Complete Guide to Cutting the Cord — Cancel Cable and Save Money

What Is Cord-Cutting?

"Cutting the cord" means canceling your cable or satellite TV subscription and switching to internet-based streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube TV.

The average cable bill is $150-200+ per month. Most people can replace it with streaming services for $30-75 per month — saving $75-170 monthly, or $900-2,000 per year.

Before You Cut: What You Need

1. Internet Service (You Probably Already Have It)

You need a reliable internet connection. If you already have cable, you likely have internet too. You can keep the internet and cancel just the TV portion.

Recommended speed: At least 25 Mbps for one TV, 50 Mbps for two or more TVs. Use our Internet Speed Calculator to check what you need.

2. A Way to Stream on Your TV

You have several options:

Smart TV (easiest): If your TV was made after 2018, it probably has streaming apps built in. Check by pressing the Home button on your remote — if you see Netflix, Hulu, etc., you're set.

Streaming Stick (most popular):

• Roku Streaming Stick 4K ($50) — Easiest to use, most apps
• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K ($50) — Great if you have Alexa
• Apple TV 4K ($130) — Best if you have an iPhone/iPad
• Chromecast with Google TV ($30) — Budget friendly

How they work: Plug the stick into your TV's HDMI port, connect to WiFi, and you're streaming.

3. Streaming Service Subscriptions

This is where you choose what to watch. See the comparison below.

Streaming Service Comparison

For Live TV (Replaces Cable)

For On-Demand Shows & Movies

Our Recommendation

Most seniors need just 2-3 services:

• Option A — Budget: Netflix ($6.99) + free antenna for local channels = $6.99/month
• Option B — Balanced: Netflix ($6.99) + Hulu ($7.99) = $14.98/month
• Option C — Full replacement: YouTube TV ($72.99) + Netflix ($6.99) = $79.98/month (still less than most cable bills)

Use our Cord-Cutting Calculator to get a personalized recommendation.

Step-by-Step: How to Cut the Cord

Step 1: Figure Out What You Watch

For one week, write down every show and channel you actually watch. You might be surprised — most people regularly watch only 5-10 channels out of 200+.

Step 2: Choose Your Streaming Services

Match your viewing habits to the right services. Use our calculator or the comparison tables above.

Step 3: Get a Streaming Device (If Needed)

If your TV isn't a Smart TV, buy a Roku Streaming Stick ($50). It's the easiest to set up and use.

Setup takes 10 minutes:

1. Plug the Roku into your TV's HDMI port
2. Plug in the power cable
3. Turn on your TV and select the HDMI input
4. Follow on-screen instructions to connect to WiFi
5. Create a free Roku account
6. Add your streaming apps (Netflix, etc.)

Step 4: Get a Digital Antenna (For Local Channels)

A $20-40 indoor antenna gives you local ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and PBS channels for free in HD. Just plug it into your TV's antenna port and scan for channels.

Recommended: Mohu Leaf ($30) or Amazon Basics Flat Antenna ($20)

Step 5: Cancel Cable

Call your cable provider and say: "I'd like to cancel my TV service but keep my internet."

Tips for the call:

• They will try to offer you deals — be firm if you've decided
• Ask about any early termination fees
• Return equipment (cable box, remote) to avoid charges
• Keep your internet service — you need it for streaming
• Get a confirmation number and note the date

Step 6: Enjoy and Adjust

Give yourself 2 weeks to get comfortable. If you're missing something, you can always add another service or switch services. Unlike cable, there are no contracts — cancel or change anytime.

What About Local News?

• Digital antenna — Free local channels including news
• YouTube TV / Sling / Fubo — Include local channels
• News apps — Most local stations have free apps
• NewsON — Free app with local news from many cities

What About Sports?

• YouTube TV — Most sports channels including ESPN, Fox Sports, regional networks
• Fubo — Best for sports (180+ channels including sports)
• Peacock — Sunday Night Football, Premier League
• Paramount+ — NFL on CBS
• Amazon Prime — Thursday Night Football

Common Worries

"I'm not tech-savvy enough"

If you can use a TV remote, you can use streaming. Modern devices like Roku are designed to be simple — one remote, big icons, easy menus.

"What if I hate it?"

There are no contracts with streaming. Try it for a month. If you hate it, you can always go back to cable. No penalty.

"Will the picture quality be as good?"

Yes — actually, most streaming services offer better quality (4K) than cable. As long as your internet is fast enough (25+ Mbps), the picture will be excellent.

"My spouse/partner won't want to change"

Start small. Add a streaming service alongside cable. Once they see how easy it is and how much content is available, they may be ready to make the switch.

The Bottom Line

Cutting the cord saves most families $75-170 per month. That's $900-2,000 per year — enough for a vacation, car repairs, or simply more money in your retirement account.

Start with a 7-day free trial on one streaming service, a $50 Roku stick, and a $20 antenna. If you love it (and you will), cancel cable and enjoy the savings.