add‑ons, and any regional sports fees. As a benchmark, YouTube TV runs $72.99 x 12 ≈ $875.88/year, Hulu + Live TV ≈ $983.88/year, Fubo ≈ $959.88/year plus ~$132–$180/year if an RSN fee applies, Sling Orange + Blue ≈ $660/year, DIRECTV... Yes. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DIRECTV via Internet carry most national sports channels and local ABC/CBS/FOX/NBC in many markets. Regional sports networks (RSNs) are where differences matter: availability varies by ZIP and provider, and some providers add separate RSN fees (e.g., Fubo’s ~$11–$15/month Regional Sports Fee in applicable markets and DIRECTV via Internet’s... Always use a provider’s channel lookup to confirm locals/RSNs and remember that league blackouts still apply (YouTube TV; Hulu + Live TV; Fubo plans; Fubo RSN fee; DIRECTV via Internet).

Cord-cutting is no longer just a trend—it’s the standard for watching TV in 2025. Whether you want to save money, enjoy flexible viewing options, or simply avoid bulky equipment, you can access almost any channel or show without a cable subscription or an antenna. This guide will show you all the best ways to watch TV without cable or antenna in 2025, covering streaming services, devices, free platforms, and insider tips to make the switch seamless. Traditional cable TV is expensive, often bundled with services you don’t need. Antennas, while free, only provide limited local channels. In 2025, streaming platforms and internet-based TV options have evolved to provide live TV, on-demand content, sports, and even local channels—all at a fraction of cable costs.

With smart TVs, high-speed internet, and powerful streaming devices, there’s no reason to be tied down. If you want the same live channels as cable without the contract, live TV streaming services are the best choice. Thank you for making all the info very clear. Some of us are older and not techie… yet. Thank you for your kind words! It’s nice to hear that our content has been of benefit.

Very educational. Will revisit. Thank you I have never read an article so confusing! You provided no help at all!!! Great guide, but speaking of that, you didn’t mention having a channel guide for cord-cutters.

We use the FREE one at https://next-episode.net/. You just load it with your shows and pull it up on your computer or phone. Even better — we recently started using a Fire Stick with our Amazon Echo, and we can pull up the “guide” by simply saying “Alexa, open the Silk Browser”. We made the guide our home page on the Silk Browser, for convenience. Once we see a show we will watch, we mark it off of our list, and then say something like “Alexa, play Chicago Med on Fire Stick” and it loads directly into Hulu… way... 🙂

Want to get rid of cable TV? Use our guide to cut the cord When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Ready to cut the cord? It's totally normal to feel overwhelmed.

There's so much going on in the streaming space that it's hard to figure out how to navigate it. While cable offers one, single hub to access all of your favorite shows, streaming has become increasingly fractured over the years. In fact, there are now over 200 services currently vying for eyeballs in the US (per Forbes), each with their own individual exclusive content, plans, and pricing options. And it seems like there are more coming every day! However, even though it can seem like a daunting task, if you're looking to finally ditch that cable bill and only pay for the content you truly care about, we've got a handy guide... From the hardware you need to a guide to help you navigate some of the different streaming service options available, here's everything you need to know about cutting the cord in 2024.

Robin Layton is a Senior Editor for Allconnect, dedicated to helping consumers navigate the often-complex world of internet service providers. With 30 years of experience in journalism and marketing, Robin empowers consumers to make informed decisions with fair, balanced and thoroughly researched reporting on broadband services. Robin holds a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism from Shepherd University. When she’s not researching the latest broadband trends, she enjoys hiking with her husband and their two Australian Cattle dogs. Anine Sus is an editor and publisher with Allconnect. With eight years of experience editing and writing technical content, she is passionate about guiding consumers through the decision-making process to help them understand the best options for finding an internet plan.

She aims to demystify broadband technology and jargon while ensuring transparent information on Allconnect.com. Anine earned a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing from Dickinson College. In her spare time, she enjoys being in the front row to see her favorite band, the Kills. Find her work in the AAII Journal and connect with her on LinkedIn. Robin Layton is a Senior Editor for Allconnect, dedicated to helping consumers navigate the often-complex world of internet service providers. With 30 years of experience in journalism and marketing, Robin empowers consumers to make informed decisions with fair, balanced and thoroughly researched reporting on broadband services.

Robin holds a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism from Shepherd University. When she’s not researching the latest broadband trends, she enjoys hiking with her husband and their two Australian Cattle dogs. Anine Sus is an editor and publisher with Allconnect. With eight years of experience editing and writing technical content, she is passionate about guiding consumers through the decision-making process to help them understand the best options for finding an internet plan. She aims to demystify broadband technology and jargon while ensuring transparent information on Allconnect.com. Anine earned a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing from Dickinson College.

In her spare time, she enjoys being in the front row to see her favorite band, the Kills. Find her work in the AAII Journal and connect with her on LinkedIn. If you want to cut the cable cord, you do have options to access popular TV. Our broadband and TV experts share the right questions to ask about data caps, pricing, speed and more. We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed.

Not all brands are included. Learn more. https://money.com/cable-tv-without-paying-bill/ The notion of getting all the video entertainment you want without paying a massive cable bill—a.k.a. cord cutting—has gone from a tech-world fantasy to a viable mainstream option in what seems like a matter of months. The reason?

The recent emergence of new streaming services like Dish Network's Sling TV, which includes a sampling of the most popular "basic" cable channels, and HBO Now, the only streaming service to include HBO shows,... The result is that virtually every class of TV watcher can find most of what they need without paying a cable bill. But with all this choice comes the challenge of understanding these new and unfamiliar services—and figuring out which combination of them would serve your needs at the lowest price. Cable and streaming services have become similar in recent years when it comes to how content is delivered -- live, and with ads -- and in some cases, with pricing. Our analysis compared the costs of each where we did the math, and we found that depending on what you watch, streaming can be less expensive, especially once you figure in the taxes and... If you're ready to save, here's how to cut the cable TV cord and replace it with streaming services.

You just need to a good internet connection and the apps built into your smart TV or running on an inexpensive streamer, such as a Roku or Amazon Fire TV. They'll give you access to Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, Max, Hulu and more, as well as numerous free TV streaming options. Still want sports or local news? Live TV streaming services like Sling TV and YouTube TV start at $40 a month and can stream most of the live channels available on your cable box with no contracts to sign, so... You can watch every live NFL game every week, for example, with no cable box required. Ready to cut the cord?

Good. Here's how to get started. Even if you cut cable TV you'll still need a home internet connection for streaming. Many people get their internet as part of a cable TV bundle, maybe with phone service too. Often your cable company is the same one providing your internet connection, but sometimes you can shop around to find the best internet provider. Can you watch TV without paying for dish or cable?

Guide To Cord Cutting 9 Ways To Watch Tv Without The Cable Bill

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