About 10% of American users have chosen to cancel their cable TV subscription to reduce expenses, and statistics show that the number of these people doubles every year. If you are tired of paying an expensive subscription, examine your TV usage, buy a streaming device, or choose to stream television from your television or computer.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Evaluating Your Preferences
Step 1. Make a list of the programs you watch regularly
Make a list for each family member to predict whether the transition will be easy or not.
Step 2. Check if your favorite shows are available online
Go to findinternettv.com to get a list of the main programs that are usually broadcast by cable.
- Many channels choose to stream new episodes of their shows on their website.
- Also check Netflix, Hulu, iTunes and Amazon Video On Demand to see what shows are available using these services. Many of the programs broadcast on channels such as HBO, Showtime and AMC are available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon.
- It is estimated that 90% of the programs broadcast by ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox are available online.
Step 3. Decide if you are willing to wait for programs not yet present to be made available online as well
- In most cases, you have to wait for a period of time ranging from 6 months to 1 year to stream the entire season of a program on Netflix at no additional cost.
- Some programs (including many of the more popular series) do not grant Netflix streaming rights. In this case, you will need to purchase or rent these programs from Amazon, iTunes, or other services.
- Movies can be rented from consoles, Amazon and iTunes if they are not included with your Netflix subscription.
Step 4. Find out about the cost of your Internet connection
In many cases, the Internet subscription is integrated with the cable television subscription. Call your carrier to find out the connection-only costs and determine what other ISPs are in your area.
In some cases, canceling your cable TV subscription won't save you money. Add up the cost of the various Internet services you should subscribe to and compare it to the cost of cable TV
Part 2 of 5: Choose a Device
Step 1. Get an antenna
If among the programs you have listed there are local news or television series from networks such as ABC and NBC, the first step is to get an indoor or outdoor antenna.
- Antennas cost $ 20 to $ 60 and can be found online or in stores.
- Consider choosing a small indoor antenna such as the Mohu Leaf, which is smaller than other models.
- The antennas usually only receive programs that are broadcast within a radius of 55 kilometers or less. Video availability and quality depend on the area you are in.
- This is essential for fans of local news or sports broadcasts.
Step 2. Get an Internet TV
Before buying a new device, check if your current TV is capable of streaming reception from the Internet.
- If you have an Internet TV, you can stream movies and TV shows via Netflix and Hulu Plus.
- If you are planning to buy a new TV, consider choosing an Internet TV, from which you can access these services.
Step 3. Buy a Roku
If you have a high quality wireless network then Roku is the cheapest and easiest option to stream from regular TVs.
- Roku devices cost between $ 50 and $ 100. The price depends on the speed you need.
- If you want to stream sports broadcasts, choose a Roku device. Apple TV and Roku are the first devices to support movie streaming and sports broadcasts as new services are introduced.
- If you have more than one TV in your home, you can purchase a Roku device for each of them. The cost of a single Roku device is equal to or less than a month of cable TV subscription.
- Roku devices are particularly suitable for those who do not want to stream from their computer or other devices. Older users find that Roku devices require little installation skills and are easy to use.
- If you just want to use Netflix and Hulu Plus for TV shows and movies then this is the cheapest and easiest option to implement.
- WD TV Play is a Roku-like device created by Western Digital. This device costs around $ 70 and supports Netflix and Hulu Plus.
Step 4. Buy an Apple TV if you already own other Apple devices
- Apple TVs cost around 100 euros.
- Apple TVs connect to televisions in a similar way to Roku and use Apple ID to stream content to all Apple devices.
- If you own an iPad, iPod or Apple computer then the Apple TV is the best choice.
Step 5. Buy a Google Chromecast device
If you are used to receiving streaming from your computer then you can simply send that content to your TV.
- Google Chromecast costs only $ 35 and is the cheapest option on the market.
- It connects directly to your TV via the HDMI port. Once the device is connected to the wireless Internet network, you can receive streaming content on your TV.
- Roku and Apple TV use "channels" to stream from Hulu, Netflix and other services. Chromecast on the other hand simply uses your computer as a controller.
- It may be the best solution for teens and students who already access television and movies using their computer.
- Chromecast is also beneficial for sports fans. You can stream matches after you subscribe to an internet-based service.
Step 6. Get streaming from your game consoles
If you own an Xbox, PlayStation, or Wii, you can use that device to stream TV broadcasts and movies.
- Video game consoles cost between 200 and 500 euros. This is only a smart choice if you intend to buy the console anyway.
- If you have a new model you can access streaming television broadcasts through the interface.
- Download the appropriate apps from the console store. Once installed you will be able to use the service using your account.
- The PlayStation 3 is the best console for sports fans who want to access NHL, NBA or MLB games.
Step 7. Buy a DVD player or video player that has the ability to receive streaming broadcasts
- DVD and Blu Ray players cost between 50 and 200 euros.
- These devices can receive streaming broadcasts from Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, and Hulu.
- These devices offer a limited selection of the other channels.
Step 8. Buy an Amazon Fire TV
- This is a new product, but you can still view shows from Netflix, Hulu, and so on. Plus you can download tons of apps and games from their store.
- A Fire TV costs around 90 euros, but the new version, FIRE TV Stick, very similar to Chromecast's HDMI dongle, has the same functionality as the FIRE TV at a much cheaper price.
Part 3 of 5: Choosing TV Services
Step 1. Subscribe to Hulu Plus
Request a one-week free trial after purchasing your device and before giving up cable TV entirely.
- Hulu Plus streams hundreds of TV shows, old movies, foreign TV series, and more.
- After the free trial week, activate your subscription for $ 7.99 per month.
- If you've chosen Chromecast you can just use Hulu.com for some TV streaming and then upgrade to Hulu Plus if you want to access more broadcasts.
Step 2. Subscribe to Netflix
All Netflix DVD accounts entitle you to free access to online streaming.
- If you don't have a Netflix DVD account, you can activate an online streaming account for $ 7.99 a month. Try the service for free before proceeding with the subscription.
- Netflix offers access to Netflix original movies, TV series and other series.
- Netflix channels are available on all devices for streaming.
- Netflix Profiles allows you to create up to four different profiles on one account, so that different family members can receive personalized recommendations.
- You can create profiles dedicated to children in order to block access to unsuitable content.
- Download the Netflix channel from your device's app store. Enter the activation code from your computer, then log into your Netflix account through the streaming device.
Step 3. Subscribe to Amazon Video On Demand
If you have an Amazon Prime account it is possible that you already have access to this service.
- Amazon's video service is great for watching TV series and movies that are made by major networks such as HBO, Showtime, Bravo, AMC, and others.
- Amazon sells single episodes or entire seasons of these broadcasts.
- Films can be rented for $ 3.99 or bought for $ 14.99.
- This service is best if you want to access extra content and new movies.
Step 4. Use iTunes
If you've chosen an Apple TV, you can buy new seasons of TV shows or new movies.
This service works in a similar way to Amazon Video On Demand. It is the best option for people who already have a lot of Apple devices
Step 5. Download the Vudu app
If you have a PlayStation, a TV that can connect to the Internet or a Blu Ray player then you can use Vudu to access new or old movies.
- Vudu is not available on most streaming devices, but it may be in the future.
- Vudu offers the option to rent content for $ 2, view more for free, or watch new movies at reasonable prices.
Part 4 of 5: Choose Special Programs
Step 1. Airplane was a good option while it lasted, but on June 25, 2014, it was shut down by the US Supreme Court
Step 2. If you live in a large American city, sign up for Aereo
Airplane streams local news and sports broadcasts to most major American cities.
- If your antenna is not working properly, you can replace it with Airplane.
- You can use Airplane with Roku or an Apple TV. You can also use the website to stream to a Chromecast.
Step 3. Subscribe online to services that stream sports broadcasts
Fans of the MLB, NBA, NHL and NFL can sign up to stream sporting events.
- You can access your subscription via Roku, Apple TV, or Chromecast.
- Sports fans will have to pay between $ 60 and $ 150 per year to gain access. If sports channels are already included in your cable TV subscription you should do a cost analysis.
Step 4. Use your device interface to purchase special programs
- You can access TED Talks, news and old movies for free or for a very low price on many devices.
- If you are not sure what is available, explore the channel list before buying a device.
- If you easily adapt to the device you own, you may find that watching TV is much easier than with the cable.
- The choice of special channels varies greatly depending on your streaming device.
Part 5 of 5: Terminate the Cable TV Agreement
Step 1. Before canceling, call your cable TV operator
Threatening to cancel your subscription often results in discounts for a few months.
Make the call while you are evaluating the services of Netflix, Hulu or others for free. Compare your favorite broadcasts with what's available with these services
Step 2. Seek advice from those who have already given up on cable TV
Ask your friends which devices they use and ask them to let you try them.
Experimenting with devices is the best way to make an informed choice
Step 3. Cancel your cable TV subscription, but keep your Internet connection fast
- Streaming devices require a high quality internet connection. So make sure you don't cancel the entire package.
- If you feel that the cable TV operator is priced too high, look for a better price for the Internet service.
Step 4. Try streaming television for at least 3 months before giving up on cable
- Keep in mind that it will take an adjustment period to get used to the new system.
- Since giving up the cable requires an initial investment in a streaming device, it could take between 6 months and 1 year before the costs are amortized.
- Take note of any broadcasts you can't find and look for new channels to stream.
- Write down the cost of all the services you are subscribed to and repeat the operation after 3 months. If the cost is equal to or greater than that of cable TV, it may be worthwhile to go back.
Step 5. If you come back try with a different manager than the initial one
If you feel that streaming TV is not suitable for you or your family, take advantage of the offers that are offered to new customers who subscribe to cable TV.