How to Lower Your Cable TV Bill - Even to $0 per Month
Cutting the cord is not just about switching to another paid streaming service. For households trying to keep up with their bills - rent, utilities, and groceries, and more a $100 to $150 monthly cable bill can be difficult to pay if not impossible. Eliminating a $100 per month cable bill can free up over $1,200 per year. The goal is to reduce television costs as close to $0 as possible while still maintaining access to news, shows, and movies. This guide focuses on permanent ways to lower costs, or cut to $0, without having to constantly hunt for new promotional deals.
Summary checklist to cut the bill (The detailed process is below):
- Verify Internet Discounts: See if you qualify for Lifeline or Xfinity Internet Essentials.
- Buy an Antenna: It pays for itself in less than one month.
- Download the Free Apps: Stick to Pluto, Tubi, and Freevee first.
- Check Aggregators: Use The Streamable to see if there is a $0.99 deal before you pay full price for anything.
Combine free Broadcast TV with free streaming services
The first step is to stop overspending on cable. The steps below can get you local TV for free with various streaming options. Traditional cable plans often bundle dozens of channels into a package that increases in price over time. Cable companies rely on you staying "loyal" to a plan that maybe you can't afford.
- The easiest way to save money is to realize you don’t need a contract. These bundled plans are not required, and there are no long-term obligations for keeping cable service.
- Households can cancel at any time and replace it with lower-cost or free options.
1) Before switching, it is important to make sure there is an affordable internet connection in place, since most alternatives rely on streaming. Low-income households may qualify for discounted internet service. The Lifeline program provides a small monthly discount, typically around $9.25, for those receiving benefits such as SNAP, SSI, or Medicaid.
- Some internet providers also offer their own reduced-cost plans. For example, Xfinity’s Internet Essentials program provides basic internet service at a lower monthly rate for eligible households. Combining Lifeline with a low-cost provider plan is often the most best option available.
2) Once internet access is secured, the next step is to replace cable with free television sources. One of the most reliable options is a one-time purchase of a digital antenna. Basic indoor antennas often cost around $20 to $40 (they can be bought at major retailers) and can provide access to major broadcast networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and PBS. It is a one-time cost. There are no monthly fees once you buy the antenna.
- NOTE: However, channel availability depends on location, terrain, and distance from broadcast towers. Urban areas tend to receive more channels, while rural households may receive fewer. Even with these limitations, an antenna can provide consistent access to local news and programming without any monthly bill, making it one of the safest long-term options.
3) After taking the steps above, in addition to broadcast television, there are several free streaming services supported by advertisements. These platforms do not require subscriptions and can be used immediately after downloading.
- Pluto TV offers a cable-like experience with live channels and a program guide. See https://pluto.tv/.
- Tubi provides a large library of movies and older television shows on demand. See https://tubitv.com/ for information.
- Other free services, such as The Roku Channel and Plex, also offer a mix of live and on-demand content - though deals may change.
4) Another often overlooked resource is the local library. Many libraries provide free digital access to movies, documentaries, and television content through services like Kanopy (website: https://www.kanopy.com/) and get all types of digital content using Hoopla (website: https://www.hoopladigital.com/). These platforms can be used from home with a valid library card, offering additional entertainment options at no cost.
While these services include ads, they allow households to watch a wide range of programming without paying monthly fees.
- CAUTION: It is important to understand the role of internet usage when relying on streaming. Watching television online can use significant amounts of data, especially in high definition. A single hour of HD streaming can use several gigabytes of data. Households with data caps should monitor their usage to avoid unexpected charges. Lowering streaming quality settings can help reduce data consumption if needed.
Rotate between streaming services
For those who still want access to newer shows or exclusive content, paid streaming services can be used strategically. Instead of maintaining multiple subscriptions at the same time, households can rotate services month by month. For example, one month can be used to watch content on Netflix, followed by canceling before the next billing cycle and switching to another service like Hulu the following month.
This approach limits costs to one subscription at a time, usually around $10 to $15, rather than paying for several simultaneously. It is important to cancel on time, as most services no longer offer extended free trials and have tightened account-sharing policies.
Prices for services like Disney+ or Paramount+ change all the time. Instead of trying to keep track of every price hike, use these "aggregator" sites. They do the work of finding $0.99 deals or free trials for you:
- The Streamable: They have a specific page that lists every active deal and discount for streaming services. https://thestreamable.com/deals
- JustWatch: If there is a specific movie you want to see, type it in here. It will tell you if it is playing for free on Tubi, Pluto, or YouTube so you don't accidentally pay for it. https://www.justwatch.com/.
- WhistleOut helps compare internet and TV options by location to find the lowest-cost providers. The main site is at https://www.whistleout.com/.
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