Not that long ago, there were only a few ways to watch television: antenna, cable, and satellite dish. But nowadays, there are many more options – especially if you don’t need the full range of channels that cable and satellite offer. If you’re looking to save some money by cutting the cable cord, consider these alternatives:
Use an antenna. No, I’m not kidding. The stations that broadcast “over the air” (OTA) are still available if you use an antenna. These stations include the major networks (CBS, NBC, ABC, etc.), as well as PBS and some local networks. Present-day antennas are less bulky than the bunny ears of yesteryear, and many highly-rated antennas retail for $50 or less. And, because all signals are now digital, picture quality is vastly improved so you don’t have to worry about static, snow, or “upgrading” your bunny ears with tinfoil. AntennaWeb can help you figure out how to get set up, including which antenna is right for you.
Stream shows on your computer or TV. There are many options under this category, and if you mix and match them, you can probably come close to fulfilling your TV needs while eliminating your cable subscription:
Stream directly from the web sites of networks. Many networks make their shows available online on their own web site or on sites like Hulu after they air on television. In some cases, shows will be available the next day. In other instances, you may have to wait a week to watch your show.
Subscribe to Netflix for $7.99 per month. Netflix offers movies, TV shows, and original programming. Their content changes periodically, so you can find new material to watch regularly.
Subscribe to Hulu Plus for $7.99 per month. Like Netflix, Hulu also offers movies, TV shows, and original programming. Unlike users of the free Hulu service, Plus members don’t have to wait for many new shows to become available to view, and programs stream in HD when available.
Sign up for Amazon Prime. You’ll have to pay $99 for a one-year Amazon Prime subscription, but in addition to access to Amazon’s library of movies, TV shows and original programming, you also get free two-day shipping, access to their music library, access to their Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, and free cloud storage. However, the content of Amazon Prime’s libraries is limited, so you’ll need to check to see if what’s available is programming you’re actually interested in watching.
Use a streaming device to stream to your TV or mobile device. Google Chromecast, Apple TV, and Roku players can all stream content directly from the internet to your TV. They work with subscriptions like Netflix and Hulu Plus to make it easy to watch your programs on the big screen. Prices start at $35 for Google Chromecast. Or, if you already have an internet-connected gaming system like an Xbox or Playstation, you can use it to stream subscriptions like Netflix.
Alternatively, you can use HDMI cables to stream from your computer to your TV. If you’d rather not buy any additional hardware, you can use an inexpensive HDMI cable to transfer content from your computer to your TV.
Rent from Redbox or iTunes. If you watch a lot of movies on TV, you can continue to do so via Redbox rentals or iTunes rentals or purchases. Redbox lets you reserve movies and games online, and regularly offers codes for free or discounted rentals. You can reduce your cost at iTunes by purchasing gift cards when they are discounted below face value (look for gift card deals at major grocery stores around holidays and events like graduation).
Sports fans may have the hardest time cutting the cable cord. ESPN still only comes as part of a traditional subscription deal, but if you only watch major events like the Super Bowl, Olympics, and World Series, those are broadcast OTA so an antenna will do the trick for you.
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