How to cut the cord: 7 questions you need to answer
TV & Movies
Speaker 1: Watching TV is great. And so is saving money. Would you be surprised to learn that you could get rid of your cable box and still do both today? We're talking about cutting the cord and I'm gonna show you how to do it all. There was a time when cutting the cord and getting rid of cable TV might save you money, but it also meant missing out on some of your favorite shows, but not anymore. With the proliferation of streaming services, smart TVs and mobile apps, you'd be hard pressed to find programming. That's available on a cable channel that you can't find somewhere online, but before you call your cable company or go turn in your cable box, you [00:00:30] need to have a plan. We've come up with seven questions. You need to ask yourself to decide what you're going to do with your life. After your cable, TV is gone.
Speaker 1: CNET, managing editor and resident TV genius. David Kats Meyer has a number of handy guides of it available on cnet.com to help answer those questions. The links to those articles are in the description below, not too far away from the like, and subscribe buttons. Come to think of it. Come on. You know what to do, ready to get started. Here we go. Question number one. How is your internet? We're not gonna get very far if you don't have, or can't get a decent internet connection. Many [00:01:00] of us have cable and internet bundled together. If that's you, the time has probably come for a conscious uncoupling and to start looking around for an internet only plan, depending on where you live, that may mean just removing your cable service and staying with the same provider, or you may have other options in your area for internet only service, try to find a plan that includes unlimited data as it, wouldn't be surprising to see your data usage go up.
Speaker 1: Once you move completely to on line viewing as for internet speed, start by pricing. The speed you currently have. They'll be aware if you have several people trying to scream at once, you may end up need something faster. [00:01:30] Of course take advantage of whatever deals your provider might offer, but be aware of getting locked into any long-term contracts. If you can, it's time for some self-reflection. As we answer question number two, what channels or shows do you need make a list of any program, Rams or networks that you absolutely cannot live without make sure everyone in your household has a say in this otherwise, I'm sure you'll hear about it later. In some cases, you'll be able to replace your favorite channels programming with a streaming service like Hulu, since many programs become available on the platform shortly after they hear on TV, but that's not always the case.
Speaker 1: Netflix [00:02:00] also has a lot of network series not to mention the rich and movies, but I find Hulu has more current selections and there are other platforms like Disney plus HBO, max peacock, et cetera, all with different program offerings and at different price points. If your list includes a lot of local channels, live news or sports, you may be better off with a live TV streaming service. Each offers a package of live channel. You can watch on the streaming app. That includes program guides, cloud DVRs and mobile streaming prices start at $25 [00:02:30] a month, but to get live local channels, you'll need to pay at least $50 a month, which is getting back up into cable TV territory. Once you have your listed hand, check out Kas Myer's exhaustive chart of the top 100 channels you can stream on each live TV service. Andy has other pro tip.
Speaker 1: Unlike cable, you can cancel or restart service any time without contracts or penalties. You can always subscribe to follow a popular show and then cancel after the finale. Let's rewind for a second and ask question number three. Can you live without a DVR live TV streaming services offer a cloud [00:03:00] DVR, but it's often not as capable as a Tevo or the DVR from your cable company. Cats found that YouTube TV has the best cloud DVR we've tested, but in some ways it's still not as good as a Tevo odds are. Many of the programs you're recording on your DVR are gonna be available on demand with services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon prime, and others, and live TV service services like YouTube TV and sling TV offer. A lot of on demand shows, and you can often pause or even skip commercials. And there's a chance that not every episode of every show is gonna be available on demand.
Speaker 1: So you may end up needing to record [00:03:30] it instead to find out how the different services and their DVS stack up against one another. Check out our guide for the best TV streaming services for cord cutters, stream services help you keep track of what's going on in places like P E Gilead or east town. But what about closer to home? Question four, how will you get local channels? One of the ways to get around the high costs of local networks on streaming services and still have access to your local news is to use an antenna. Make sure your TV has an over the year tuner built in. So you can plug in an antenna to scan for are local channels. [00:04:00] Reception varies widely depending on where you live. And unless you buy an antenna DVR like the fire TV, recast air TV, or TiVo bolt OTA, you're restricted a live only viewing.
Speaker 1: I have an antenna, but when I moved into this apartment, I found out there's no place I can Mount it. That gives me good reception and the HOA won't let me put an antenna on the roof. So I found another option, a streaming service called low cast. It's a nonprofit service that provides access to local over the air channels via the internet and select metropolitan areas. You can view local channels [00:04:30] in a browser via mobile apps and on many smart TVs using Android TV or Roku apps. And don't forget to check out our list of the best indoor TV antennas. Question number five can be one biggest barriers to cutting the cord for some people. How much do you watch live sports? If your answer is a lot, then this can be a tough one to figure out some channels devoted to pro baseball and basketball teams known as regional sports networks are only available to cable subscribers, live TV streaming service at and T TV has an $85 plan.
Speaker 1: That [00:05:00] is the best option. If you, you wanna watch your local RSM, but coverage varies widely by sport team and city to find out if the service carries your team's games, you'll need to visit at and T's website. NFL pro football games are usually carried on local networks, but you'll need an antenna or live TV streaming service to watch. 'em. One exception is that Amazon prime video will carry some 2021 NFL games for free and will host Thursday night football exclusively from 2022. Or you can stop by the local watering hole that showing the game. If you can't get it at home, question number six, what streaming [00:05:30] devices do you have? I have at least six in this setup back here, but you can't see 'em all right. Now. Now, if all you're worried about is watching over the air channels with an antenna, then you can skip this section.
Speaker 1: But if you intend to use any of the streaming services, we've talked about you, you're going to need a device to use those apps. It could be the TV you already own. Most TVs sold today, come with a number of streaming apps built in, and the ability to download more. If not, maybe you have a gaming system like a PlayStation or Xbox. Those are capable of running most of the popular streaming apps as well. But if you don't have any of those things, you'll probably need [00:06:00] to pick up something like a Roku or apple TV, at least the relatively cheap. And you don't have to pay the cable company every month to rent one. And with most services, you can also watch on your phone, tablet or computer in addition to your TV, who knows maybe that was your plan all along. Now, you can be one of those people that says I don't even have a TV and then home and binges, teen mom on a laptop.
Speaker 1: Okay. Ready to shut it all down. That's question number seven. To find out the answer, do a trial run. When you sign up for all the services you need and get the hardware working, unplug the cable box and get used to streaming. Instead, [00:06:30] it may be a bumpy ride at first, but with time, you'll figure it out. You may need to help others in your household to find the programs they're looking for on the new of services or devices after you've lived the streaming for a while and have gotten used to the process. It's time to call the cable company. Your cable provider might offer you incentives to stick around, but be strong. Often these deals require signing a two year contract. A lot can change in two years. And with the freedom of streaming, it's simply a lot easier to save money than with cable. Before I go, let me just say, please, don't cut the cable. Come out of your wall. When [00:07:00] you turn off your cable service, there's a pretty good chance. You're still gonna need it to plug in your modem so you can have internet service. And of course I'm not allowed to leave. If I don't ask you to like this video and subscribe to our channel, I hope you enjoy your new cable free lifestyle. See you next time.
