TV Alternatives Calculator: See How Much Cord-Cutting Saves
Enter your current cable or satellite TV bill and pick the streaming services you want to keep. The calculator instantly shows your new monthly cost, annual savings, and a 5-year projection. If you are paying for internet through your cable provider, enter that separately so the comparison is accurate.
How the cord-cutting calculation works
The calculator compares the TV-only portion of your current bill against the streaming services you choose. If your cable bill bundles internet and TV together, we subtract what you would pay for standalone internet so that only the television cost is compared - internet is not optional, so it is a constant expense on both sides of the equation. The equipment rental amount (cable boxes, DVR) is already included in the TV-only cost and disappears entirely when you cut the cord. Your new monthly total is the sum of your chosen streaming services plus any ongoing internet cost. The monthly savings figure is the difference, and the 5-year projection applies that saving over 60 months then deducts any one-time hardware costs such as an OTA antenna or streaming stick.
What you keep and what you give up
Cutting the cord does not mean giving up all television. Over-the-air (OTA) broadcast channels - ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Fox and dozens of local sub-channels - are free with a one-time antenna purchase, and picture quality is often better than cable because the signal is uncompressed. For on-demand content, services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max and Apple TV+ cover most popular shows and movies. The biggest trade-off is live sports and news: regional sports networks (RSNs) are not available on most streaming services, and some local news still requires a live TV bundle. If you watch a lot of live sports, a skinny live TV service such as Sling or YouTube TV paired with a few on-demand services is the most cost-effective route.
Tips for keeping streaming costs under control
The biggest pitfall with cord-cutting is subscribing to too many services and ending up paying more than you did for cable. A few strategies help. First, rotate subscriptions: binge a service for one or two months, cancel, then move on. Most services have no contract, so this is easy. Second, check for bundles: Disney+ bundles with Hulu and ESPN+ at a discounted combined rate; Apple TV+ is often free with a new Apple device. Third, look for free tiers: Peacock, Tubi, Pluto TV and The Roku Channel offer large free libraries supported by ads. Fourth, share accounts within your household where the service terms allow it. Finally, an OTA antenna for local channels and news reduces or eliminates the need for a live TV subscription for most households.
Hidden savings beyond the monthly bill
Beyond the obvious monthly saving, cord-cutters often benefit from lower equipment costs (no $15/mo cable box), no broadcast TV surcharges (often $25 or more added to cable bills), no regional sports network fees if you do not watch those channels, and no long-term contracts with early-termination penalties. Streaming services can also be paused during holidays or travel, something cable contracts rarely allow. The cumulative effect of these smaller savings can add several hundred dollars a year on top of the headline figure this calculator shows.
Popular streaming services at a glance
| Service | Type | Approx. monthly price | Live TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix Standard | On-demand | $15.49 | No |
| Netflix Premium | On-demand | $22.99 | No |
| Hulu (with ads) | On-demand | $7.99 | No |
| Hulu (no ads) | On-demand | $17.99 | No |
| Disney+ | On-demand | $7.99 | No |
| Max (HBO Max) | On-demand | $15.99 | No |
| Apple TV+ | On-demand | $9.99 | No |
| Paramount+ | On-demand | $7.99 | No |
| Peacock Premium | On-demand | $7.99 | No |
| Amazon Prime Video | On-demand | $8.99 | No |
| YouTube TV | Live TV | $72.99 | Yes |
| Hulu + Live TV | Live TV | $82.99 | Yes |
| Sling Orange | Live TV | $40.00 | Yes |
| Sling Blue | Live TV | $40.00 | Yes |
| Fubo Pro | Live TV | $79.99 | Yes |
| Philo | Live TV | $28.00 | Yes |
| ESPN+ | Sports | $10.99 | Partial |
Approximate monthly prices as of mid-2025. Prices change frequently - check provider sites for the latest rates.
Frequently asked questions
Does cord-cutting really save money?
For most households, yes. The average U.S. cable TV bill exceeded $100 per month by 2024. A combination of an OTA antenna and two or three on-demand streaming services typically costs $30-$50 per month total, saving $50-$80 per month. However, if you subscribe to a live TV streaming service plus several on-demand services, costs can climb back toward cable territory, so being selective is key.
Can I still watch live sports without cable?
Many sports are available without a cable subscription. Major networks (ABC, NBC, Fox, CBS) carry a lot of live sports and are free over-the-air with an antenna. ESPN+ and Peacock carry select NFL, NHL and Premier League games. YouTube TV and Fubo have broad sports coverage including some regional games. The one notable gap is regional sports networks (RSNs) for local MLB, NBA and NHL games - those are not reliably available on streaming services as of 2025.
What equipment do I need to cut the cord?
At minimum you need a reliable broadband internet connection and a streaming-capable device. Most smart TVs have built-in apps for Netflix, Hulu and others. If your TV is older, a streaming stick (Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Chromecast with Google TV) costs $30-$80 as a one-time purchase. For free local channels, an indoor OTA antenna costs $20-$50 and plugs into any TV with an HDTV tuner. You may also want a streaming media player with a built-in DVR feature for time-shifting local broadcasts.
What happens to local channels like NBC and ABC?
Local network affiliates (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Fox) broadcast free over the air in virtually every metro area and many rural areas in the United States. A one-time antenna purchase lets any TV receive these channels in HD at no monthly cost. In areas where antenna reception is poor, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and FuboTV all include local network affiliates in their base packages.
Is there a contract when I switch to streaming?
Almost all streaming services are month-to-month with no early-termination fee. You can cancel any time, which is a significant advantage over traditional cable contracts that often run 12 or 24 months and charge $100 or more in cancellation penalties.
How do I get the best deal when canceling cable?
Before canceling, call your cable provider's customer retention line and say you are planning to cancel. Most providers will immediately offer a promotional rate, a free upgrade, or a combination of both to keep you. Get any offer in writing before agreeing. Even if you plan to stay, the retention offer often beats what is advertised online. If the offer is still higher than your streaming total, proceed with cancellation.