Do you love watching TV but are tired of watching it on the same screen and from the same spot? That’s a common issue most cable TV owners face. There are some other limitations to cable TV as well that have encouraged many people to look for alternatives to cable TV.
Today, let’s discuss some best options to choose from if you’re looking for a replacement for cable TV. We’ll also discuss the key specifications of each option, including the price, channels offered, and simultaneous streaming screens.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Why Look for Alternatives to Cable TV?
Cable TVs have been the go-to source of information and entertainment for people for years. However, with the internet taking over, several alternatives to cable TV have emerged. Before we delve into those alternatives, let’s take a moment to discuss a few reasons why you should ditch cable TV.
- Packaged Deals: Most cable TV providers often offer a package where you can pay for your TV, phone, and internet at once. However, if you fail to pay on time, all your services will be interrupted.
- High Cost: Cable TV is expensive compared to other modes of live TV streaming. The average cable TV package costs over $200 per month in the US, whereas the top Netflix plan costs $17.99 per month.
- Limited Variety: You get a limited number of channels on Cable TV. The channels also depend on your location. For instance, if you live on the East Coast, you may only get channels popular on the East Coast.
- Low Quality: Most cable TVs offer the highest resolution of 720p only. Nowadays, most people prefer 1080p, 1440p, and 4k resolution video.
- Wires: You can watch cable TV on a single TV only. On the other hand, several internet-based alternatives allow you to watch TV online on any device.
Best Alternatives to Cable TV
There are several reasons to replace your cable TV. There are also various alternatives to cable TV you can choose from. Let’s look at some of these options and why you should choose them.
1. Satellite TV
A satellite TV is a natural choice for people looking for an alternative to cable TV. Satellite TVs use a dish antenna to show channels on your TV instead of wires and cables. You won’t see much difference when using a satellite TV. However, it comes with more channels and slightly better picture quality. If you’re looking for an alternative to cable TV but don’t want to undergo a major technological shift, satellite TV will be the right pick for you.
Price: $20-100 per month
Total Channels: 20+
Simultaneous Streams: N/A
Cloud DVR Storage: None
2. YouTube TV: Alternatives to Cable TV
YouTube TV has emerged as the best alternative to cable TV in the US, and rightly so. If you’re looking for an online cable option that offers the same perks (or even more) than regular TV, you can go for YouTube TV. In addition to all channels available on TV, YouTube TV offers an intuitive interface and a perfect combination of TV and online streaming.
Price: $65 per month
Total Channels: 95+
Simultaneous Streams: 3
Cloud DVR Storage: Unlimited
3. Fubo TV
FuboTV is another popular cable TV alternative that lets you watch all the popular TV channels on any device. It also comes with some premium channels you may not find on regular cable TV. Fubo TV comes in multiple plans based on the channels and additional perks offered.
Price: $60-80 per month
Total Channels: 100-150 channels
Simultaneous Streams: 2-5
Cloud DVR Storage: 30 – 1,000 hours
4. Hulu Live TV: Alternatives to Cable TV
You probably already have heard of Hulu because of their famous shows like Taboo and Harlots. In addition to some amazing TV shows, Hulu also offers live TV with almost all popular channels. It’s a perfect family package, as you can watch both web shows and live TV from a single account. Hulu also allows simultaneous watching on multiple devices, making it a must-have in almost every family.
Price: $61 per month
Total Channels: 60+
Simultaneous Streams: 2
Cloud DVR Storage: 50 hours
5. DirectTV
DirectTV is a new alternative to cable TV, but it has gained a lot of popularity for its amazing channel lineup and customizable selection. It has four plans: Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier, having 65+, 90+. 130+, and 140+ channels, respectively. You can pick a pack as per your requirements and change it whenever you want. This flexibility makes DirectTV one of the best alternatives to cable TV.
Price: $70-140 per month
Total Channels: 65-140
Simultaneous Streams: 3
Cloud DVR Storage: 500 hours
6. Philo TV
Philo TV is another cost-effective alternative to cable TV. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for a TV streaming service that provides essential channels at an affordable price tag. Philo TV works on all devices, including computers, laptops, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, and more.
Price: $20 per month
Total Channels: 58
Simultaneous Streams: 3
Cloud DVR Storage: Unlimited
7. Sling TV
Let’s end this list with another popular TV streaming service: Sling TV. It offers all the popular channels at a limited price tag, making it an ideal pick for families looking for a cheaper alternative to cable TV. However, Sling TV misses some popular channels, like ABC, Animal Planet, CBS, and some regional channels.
Price: $45 per month
Total Channels: 50+
Simultaneous Streams: 3
Cloud DVR Storage: 50 hours
Other Alternatives to Cable TV
There are some other less popular alternatives to cable TV that you can opt for. These come with limited channels and other features, but they can be a decent choice for some users. If you have certain requirements that these alternatives fulfill, you can opt for them.
Some other alternatives to cable TV are:
- Apple TV
- Disney Plus
- ESPN+
- Peacock
- Paramount Plus
- Facebook Watch
Conclusion
Cable TVs have been the favorite source of entertainment for years. However, the rise of the internet and streaming services have made people look for more flexible alternatives. There are several options to choose from, and you can select one based on your requirements. Overall, YouTube TV is the best pick because of its channel lineup, additional perks, and top-notch user experience.
