For smart TV owners, a cable subscription is often unnecessary. Advanced technology and streaming options have changed the game. Now, you can enjoy your favorite shows and movies without traditional cable. This new way is often cheaper and more tailored to what you like.
Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Netflix, and Disney+ offer lots of cable-free TV choices. With these services, you can watch live and on-demand shows easily. It’s never been simpler to say goodbye to cable.
Introduction: The Changing Landscape of TV Entertainment
The world of TV entertainment has changed a lot because of streaming. We’ve moved from needing cables to using the internet for our shows. Smart TVs have led this change, being a big part of the Connected TV (CTV) market today.
Smart TVs have become more common, with their usage in homes growing to 59% in February 2022. This was a jump of 4% from the year before. Brands like Samsung and LG are making their TVs better by improving video and audio quality. Now, more people watch on smart TVs than on other devices like game consoles.
IPTV has given viewers access to a world of channels. It offers lots of different shows and movies in various languages. IPTV is cheaper than old cable or satellite TV. It also gives great video and sound quality for a better watching experience.
Another benefit of IPTV is that you can watch shows whenever you want, on different devices. Whether on a phone, tablet, or computer, you can enjoy your favorite content. This flexibility is a big change in how we watch TV.
IPTV also lets viewers interact with live shows through voting and social media. It has parental controls to keep children’s viewing safe. This makes TV watching better for the whole family.
Streaming Services That Offer Live TV
Live TV streaming services have changed the way you watch TV without cable. They offer lots of channels and flexible streaming. These services meet all your entertainment needs.
Options Like Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is a top choice, offering more than 70 channels for $76.99 a month. It includes sports, news, and shows. You also get Hulu’s on-demand library for your favorite shows and movies. This makes it great for families with different tastes.
It also has a cloud DVR. This means you can record shows and watch them whenever you want.
YouTube TV Benefits
YouTube TV is another great option, costing $72.99 a month. It has over 70 channels, including local and sports ones. Its best feature is unlimited cloud DVR storage for up to nine months.
This lets you save your favorite shows. You can also stream on many devices. Popular networks are part of YouTube TV, making it good for live content.
Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV are both great for leaving cable behind. They offer live TV with flexibility, lots of choices, and high-quality streams.
Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD)
Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) services have changed how you watch shows and movies. Now, over 83% of US households have at least one SVOD subscription. With so many platforms available, there’s always something unique to watch.
Popular Platforms: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+
Netflix is famous for its big selection of movies and TV series. It’s the most popular in the US, serving over 70 million subscribers. Netflix keeps adding new stuff, so you’ll never run out of things to watch.
Amazon Prime Video is known for its variety of hit movies, shows, and original content. It captures 21% of the US market. Prime members get extra perks like free shipping, making it a great deal.
Disney+ features content from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. It has 13% of the US market. It’s the top choice for family movies and shows like The Mandalorian.
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ lead the SVOD market by offering content that meets different tastes. This change in how we watch TV and movies is growing fast. Nearly 1.7 billion people will subscribe to SVOD services by 2027.
Choosing SVOD means getting to watch a huge library of content whenever you want, on devices like Smart TVs. This trend is moving people away from regular cable TV. In fact, almost 30% of viewers in America and Canada are thinking about cutting the cable for good.
Free Streaming Options You Can Use
Today, expensive cable subscriptions are not a must for enjoying great entertainment. Free streaming apps like Tubi, Pluto TV, and Crackle offer lots of content for free. They use ads to support their services.
Ad-Supported Services: Tubi, Pluto TV, Crackle
Tubi has a huge collection of shows and movies. It is totally free because it uses ads. Anyone looking for a range of genres, from drama to documentaries, will find Tubi perfect.
Pluto TV mixes on-demand and live TV content well. It has over 320 live TV channels, from news to sports. Pluto TV’s blend of live and on-demand shows suits many preferences.
Crackle offers TV shows, movies, and original content. Backed by Sony, it includes both popular and lesser-known titles. Crackle is another ad-supported service that does not charge viewers.
These free streaming apps let you save on entertainment costs. Whether you like Tubi shows, Pluto TV’s live channels, or Crackle’s originals, there’s no need for cable.
Does a Smart TV Need Cable?
Smart TVs today are changing the game, making cable seem less important. They give you all kinds of shows and movies through the internet. This includes tons of streaming services.
Connecting your smart TV to the internet opens up a world of apps. You get Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Hulu + Live TV. These services provide endless movies, TV shows, and live channels. Just make sure you have a strong and fast internet connection for smooth streaming.
If you use apps like Zee5, SonyLiv, Hotstar, and Voot, then you might not need cable at all. Internet TV lets you watch what you want, when you want. Cable can’t do that.
Switching to non-cable options can save money. Hulu + Live TV asks for $75.99 a month as of February 2024. YouTube TV has over 100 channels at $72.99 a month. And Sling TV has plans from $40-45 a month. All without needing cable.
Smart TVs can easily take the place of cable. But, if you still watch a lot of cable channels, cutting cable might not save money. You might end up paying more for streaming services to get the same content.
To sum up, using smart TV features and streaming can make your watching experience better. It makes having cable less and less necessary.
Using an Antenna for Over-the-Air Channels
In today’s world, over-the-air (OTA) TV is a cheap way to get local channels on your smart TV. Unlike smart TVs, which don’t have built-in antennas, an external HDTV antenna is needed. This lets you access local channel broadcasts for free.
How to Set Up an HDTV Antenna
Setting up an HDTV antenna is easy. First, pick the right antenna for your area. In cities, the Antennas Direct ClearStream Eclipse Amplified TV Antenna works best. It costs $49.99 and picks up signals from 50 miles away. In contrast, the Antennas Direct ClearStream 4V TV Antenna is better for far suburbs or rural places. Its price, $130.20, reflects its long 70+ mile reception range.
After choosing your antenna, hook it up to your TV and scan for channels. Smart TVs usually have an ‘Antenna’ or ‘Air’ input for this. Putting your antenna near a window or up high can improve the signal. This ensures the best reception.
What Channels You Can Expect to Receive
The channels you get with OTA depend on where you live and nearby broadcast towers. You’ll likely get big networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. They offer local news, sports, and entertainment. Adding a device like the Tablo 4th Generation OTA DVR lets you record shows. You can save up to 50 hours without paying extra each month.
By getting an HDTV antenna, you unlock the potential of OTA TV. Enjoy many local channels without the high cost of cable. Free OTA broadcasting brings your smart TV to life.
