Top alternatives to cable TV in 2026 — 4 just in time for Super Bowl LX
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Top alternatives to cable TV in 2026 — 4 just in time for Super Bowl LX
Heather Petty and Kelly Suzan Waggoner February 7, 2026 at 4:05 AM
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6 top alternatives to cable TV in 2026 (Getty Images)
When you’re looking to simplify your monthly expenses, your cable bill might be No. 1 on the list. And you’re not alone: The average cable bill has inched up 5% since 2021 to about $147 on average today — some $1,760 a year — with many Americans paying far more. That may be why more and more U.S. households are cutting the cord for cable alternatives instead.
Streaming services are among the most popular alternatives, with streamers surpassing TV viewers using cable and satellite, according to Nielsen. These services allow you to enjoy the same channels you watch now, only without the equipment rental and multiyear contract requirement of cable.
With so many options, it can be tough to decide which is best for your budget and binging. We’ve scoured through the most popular cable alternatives to give you our top five cable alternatives that provide the comfort of live TV without the sting — for February 2026. Just in time for Super Bowl LX!
🏈 🏈 Excited about the Big Game? Stream Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 8, at 6:30 p.m. ET with four of our picks. 🏈 🏈
Hulu + Live TV: Our top all-around pick
Fubo: Our pick for sports fans
YouTube TV: Our pick for live TV
Sling: Our pick for customization
Philo: Our pick for cheapest streaming
DirecTV Stream: Our pick for a cable-like experience
Hulu + Live TV: Our top all-around pick
Hulu
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Hulu gets our best pick all around for its wide range of services compared to its competitors, including live TV, access to the Hulu library and premium channels — all for about the cost of basic cable.
Pros - Access to premium channels like Disney+ and ESPN+
- Unlimited DVR storage
- Offers tier for ad-free viewing
Cons - Charges for streaming to more than two devices
- 4K streaming on select devices and programming only Sign up at Hulu💰 What you’ll pay
Hulu supports two subscription tiers that depend on your tolerance for ads:
Hulu Premium + Live TV (no ads) — Hulu’s top tier costs $100 a month for Hulu content plus live TV and ESPN+ — with no advertisements. This tier also includes Disney+ with ads.
Hulu + Live TV (with ads) — the service’s most popular tier costs $90 a month and offers Hulu content plus live TV, Disney+ and ESPN+ with ads.
Hulu (with ads) — the base tier with ads costs $83 a month (a savings of $13 a month over the ad-free option).
If you’re not interested in the Hulu catalog, Disney+ or ESPN at all, you can get live TV only for $82 a month.
Live TV subscribers can round out viewing through add-ons offering niche channels that aren’t included in the base:
Entertainment add-on — includes the Cooking Channel, Crime & Investigation, Hallmark Drama, MTV, TeenNick and 12 other entertaining channels for an extra $8 a month
Sports add-on — includes FanDuel Racing, NFL RedZone, the Outdoor Channel and other sports and stream channels for an extra $10 a month
Español add-on — Stream CNN, Discovery, ESPN, FOX and NBC news, sports and TV shows in Spanish for an extra $5 a month
An additional $10 each month unlocks access to streaming on an unlimited number of devices.
🏈 Can I watch Super Bowl LX on Hulu?
Yes! Hulu + Live TV subscribers can watch Super Bowl LX live or record it for watching later with Cloud DVR.
✅ What's included
No matter which tier you choose, you get access to all of Hulu’s on-demand library, Disney+, ESPN+ and more than 95 live TV channels, based on where you live. Enter your ZIP code on Hulu’s site to see what live TV is available in your area.
If you’re OK with short ad breaks, Hulu’s $90 base subscription allows you to stream on two devices simultaneously and gives you unlimited cloud DVR storage — which means you can record movies, games and more for viewing later.
The service supports streaming on desktop, mobile, tablets and devices including Amazon Fire, Android, Apple, Chromecast, Roku and popular gaming consoles. You can enable subtitles and closed captioning at the account level, with preferences automatically applied across profiles.
❌ What’s not included
Hulu’s lineup doesn’t include such popular channels as IFC and BBC America, and sports fans may miss access to NBA TV.
Families may find Hulu’s two-screen limit hard to navigate. Access to unlimited screens at home (and three on the go) costs an extra $10 each month. Hulu also doesn’t support 4K-quality streaming on all programs — and it's available only on specific devices, including Apple TV 4K (5th generation or later), Chromecast Ultra and newer Fire TV devices.
Fubo: Our pick for sports fans
Fubo
Our pick for sports fansFuboli]:list-decimal [&_ol]:space-y-6 [&_ul>li]:list-disc [&_ul]:space-y-6">
Fubo packs in a lot for sports enthusiasts to love — and that's just its base subscriptions. Want only sports? Sign up for Fubo Sports, a fan-focused package that includes local coverage to cheer on home teams, no cable needed. Or tune into Fubo Sports Network for free streaming of live games and original shows.
With more than 6 million subscribers (and growing), Fubo's captured the attention of sports die-hards looking to kick cable to the curb with highly customizable entertainment that's easy to navigate. A major drawback: Fubo's ongoing carriage dispute with NBCUniversal means you'll need to look elsewhere for Super Bowl LX.
Pros - More than 100 sports, news, entertainment and Spanish-language channels
- Includes regional sports network that are harder to find with competitors
- Stream on up to 10 devices with unlimited DVR storage
Cons - 4K streaming limited to specific tiers and devices
- Ongoing dispute means no channels from NBCUniversal
- Customization costs can add up fast Sign up at at Fubo💰 What you’ll pay
Choose from three main base plans with unlimited screens on up to 10 devices and cloud DVR to record and watch your favorite shows when you want:
Fubo Pro — more than 150 channels including ESPN+, ABC, CBS and Fox for $74 a month
Fubo Elite — upgraded 4K tier with more than 250 channels, including kids entertainment through Fubo Extra and news access through News Plus for $84 a month
Fubo Latino — the best of Spanish-language TV, news and (yes) sports — more than 50 channels in total — for $15 a month
Not enough sports for you? Add-ons give international fans and those closer to home much more to cheer, from MLB.TV at an extra $30 a month and Sports Plus with NFL RedZone for an extra $11 monthly to International Sports Plus for an extra $15 a month.
You'll also find premium add-ons for such channels as Starz and tiered options for live TV, with money-saving deals for new subscribers.
🏈 Can I watch Super Bowl LX on Fubo?
No. Fubo began blacking out NBC in November 2025 after a carriage dispute, which means you can't watch Super Bowl LX this year.
✅ What’s included
Fubo offers a wide range of content for even the biggest sports fan — football, baseball, basketball, tennis, even boxing and car racing. It's a solid competitor for YouTube (and, fair warning, can get as expensive).
Base subscriptions come with more than 150 popular channels, including local networks like ABC, CBS and NBC, with access to more than 300 channels through customizable sports, entertainment and premium channels and add-ons. Get simultaneous streaming on up to 10 devices at home and three on the go, with DVR storage that makes it easy to pick up your favorite shows or games later for up to nine months.
Stream Fubo on compatible devices including Amazon, Apple, Roku and mobile, with closed captioning for all CC-enabled shows.
❌ What’s not included
Fubo's channel lineup lacks popular channels you'll find with other streaming services. The biggest one? NBC Networks, the result of a dispute that pulled local NBC channels, regional sports (so long, Super Bowl) and national channels like Bravo, E! Entertainment, Syfy, USA Network and many others from the lineup.
And while there's standalone channels and add-ons for nearly every type of streamer, costs add up fast — especially for sports fans interested in local programming: Fubo Pro adds a regional sports network fee of up to $15 a month on top of base costs.
YouTube TV: Our pick for live TV
YouTube TV
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YouTube TV boasts more than 8 million subscribers — no doubt many of them sports fanatics, what with YouTube the new home to NFL Sunday Ticket. Add to that a multiview screen and exclusive sports features like Stats View and Fantasy Football View, and YouTube TV may be the best choice if your TV life revolves around the next season of your favorite game.
Pros - Exclusive home to NFL Sunday Ticket, with option to add NFL RedZone
- Watch several games at once with multiscreen
- Upgrade offers unlimited screens and offline viewing
Cons - Missing A&E, the History channel and other top channels
- Subscription does not include YouTube Premium (an extra $15 a month) Sign up at YouTube TV💰 What you’ll pay
The exclusive home to NFL Sunday Ticket, YouTube offers sports fans access to every Sunday game and YouTube’s base plan of more than 100 live channels — including ESPN — or as an individual subscription to the Sunday Ticket primetime channel on YouTube.
While these are base rates, each the three packages offer significantly impressive savings for new subscribers — including half-off deals for your first year:
NFL Sunday Ticket + YouTube TV — $83 a month for the YouTube base plan plus $31.50 a month for the NFL Season Pass
NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube — access to out-of-market Sunday games and unlimited in-home streams for $480 a year
NFL Sunday Ticket + NFL RedZone on YouTube — the full sports package for about $525 a year
If you’re not so into sports, Youtube TV’s $83 monthly base plan includes national and local networks, on-demand movies and a library of your favorite TV shows — and the company offers frequent discounts that can knock down what you pay in your first two to three months. (Today's limited-time offer for new users drops monthly costs to $60 each of your first two months, for example.)
Other plans and bundles allow Spanish speakers, premium-channel seekers and high-def streamers to customize subscriptions:
Spanish Plus — standalone plan offers Univision, ESPN and more than 25 other Spanish streaming channels for $35 a month or bundle with your base plan for an extra $15 a month
Entertainment Plus — add-on bundles Max, Starz and Paramount+ with Showtime for an extra $30 a month
Features and 4K — get unlimited screens, offline access to your DVR content and 4K-quality viewing on select channels and shows for an extra $10 a month
You can add channels individually without the YouTube TV base subscription — though that strategy can add up, with per-channel prices ranging from $2 to $20 each month. Those who enjoy Spanish streaming can take advantage of the Spanish Plus add-on — with six accounts and unlimited DVR — for $35 without the YouTube TV base subscription.
🏈 Can I watch Super Bowl LX on YouTube TV?
Yes! YouTube TV Base Plan subscribers can stream Super Bowl LX live on NBC.
✅ What’s included
Focusing on sports, NFL Sunday Ticket carries every out-of-market NFL game that airs on Sundays. When combined with YouTube TV — a combination that saves returning subscribers about $100 off NFL Sunday Ticket — you also get access to live sports and NFL games through ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN, among other channels in YouTube TV’s base plan. And you can add NFL RedZone for live coverage and real-time stats hosted from NFL network host Scott Hanson.
Otherwise, YouTube TV offers a base plan of more than 100 live-TV channels and on-demand content with unlimited DVR storage. You can have up to six customized user accounts, but the base subscription allows simultaneous viewing on only three screens. YouTube TV supports both subtitles and closed captioning at the profile level from your Settings menu.
YouTube offers an upgrade to 4K viewing on a limited number of channels, which also allows you to download shows from your library to watch without internet access. And it supports streaming on many popular smart TVs, media players, smartphones, tablets and gaming consoles.
❌ What’s not included
NFL Sunday Ticket doesn’t include Sunday Night Football on NBC, Monday Night Football on ESPN and most in-market games you can watch without it. YouTube’s base plan service is missing some popular channels and programming in its lineup, including A&E, the History Channel and Lifetime. And it doesn’t offer an ad-free on-demand library like some competitors.
Also, if you’re a YouTube TV subscriber, it doesn’t automatically mean you’re a YouTube Premium member — so you’ll still see ads on YouTube content. And for old-school NFL Sunday Ticket fans, note that YouTube TV doesn’t offer your first week for free like DirecTV used to.
Sling: Our pick for customization
Sling TV
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Sling TV may not offer as many premium channels as other streaming services do, but you can customize your channels to fit your viewing needs so that you’re paying only for channels you actually watch.
Pros - Free 500+ live channels, plus 40,000 on-demand movies and episodes
- Customizable subscriptions offer ad-free viewing
- No contract required
Cons - Fewer channels on offer than other services
- Local channels limited to certain areas
- Limited DVR capability — though you can fast-forward through ads Sign up at Sling TV💰 What you’ll pay
Living up to its name, the ad-supported Sling Freestream account allows you to stream news, movies and TV shows — including a healthy slew of reality TV — across more than 600 channels for free, both live streaming and on demand.
For channels that aren’t included in Freestream, the streaming service offers two Sling TV subscription plans and a cost-saving way to get both:
Orange — stream seven ad-free sports and family channels that include Disney, ESPN and Freeform plus more than 25 shared channels for $46 a month
Blue — stream 16 ad-free news and entertainment channels that include Fox News, MSNBC, Discovery and National Geographic plus more than 25 shared channels for $46 a month
Orange + Blue — stream more than 65 exclusive and shared channels in the Orange and Blue plans for $61 a month.
The budget-friendly Sling Select includes Fox News, National Geographic, Grit and 10 other channels for $20 a month. Add the Sports Extra package starting at $36 a month.
🏈 Can I watch Super Bowl LX on Sling?
Yes! Sling Blue, Sling Orange + Blue and Sling Select subscribers can stream Super Bowl LX live on NBC in more than a dozen select markets, including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Hartford, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Oakland/San Jose, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
✅ What’s included
Regardless of which plan you choose, you get more than 25 base channels that include A&E, BBC America, QVC, HGTV, Nick Jr. and many others. You also get 50 hours of DVR storage for free, or you can pay $5 more for unlimited DVR storage.
The Orange plan is the sports and family plan, which offers seven exclusive channels that include the Disney Channel and Freeform for kids and teens, plus MotorTrend and the ESPN channels for sports. You can stream to only one device with this plan.
The Blue plan is considered a news and entertainment plan, carrying Fox and MSNBC for newsies plus more than 15 other exclusive channels like Bravo, SYFY, NFL Network and Discovery. And you can stream on up to three devices with this plan.
The combined Orange and Blue plan allows for simultaneous streaming on up to four devices. You can also choose to manage your premium channel subscriptions through Sling TV for access to international channels — East Asian sports and TV, Arabic channels and Latino and Mexican channels.
Supported devices for streaming include popular brands like Amazon, Chromecast, Roku and Samsung as well as smartphones, tablets and Xbox. Closed captioning is enabled from a Player Controls menu by pressing OK on your remote while actively streaming, from a Closed Captioning menu or from My Account.
❌ What’s not included
Unfortunately, Sling TV doesn’t provide consistent access to local channels. You may be able to access local ABC, Fox and NBC affiliates in some major markets, but the service suggests using an over-the-air antenna or AirTV device to access your local content. It doesn’t offer access to CBS content at all.
Philo: Our pick for cheapest streaming
Philo
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Philo may not be an ideal pick if you’re looking for local channels and networks, but its low subscription price is a plus among high-cost streaming services — and its more than 70 channels that include A&E, BBC America, the Food Network and HGTV might be all some watchers need. Plus, the service recently added access to AMC+ with ads for no additional fee.
Pros - Low price compared to other streaming services
- No contract required
- Unlimited DVR storage
Cons - No local channels or networks
- Ad-free streaming applies to add-on packages only
- Streaming limited to three simultaneous screens Sign up at Philo💰 What you’ll pay
Philo offers just one basic plan — called Philo Core — for its streaming service at $33 a month with the ability to expand viewing through six add-on packages:
ALLBLK — Ad-free Black entertainment series, films, series and WE tv originals for an extra $7 a month
AMC+ — Ad-free shows and movies from AMC+, The Walking Dead Channel, Shudder, IFC Films Unlimited and Sundance now for an extra $4 a month
Hallmark+ — Ad-free Hallmark originals, reality shows, movies and more for an extra $8 a month
MGM+ — Ad-free shows and movies from MGM+, MGM+ Marquis and MGM+ Hits for an extra $7 a month
Movies & More — includes HDNet Movies, Reelz, Sony Movies, Family Movie Classics, Sony Movies and Fandor for an extra $3 a month
Starz — Ad-free shows and movies from Starz, Starz Encore and Starz Kids & Family for an extra $11 a month
Right now, you can get your first month for just $25 as a new subscriber.
🏈 Can I watch Super Bowl LX on Philo?
No. Philo's channel lineup excludes local channels like NBC, CBS and ABC. Unless plans include broadcast channels next year, you won't be able to watch next year's Super Bowl either.
✅ What’s included
Philo gives you access to a large library of on-demand content, including more than 70 popular channels, from A&E to WE tv. Create up to 10 personalized accounts, with simultaneous streaming limited to three screens. For those who like to store titles to view later, Philo also offers unlimited DVR storage, with content that doesn’t expire for 12 months.
You can stream Philo on your TV, smartphone, laptop or tablet through supported brands like Amazon, Apple, Samsung and Vizio. And Philo publishes a Closed Captioning page on its website that walks you through how to enable CC on your specific streaming device.
❌ What’s not included
Philo does not support local TV or major networks like ABC, CBS or NBC, which is how it keeps its prices so low. The service suggests using an over-the-air antenna to pick up TV signals broadcast by your local TV towers.
News buffs and sports fans may also want to search elsewhere: Philo’s only major news network is BBC News, and it doesn’t provide access to any of the major sports networks.
DirecTV Stream: Our pick for a cable-like experience
DirecTV Stream
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DirecTV is the most expensive of our picks, but if you’re happy with your current cable and don’t want to deal with equipment fees and contracts, DirecTV Stream might be a good choice. It offers robust subscriptions and many limited-time discounts for new subscribers that can further lower your costs.
Pros - Includes 4K streaming, where available
- Large library of top channels and on-demand titles
- Unlimited simultaneous streams within your home network
Cons - Priciest subscription options on our list
- DVR recordings last only 9 months or 30 episodes per show
- Cheapest package doesn’t include regional sports channels Sign up at DirecTV Stream💰 What you’ll pay
DirecTV Stream offers multiple streaming subscriptions with different monthly price points:
MyFree DirecTV — $0
Entertainment — $90 a month
Choice — $95 a month
Ultimate — $125 a month
Premier — $170 a month
Promos allow you to add the DirecTV Sports Pack that include MLB Extra Innings, MLS Season Pass and Fox Soccer Plus — currently $15 a month — to your Entertainment, Choice or Ultimate subscription and shave savings off each of your first three to 24 months. Another saves you the same $10 a month for your first three months of Premier without needing to add the Sports Pack.
DirecTV also offers several premium subscriptions for various prices, with three-month subscriptions to HBO Max, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included when you sign up for the first three packages. Those subscriptions auto-renew unless you cancel.
🏈 Can I watch Super Bowl LX on DirecTV?
Yes! DirecTV subscribers can stream Super Bowl LX live on NBC.
✅ What’s included
Supported channels depend on the subscription you purchase:
MyFree DirecTV offers more than 90 live channels and on-demand shows across almost every genre. All that's needed is registering and downloading the DirectTV app.
Entertainment includes more than 90 live TV channels that include ESPN, Nickelodeon and HGTV plus more than 60,000 on-demand shows and movies as well as your local channels.
Choice increases your live TV channels to more than 125 and your on-demand titles to more than 70,000. The package includes both local channels and regional sports networks.
Ultimate includes all of the channels in the Entertainment and Choice packages, plus more than 40 additional live TV channels and 10,000 more on-demand titles.
Premier package comes with even more live TV channels, on-demand shows and movies, all local channels and regional sports networks, plus HBO Max, Cinemax, Paramount+ with Showtime and Starz — all in all, some 185 live channels and 65,000 on-demand titles. MGM+ is included for the first three months, then auto-renews for $8 a month unless you cancel. Full channel lists are included on the DirecTV Stream website.
DirecTV enables closed captioning through a Settings menu on your device, the app or the web.
Does DirecTV Stream require a contract?
No. DirecTV Stream doesn’t require the same two-year contract that DirecTV does. But if you sign up for 24 months, you can get a standard DirecTV device for free with your Stream subscription.
❌ What’s not included
Local and regional channels are determined by your ZIP code. Check with DirecTV’s site to learn which channels are available in your area before signing up. You won’t find access to your regional sports channels with Entertainment — instead, compare the Choice, Ultimate or Premier packages.
And while the service says you can stream on unlimited devices, that’s only within your home network. If you’re traveling or on a different network, you’re limited to only three concurrent streams.
If you’re a current DirecTV or U-verse customer, you aren't eligible for discounts when you shift to DirecTV Stream. You might also pay an extra $10 to $15 a month for unlimited DVR use.
Other on-demand services
Several other services are available once you make the switch from cable to streaming, most of which offer on-demand content only. Others are live TV streaming services offering channels included under their own media companies.
Here’s a list of popular on-demand services and what they include:
Apple TV+ — original content as well as on-demand TV and movies. Sports fans can add the MLS Season Pass and watch Friday Night Baseball for live games.
Disney+ — content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, National Geographic and the Star Wars franchise. Your subscription determines whether content is ad-supported or ad-free, and whether you can bundle Hulu and ESPN+.
Paramount+ — no CBS (so no Super Bowl). But Paramount+ with Showtime gives you access to Showtime content, your local CBS live stream and live sports content for a few extra dollars a month.
Peacock TV — NBC and affiliated TV shows and movies on demand, as well as live TV channels, live sports and replays.
Amazon Prime Video — access to a whole library of TV and movie content for Prime members. Without Prime, you can watch select TV and movies on Amazon Freevee, as well as original content created just for the ad-supported streaming service.
Netflix — unlimited streaming of on-demand TV and movie content, as well as original content made just for the service. Set up member accounts with limits for kids, or pay extra to share your subscription with family members who live outside your household.
Hulu — Hulu’s content without Live TV offering separate subscriptions for watching with or without ads. Programming includes original Hulu content and some current TV episodes a day after they air on live TV. You can bundle Hulu with Disney+ and ESPN+.
Fubo — known for live sports streaming without a cable subscription, including ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. Subscription plans range from Latino for Spanish-language sports, news and more to Elite, which includes more than 200 channels, with many add-ons and features to personalize your service.
Some on-demand services are curated to match individual interests, such as AcornTV and Britbox for content from British networks like ITV and the BBC. You can stream your favorite musical theater from BroadwayHD or watch your favorite documentaries and reality content from Discovery+. Long-term subscriptions to these individual services may add up, but you can start and stop your subscriptions any time you want, paying for just a month at a time.
For example, some of us pay for a month of Discovery+ in July or August to watch Shark Week (and maybe to catch up on the latest season of 90-Day Fiance).
How to cut the cable TV cord
Here are the steps to take when you’re ready to break free from your cable TV service, starting with your current cable contract.
Step 1: Check your cable contract
If you’re paying for cable, you’ll want to carefully read your existing contract to learn whether you’re on the hook for a cancellation fee. These fees can be as high as $15 for each month left on your contract plus any equipment fees.
Some contracts include reasons you can cancel without fees or penalties — such as chronic service outages or broken upgrade promises — but you’ll have to make a case to the cable company with documentation to prove that service didn’t meet expectations.
If you’re nearing the end of your contract, it might help to weigh how much you could save with a streaming service against any early cancellation fees to see if it’s worth cutting the cord early.
What if my cable is part of a bundle?
If your cable package is bundled with your internet and home phone, it may be time to shop around. You might be able to get a better deal on standalone internet service that has the speed you’ll need for streaming. A streaming speed of 50 to 100Mbps is a good standard and should allow for streaming on multiple devices in your home with quality of up to 4K.
Step 2: Contact your cable company
Have your contract on hand, and prepare for your cable company to offer amazing discounts or upgrades when you call to cancel. With cable TV subscriptions down, representatives have an incentive to get you to stay on as a customer.
If the rep quotes cancellation fees above and beyond what’s allowed in your contract, ask to speak to a manager to make sure you’re not charged more than you owe.
Before hanging up, ask how long you have to return any equipment you received when you signed up for the service to avoid yet more charges down the road.
Step 3: Determine if you need a streaming device
Newer smart TVs often come with preloaded streaming apps that you can run without an added device. But some people find the apps are hard to use, lacking updates to get rid of glitches and bugs or the ability to add or delete apps easily. Smart TVs also collect your personal information and viewing habits — including voice data, if you use your TV’s mic for voice commands — which can be problematic if you value your privacy (though you can opt out with some work).
If you don’t have a smart TV or don’t like the way yours works, you can still stream on most other TVs with a streaming device like these four popular brands:
Roku — devices start at $20
Amazon Fire TV Stick — devices start at $35
Apple TV 4K — devices start at $129
Google Chromecast — devices start at $30
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FAQ: Cable TV alternatives, smart TVs and accessibility
Not yet sure streaming's for you? Learn more in these common questions. And take a look at our growing library of personal finance guides that can help you earn money, save money and grow your wealth.
How can services like Sling Freestream offer streaming for free?
Ad-supported streaming services can help you streamline your budget with access to high-quality programming. And it’s free because it’s paid for by advertisers, who are more than willing to market products, brands and services to a captive and willing audience — you and your family.
How many or how often you’ll see ads with these services varies by platform, though frequency may not be all that different from cable TV. For many cord-cutters, watching a few ads here and there is worth lower monthly costs — and more money in their budgets.
What is a smart TV?
A smart TV is a TV that allows you to connect to the internet through built-in Wi-Fi, an ethernet port or both. These TVs make it easy to catch up on shows, watch movies and play games through streaming services, and they often support voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. A downside is that smart TVs are known to track your streaming habits and other personal data — something you can usually turn off in privacy settings.
Can I enable closed captioning with streaming services?
Yes, though how you do so varies by service and device. Most services allow you to navigate to an Options or Settings menu after you've started playing a show or movie. Hulu, for example, includes a Settings button at the bottom right of your playing screen for enabling and selecting your language for captioning. Visit the streaming site or contact customer support to learn how to enable closed captioning with your service.
The FCC requires visual-display closed captioning for most TV programs and shows when reshown on the internet, with guidance as to how to file a complaint if you encounter closed captioning that's unreadable, delayed or missing.
What is an over-the-air antenna?
OTA antennas are digital receivers that pick up signals broadcast by local TV towers, allowing you to watch local programming without cable. These antennas cost anywhere from $15 to $50.
Some TVs come equipped with built-in digital tuners that work with your OTA antenna. Others — particularly TVs from before 2007 and more modern ones labeled "HD ready" — do not, requiring the addition of a digital converter box.
Buildings and trees can hinder your signal strength, but you can use the FCC's digital TV reception map to check for local TV channels and reception quality in your ZIP code.
About the writer
Heather Petty is a finance writer who specializes in consumer and business banking, personal and home lending, debt management and saving money. After falling victim to a disreputable mortgage broker when buying her first home, Heather set on a mission to help people avoid similar experiences when managing their own finances. Her expertise and analysis has been featured on MSN, Nasdaq, Credit.com and Finder, among other financial publications. When she's not breaking down the complexities of finance, she's a young adult mystery writer of an internationally acclaimed series — and counting.
📩 Have thoughts or comments about this story — or ideas on topics you’d like us to cover? Reach out to our team at [email protected].
Source: “AOL Money”
