26 - Cut the Cord - Cable TV is over and streaming services carry the new content.

Gone are the days of spending $150-200 per month for cable TV. Now, you get to spend almost that much, in a much less organized format! People have been cutting the cord for years now, and it appears that cable TV is over and streaming services are the way to get new content these days. Although there are ways to organize all of your streaming services into one, it takes a little work and isn't done for you like cable TV did. Even recording your favorite "live" shows can be close to impossible these days because the streaming services assume you will watch them all on-demand.

Wading through all of the streaming services to find out what is free, what is paid, what is free for the first three episodes of a season, what becomes paid after you've become addicted to a new show, etc. takes time and research (or if you have a teenager in the home, they can probably tell you what's what without needing a masters degree in media communications)!

This topic can't be completely covered in one blog post, but today's installment will focus on how cutting the cord can save you money. In future posts, we can explore the individual streaming platforms available and how to save money on their subscription fees. For today, let's just examine how we can watch our favorite shows, movies, sports and local news for less than the $150-200 we used to pay our cable companies.

Cord cutting has fundamentally changed how people access television and movies, ushering in an era where viewers curate their own entertainment subscriptions and mixes. While upfront costs can add up quickly when stacking multiple streaming services, practically anyone can tailor a plan to fit their primary interests—whether that’s network TV, original series, live sports, movies, or local news. Understanding how to piece together the right lineup (without overspending or missing out on the essentials) is the key to successful cord cutting.

Popular Streaming Services Overview

There are now dozens of options, but a handful of platforms dominate—each with its own strengths:

• Netflix: Famous for original series and movies, the platform is a go-to for binge watching hit shows, dramas, comedies, foreign titles, and documentaries. Netflix doesn’t generally carry live sports, news, or most network shows. Plans start around $6.99/month for the ad-supported tier, rising to $15.49-$22.99/month for premium options without ads.
• Hulu: Hulu stands out for offering current-season network TV episodes, usually available the day after airing. Its catalog covers sitcoms, dramas, originals, movies, and some FX titles. Hulu’s basic plan costs roughly $7.99/month with ads; ad-free is $17.99/month. Hulu also offers a “Live TV” bundle with dozens of cable channels, major networks, and live sports, starting at $76.99/month.
• Disney+: Perfect for fans of Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and National Geographic. Disney+ costs about $7.99/month with ads, $13.99/month for ad-free. It does not provide live sports or local news programming.
• Max (formerly HBO Max): A destination for prestige TV, HBO originals, Warner Bros films, and select sports from Bleacher Report. Pricing starts at $9.99/month with ads and $15.99/month ad-free. Live sports are rare and news content is limited.
• Apple TV+: Known for award-winning original series and movies, Apple TV+ is affordable ($9.99/month) but has a smaller catalog. Sports and local news aren’t included, though some live sporting events—like MLB Friday Night Baseball and Major League Soccer matches—have been added periodically.

Live Sports and Local News

For most cord cutters, access to live sports and local news is the biggest sticking point. Here’s how major services tackle these needs:

• YouTube TV: This platform replicates much of the traditional cable experience, with over 100 live channels, including local broadcast networks, sports (ESPN, Fox Sports, regional networks), and news channels. Cloud DVR is included so you can record and watch shows and events later. YouTube TV costs about $72.99/month.
• Hulu + Live TV: As mentioned, Hulu’s Live TV plan brings together local channels, cable networks, sports (including ESPN, FS1, regional sports networks in select areas), and unlimited DVR for delayed viewing. You can watch most broadcast news, as well as some local news depending on your location. On-demand streaming and cloud-based recording make it manageable to stay up to date.
• FuboTV: Tailored for sports fans, FuboTV includes live coverage of many professional leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, soccer) and local affiliates. You’ll get major networks, sports-specific channels, and DVR. Packages start around $74.99/month, and the sports channel lineup is among the best.
• Sling TV: Known for its affordability and customization, Sling TV offers two main packages (Orange and Blue), each covering different networks and a limited selection of local channels in some markets. Sling Orange focuses on ESPN and Disney; Blue brings Fox, NBC, and some local affiliates. Add-ons let you expand. Base packages start at $40/month, and you can add cloud DVR for on-demand viewing.

If local news is essential and missing from your main streaming bundle, many local network stations stream news broadcasts and weather updates free on their own apps and websites. Platforms like Locast (when available) have offered digital access to local channels for free or suggested donations, but legal issues have led to frequent interruptions of such services. Alternatively, accessing live news through YouTube, network apps (ABC, CBS, NBC), or digital antennas is still possible in many areas.

On-Demand vs. Live Programming

One of the appeals of streaming services is on-demand viewing—watching programs whenever you choose. Most platforms offer extensive catalogs for on-demand access, so you can catch up on TV series and movies without a set schedule. However, true live TV (simultaneous with broadcast) typically requires a premium service like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or FuboTV. Recording options—once a cable DVR staple—are now managed via cloud-based DVRs. Most live TV streaming bundles include unlimited or large amounts of cloud storage for this purpose. Services differ in how long recordings are saved and whether fast-forwarding through commercials is allowed.

Free and Low-Cost Streaming Options

Not everything requires a monthly fee:

• Pluto TV, Tubi, and Freevee: These ad-supported services offer live channel streams (including news, sports, classic TV, movies) and robust libraries for zero cost. While you won’t find the latest major releases, these platforms help fill entertainment gaps and offer plenty for casual viewing.
• Network Apps: Most major TV networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC) offer free access to some recent episodes, news clips, and live event broadcasts on their apps or websites, sometimes requiring limited commercial viewing.
• Peacock: With a free tier as well as paid options, Peacock offers a solid dose of NBC shows, movies, nightly news, and even some live sports (like Premier League soccer and Sunday Night Football in paid plans). Premium plans start at $5.99/month.

Organizing Your Streaming Experience

Managing multiple subscriptions is a challenge in the streaming era. There’s no built-in “universal guide” as cable TV once offered, but many streaming devices (like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Apple TV) provide dashboards that aggregate shows and movies across platforms for easier browsing. Third-party apps and platforms (e.g., JustWatch, Reelgood) help track new releases, show availability, and subscription costs, as well as offer the closest thing to an electronic program guide.

Some smart TVs have improved their interface for switching between services, showing what’s popular across apps, and displaying your watchlists in one place. However, there’s no universal DVR for all streaming services—it’s handled independently by each where available.

Tips for Maximizing Value

• Always compare platforms before signing up; bundles (like Disney+ + Hulu + ESPN+) can reduce total monthly cost.
• Consider pausing subscriptions if you’re between seasons of your favorite shows.
• Take advantage of free trials (usually ranging from 7 to 30 days), and use free/ad-supported platforms to fill gaps in your lineup.
• Rotate premium subscriptions so you’re only paying for what you’re actively watching.

So, Does Cord Cutting Save Money?

For most households, smart selection and frequent reevaluation of streaming subscriptions can bring monthly costs below typical cable prices—even when stacking two or three paid services and supplementing with free options. But with premium bundles and live TV packages, it’s easy to creep back toward cable-like expenses. The flexibility to tailor your own plan, skip contracts, and avoid equipment rental fees is still the biggest advantage for streamers who know what they want to watch.

By piecing together the platforms that fit your viewing habits, and by staying informed about free alternatives and bundles, cord cutting can indeed save money—while offering more control than any cable package ever did. Future posts can dive deeper into specific streaming apps and help optimize your entertainment budget even further.

Next week, I'll continue this discussion and explain how I watch all of my favorite shows, sports, TV and local channels with zero subscriptions to streaming services. If you are truly a penny-pincher like me, it can be done, but it takes a lot of work to find all of the sources, a little money up front to buy an antenna, a recording device, and a hard drive, and at least 150 Mbps internet. Hope you'll check back in then!