Satellite and cable TV providers lost over one million subscribers recently thanks to customers cutting the cord.
As streaming services become cheaper and easier to use, more people are making the switch. If your current cable services aren’t working for you, it might be time to cut the cable cord and start streaming.
But where do you start with so many options on the market? We cover the basics of cord cutting in this guide so you can start watching your favorite content without a cable subscription.
Table of Contents
Opt for High-Speed Internet
You’ll need a reliable internet connection to stream TV and movies. The faster your internet speed is the better your streaming experience will be.
For SD streaming, 4Mbps is the minimum speed you’ll want. But if you plan on watching movies and TV in HD or higher quality, you’ll want a speed between 10-25Mbps.
If you currently have a bundle plan that includes cable, internet, and phone make sure that cutting the cable won’t affect your monthly price.
Consider Getting a Smart TV
Smart TVs have many streaming service apps built in so you don’t need any extra equipment.
Roughly 46 million U.S. households have a smart TV. Today’s smart TVs have all the major streaming apps included. This means that if you subscribe to a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu, you can watch all your shows and movies in one place.
Set-Top Boxes and Streaming Sticks
If you don’t have a smart TV and you don’t want to buy one, you can buy streaming equipment. Examples of streaming equipment include set-top boxes, streaming sticks, and gaming consoles.
There are pros and cons to each type of streaming device and you may find one works better than the others for your needs.
For example, set-top boxes have the most power and give you access to 4K HDR picture. Streaming sticks also offer 4K HDR video, but they’re not as robust as the pricier boxes. Do your research before settling on a streaming device.
Take a look at our review of the Amazon Fire TV Stick to get an idea of what one type of streaming stick has to offer.
Streaming Services and Cable Replacement
Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime are three of the big players when it comes to streaming movies and TV. But there are countless other streaming options out there and dozens of apps you can download onto your device.
Another option is to look into cable replacement services. These packages allow you to watch your favorite TV channels and shows without a cable subscription.
Some examples of these services include PlayStation Vue and Sling TV. These services tend to be much cheaper than a cable subscription. Plus, you have more freedom to customize your channels.
Watching Torrents
Another option for streaming is to use a torrent service like Sickrage Seedbox to watch content.
Public domain torrents also allow you to watch TV and movies for free, and it’s completely legal. If you’re wondering how to get free cable but you want to do it legally, this is the next best thing.
Cut the Cable Cord and Start Watching
Now that you know how easy it is to watch TV without cable, you can cut your cable cord and start watching smarter.
While not exactly free cable, streaming lets you save big on your monthly cable bills. Plus, you’ll have access to your favorite shows and movies whenever you want to watch them.
Want to ask for advice on finding the right streaming service? Check out our forums and start a conversation.
