Are you a new cord cutter? Are you looking for ways to save money on TV? Feeling overwhelmed as you look at how to cancel cable TV? We asked our readers for tips, and hundreds responded on our Facebook Group and Facebook Page about how to cut the cord on cable TV and save money in 2024.
If you have questions, join our Facebook Group, and thousands of fellow cord cutters there will be happy to help you break free from the high cost of cable TV.
Tips For Picking a Streaming Service
David Oneal said: Don’t choose the streaming service because it’s the most popular, choose the one that’s right for you.
Jeremiah Olson said: My first tip for anyone considering cutting the cord, is to look at which networks they watch or which ones are important to keep. Then they can look at what options are best for what they want/need. Either antenna, streaming live TV app, or even those particular streaming services. If switching to streaming options, make sure they have Internet strong enough to stream.
Sheri Brown Reinstadtler said: Do your research because if you are like me and not a super sports fan or news junkie, there are many apps you can use for free or very little money. Don’t get sucked into YouTube TV, Sling, Hulu Live, etc. Secondly, an over-the-air antenna is your best friend for local channels, and I highly recommend getting a Tablo!
Jon Skaggs said: Don’t be afraid of trying out a service and then switching. That is what I love about the new marketplace of streaming. No contract, no commitment.
Amy Jo Rupp said: Don’t get caught up in everything. Choose a few streaming sites and don’t get caught up in getting everything. Also check what your phone provider and things like Walmart+. Some places have streaming channels incorporated in their systems for an “on us” as a thank you for using their services.
Carl D. Cavalli said: This is eventually a long-term decision, so once you settle on a service, consider annual payments, if possible, instead of monthly payments. You’ll save even more over cable.
Tips on How to Get Started Cord Cutting
Vonda Zwick said:
1. Try to break away from the live streaming habit. Live streaming is just cable with a different delivery system. If you mainly watch scripted TV and reality shows, try going on-demand only.
2. Shop the Black Friday deals as you will get great value when promotions are offered. Prime sometimes offers deals on add-on channels for Prime Day.
3. Switch your On Demand services on and off as you use them. You don’t need everything at the same time. Subscribe to one or two, catch up with their programming, switch to another service when you run out of things to watch. Pay for the services you use. Don’t pay for what you do not.
4. If you are in range, use an antenna and OTA DVR like Tablo for local broadcasts.
Mike Murphy said: Do your research first. Don’t cut the cord and then ask how you can get X. X may not be available.
Tips On What Internet Service You Will Need
Matthew Palmer said: Make sure you have excellent Wi-Fi in your home. Don’t need much speed (50 Mbps and up), just good coverage. Consider a quality mesh network.
Rotate Services
Tarak Nath Nandi said: Rotate the (non-live TV) services. For example, you need not subscribe to both Netflix and HBO Max every month. Choose a service for a month, go through the content that interests you, and cancel the service. Choose another platform for the next 30 days.
Repeat this to reduce the cost per month.
Pause Services You Are Not Using
Joan Messer Turner said: Learn how to pause, deactivate, cancel, and reactivate various streaming services. That way you’re not paying for all the services all the time. You’re only paying for the one(s) you’re actively watching. There may be months that you don’t watch a particular streaming service because perhaps you’ve seen everything of interest at that time. So, turn it off temporarily and go back to it later when they’ve added new programming. I rotate between Paramount+, Hulu, Max, and Netflix. The only two I have full time are Prime Video, because I keep an Amazon Prime membership, and PBS Passport, because I support my local station.