3 Ways to Cut the Cord and Still Watch All the TV You Want
In the last several years cable TV costs have gone up much faster than the rate of inflation. But satellite TV prices are rising just as fast making them a poor choice as well. As a result, many people are either searching for alternatives or simply eliminating TV from their leisure time.
But sometimes it would be nice to watch what you want when you want without paying exorbitant prices. Fortunately, when the public wants something bad enough there is usually a response from the industry.
Many companies have risen to the challenge and provided customers with ways to cut the cord and still watch all the TV you want.
1. Hulu
One of the possible ways to cut the cord and still watch all the TV you want is to stream Hulu. You would pay around $8 per month and get unlimited streaming access. You can choose whatever device you wish to use and watch with either no commercials or limited interruptions.
They do have a few plans that provide additional services beyond just the basic one. They offer Hulu with live TV for around $40 per month. This allows you to watch 50+ live channels as well as what you get on the basic plan.
But if you want you can pay the additional $15 per month to watch on an unlimited number of devices and three different electronic devices when you aren’t at home. Then just use Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku, or another compatible device to watch all the TV you want.
There is a downside to choosing Hulu, though. Local news and sports channels are not offered in every city so you may not be able to get it in yours. But if you like HBO, Showtime, or Cinemax you can add those for an added price.
Depending on which features of Hulu you choose you may be able to cut the cord and still watch all the TV you want without paying the high fees of cable. In addition you can change your plan or cancel at any time.
2. Netflix
Netflix is another of the possible ways to cut the cord and still watch all the TV you want from just about anywhere you are. You can do it without a subscription and the price is about the same as Hulu. However, one disadvantage of choosing Netflix is that you can only watch TV on one device until you upgrade to a higher priced plan.
You only have to pay an additional couple of dollars per month to jump to the next plan. The cost is around $11 per month and will let you watch high definition on two electronic devices at the same time. Jumping up to the premium plan gives you ultra high definition TV on up to four devices for only about $14 each month.
There are not commercials when you choose Netflix and you can add some special features for an additional charge. For example, adding a DVD plan to your account is possible because they have several different plans available. These prices start at about $5 per month and go up to $20 per month.
You can’t watch sporting events or local news with Netflix but the prices are more reasonable than cable or satellite. As for streaming with a device, it may not be necessary. But if you do need one, there are several choices you can make such as Roku, PlayStation 3 r 4, Nintendo Wii or WiiU, Chromecast, and more.
3. Antennas
Using a TV antenna may be another of the possible ways to cut the cord and still watch all the TV you want. There are plenty you can choose from on the internet as well as Walmart, Target, and other stores. You can view shows for free on networks such as CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, and others depending on what area of the country you live in.
If you would rather not go out of doors to hook up an antenna try using an indoor one instead. According to Consumer Reports the set-up is easier although the reception may or may not be as good. In addition, some watchers who choose to use an antenna may need to buy an amplifier in order to watch TV.
Would you like to know ahead of time what channels are available in your area? If so, try checking out the helpful tool from Mohu that allows you to find out what you can watch where you live.
As you can clearly see you don’t have to put up with paying high cable or satellite TV prices if you don’t want to. There are lots of ways to cut the cord and still watch all the TV you want for a lower price.
Jeanne is a married mother of 2 children who works as a full-time freelancer and also helps out occasionally on the farm she and her husband own together. Her background is mostly finance and medical office management. She’s currently working to improve her financial well-being and hopes to help others improve theirs as well.
Netflix is one of the preferable for me because I get no time to watch tv every time so I am using Netflix so I watch videos on my mobile whenever I get the time.
I think the toughest part is making everyone in the family happy with the change in TV options. I want to watch daytime TV while the guys in the house want to watch sports and reality shows. It’s hard to figure out which will meet all of our needs. We did notice that Amazon is now offering weeknight sports as part of their Prime Video options. This is the first time I’ve heard about Mohu. Will check it out. Thanks!
It always amazes me how many people don’t realize that option #3 exists. An antenna + a TiVo with a lifetime subscription have kept us with plenty of TV shows for the last decade. I’ll have to look into Hulu, as it’s the one service that I haven’t researched much.