Cord cutting on the cheap!

[lparsons21]

Lots of articles and forum threads on cutting the cord, but I haven’t seen one talking about doing it as cheaply as possible. Here’s some ways:

1. No or little sports w/ads - The combination of Hulu and CBS All Access, about $12/month or less. This gets you the big 4 broadcast, almost all cable channels and a fair bit of original programming. No DVR capability, but these services keep a lot of older episodes so is that a big deal?

2. Same as #1 without ads - $22 or less, you can save about $2/month if you pay CBS annually.

If you want live local broadcast TV then the cost could rise significantly. If you can get them via antenna, then the cost would only be one time cost of antenna. If you can’t then you would need to consider a cable/sat replacement service like Hulu Live, YouTubeTV and others, but that raises costs significantly.

The cheapest way for those that can get all or most of their local channels via antenna is to not subscribe to any streamer, but then unless you just want to watch live TV, you need an OTA DVR and maybe a subscription to guide data. Tivo is the highest cost guide data @$7/month, others are cheaper and at least one has no charge for that data. And given that there are so many subchannels on broadcast these days, that might just fit the bill.


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[John Nv]

I recently dumped Dish Network after subscribing for about 20 years. I replaced it with Philo, $20 a month. I get OTA channels here via two outdoor antennas with amplifiers. I purchased a Fire TV Recast to DVR any OTA programs that I want to, and it works great. We were already subscribed to Netflix, and as an Amazon Prime member I get their streaming service too. We recently added Disney+.

For those wanting to cut the cord on the cheap though, Philo with a DVR such as the Recast or Tablo, is a good choice if you don't need sports that you can't get OTA.

 

[Bruce]

I have posted this before-

Comcast 1G-$95 a month which includes xFi Advantage(no data cap)
Netflix-$12.79 ( gift card discount)
Hulu-$8.79 ( gift card discount)
Disney+ -$3.92( prepaid discount)
Tablo/DVR/Box/OTA-basically $12.50 a month ( box, hard drive, lifetime service-$450 divided by 36 months-3 years , by the end of that it might be time for a updated Tablo because of the new standards)

So a total of $133 a month

Also, I do have Amazon but do not include it in the price because it saves me money with the free shipping.

I could save a little by dropping my speed to say 300 ( 300, 600, 1G are the only speeds you can get xFi Advantage for no data cap) but that would only save me $15 and I like having the faster speed for other things also.

I could get YTTV again for another $50 a month plus what I pay for Broadband, so $145 a month, but the problem with that is I still need Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ for the original shows ( the majority in 4K which no Traditional Provider has) and would then bring my price up to the $170 range and the only thing live we ever watched was News ( which I now watch CBSN for free) and Food Network for my wife ( which she now watches all their catalog content on Hulu and that keeps her happy).

Since every cable show we watch is on Hulu and Netflix (slight delay), we miss out on nothing(do not care about sports).


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[lparsons21]

My original post’s Hulu+CBS proposal just represents a way to really go cheap, but it certainly doesn’t cover all the shows l usually watch. Notably Paramount and SyFy shows. To get those the cheapest way is with SlingTV Blue @$30/month right now.

Going forward SyFy shows should show up on NBCUniveral’s Peacock service though we won’t know that until it launches later this year. Cost for that will range from free to $10/month depending on ads vs no ads and what is included in the 3 tiers. Paramount network’s Yellowstone is going to Peacock too so possibly other Paramount shows will also even though Paramount is owned by CBSViacom.


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[babnmn]

I have Locast - $5 donation OTA channels , Fitzytv -$5 ( using relatives login + locast login ) gives me dvr service on locals and what cable stations fitzytv has . Netflix $2 ( have T-mobile ) , Hulu no Comm ( relative login ), Amazon prime ( year price ) , Disney+ ( 3 year deal ) , CBS AA on a $5 a month for 3 month deal , 150 /10 Cox cable for $75 a month and my VUDU collection on 800+ movies and growing.

 

[Bruce]

My original post’s Hulu+CBS proposal just represents a way to really go cheap, but it certainly doesn’t cover all the shows l usually watch. Notably Paramount and SyFy shows. To get those the cheapest way is with SlingTV Blue @$30/month right now.

I thought that the $30 a month ( Netflix, Hulu, Disney, Tablo ) I spend was cheap considering ( for example) that Dish Network's average customer are over $100 a month plus whatever they spend on Broadband.

Also a lot of the SyFy content is on Netflix still, The Magicians is on there which is another show I want to give a try




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[lparsons21]

The SyFy stuff on Netflix is the previous seasons, still handy as long as you are willing to wait for current seasons to show up.


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[lparsons21]

I thought that the $30 a month ( Netflix, Hulu, Disney, Tablo ) I spend was cheap considering ( for example) that Dish Network's average customer are over $100 a month plus whatever they spend on Broadband.

Also a lot of the SyFy content is on Netflix still, The Magicians is on there which is another show I want to give a try




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Your setup is not bad at all. The idea of my creating this thread was to show how to do it really cheaply and to get some stories of how others are doing it.

Currently, even with my cable sub, I subscribe to Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, AppleTV+ and CBS All Access.


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[harshness]

My original post’s Hulu+CBS proposal just represents a way to really go cheap, but it certainly doesn’t cover all the shows l usually watch.

If it doesn't get you what you want, what's the point? It is like replacing your car with a scooter and discovering you get wet when it rains and you don't really have any room for groceries.

 

[lparsons21]

If it doesn't get you what you want, what's the point? It is like replacing your car with a scooter and discovering you get wet when it rains and you don't really have any room for groceries.

It depends on priorities. For instance, currently Paramount isn’t on a lot of the cable/sat replacement services nor anywhere else. IMO, Paramount on its best day doesn’t have more than 2 shows worth watching, how much is it worth to watch those 2 shows? And are there other shows that are available that could be enjoyed as well? In my case, I only find one show worth watching on them, and a season pass for that show is cheaper than any other way to get the Paramount channel.

IMO, there are just so many really good shows available without seeing a single one that is currently a new show on broadcast or cable channels. So no, it isn’t like your analogy at all IMO.


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[harshness]

So no, it isn’t like your analogy at all IMO.

If you look at what a scooter brings to the picture, then it really is. You trade excellent fuel economy and that open air feeling for all of the other things a car brings (weather and crash protection, room for more than one, a radio, grocery hauling capability, etc).

 

[navychop]

So you’re looking forward to the Tesla Scooter?

 

[lparsons21]

Lots of articles and forum threads on cutting the cord, but I haven’t seen one talking about doing it as cheaply as possible. Here’s some ways:

1. No or little sports w/ads - The combination of Hulu and CBS All Access, about $12/month or less. This gets you the big 4 broadcast, almost all cable channels and a fair bit of original programming. No DVR capability, but these services keep a lot of older episodes so is that a big deal?

2. Same as #1 without ads - $22 or less, you can save about $2/month if you pay CBS annually.

If you want live local broadcast TV then the cost could rise significantly. If you can get them via antenna, then the cost would only be one time cost of antenna. If you can’t then you would need to consider a cable/sat replacement service like Hulu Live, YouTubeTV and others, but that raises costs significantly.

The cheapest way for those that can get all or most of their local channels via antenna is to not subscribe to any streamer, but then unless you just want to watch live TV, you need an OTA DVR and maybe a subscription to guide data. Tivo is the highest cost guide data @$7/month, others are cheaper and at least one has no charge for that data. And given that there are so many subchannels on broadcast these days, that might just fit the bill.


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OK, since some don’t like the paucity of channels with this solution, let’s expand it a bit.

$22 - starting with Hulu no ads, CBS All Access no ads
$10 - Peacock no ads
$15 - HBO Max

So now we’re at $47/month and even have a premium movie channel. And additional to the ‘channels’ in those packages, lots of original stuff too! And if that’s not enough, add in XUMO, Pluto, TubiTV, Crackle; all free, all ad supported.

Of course that doesn’t include much in the way of sports, for that you have to pony up significantly more money!


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[907TECH]

Not me, I will give up DirecTV when they pry it from my cold, dead hands.

 

[navychop]

I think AT&T is willing to that, while also prying your wallet from those hands.

 

[Howard Simmons]

OK, since some don’t like the paucity of channels with this solution, let’s expand it a bit.

$22 - starting with Hulu no ads, CBS All Access no ads
$10 - Peacock no ads
$15 - HBO Max

So now we’re at $47/month and even have a premium movie channel. And additional to the ‘channels’ in those packages, lots of original stuff too! And if that’s not enough, add in XUMO, Pluto, TubiTV, Crackle; all free, all ad supported.

Of course that doesn’t include much in the way of sports, for that you have to pony up significantly more money!


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And what is the price of broadband? I don't see that included.

 

[harshness]

Not me, I will give up DirecTV when they pry it from my cold, dead hands.

I expect that it will vaporize and the residue will escape your grasp.

 

[lparsons21]

And what is the price of broadband? I don't see that included.

2 reasons it isn’t included.
1. If you are at all considering cord cutting then odds are you already have broadband. A case could be made that the increase in cost for those that have data caps should be considered.
2. Cost of broadband is all over the place, so whatever figure I could use wouldn’t be the same for everyone.


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[harshness]

2 reasons it isn’t included.
1. If you are at all considering cord cutting then odds are you already have broadband.

It is absolutely not a reasonable assumption that prospective cord cutters have the broadband that it will take.

2. Cost of broadband is all over the place, so whatever figure I could use wouldn’t be the same for everyone.

This is true, but I think everyone should at least put a placeholder in there so nobody forgets about it in their comparison.

 

[lparsons21]

It is absolutely not a reasonable assumption that prospective cord cutters have the broadband that it will take.
This is true, but I think everyone should at least put a placeholder in there so nobody forgets about it in their comparison.

Have you ever seen a glass that was half full? .

I think it is perfectly reasonable to assume one already has have enough speed, data caps would be the only issue.

As to the 2nd comment, well that’s your opinion. I can only say that the bulk of comments in many forums that talk about which streaming service or combo of them is best almost never mention the cost of the broadband.


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