With the average cost of cable running around $600 a year (according to this savings calculator from Slate), it’s no surprise that more and more people are making the decision to cut the cord and get their TV fixes elsewhere.
But can you really still watch all the shows you love without paying the price of a hefty cable package?
Yes, you can. Here’s how to watch TV without cable.
1. Search for Your Favorite Shows with the Yidio App
Yidio is a free app that helps “cord-cutters” search for places to watch TV and movies.
It takes a few seconds to download the free app (link to iOS download, link to Android download), and then you can use the search feature to find a provider for over 1 million TV shows and movies.
For example, if I want to watch The West Wing, Yidio tells me I can watch it on Netflix.
But, if I want to watch Modern Family, it points me to a page hidden on ABC, where I can watch all of the latest episodes for free. Pretty cool.
2. Major Network Websites
You can view videos of full episodes of many of your favorite TV shows for free on network websites.
Broadcast channels like ABC, CBS and NBC offer a wide range of on-demand episodes, as do premium channels like TLC, TBS and HGTV. Just head to your favorite network’s website to check out what’s available.
Cost: Free
3. CBS All Access
Check out more than 6,500 episodes of CBS shows with CBS All Access live-streaming. Available for your PC or mobile device, it also gives you access to live TV and special features like the Big Brother live feed.
Cost: Free one-week trial; $5.99 a month after that
4. Netflix
Commercial-free and available on a number of platforms, Netflix has one of the largest libraries of shows and movies available for live-streaming.
It releases whole seasons of shows at once, which is great for binge-watching but not so great if you want to be up-to-date on your favorite shows so you can discuss them with your friends — you’ll have to wait for the latest season to end before you’re able to watch it on Netflix.
Netflix has also been a pioneer in original content, offering its subscribers exclusive access to hit shows like Orange is the New Black and House of Cards.
Cost: $7.99 a month (or free with this nifty trick)
5. Hulu and Hulu Plus
You can watch a variety of popular shows on the free version of Hulu the day after they air, but you’ll only be able to access the five most recent episodes.
Upgrade to Hulu Plus and you’ll be able to see all episodes of a series, including past seasons of currently running shows like Modern Family as well as classic shows like The Twilight Zone. (Unfortunately, you’ll have to sit through ads whether you use the free or the paid version.)
Hulu is also trying to get into the original content game, with a limited number of exclusive series like Behind the Mask and Difficult People.
Cost: Free for Hulu; $7.99 a month for Hulu Plus
6. Sling TV
One major complaint about alternative TV services is they typically don’t offer much for sports fans. Sling TV by Dish Network is one solution, offering live access to 20 premium channels including ESPN, Adult Swim and AMC as well as add-on packages that give you additional channels based on your interests.
That said, it’s live access; there’s no option to record a show you want to watch later. Sling does offer a replay period during which you can view shows that aired within the past three days on certain channels, and certain channels allow you rewind a show you’re already watching — but ESPN is not one of those channels, so if you want to catch the big touchdown that happened while you were in the kitchen, you’ll have to hope they show a replay.
Cost: $20 a month for the basic “Best of TV” package; add-ons available from $5 a month (for Sports Extra, Kids Extra, etc.) to $15 a month (for HBO)
7. HBO Now
If you’re addicted to HBO shows like Game of Thrones and Girls, you’ll find they’re not available on other streaming services.
If you want to watch them without renting them when they come out on DVD, you’ll want to get HBO Now. It’s available for most devices — tablets, laptops, phones and desktops, but not video game consoles — and offers a month-long free trial (which means you can watch a whole ‘lotta GoT for free if you’re a binger).
Cost: Free 30-day trial; $14.99 a month after that
8. Amazon Prime Instant Video
Amazon Prime’s Instant Video feature gives you streaming access to a number of popular TV series and movies.
The list is by no means exhaustive, and you’ll find it doesn’t have the most recent seasons of currently running programs, but you do have the option to buy a season pass (which typically ranges from $10-$20) or pay per episode (around $1.99-$3.99) to view additional shows.
If you already buy a ton of stuff from Amazon and can benefit from the free two-day shipping that comes along with Amazon Prime, it’s certainly an option worth considering.
Cost: $99 a year (which breaks down to $8.25 a month)
9. HDTV Antenna
Go old-school and hook your TV up to an HDTV antenna to get basic broadcast channels with a high-quality picture. Add a TiVo or other DVR device, and you’ll be able to record shows to view them later.
Find out which channels are available in your area and the best antenna for your needs at AntennaWeb.
Cost: $15 and up
10. The Library
Go really old-school by checking out the offerings at your local public library.
I did a search of my nearby branch and was surprised to find DVDs of everything from I Love Lucy to The Brady Bunch to Malcolm in the Middle. It’s not enough to satisfy the diehard TV fanatic, but if you’re looking for a cheap way to pass a rainy day, you certainly can’t beat the price.
Your Turn: Do you use any of these TV alternatives, by themselves or in combination? What do you like (or dislike) about them?
Disclosure: We have a serious Taco Bell addiction around here. The affiliate links in this post help us order off the dollar menu. Thanks for your support!
Kelly Gurnett is a freelance blogger, writer and editor who runs the blog Cordelia Calls It Quits, where she documents her attempts to rid her life of the things that don’t matter and focus more on the things that do. Follow her on Twitter @CordeliaCallsIt.
The post 10 Ways to Save $600 a Year on Cable Without Giving Up Your Favorite Shows appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
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