3 Cable TV Alternatives To Save Money

With Cable services providers increasing their prices to newer heights every year, we are looking at 3 Cable TV alternatives to save money and how much you could save if you ditched the cable for good.

Why We Made The Move

Before we go into the details of my top three alternatives, let me tell you about my experience with cable and how I decided it was time to let go about a year ago. We are a family of four with one teen and a pre-teen (both attached to YouTube most of the time and gushing about the latest series all their friends are watching!).

What made me decide that enough was enough? having to call Sky and a few years later Virgin to get a reduction every year only to see a price increase three months later!

When I decided to start researching alternatives, I looked online and on Facebook money-saving forums for feedback and reviews. I was already an Amazon Prime subscriber using their free delivery, music streaming and on-demand free books, so it was a natural choice to buy their TV Fire Stick to see how it worked.

The first few weeks took a bit of adjusting but overall, the transition was really easy and smooth. One year later, I can tell you that I would not go back to cable or standard tv.

Streaming platforms as Cable TV Alternatives that save money

Streaming platforms are becoming more and more popular with Netflix topping all services with over 182 million subscribers worldwide and growing.

While the majority of consumers still subscribe to traditional cable tv networks, more and more are “making the move” and choosing to use streaming services instead, mainly because they are much cheaper than the contracts on offer from the traditional cable providers, that is if you subscribe to a limited amount of streaming services. Below we are looking at the top 3 Cable TV Alternatives To Save Money based on usability popularity, value and ease of subscription.

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What Are The Cable TV Alternatives?

It really depends on how you use the TV and what channels you watch most. If you want to keep some of the Sky channels, Now TV is a great option. If you just want to have movies and series available to you both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are great but very different on how they operate. If you are a Prime subscriber Amazon Video is a great option at no extra cost. Ok, let’s look at the 3 Cable TV Alternatives to save money in more detail.

Now TV

what is Now TV and why Should You get It?

Now TV comes in different formats. You can get a TV Stick, download an App directly to your TV if you already have a Smart TV or buy a Now TV box. All of these offer similar capabilities. If you already have a Smart TV, the easiest and most cost-effective option is to download the APP and sign-up. You can also download the app if you have an Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast or Apple TV device.

Multiroom capabilities

Another important factor when looking at the savings you can make is that you can install Now TV in four TVs with the same subscription and watch in two simultaneously saving you the multi-room fee you would pay with traditional cable providers.

Once you sign up, you will be asked to select the options you want. The number of channels in each pass is much lower than the equivalent on Sky but it includes all the main channels for that pass.

There is no signup fee and no contract, so you can change/cancel at any time!

how does now tV compare with Sky?

If you bundle Now Broadband with Now TV you get Now TV at a fraction of the price with the Entertainment Pass for just £4.99 a month for 12 months. Have a look at the offer here if you are interested.

Amazon Fire TV Stick

what is Amazon Fire TV Stick and why Should You get It?

Amazon Fire TV comes in different formats. You can get a TV Stick, download the App directly to your TV – if you already have a Smart TV – or buy a Cube. All of these offer similar capabilities with the Cube having faster speed and additional control capabilities. If you already have a Smart TV, the easiest and most cost-effective option is to download the APP and sign-up via the app.

If you regularly order products or use Amazon’s services, the Amazon Fire Stick might just be the thing for you and your family. In particular, if you are an Amazon Prime Customer. If you are not an Amazon Prime subscriber click here for FREE Trial and Benefits.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Ultra HD with Alexa Voice Remote | streaming media player

This is the service I use and both myself and my family are really happy with it! Ok, it took a little to get used to it, but now we do not miss the old system at all.

What do you get?

If you want to subscribe to Amazon Prime Video only, that will be £5.99pm and, in my view not worth it. The benefits of the main Amazon Prime Subscription are greater than just the Prime Video. With Amazon Prime, you get Free Delivery on Amazon purchases, free Amazon Music Streaming, free Amazon Reading (free Kindle books) and free Photo Storage.

You get movies, series, sports programs and kids specific programs all in one setting and with an annual payment of just under £80.00. There is more… You can get the apps on the kid’s tablets and have lists for each family member.

You can also download additional apps to your TV, so you can have Sky Sports App and buy a pass when you want one or YouTube (great for documentaries and how-to programs). There are hundreds of apps you can install, some free, some with a subscription.

Parental controls are very good and you have full control of what your kids are watching.

Netflix

What Is Netflix And Why Should You Get It?

Netflix is undoubtedly the largest streaming tv provider. You can download the app to your TV mobile or tablet. Even if you have Now TV or an Amazon Fire Stick, you can still add the app and alternate between using both services.

Netflix is a streaming service that offers a wide variety of award-winning TV programmes, films, anime, documentaries and more – on thousands of internet-connected devices (Netflix).

You can watch as much as you want, whenever you want, without a single advert – all for one low monthly price. New TV programmes and films are added every week (Netflix).

How much does it cost?

You can watch Netflix on your smartphone, tablet, smart TV, laptop or streaming device, all for one fixed monthly fee. Plans range from £5.99 to £11.99 a month. The starting plan restricts you on the number of streams you can have at the same time.

What do you get?

Netflix has an extensive library of feature films, documentaries, TV programmes, anime, award-winning Netflix originals, and more. Watch as much as you want, any time you want.

You can create different lists for each family member too.

In conclusion

These 3 Cable TV alternatives to save money are not the only options available, they are in my opinion the most cost-effective TV alternatives with a similar quality level.

I don’t think there is any need to spend over £60.00 per month with a TV provider when most providers will charge you around £35.00 for broadband when any of these 3 Cable TV alternatives will save you money and provide a service in line with what you were getting.

These 3 Cable TV alternatives to save money are readily available and there are savings to be made by swapping to a streaming provider, rather than standard cable. Especially if you subscribe to only one streaming provider at a time. This way you may still pocket some change, see below about TV License cancellation.

Cancel your TV License

In addition to the monthly savings from a cable subscription, if you decide to swap and stick to watching on-demand programs, rather than live ones, you can cancel your tv license and save £13 every month. If you think about it, just by doing this, you will be able to pay for the monthly subscription of one streaming service like Netflix and pocket the change.

Cancelling the TV license is very easy, you go online here and fill in the form. In most cases, you will be asked to print, sign and send via mail (all details are on the site). You might be asked to provide proof you no longer need a license, just say you moved to a streaming device and no longer watch live TV.

Want more money-saving tips? Read this post with over 100 tips on how to save money with what you have around the house.

Let me know what changes you’ve made and how much you have saved in the comments below!

Stay safe and enjoy the simple things!