Cable TV prices are rising. To top it off, you get TV channels that you don’t even watch. What are you going to do with the extra TV channels you received? Also, there are many other better options than cable TV that provide additional viewing benefits. This is what we explore in this article. What options do you have besides cable TV?
All of these cable TV alternatives that we are going to mention in this article have one problem; you need an internet connection to access it. These alternatives will take up most of your days, much like cable TV, which means the quality of the internet connection needs to be reliable. Some internet services have their own cable alternatives for you. For example, if you consider Comcast Internet, you can enjoy Xfinity Flex and Peacock Premium as your main entertainment, which will also be mentioned in this article. Additionally, Xfinity is widely available in the US, so it’s likely to be in your region as well. You can also explore the rest of the cable TV alternatives with this internet connection. Just make sure you have a connection that can handle the demands of your TV addiction!
Now that the first half of the path to your entertainment has been cleared, let’s move on to the kinds of alternatives available if you ditch cable.
netflix
The one thing Netflix beats cable TV and other alternatives for is that you no longer have to wait for a new episode to air every week. It’s the perfect platform to watch an entire season. The best part is that there are no ads on Netflix.
It is very easy to access Netflix. You probably have Netflix installed on 8-10 devices in your home right now, but Netflix only allows access to a specific number of devices. With the basic Netflix plan, you can stream Netflix one screen at a time ($9.99/month). With a standard subscription of $15.49/month, only two screens can stream Netflix. Finally, with the Netflix Premium plan at $19.99/month, you can stream Netflix on four screens simultaneously. So, no matter how many devices are downloaded from Netflix, you are limited by the Netflix package you have subscribed to.
Peacock
Are you sad that your favorite TV shows The Office and Parks and Rec are no longer on Netflix? That’s where Peacock comes in. It’s the streaming service you can enjoy with Comcast Internet Service, where Peacock Premium is free for you to stream on Xfinity Flex (i.e. a box 4K streaming)
If you want to opt for the ad-free version, you only have to pay $5 for Peacock Premium Plus ($9.99/month without Comcast Internet). You get access to Peacock’s full content library.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon isn’t just the online shopping experience you browse every week. By subscribing to Amazon Prime Video, you’ll get access to a full library of movies and TV shows. You can also stream original Amazon programs such as The Boys, Bosch, The Expanse, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and the Underground Railroad. Or if Amazon Prime Video doesn’t have any movies you want to watch, you can always buy or rent them as digital downloads.
An Amazon Prime Video subscription costs $8.99/month.
TV Sling
Live TV but no cable TV is also possible. Sling TV is just one example of live TV. And it’s one of the cheapest TV options you’ll find. You can watch news, live sports, TV shows, and movies just like you would on cable TV.
There are customizable plans that include specific TV channels at the agreed price. These plans for the Sling TV service include;
- orange slingshot; $35/month. with 31 TV channels
- blue slingshot; $35/month. with 41 TV channels
- Blue/orange combination; $50/month. with 47 TV channels
The Sling Blue and Sling Orange plans contain different channel lines, so if you want to stream your favorite TV channels, just subscribe to the combined package.
Packaging
The days of owning cable TV service are numbered, but that doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of all entertainment. You can choose any form of cable TV alternative above and sign up. So you won’t miss any episodes or your favorite movies!