What Is Cord Cutting?
Cord cutting refers to the practice of canceling a traditional cable or satellite TV subscription and replacing it with internet-based streaming alternatives. Millions of households have made the switch, driven by rising cable bills and the growing quality of streaming services.
The good news: you can get virtually everything cable offers — news, sports, local channels, movies, and on-demand shows — through streaming, often at a fraction of the cost.
Step 1: Audit What You Actually Watch
Before you cancel anything, spend a week noting which channels you actually tune into. Most cable subscribers pay for hundreds of channels but regularly watch only a handful. This audit will guide your streaming choices.
- Do you watch live sports? (This is the trickiest category for cord cutters.)
- Do you follow local news and network TV?
- Are there specific cable channels you can't live without (ESPN, HBO, CNN)?
- How much do you rely on on-demand movies vs. live TV?
Step 2: Check Your Internet Connection
Streaming replaces cable's coaxial cable with your internet connection, so a solid broadband plan is essential. Here are general speed guidelines:
| Usage | Recommended Speed |
|---|---|
| One HD stream | 5–10 Mbps |
| Multiple HD streams | 25–50 Mbps |
| 4K streaming | 25 Mbps per stream |
| Whole household (recommended) | 100+ Mbps |
Step 3: Pick Your Streaming Services
You'll likely need a combination of services to replace everything cable offered. A typical cord-cutter's stack might look like:
- On-demand content: Netflix, Max, Disney+, or Apple TV+
- Live TV replacement: YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or FuboTV
- Local channels (free): An OTA (over-the-air) antenna for ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and Fox
- Sports: ESPN+, Peacock, or a live TV package with sports tiers
Step 4: Get the Right Hardware
You'll need a way to get streaming apps onto your TV. Your options include:
- Streaming sticks/boxes: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast
- Smart TVs: Many modern TVs have built-in streaming apps (Roku TV, Fire TV, Google TV)
- Gaming consoles: PlayStation and Xbox both support major streaming apps
A Roku device or Fire TV Stick is often the most affordable and beginner-friendly choice, starting around $30–$50.
Step 5: Calculate Your Savings
A typical cable bill can run $80–$150/month or more. A well-assembled streaming stack — even with two or three services plus a live TV option — often comes in well below that. Don't forget to factor in the cost of an OTA antenna (a one-time purchase) and ensuring your internet plan is adequate.
Common Cord-Cutting Concerns
"What about sports?"
Sports is the biggest hurdle. Live TV streaming services like YouTube TV or FuboTV carry most major sports networks. Regional sports networks (RSNs) are more complicated — check which services carry your local team's channel before cutting.
"Will I lose local news?"
Not at all. A simple indoor OTA antenna ($20–$40) picks up free local broadcast channels in crystal-clear HD.
Bottom Line
Cord cutting requires a bit of upfront planning, but the financial and flexibility benefits are real. Most people find that streaming services offer more of what they want — on their schedule — for less money than cable.