Cable bills keep creeping up, loaded with equipment fees, "broadcast TV surcharges" and channels nobody in the house watches. Cord-cutting — replacing cable with an antenna and streaming — is how tens of millions of US households now watch TV.
But cutting the cord without a plan can end with five subscriptions that cost more than cable did. This guide walks you through doing it the smart way.
Step 1: Write down what you actually watch
Before you cancel anything, keep a list for a week or two. For each person in the house, note:
- The channels and shows they watch regularly
- Which live events matter (sports teams, news, award shows)
- What could be watched a day later instead of live
Most households find they regularly watch fewer than 15 channels. That list is your shopping list.
Step 2: Check your internet
Streaming replaces cable, so your internet becomes your TV service.
- One or two people: 50–100 Mbps is usually plenty.
- Families streaming on several screens in 4K: 200 Mbps or more gives comfortable headroom.
- Data caps: Heavy streaming can use hundreds of gigabytes a month. Check whether your plan has a cap.
If you currently bundle cable and internet, ask what the internet-only price will be. Sometimes the bundle discount disappears, so factor that in.
Step 3: Get a free antenna for local channels
An HD antenna gets your local ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS and often dozens of subchannels, completely free. Local news, many sports and prime-time shows are covered.
Newer broadcasts under the ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) standard can deliver 4K and better sound in many markets — though you'll need a compatible TV or tuner to receive it.
Step 4: Choose your on-demand services
On-demand services are where most shows and movies now live. The main ones:
- Netflix — the biggest library of original series and films
- Disney+ — Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic
- Hulu — next-day episodes of many network shows plus originals
- Max — HBO series, Warner Bros. films and Discovery shows
- Prime Video — included with Amazon Prime, plus add-on channels
- Peacock — NBC shows, Universal films and live sports
- Paramount+ — CBS shows, Paramount films and live sports
- Apple TV+ — prestige originals
You don't need them all at once. Rotate: subscribe to one or two, binge what you want, cancel, and switch. Most can be canceled any month.
Bundles (such as Disney+, Hulu and Max together) can also cut costs significantly if you'd keep those services anyway.
Step 5: Decide whether you need live TV
If your list includes cable news, ESPN, or channels like HGTV and TNT, you'll need a live TV streaming service. These are the closest replacement for cable:
- YouTube TV — broad lineup, unlimited DVR, easy to use
- Hulu + Live TV — includes Disney+ and ESPN's streaming service
- Sling TV — cheapest, with smaller customizable packages
- Fubo — sports-heavy lineup
- DirecTV Stream — most cable-like, including regional sports
They aren't cheap — a full live service can cost nearly as much as a basic cable package. The savings come from dropping equipment fees and avoiding contracts. For a side-by-side look, see our guide to live TV streaming services.
Can't decide? Try the free trials, one at a time, during a week with events you care about.
Step 6: Don't forget free streaming
FAST services (free ad-supported TV) offer hundreds of live channels and thousands of movies at no cost: Pluto TV, Tubi, The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, and others. They're great for background TV and classic shows. See our guide to finding what to watch.
Step 7: Get the right device
If your smart TV is slow or missing apps, add a streaming device. Our streaming device comparison will help you pick between Fire TV, Roku, Google TV and Apple TV.
Step 8: Recording shows without a cable box
- Live TV services include a cloud DVR (YouTube TV's is unlimited).
- For antenna TV, a network tuner or DVR box (such as Tablo or HDHomeRun) records broadcasts and streams them to every TV in the house.
Sample cord-cutting setups
| Household | Setup |
|---|---|
| Light viewer | Antenna + one rotating on-demand service + FAST apps |
| Movie and series fan | Antenna + 2 on-demand services, rotated |
| Sports fan | Antenna + live TV service or ESPN streaming + Peacock |
| News watcher | Sling or YouTube TV + antenna |
| Family | Antenna + Disney bundle + Netflix |
Avoid these cord-cutting mistakes
- Subscribing to everything at once. Rotate services instead.
- Forgetting annual price increases. Review subscriptions every few months.
- Ignoring the antenna. It's the cheapest way to get local channels and many sports.
- Buying cheap, unlicensed "all channels" services. They tend to disappear with your money — stick to well-known, licensed providers.
- Keeping the cable box "just in case." Return rented equipment promptly to stop the fees.
The bottom line
Cord-cutting works best when you plan around what you actually watch. Start with a free antenna, add one or two on-demand services, and add a live TV service only if you really need cable channels. Rotate subscriptions and review them regularly — that's how you keep the savings.
Frequently asked questions
Will I really save money by cutting the cord?
Most households do, especially by dropping box rental fees and rotating subscriptions. If you need a full live TV service plus several on-demand apps, savings shrink — so start with what you actually watch.
Can I keep my local channels after cutting cable?
Yes. An HD antenna gives you local channels for free, and most live TV streaming services also include them in most markets.
What happens to my cable internet if I cancel TV?
You can usually keep internet service on its own. Ask your provider for the internet-only price before canceling, since bundle discounts may disappear.
Can I record shows without a cable box?
Yes. Live TV services include cloud DVR, and antenna viewers can use an over-the-air DVR such as a Tablo or HDHomeRun to record broadcast channels.
