Here is a list of the best cable TV alternatives out there. We’ve done the research and found the best streaming services and best online cable TV alternatives.
Cable TV is dying – it’s going the way of the dinosaur because the number of people without cable keeps growing, and the number of channels available to customers keeps shrinking. Year after year and new options like streaming services are making cable less and less appealing.
The biggest network providers are cutting the cord, and the only people who are sticking around are the ones who are willing to pay for the premium networks.
If you’re looking for a change, there are a ton of great alternatives that will give you access to hundreds of channels without the hassle of dealing with an over-the-top provider.
If you haven’t switched yet, or you’ve given up on it altogether, here are some of the best cable TV alternatives.
1. YouTube TV
YouTube TV is one of the best Cable TV alternatives when contemplating cutting the cord. It is accessible on Mobile devices, Smart TVs, and Game consoles (PlayStation and Xbox).
YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service similar to Hulu + Live TV, and it’s possibly one of the most popular streaming platforms available in the United States.
The content available on YouTube TV may vary depending on location, but they currently have over 100 cable channels streaming on the platform. The channels range from news to sports and lots of other entertaining content.
These features are accessible at $65 per month, and a single subscription allows the user to create six different accounts, and users can stream on three of these accounts simultaneously. It also has the option for a 7-day free trial period for new accounts.
2. Netflix
Netflix was launched in 1997, but it didn’t start its streaming services until 2007. It has since become one of the most popular options for those looking for the best cable TV alternatives.
Netflix has the option of working on many devices such as TVs, smartphones, tablets, apple devices, or any device with a good internet connection where users can install the Netflix app.
The streaming platform offers access to a wide variety of TV shows such as ABC, CBS, FOX, and CW TV shows, movies, classics, and even Netflix’s own original content at an affordable price.
It also has newer features that allow users to download movies or shows at no extra cost. Subscription to Netflix could be a basic, standard, or premium package.
The basic package goes for $9.99 a month for new users who intend to use the service on a single device at a time and who stream in SD.
The standard package goes for $15.49 per month and allows the flexibility of watching shows or movies on up to two screens simultaneously and in HD.
While the premium package is the most expensive at $19.99, subscribers have the option of streaming content in HD or ultra HD and can view content on up to four screens at the same time. Netflix doesn’t offer options for live TV.
3. Sling TV
This is one of the cheaper streaming options for cord-cutters looking for a live TV streaming service. It offers sports, news, and other entertaining content without the hassle of a contract.
Sling TV has different packages – sling TV Orange at $35 a month; sling TV Blue q also goes for $35 a month and sling TV Orange + Blue at the cost of $50 a month.
The Orange package comes with a variety of 32 channels, including ESPN, AMC, and CNN, while the Blue package has a few other essential channels but not ESPN.
Getting the overall package at a lower cost is a good alternative since it gives you access to about 52 channels, including ESPN.
The downside to the Orange package is the restriction on streaming content on more than one device at a time.
Sling TV is a good alternative because of the variety of news, sports, and entertainment content you can stream and the option it provides for adding on extra channels at a little cost, depending on which package you’re on.
4. Amazon Prime Video
This is a good option for those already subscribed to Amazon Prime and is one of the best streaming platforms available and unarguably one of the best Cable alternatives.
Users have access to a variety of movies and TV shows, both new releases, classics, and even original Amazon series.
With a bundled subscription of $14.99 per month for this feature and Amazon prime membership, users can get access to all the content this platform offers. There are also options for premium channel add-ons.
5. Philo
Philo is one of the cheaper streaming alternatives with a $25 per month plan and access to 64 channels. It is cost-effective and one of the best alternatives to Cable TV.
While it lacks many news and sports channels, it is a good option for movie lovers. It boasts various channels like Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, Food Network, and others.
Philo offers a 7-day free trial for new subscribers, and users can stream on up to 3 different devices.
The platform also offers add-ons for channels like Epix and STARZ at a little extra cost, and it’s suitable for on-demand content.
6. Direct TV Stream
This is a more expensive alternative, with the basic package being $69.99 per month.
Still, it offers access to various channels, including local broadcast channels, depending on which packages users subscribe to.
The platform has an Entertainment package at $69.99 per month with over 65 channels, a Choice package costing $89.99 with 90+ channels, an Ultimate package costing $104.99 with 140+ channels, and a Premiere package with 140+ channels for $149.99 per month.
Research on the channel lineups for each package is vital to decide which is most suitable, and it still offers a better option than cable TV since there’s no contract involved.
7. Hulu
Hulu is one of the best Cable TV alternatives and is a popular choice for many cord-cutters.
Subscribers get access to all of Hulu’s original and on-demand content and content from local channels or cable networks about 24 hours after they’ve aired.
The package costs only $6.99 per month for a basic package with ads and $13 for a package with no ads. Streaming on up to two devices is allowed.
Hulu also offers Hulu with live TV as a streaming option with 75+ channels with notable channels like ESPN and local channels, as well as the option for premium add-ons. The package costs $69.99 per month.
8. HBO Max
This is a popular choice for cord-cutters looking for premium content. It serves as a streaming platform for content from HBO and Warner media.
With a lot of original as well as on-demand shows and movies, it is one of the best Cable TV alternatives.
The streaming platform comes with two packages which are the same except for the presence of ads.
The basic ad-supported package costs $ 9.99, while the ad-free package costs $14.99. Both allow streaming on up to 3 devices.
9. Disney+
This is an excellent option for those who love Disney content. This content not only involves fairytale princesses but covers original shows and movies, star wars movies and shows, marvel movies, Pixar content as well as other content.
The platform, however, doesn’t offer any live-streaming options, but subscribers get access to the entire Disney library for a price of $7.99 per month. It is still one of the best Cable TV alternatives, regardless.
10. Paramount+
The streaming platform offers over 100 channels for only $4.99 monthly on an ad-supported plan and $9.99 a year. The platform replaced CBS with all access and still provides on-demand TV shows and local CBS stations’ live streams.
It is a good option because subscribers can access thousands of shows from popular channels like Comedy Central, BET, MTV, and Nickelodeon, movies from Paramount Pictures, and exclusive original content.
Subscribers also get constant access to local and international news and can stream on up to 3 devices at a time. It is an excellent option for cord-cutters and one of the best Cable TV alternatives available at a lower cost.
