4 Steps to Cut the Cord & Stream TV
What if you could still enjoy your favorite TV while saving serious money each month?
If you're willing to cut the cord, there are many different streaming TV services to choose from. Cord cutting is easier than ever before.
Wondering how to get rid of cable and still watch TV? Keep reading to discover everything you need to know!
Why Should I Cut the Cord?
You should consider cutting the cord because it can save you both time and money. Additionally, you can get many more streaming options for less than what you currently pay for cable.
For many who engage in cord cutting, streaming TV services offer "the best of both worlds." With the right service, consumers can still watch their favorite programs. And many streaming services offer extra features (including cloud-based DVR storage) that traditional cable does not offer. Therefore, when it comes to cable TV vs. streaming services, streaming provides more value for less money.
Speaking of money, many who switch to streaming TV save so much that they can afford to add various "on-demand" streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and many more. Here at Fidium, we partner with streamers including DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, fuboTV, and Philo. By making the right choice, you can get the most entertainment options while still helping you save on your current monthly bill.
Figuring Out Your Streaming Budget
Our guide focuses on how to get rid of cable and still watch TV, and we have touched on the idea of saving money by cutting the cord. Before you do anything, though, it's important to determine what your streaming budget is.
For example, are you comfortable with your current cable TV bill but wish it had more to offer? In that case, you may be able to add both live TV services and several different on-demand streaming services for the same price you are currently paying. This will give you many entertainment options you didn't have before, but it won't save you any money. At Fidium, we partner with DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, and fuboTV — all of which offer the live TV options you are looking for.
If you're interested in saving money, then it's best to determine a strict monthly budget. This will help you determine which streaming TV service you want to use and whether you want to add any other on-demand options to your monthly bill.
What Do I Need to Do Before Cutting the Cord?
Before you cut the cord, it's important to check your internet speed, your data caps, your current cable bundle, and your TV. This helps you determine if you need to make any changes before cord cutting. With Fidium Fiber internet, you can cut the cord on cable TV and cable internet and get speeds up to 2 Gigs, all without data caps or contracts.
Before cutting the cord, you need to make sure you have a fast internet connection. While "fast" is relative, you must have a minimum of four megabytes a second for streaming basic content. Should you wish to stream a very high-quality video, you should have a minimum of 15 megabytes per second. If your internet is not as fast as you need it to be, you may be able to upgrade to a higher tier with faster speeds through your internet service provider. With Fidium Fiber internet, you get speeds up to 2 Gigs. That's perfect for streaming, gaming, and everything in between.
Second, you need to investigate what your current data caps are. These caps regulate how much internet you can use in any given month. Your cap may look high now, but it's important to know whether it can handle hours of streaming internet TV and movies on top of your standard browsing, downloading, and gaming. If you're worried about a data cap, it's time to switch to Fidium. All Fidium plans offer no data cap, so you can stream, play, and download with true peace of mind.
Third, you need to check the fine print on your current cable subscription. Many consumers have a special "bundle" that offers a competitive price on cable, internet, and phone. It's important to see if dropping cable will help you save as much as you think it will or if losing the bundle will drive your internet price up. Incidentally, the best part of Fidium Fiber is that you don't have to bundle to get great speeds at great prices, so you don't have to worry about finding a good bundle to get the symmetrical upload and download speeds necessary for perfect streaming.
Fourth, and finally, you need to see if your existing TV is a smart TV. If so, you may be able to go ahead and begin using various streaming apps. If not, you are going to need to buy a separate streaming device for your television.
Have you frequently found yourself asking, "How do I switch from cable to streaming TV?" The good news is that switching is far easier than you might think. In fact, you can complete the switch in four easy steps, and we're going to walk you through each one of them right now!
1. Get a Basic Streaming Device
The first step is to make sure your TV can use different streaming apps. If you have a smart TV, you can go ahead and skip to the next step. If you don't have a smart TV, then you need to get a streaming device that you can connect to your television.
There are many streaming devices (also known as set-top boxes) to choose from. This includes Amazon Fire, Google Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, and more. If you already have a modern game system connected to your TV (such as a PS4, PS5, Xbox One, or Xbox Series X/S), you won't need a separate streaming device to get the apps you need.
2. Compare Different TV Streaming Options
If you want to stream live TV, then you need to find the right app. Fortunately, there are many different apps to choose from!
One option is YouTube TV. It includes many different channels, lets you stream sporting events, and even offers unlimited DVR at no extra cost.
A more budget-friendly option is Philo. It offers over 60 channels and has over 60,000 on-demand titles. With Philo, you also get unlimited DVR cloud-based storage for anything you choose to record.
Another popular option is fuboTV. It currently offers 88 channels, and the channel selection is particularly great for those who love sports. It's a bit pricier than Philo, but its big channel selection and high compatibility with different streaming devices may make it the best pick for you.
If you want to know our favorite options, we recommend checking out YouTube TV, DIRECTV STREAM, Philo, and fuboTV. Not only do they offer the prices and service customers deserve, but they are partners we are proud to work with, giving you the best of both live TV and streaming.
These are four of our favorite live TV streaming options, but there are many more to choose from. Most of them offer a free trial, so you can test them out before making a financial commitment.
3. Add Other Streaming Apps
If you want to start streaming live TV, you can skip to the next point. However, part of the fun of cord-cutting is selecting different on-demand streaming services to add to your entertainment options.
Which streaming apps you add is mostly a matter of taste. Some of them are more generalized and provide a little bit of everything. This is especially true of DirecTV, YouTube TV, Philo, and fuboTV, which offer on-demand content as well as live TV.
Other streaming services are more specialized. For example, Disney+ offers only Disney content, and HBO Max offers only Warner Bros. Discovery content. There are even more niche services, including Shudder for horror fans and BritBox for those who love British television.
As we noted before, once you know what your streaming budget is, you can mix and match different services until you have a package that is "just right" for you and your family.
4. Cancel Your Cable
The last step couldn't be simpler: It's time for you to finally cancel your cable!
We put this step last because you may want to experiment with different streaming services before you take the plunge and cancel your subscription. This also gives you time to get everything for your cancellation.
For example, you're going to need to return any equipment that your cable provider gave to you. You also need to make sure that they drop your cable subscription in the system so you don't keep getting billed for it. Speaking of bills, if you still get your internet from your former cable provider, you'll need to keep an eye on your statement for the next couple of months to make sure there are no annoying surprises!
If you really want to save money, consider this: If you decide to get Fidium Fiber internet, you can cancel both your cable and your cable internet. Because Fidium is 100% fiber, you get a more stable connection than with cable, along with savings to help you enjoy streaming content in comfort and style.
Get the Fast Internet You Need for Streaming
Now you know how to cut the cord and begin streaming. But do you know who can provide the internet speeds you need?
Here at Fidium, we specialize in providing the fiber internet service you need to experience truly blazing speed. To see the difference Fidium makes, check your local availability today!