What Is Cord Cutting?
Cord cutting means cancelling your traditional cable or satellite TV subscription and replacing it with a combination of streaming services, free over-the-air (OTA) broadcasts, and internet-based live TV. Millions of households have made the switch, driven by lower costs and the freedom to watch on their own terms.
The good news: you don't have to give anything up. With the right setup, you can still watch live sports, local news, primetime dramas, and on-demand movies — often for a fraction of what cable costs.
Step 1: Audit What You Actually Watch
Before cancelling anything, spend one week keeping a log of what you watch and which channels it comes from. Most people discover that 80% of their viewing comes from just 3–5 sources. This audit prevents you from over-subscribing to streaming services and helps you build a lean, cost-effective replacement package.
Step 2: Get a Free Antenna for Local Channels
One of the biggest misconceptions about cord cutting is that you'll lose local news and broadcast networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, and FOX. An over-the-air (OTA) antenna solves this instantly — and it's free after the one-time hardware purchase.
- Indoor antennas work well in urban and suburban areas.
- Outdoor or attic antennas are better for rural locations or weak signal areas.
- Use a site like AntennaWeb.org to check which channels are available in your ZIP code.
Step 3: Choose Your Streaming Foundation
Your replacement setup will typically combine two types of services:
- On-demand streaming (Netflix, Max, Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV+) — for shows, movies, and originals.
- Live TV streaming (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, FuboTV) — for sports, news, and live cable channels.
Many cord-cutters find they only need one live TV service plus one or two on-demand services to cover everything they watched on cable.
Step 4: Pick the Right Streaming Device
You'll need a way to access your streaming apps on your TV. Your options include:
| Device Type | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Stick (Roku, Fire TV) | Budget-friendly, simple setup | $30–$60 |
| Streaming Box (Apple TV, Shield) | Power users, 4K HDR | $100–$200 |
| Smart TV Built-in | Convenience, no extra device | Included |
| Gaming Console (PS5, Xbox) | Multi-purpose households | Existing device |
Step 5: Check Your Internet Plan
Cable TV and internet are often bundled, so cancelling cable might affect your internet bill. Call your ISP before cutting the cord and ask about standalone internet pricing. In many cases, you can negotiate a standalone rate or switch providers to a better deal. Aim for at least 50 Mbps for a household with multiple simultaneous streams.
How Much Can You Save?
Average cable TV bills vary widely, but a typical replacement streaming bundle — one live TV service plus two on-demand subscriptions — often costs significantly less per month. The actual savings depend on your current cable plan, your chosen streaming services, and whether you take advantage of free ad-supported options like Pluto TV, Tubi, or Peacock Free.
Common Cord-Cutting Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-subscribing: Start with one or two services and add more only if needed.
- Forgetting sports: Live sports require a live TV streaming service or sports-specific app.
- Ignoring free options: Free ad-supported TV (FAST) services have grown dramatically and offer real value.
- Cancelling too fast: Run both setups in parallel for one month before cancelling cable.