Everybody wants to watch their favorite movies and TV shows but not at the expense of an expensive cable bill. In 2017, USA Today reported $100.98 as the mean monthly cable bill. This means that the average American is probable to pay out over $1,200 on cable TV annually. However, the good news is that there are a good number of alternatives to cable TV that are affordable. This article is for you if you want to save money while still enjoying the latest shows. To get rid of the high cost of cable TV, a consumer-friendly sector of streaming services and on-demand options has emerged. These alternatives can be conveniently afforded due to their flexible pricing options. They have many features, perform faster, and do not require contracts. Deciding to cut the cord is quite easy, what might be tasking is finding the option that is best for you. But not to worry, I have compiled in-depth information on the best alternatives to cable TV.
What Are The Best Alternatives To Cable TV?
Over the years, the switch from cable TV to an alternative has been on the rise. Figures from Forbes suggest that between 2014 and 2021, the number of families who have made the switch grew from 16 million to 50 million. This attests to the dissatisfaction that customers experience when using cable TV. Switching to an alternative is not difficult. Here are some of the best cable TV alternatives you can switch to.
- Netflix
- Sling TV
- Hulu
- Philo
Now let’s get into the details of each of these alternatives
Netflix
Netflix ranks high among the most popular alternatives to cable TV. You will find most of your favorite shows and movies on it. You can use it on any mobile gadget so far it can connect to the internet. It is free of ads but does not have a live TV option.
Netflix is a unique alternative in that it has contents of its own. Many of which are household favorites. You also get to enjoy a free subscription in your first month of signing up. Their subscription payment options are of different categories.
The Basic plan is Netflix’s cheapest plan. It costs $119.88 annually and is available for use only on one streaming device. Other plans are the standard plan with HD level picture quality and the premium plan with HD and Ultra HD picture quality. The former can be viewed on two devices at once. It costs $185.88 annually while the latter costs $239.88 annually and is available for viewing on a maximum of four devices at once.
Sling TV
Sling TV is a great option to consider if you are looking for live TV as well as entertainment. If you are a lover of sports, Sling TV is a good fit for you. It has a wide range of TV sports networks such as ESPN, NFL, and even NBA.
There are three subscription options for Sling TV. Sling Orange is the first and it costs $35 per month. However, you will only pay $25 in the first month of your subscription.
Sling Blue is another option and it has the same cost as Sling Orange. The third option is Sling Blue and Orange which consists of all the channels in the previous plans. It costs $50 per month ($40 when subscribing for the first month).
Although local TV channels are not included in these plans, Sling TV will however provide an HD indoor antenna to you for free if you can pay in advance for the first two months of your subscription.
Hulu
If you are looking to cut the cord, Hulu is a good alternative. On it, you can catch up with the latest shows and movies. Just like Netflix, Hulu also creates shows of its own with the Hulu Original series. You also get to enjoy a free 30-day trial, this will help you to finally decide whether they fit your interests or not.
You can subscribe to Hulu for as low as $6.99 per month. Other payment plans include Hulu with No Ads and Live TV for $69.99 per month, and Hulu with No Ads for $12.99. They also have options for premium add-ons which you can include in any of the subscription plans you might choose, their prices ranging from $8.99 to $14.99 per month.
Philo
Philo offers you more than 50 channels of Live TV. These channels include some of the most popular like Nickelodeon, a favorite TV channel among kids.
The pricing option of Philo is quite a simple one when compared to other cable TV alternatives. It is just $300 per year which means $25 per month.
You can utilize their 7-day free trial before subscribing.
Conclusion
Now that you are aware of cable TV alternatives that you can switch to, it is important to evaluate each one of them to determine the best option for you. Compare the features you will get from the alternative you selected with the amount of money you will pay for it.
Gone are the days when cable companies had a monopoly over what you could view. With the emergence of alternatives, you can stop your cable payment and start saving money. All you need is an internet connection and email address to switch to something cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What Is The Best Available Cable TV Alternative?
There is no right answer or wrong answer for this. What qualifies as the best alternative for you depends on the kind of movies and shows that you like to view, take a good look at the various alternatives and select the one that aligns with what you are interested in.
It is also important to look out for the alternative whose payment plan fits into your financial budget.
Since we all have different interests, everyone will not choose the same alternative. Those who love sports will most likely go for Sling TV and those who want to see a movie will most plausibly settle for Netflix.
In summary, what matters is finding the platform that is most suitable for you.
- What Are The Worst Alternatives To Cable TV?
Every cable TV alternative has its drawback. Majority of which are limited channels, lack of live TV, and high prices.
That being said, you must understand that subscribing to too many platforms all at once can be very detrimental to your financial budget.
Whether as an individual or as a family, deciding what your ideal cable TV alternative is useful in avoiding the options that are bad for you.
