Free and Low-Cost Cable TV Options 2020
By Rachel Oaks
Edited by Mike Strayer
Share | 1 | Mar 23, 2020
TV FAQs
Jump to: Bundles & Basic Packages | Over-the-Air TV | Streaming Live TV
Looking to save some money? Here are solutions to cut back on your cable or satellite TV subscription without giving up TV entertainment all together—perfect for low-income families or folks just looking for a cheaper cable option.
Bundles and basic cable packages
Many affordable cable TV options start around $50 per month, but some companies have basic channel lineups that are even more affordable. These small plans are usually available only when you bundle with internet. Bundling cable TV and internet is always a great way to save on both these services, and we highly recommend it.
Check out the packages below for a quick look at some affordable TV and internet bundles:
These packages aren’t obtainable in all areas, so use your ZIP code below to see which cable companies and plans are available to you. Cable providers will often have cheap TV packages not advertised online, so your best bet is to call in and ask about deals.
One caution against cheap cable packages: Some local packages have only 15 channels or so. While these packages might seem budget friendly, they often come with equipment fees that add up quickly, so be careful! If you need only local channels, a smart alternative is over-the-air (OTA) TV (a.k.a. a digital antenna). If you need only a few local channels, over-the-air (OTA) TV is a cheaper and smarter alternative—and you’ll probably pick up 30 to 50 free channels, including local affiliates like NBC and The CW.
Over-the-Air (OTA) TV
OTA TV, or broadcast TV, is a type of HDTV broadcast from local stations in your area. The signals are sent over the air, and you need an HDTV antenna to pick them up.
After you purchase an OTA antenna—you can pick up our favorite, the Mohu Blade, for about $28—you can watch TV for free without monthly fees.*
Use this tool from the FCC to see where local stations are broadcasting from so that you know what kind of range you need from your antenna. If you don’t purchase a strong enough antenna, you might not be able to watch certain channels.
Also, these are only broadcast channels, so be warned that you won’t be able to watch your cable favorites with OTA TV.
If you’re new to OTA TV, be sure to read our OTA TV post to discover the pros and cons of this low-cost TV option.
*Amazon.com Price; $28.47 (as of 2/17/20 10:46 AM MST). Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Before you buy an antenna, use this tool from the FCC to see where local stations are broadcasting from. This will help you know what kind of range you need to look for with your antenna. If you don’t purchase a strong enough antenna, you might not be able to watch certain channels. Also, these are only broadcast channels, so be warned that you won’t be able to watch your cable favorites with OTA TV.
If you’re new to OTA TV, be sure to read our OTA TV post to discover the pros and cons of this low-cost TV option.
Streaming Live TV
Most people are familiar with streaming TV these days. Services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime allow you to stream movies and TV shows online with a flat monthly subscription cost. Streaming live TV is similar in nature but allows you to stream directly from cable networks so you can watch shows at the same time they’re live on cable.
Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV are two of the strongest live TV streaming services out there.
Hulu Live offers 60+ channels, a generous on-demand library, cloud DVR, and two streams for $54.99 a month (upgrade to the no-ads plan for an additional $6). You can also get unlimited streams and 200 hours of cloud DVR for $14.99 more monthly.
Sling TV goes the à la carte route with smaller channel lineups but plenty of cheap add-ons. And, in our expert opinion, it’s the best streaming service for sports.
Both of these live TV streaming providers offer a seven-day free trial. So if you’re not sure which is better for you, try both Hulu Live and Sling TV for free first.
Streaming live TV is an effective cable TV alternative, but it does have some drawbacks. While it doesn’t have contracts or equipment costs, it requires a strong internet connection.
Try to get an internet download speed of 50 Mbps or more to avoid buffering. But before you sign up, ensure that your internet plan and chosen streaming service won’t cost more than a TV-and-internet bundle from a cable provider.
Our final take: bundle your cable with internet
You don’t have to give up TV entirely to make budget cuts. If you like traditional cable, satellite, or fiber TV, consider bundling or going with a smaller channel lineup. If you need only basic local channels, try OTA TV. And if you seek more flexibility than cable television can offer, give livestreaming TV a shot.
Which cheap way to watch TV do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below.
Free and low-cost cable TV options FAQ
What is the cheapest cable company?
Suddenlink’s Value TV + Internet 100 gives you 225+ channels and internet speeds up to 100 Mbps for $54.99 a month for the first 12 months. RCN’s Digital Basic TV + 50 Mbps Internet offers 70+ channels and speeds up to 50 Mbps starting at $29.99 a month for the first 12 months. (Prices and availability might not be available where you live.)
What is a cheap alternative to cable TV?
Pluto and Xumo both offer 100+ live and on-demand channels for free. Sling TV gives you 30–50 channels starting at $25 a month—and a ton of inexpensive add-ons.
How can I watch cable TV for free?
We don’t know of a legal way to watch cable or satellite TV for free. But you can get 100+ channels from both Pluto and Xumo for absolutely nothin’. Be advised, though, that these channels carry some of the same programming but not the same channels.
You also won’t get your local channels—but an inexpensive over-the-air (OTA) antenna like the Mohu Blade is reasonably priced (around $36), and it’ll pick up every free channel for 50 miles.
What is the cheapest internet-and-cable TV bundle?
If you can get it in your area, RCN has a cheap internet-and-cable TV bundle. You can get its Digital Basic TV package (61+ channels) with high-speed internet (speeds vary with location) in a double-play deal that starts at $29.99 a month (for the first 12 months).
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Rachel has spent the past two years at CableTV.com writing articles that demystify hidden fees, DVRs, sound systems, and more. She makes door-to-door DISH and DIRECTV salespeople uncomfortable with her in-depth questions—but if that’s what it takes to get you the best TV experience, she’s happy to do it. In addition to writing for CableTV.com, Rachel’s work has been featured on Roku.com, TechGuySmartBuy.com, HowtoWatch.com, and SatelliteInternet.com.
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