If you joined us last week, my dad and I co-wrote an article about cutting the cable cord. We discussed the upfront considerations before making the leap and the devices available to manage your content. If you missed out, you find that article HERE.
This week we’re discussing some of the apps available, some of perils of these services and how to keep your costs under control. Per our normal M.O., my comments are in pink. With that in mind, let’s wrap this baby up!
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What Services/Channels to Stream
Now the difficult part, trying to figure out what combo of streaming services will work for your family, and how to find the best deals/bundles to save money. I highly recommend using free trials (where available) to check out the site’s interface and content. You can always cancel if it does not meet your expectations.
Dabs: I’m linking each service to a comprehensive review, but you can find great overviews at PC Mag and U.S. News. You’ll want to verify that the service is compatible with your device (Roku, Fire stick, etc.).
Paid Services
- HULU / HULU Live ($7.99+/mo, $69.99+/mo)
- Sling ($35+/mo)
- YouTube TV ($64.99/mo)
- Amazon Prime Video ($8.99/mo or included with Amazon Prime)
- Netflix ($9.99+/mo)
- Disney+ ($7.99/mo)
- Paramount+ ($4.99+/mo)
- Acorn TV (British TV, $5.99/mo)
- Peacock ($4.99+/mo for Premium Plus)
- Apple TV+ ($6.99/mo)
- EPIX ($5.99/mo)
Specific Channel Services
- HBO Max
- STARZ
- Noggin (Nickelodeon)
- Boomerang (Cartoon Network)
- Showtime
- PBS Masterpiece
- PBS Kids
- Cinemax
- AMC+
Free Services
- Tubi
- Peacock (Limited Access)
- Crackle
- PlutoTV
- FreeVee (Amazon/IMDB)
- Kanopy (may be available through your local library)
Commercials
Dabs: The highlight of streaming, for me, has been the ability to avoid commercials at all costs. I am a minimalist at heart. I don’t want to see commercials for all these things I really don’t need.
Over time, avoiding the commercials has become so much more difficult. Queue the moment of rage when I discovered that the Hulu ad-free IS NOT REALLY AD FREE. The only shows that are ad-free . . . are the ones you don’t want to watch.
If avoiding ads is one of your goals, do your homework before you shell out any cash for “ad-free” viewing.
Hidden Caveats
Dabs: Some of these services have hidden caveats so be on the lookout.
Some caveats to consider when signing up for live channel services such as Hulu or Comcast/Wow cable or other services have certain limitations on where you can access the full scope of their services.
Dabs: Why do these services have these limitations? Two reasons:
- to combat password sharing, and
- to adhere to the service’s geographic licensing agreements with content providers.
Hulu, for example, will not let you access the live channels or your recordings on a TV when away from home – unless you change the primary location. You can only change your primary location 4x times with a 12-month period; however, you can watch from your laptop or tablet while on the move.
Vacations or Summer home? Most of the services I have used (except Hulu), allow you to access their services from another location as long as you have the right streaming equipment and your login information. If this is important to you, you’ll want to check the fine print or conduct an internet search.
Dabs: I have a Roku in a ziploc bag that stays in my AirBNB travel kit. Yes, I have a kit. Don’t judge. This way I don’t have to worry about what my daughter’s watching on someone’s random cable service.
Watching Your Bottom Line
You may think you are saving money by canceling your cable service, BUT if you don’t track your spending how can you tell? Cable comes as one bill so you know exactly what you’re spending. Now, you may have several different services hitting your charge card that month.
Make a list of active services as you sign up so you can track your cost. When you run out of things to watch on that service, cancel it and sign up for some other service with content you want to view. Just be careful – if you sign up for a free trial remember to cancel before the service renews if you don’t intend to keep it.
Your calendar or reminder app is your friend! Use it to track/cancel subscriptions to free trials and promotions that you do not want to keep.
Hacking the System
Dabs: Sure, you could just pick a few of these and pay for them outright, but the original point was to save you some green.
The Free Trial
Some of these services/channels will give you a free trial. Netflix, one of the OGs of the free trial hook, has discontinued its free trial (GASP!). Other’s will allow you a trial at a steep discount, and this is where I’ve found my gems.
Example: My 6-year old goes through phases where she only wants to watch one show. Paw Patrol can be found on the Noggin channel, which I can add as a stand-alone app, through Roku or as an Amazon prime channel. At any given time, usually one of these will let me buy the channel for $1.99-3.99/mo for 1-3 months instead of $7.99.
Of course, these services want you to forget to cancel your free trial – so DON’T DO THAT!
Credit Card Offers
Also, check your credit card for offers! My Amex card ran a special offer where they would provide a $9 statement credit towards Paramount+ for 3 months. For $12, I subscribed to the Paramount+/Showtime combo packet. For $3/mo, I was able to binge watch some great series and The Mathematician was able to catch up on Billions and watch the Dexter reboot and some new Star Trek.
Cell Phone Carrier
Dabs: The Mathematician finally had to upgrade our cell phone plan to unlimited. Yes, it was time. When we moved to the unlimited plan, SURPRISE! We also received a free subscription to the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN bundle. Now, do I think this cost is wrapped into my plan? Yes. However, I didn’t have a choice on whether or not to purchase it. If it’s included, I’m using it.
Look Around First
One thing you will see is the same shows on multiple streaming services. On one service it might be free, such as all the CBS shows on Paramount+, but on Apple TV+ they will charge to watch them. Look around before you decide to pay for a subscription or a rental.
Final Thoughts
I cut my cable and never looked back! However, keeping track of all the shows we watch on multiple streaming services was pushing my memory cells, so I created a master list on Evernote of all the shows tracking streaming service, season and release dates.
I have also noticed the streaming services are moving away from dropping all episodes for a season at once. Many are now doing it on a weekly basis more like cable/national TV to avoid people using free trials or a one month subscription to binge and cancel.
Dabs: They’ve obviously figured out that we’ve figured out how to hack the system!
One of my favorite features of my Roku is the ability to search all the streaming services to find a TV show or movie showing what services have it and if there is a cost or subscription required to watch it.
I was watching Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry series and my streaming service only carried the first couple of movies. I checked Roku Search and found the rest free on Tubi – with some commercials but well worth it.
It sounds complicated to cut the cord compared to one stop shopping at cable, but there is so much content out there waiting for you to enjoy that is not available on cable or costs significantly more. I love watching streaming shows without ads. It gives me time back into my life by cutting about 15-20 minutes out of each show and watching ads for things I don’t want.
Do your research! You do not need to stream every channel you want all the time since you are paying for more content than you have time to watch.
Dabs: Thanks for joining my dad and I for this deep dive into cutting the cable cord! Have tips we missed? Drop a comment below. As always, I’m here to help with all your home ownership questions.
