So you’ve decided to leave cable…now what?
There has never been a better time to leave cable. We live in the golden age of streaming media, with a variety of devices to stream content directly to your TV and an even wider variety of entertainment providers.
Devices
There are a number of ways to stream content directly to your TV, from small HDMI sticks that tucked behind your TV to mini set-top boxes and game consoles that now double as entertainment centers. Many newer televisions also have built-in internet access and streaming apps. With a range of competition comes a range of pricing to fit almost every budget. You just need to know what to look for.
Amazon Fire TV
With access to tens of thousands of channels, apps, and Alexa skills, Fire TV brings all the live TV and streaming content you love off of your laptop and onto the big screen. Easily find what to watch next with favorites and recommendations based on your viewing habits, delivered right to your home screen.
Apple tv
It’s TV the way you’ve always wanted to see it. The cable and premium channels you want. Over 100,000 movies to buy or rent. Access to popular streaming services, as well as original shows and movies from Apple TV+. It’s an experience that’s curated and personalized to help you discover more of what you love. And it’s all in one place. On all your screens.
Google Chromecast
Google Chromecast is a nice device in that, not gives you access to streaming services, but it also allows you to cast or mirror content from your phone or computer directly to your TV using any compatible apps and web browsers. Like the others listed, Chromecasts boasts a healthy number of partner apps, from streaming platforms to games.
Roku
Roku devices are simple to set-up and easy-to-use. They come with a simple remote, and powerful features like Roku Search which makes it effortless to find what you want to watch. Roku devices give you access to 500,000+ movies and TV episodes from top free and paid channels, so you can stream almost anything.
Smart TVs
Beyond individual streaming devices, a growing majority of the leading television brands offer Smart Tv’s that connect directly to the internet. Each brand is different, with some offering their own app platforms, while others partner directly with the existing device manufacturers, such as Roku or Google, to bring the same features to their sets.
There are a ton of Smart Tv options. We’re just going to let you Google that one.
Streaming Services
With a growing number of streaming services available, there has never been a better time to leave traditional cable behind.
With all of these options, won’t I just end up spending as much as I do on cable?
The nice thing about the current state of streaming services, is that the vast majority of them offer contract-free, month to month service plans. While there are a few national companies trying to hang out to the old models as they make the move from traditional television to streaming, the writing is on the wall in terms of what consumers want.
This means that you can subscribe and unsubscribe to these services as you wish. Since everything is on-demand, there is little worry about missing anything. While some licensed shows or movies may come and go from the platforms, their original and owned content generally remains available.
On Demand Services
Amazon Prime Video
Movies, shows, award-winning Amazon Originals, premium channels, sports & more. 4K+HDR compatible content. New Releases. Hit shows and movies. Watch on any device. Can be purchased as a stand-alone video service or included with a full Amazon Prime Account.
Apple TV+
Not to be confused with Apple TV the device, Apple TV+ is Apple’s own jump into streaming content. Get access to licensed and paid content, as well as the growing family of Apple Original films and shows. We fully recommend watching Ted Lasso. It’s delightful.
Discovery+
Discovery+ is the only streaming service with the greatest real-life entertainment from your favorite TV brands – including HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Magnolia Network, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, as well as A&E, Lifetime, and History – and personalities, plus exclusive originals, all in one place. Whatever you’re into, you’ll find it here.
Disney+
Ultimate streaming destination for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars & National Geographic. Classic favorites. New releases. Disney Channel throwbacks. Exclusive Original series. Download and Go. New Releases. Exclusive Originals. Get as a stand alone service or as a bundle with Hulu and ESPN+.
ESPN+
Stream live sports, hundreds of originals, full game replays, the full 30 for 30 library, and more. With thousands of live events and exclusive live sports from UFC, Baseball, College Basketball, Soccer, Golf, and more. Access to fantasy sports tools and premium articles. ESPN+ exists because you do. (That’s their slogan, we didn’t write it.)
HBO Max
Stream all of HBO together with even more from Warner Bros., DC, Studio Ghibli, and more. Stream over 10,000 hours of new hits, classic favorites, and exclusive Max™ Originals. Critically Acclaimed Docs. Emmy® Award-Winning Shows. Download and Go.
Hulu
Hulu offers a library of films and television series from networks such as CBS, ABC, NBC, or FX, as well as Hulu original content. Live-air network shows are often available to stream next-day. Hulu offers both ad-free and ad-supported plans, as well as bundles with Live Tv, Disney+, and ESPN+. Hulu has frequent specials and also offers a student discount.
Netflix
Basically the granddaddy of streaming at this point. Similar to how they changed the video rental market, their move into streaming started the next big shift, with everyone from distributors to studios racing to catch up. It offers a library of films and television series through distribution deals as well as its own productions, known as Netflix Originals.
Paramount+
Stream thousands of episodes, live sports, breaking news & exclusive originals – all in one place. Access hundreds of iconic movies, from award-winning classics to hit releases. Paramount+ includes on-demand and live content from CBS, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and more. Go premium to ad your local CBS station or bundle with Showtime and save up to 28%.
Peacock
The home of NBCUniversal. Get hundreds of iconic movies, thousands of episodes, exclusive Originals all in one place. Current hits. Timeless classics. Timely updates. Watch for free. Upgrade to Peacock Premium for increased access. Save 17% with Annual Plan.
Showtime
Showtime offers a lineup of critically acclaimed original shows and blockbuster movies from the premium cable channel. Every Series. Entire Seasons. Plus Hit Movies, Sports & More! No Cable Needed. Download & Watch Offline. Unlimited Streaming. On Your Favorite Device. No Ads. No Cable Needed.
Starz
Like Showtime and HBO, Starz offers on-demand streaming of its original shows and a rotating catalog of movies. The Starz App has the movies you crave. Sign up and start streaming now. Download the app. Starz Original series including Power, Outlander, P-Valley & all your favorite best movies! Watch Anywhere. Stream On Any Device. Download Shows And Movies.
Live TV Services
DIRECTV Stream
The best of live TV and On Demand. Get can’t-miss local sports, news, and up to 65,000 On Demand titles to upgrade your entertainment. Access 7000+ apps like HBO Max™, Netflix, and Prime Video on Google Play on our exclusive DIRECTV STREAM Device. No hidden fees and flexible month-to-month subscriptions mean less stress when picking a TV package.
Sling
Sling TV is the first app-based TV service letting you stream live television and on-demand content over the internet. Watch live shows wherever you are, at home or on the go! With Sling TV, you get to choose the television option that’s right for you, including Channel Add-ons, Premiums Add-ons, DVR Plus and more.
Fubo TV
fuboTV is the world’s only sports-focused live TV streaming service with top leagues and teams, plus popular shows, movies and news for the entire household. Watch 100+ live TV channels, thousands of on-demand titles and more on your TV, phone, tablet, computer and other devices.
Philo TV
Philo TV is one of the more affordable option at $25 a month for 60+ channels. Unfortunately, Philo viewers don’t have access to their local affiliate networks, and the service doesn’t offer many upgrade options for watching sports or cable news. It does offer popular channels like Comedy Central, MTV, and AMC, though, so there’s still plenty to watch.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a subscription streaming service that lets you watch live TV from major broadcast and popular cable networks. Enjoy local and national live sports, breaking news, and must-see shows the moment they air. Included: unlimited cloud DVR storage space so you can record your favorites, and stream them wherever you go. You also get 6 accounts per household, so share with your family members or roommates.