Cord-cutting 101: Best Alternatives to Traditional Live TV Streaming

If you’re looking to save money on your monthly TV bill, or if you’re simply fed up with the high price of cable, then cutting the cord is a great option for you. Cord-cutting is a term used for ditching traditional cable or satellite TV services in favor of other alternatives that provide access to the same content but at a fraction of the cost.

In this article, we’ll dive into all things cord-cutting, from its benefits to the best alternatives to traditional live TV streaming. Let’s begin!

Benefits of Cord-cutting

The number of cord-cutters is continuously rising, and we can’t blame them for their wise decision. Here are some of the top benefits of ditching cable in favor of cord-cutting alternatives:

  • You’ll save money: The average monthly cost of cable TV is $217.42, which is a lot of money, especially if you have other bills to pay. By cutting the cord, you can save $50 or more per month.
  • You’ll have more control over your viewing experience: With traditional cable, you’re stuck with the channels that your cable company offers. But when you cut the cord, you can choose from a wide variety of streaming services that offer different channels and content.
  • You can watch TV on your own schedule: With a traditional TV package, you’re often forced to watch shows on their airing schedule. But with most cord-cutting alternatives, you can watch shows whenever you want, whether it’s life or on demand.
  • You can cancel anytime: Unlike a traditional TV contract, there are no cancellation fees associated with cutting the cord. You can cancel your streaming plan at any time without penalty.

Best Alternatives to Traditional Live TV Streaming

Now that we’ve gone over some of the top benefits of cord-cutting let’s dive into the best alternatives to traditional live TV streaming.

Sling TV

Sling TV is one of the most popular and affordable cord-cutting alternatives to traditional cable. It offers three streaming plans, Sling Orange, Sling Blue, and Sling Orange + Blue. Here’s a quick overview of these two plans.

  • Sling Orange

Costing $35 per month, Sling Orange gives you access to 32 live channels, including CNN, ESPN, Food Network, Disney, and more. However, compared to Sling Blue, Sling Orange only offers a single-stream feature, while Sling Blue allows multi-streams.

Sling Orange Channel List

  • A&E
  • AMC
  • AXS TV
  • BBC America
  • BET
  • Bloomberg Television
  • Charge!
  • CNN
  • Cartoon Network
  • Comedy Central
  • Comet
  • Disney Channel*
  • EPIX Drive-In
  • ESPN*
  • ESPN2*
  • ESPN3*
  • Food Network
  • Freeform*
  • Fuse
  • HGTV
  • History Channel
  • IFC
  • Investigation Discovery
  • Lifetime
  • Local Now
  • MotorTrend*
  • Newsy
  • Nick Jr.
  • TBS
  • TNT
  • Travel Channel
  • Viceland

*Only available in Sling Orange

  • Sling Blue

Sling Blue is also priced at $35 per month, with unique exclusive channels like Sling Orange. It also allows you to multiple streams, which means you can watch and record on three screens simultaneously. Here’s a list of channels Sling Blue offers.

Sling Orange Channel List

  • A&E
  • AMC
  • AXS TV
  • BBC America
  • BET
  • Bloomberg Television
  • Charge!
  • CNN
  • Cartoon Network
  • Comedy Central
  • Comet
  • Disney Channel*
  • EPIX Drive-In
  • ESPN*
  • ESPN2*
  • ESPN3*
  • Food Network
  • Freeform*
  • Fuse
  • HGTV
  • History Channel
  • IFC
  • Investigation Discovery
  • Lifetime
  • Local Now
  • MotorTrend*
  • Newsy
  • Nick Jr.
  • TBS
  • TNT
  • Travel Channel
  • Viceland

*Only available in Sling Blue

  • Sling Orange + Blue

This package is a combination of both plans, giving you access to exclusive channels each plan offers. It is also much cheaper because you can get it for $50 per month instead of paying $70 for two individual services.

Go Latino TV

If you’re looking for affordable live TV streaming services that offer your favorite Spanish TV channels, then Go Latino TV might be your best choice. For only $56.99 per month, you get access to the best Spanish TV channels, free Futbol 360, free voice remote, and more. It can be difficult to find a reliable Spanish streaming service in the US, but with Go Latino TV, you don’t have to look any further.

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV offers more than 75 live channels for $69.99 per month, which also includes ESPN+ and Disney+. With this service, you can watch and record your favorite shows, movies, games, and more. You also get access to Hulu’s on-demand library with this package. It is also d as having no hidden fees, no contracts, and unlimited DVR. It’s definitely a bang for your buck, especially if you also love Hulu’s on-demand titles.


DISH TV

As one of Hulu + Live TV’s competitors, DISH TV is also offering superior features for the same price. At $69.99 per month, you can enjoy more than 190 live channels, including sports and news, as well as more than 80,000 on-demand titles. You also get a $100 gift card upon subscription. The only difference is that DISH has a two-year contract plan, while Hulu + Live TV doesn’t.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV is another great option for those who want to cut the cord but still want to watch their favorite live channels. For $64.99 per month, you get access to more than 100 live channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and more. You also get unlimited DVR storage space and can share your with up to six family or friends. You also have the option to purchase their Spanish Plan, which costs $34.99 per month with TV and includes more than 28 Spanish channels.

fuboTV

FuboTV is a great option for sports fans. It offers three streaming plans, Pro, Elite, and Ultimate. Pro contains 130+ channels with a 1,000hr cloud DVR, while Elite offers 190+ channels with a 1,000hr cloud DVR. Ultimate, on the other hand, consists of 230+ channels with a 1,000hr cloud DVR. It also offers a free trial for a limited time, so make sure to take advantage of this to determine if this streaming service is for you.

Final Thoughts

There are many great alternative live TV streaming services available on the market in place for your cable TV, and it can be difficult to decide which one to choose. But with this guide, hopefully, you’ll be able to find the perfect service for you and your family.