The Docs recently did a deep dive on the average cable/TV/internet service at home. In a 10-year span, most average households will spend around $24,000.
I’ve spent many frustrating hours on long chat sessions with cable reps, trying to get better rates. Alas, they almost always fail (if you don’t count a couple of dollars here and there). So I thought: if you only watch a few channels on cable TV (because you have a number of other streaming services with great content) why not cut the cable on the TV part, saving about $90 by returning both the cable box and eliminating DVR service? But how do you watch live TV? And record live TV?
The answer is surprisingly simple. Since many of us are in an area about 15 miles from all the local broadcasting towers, an OTA (Over The Air) antenna and a tiny internet-connected box that will record to a cloud service, we can replace that costly, monthly TV portion with an initial investment of around $200, plus a $35 a year subscription service (to record). Wow. That’s about $1,000 a year savings. (Yes, it can be simple, but it will require a number of carefully planned steps and equipment selection. If you’d like a free white paper on what to do, step by step, email doc@thedigitaldocs.com and we’ll send it to you.)
Here’s a little primer on how to cut the cable TV cord and save hundreds on your services bill.
1. Assess your current cable TV bill. What channels do you actually watch? How much are you paying for your service? This will help you determine how much you can save by switching to streaming services and other alternatives.
2. Choose the streaming services that offer the channels you want. There are many different streaming services available, so you can choose the ones that offer the best value for your money.
3. Consider using a live TV streaming service. Live TV streaming services allow you to watch live TV channels, including sports and news channels. Some popular live TV streaming services include Sling TV, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV.
4. Get an antenna for local channels. You can get an antenna for around $30-$70, or hire an installer to put up a rooftop antenna. This will allow you to watch local broadcast channels for free, including ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. And if you buy one of the many devices to record, you’re all set.
5. Cancel your cable TV service. Once you have all of your streaming services and antenna set up, you can cancel your cable TV service. Be sure to return your cable box and other equipment to avoid being charged additional fees.
Here are some additional tips for saving money on your streaming services bill:
— Bundle streaming services. Many streaming services offer discounted bundles. For example, you can bundle Hulu and Disney+ for $13.99 per month, which is less than the cost of subscribing to each service individually.
— Take advantage of free trials. Many streaming services offer free trials. This is a great way to try out a service before you commit to subscribing.
— You might be able to share streaming services with friends and family. Some streaming services allow you to share your account with up to six people. This can be a great way to save money if you have a large family or group of friends.
By following these tips, you can cut the cable TV cord and save hundreds on your services bill.
Until next time, happy streaming!
Stephen Bach is the owner and chief of surgery at The Digital Docs in Marblehead.
