Home Cut the Cord YouTube YouTube TV The Best Cable TV Alternatives in 2022
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The decline of cable TV isn’t new, but it has plummeted even more in 2021. And it seems tougher years are yet to come for cable TV as a study shows that cable TV users will dip to only 72 million by the year 2023.
This is likely because consumers no longer want to pay for networks they never watch. Another reason is that many viewers today are less wired. They prefer the convenience and ease of the idea of using mere laptops, mobile phones, and even wearable watches that cable TV cannot provide.
Additionally, the audience today has a shorter attention span. This means many can’t afford to sit and wait through commercials after commercials for their favorite shows when there are now platforms that let you play content on-demand. You can even replay videos or skip certain parts of them.
Fortunately, if you’re planning to cut the cord, there are plenty of options that you can choose from today. Some will give you a free trial, and there are others that can give you better package plans than your ordinary cable TV provider.
If you’re wondering which services are worth more of your money, here are some of the best platforms today.
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DirecTV Stream is one of the more well-known names when it comes to streaming TV shows. It can also save DVR recordings and provide on-demand content. Because it has a bigger number of total channels, it is a good option for replacing your old cable TV provider. In total, there are more than 140 channels to choose from. Local programming and cable channels are available on DirecTV Stream as well as all major networks such as A&E, BBC, CMT, Discovery Channel, ESPN, HGTV, and Lifetime cable television. This can, however, be a disadvantage. Because in terms of cost, DirecTV Stream is more expensive. The four subscription levels accessible through this streaming service are Entertainment ($69.99 per month), Choice ($84.99 per month), Ultimate ($94.99 per month), and Premier ($139.99 per month). If you’ve recently cut the cord and are on a shoestring budget, this isn’t the streaming service for you. However, if money isn’t an issue, you’ll undoubtedly love such services given the vast array of channels available. The following devices are compatible with DirecTV Stream:
A DirecTV Stream subscription is, indeed, pricey. You can be confident that you’ll get the most bang for your buck because it has a huge number of channels and is compatible with a range of devices.
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YouTube, of course, is one of the best platforms you can turn to once you’ve decided to cut the cord. Today, you can watch countless video creators and follow their lives. You can also learn various DIYs and other tips. Youtube has a wide selection of genres too. Along with vlogs, you can also watch news, documentaries, and more. The best part about it is it’s free! For movie nights, you can rent movies from YouTube too, and it has a wide selection of genres of films as well. If that’s not enough, you can subscribe to YouTube TV. In 2017, the streaming giant rolled out a separate service for live TV streaming. It offers a similar experience to cable TV with its live channels. However, what makes it better than cable TV is that it has on-demand content to offer. What’s more, unlike cable TV, YouTube and YouTube TV are compatible with the following devices:
However, due to financial disputes in 2021, the streaming service was forced to lose ESPN, ABC, and Disney Channels. Also, a YouTube TV subscription is one of the pricier streaming platforms. Nevertheless, YouTube and YouTube TV are full of quality content for you to enjoy.
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Hulu is also another reliable platform that’s worth your money. Countless TV shows and movies are already available to stream for as little as $5.99. Hulu’s key selling point is that it allows you to view over 85,000 TV episodes and movies on demand. Furthermore, it provides access to major cable channels such as ABC, FOX, CBS, and NBC. In addition, Hulu has a storage restriction of 50 hours. This is one of the most generous storage limitations currently available from streaming services. It also allows you to extend it up to 200 hours, and if that’s not enough, Hulu offers Hulu Live. It’s just like YouTube TV that allows you still enjoy watching as if you’re using cable TV but with more perks. With Hulu Live, you can stream more than 75 live channels; plus, you can also enjoy on-demand content. But, unlike YouTube, neither Hulu nor Hulu Live comes for free. Subscribing to Hulu Live TV will cost you about $69.99 a month, but the huge content libraries Hulu offers are worth every dollar. Hulu and Hulu Live TV are supported on the following devices, operating systems, and browsers:
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Philo is the most cost-effective paid streaming service available. This is unquestionably the best option for those on a small budget. This streaming service has a wide range of channels. What makes Philo so great is that it adheres to the “no sports, no locals” philosophy, allowing it to provide you with a large variety of channels, which is a significant benefit. One of the main reasons why viewers opt to subscribe to this provider is because of this. In terms of prices, you can subscribe to Philo for as low as $25 a month. This includes AMC, A&E, CMT, Discovery Channel, Paramount Network, Science Channel, Comedy Central, as well as the History Channel, to name a few. Additionally, you’ll get a 30-day DVR as well as Starz and Epic add-ons. And if you haven’t fully decided yet, you can subscribe to its free trial. Philo is compatible with the following devices and browsers:
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FuboTV was founded in 2015, and since that day, it has provided great viewing experiences to countless audiences around the world. Even if Hulu Live and other streaming platform giants today have since overtaken it, it remains a fantastic platform that you should not overlook. For sports aficionados, FuboTV is a better option because it concentrates on live sports streaming. So, if you’re a sports fanatic, this is the best option for you. From this single service, you can view a few major local broadcast networks as well as popular sports networks. Among them are NBA TV, NFL Network, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, and more. Don’t worry if some of your family members aren’t sports fans; FuboTv features a wide variety of popular shows, movies, and news that the entire family will enjoy. Its digital video recorder sets it apart from the competition. This is because, unlike other platforms, it allows people unrestricted access. You can get a whopping 250 hours of cloud DVR if you subscribe. It is also possible to upgrade it for a fee. The best part is that unless you run out of storage space, your video access will not expire. What makes FuboTV even better than cable TV is that it’s compatible with these devices:
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Paramount Plus is yet another platform that you should consider. One of its pros is that it offers live TV options. This includes a live feed of your local CBS station. This makes it great for those who have just cut the cord. However, Paramount Plus still provides on-demand content as well. It even includes Viacom properties, like MTV and Nickelodeon. One of the things that most people struggle with on streaming platforms is that sometimes, you have to wait until a season ends on cable networks for the content to be released for streaming. But, that’s not happening if you subscribe to Paramount PLus as it assures that you can get quick access to recently-aired content. The best part of it is that you have access to Paramount movies, even if they’re still in theaters. So, you won’t have to leave the comfort of your home to see what’s new in the theaters. Live news and sports content, including Europa League soccer matches, are also available on Paramount Plus. Even without the additions, Paramount Plus would be a good sports streaming service, given CBS already has NFL games and some great March Madness livestreams. This is great, especially if you want to keep up with what’s happening in the world around you, and you also won’t have to lose track of your favorite sports. When it comes to pricing, Paramount Plus offers different plans. One of them starts at $4.99 a month if you subscribe to an annual plan. Paramount Plus is currently supported the following:
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This list, of course, wouldn’t be complete without Netflix, one of the leading streaming platforms today. Whether you enjoy internet streaming or not, you’ve almost certainly heard of Netflix. If you’re not a Netflix user, you’ve probably seen ‘Netflix and chill’ Facebook memes or overheard your coworkers discussing pooled Netflix subscriptions. So, what’s the big deal about it? First, it’s ad free, unlike cable TV. Thus, you can enjoy your favorite show without any interruptions. What’s more, it has an offline playback feature. This allows you to cache content in either standard or high quality. Then, you can watch them later, any time, anywhere, without requiring an internet connection. Of course, it has a high-quality library to offer. In fact, it can give you more than 100,000 content options. This is where Netflix outshines Hulu and other streaming platforms today and, of course, cable TV. And with a standard plan of $13.99, you can already enjoy all of that. Further, Netflix supports multiple devices of nearly all operating systems like the following:
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Amazon Prime Video is also one of the top streaming platforms today that can replace cable TV. Like Netflix, it also lets you watch various content, from series to movies. You can also download your favorite shows and watch them as you travel or whenever you’re offline. What makes it better than the majority of other platforms is that it offers a data saver. This helps you control your data usage as you download and watch videos on selected phones or tablets. And for as low as $8.99 a month, you can enjoy all of its content and other perks. The downside is that its content isn’t as extensive as Netflix’s. Still, it’s definitely worth considering, especially with a price like that. Amazon Prime Video is compatible with:
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Copyright @2024 TechJunkie
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