Introduction
The average American pays $156 a month for cable TV. That’s $1,872 a year, and that number goes up almost every year.
The good news: you can replace everything cable gives you for $20–$50 a month, and in most cases get more channels, more sports, and more movies than you had before.
This guide shows you exactly how to do it. We’ll cover what equipment you need, what services to sign up for, and how to handle live sports (the #1 reason people stay stuck on cable).
What You Actually Need to Cut the Cord
Before you cancel cable, you need three things:
- A good internet connection, 25 Mbps minimum, 50 Mbps+ recommended if multiple people are streaming
- A streaming device, to connect your TV to the internet
- A live TV streaming service, your cable replacement
That’s it. Let’s go through each one.
Step 1: Check Your Internet Speed
Go to fast.com or speedtest.net and run a speed test.
| Your speed | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Under 25 Mbps | Upgrade before cutting cord |
| 25–50 Mbps | Fine for 1-2 TVs |
| 50 Mbps+ | Good for the whole house |
If you’re currently paying for internet through your cable company, you can usually keep the internet and drop the TV portion. Call them and say: “I want to cancel TV service and keep internet only.”
They may try to offer you a bundle deal. Do the math, it’s usually still cheaper to pay for internet + a streaming service separately.
Step 2: Get a Streaming Device
Your streaming device plugs into your TV’s HDMI port and runs all your streaming apps.
Best options in 2026:
| Device | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K | $49 | Most people, easiest to set up |
| Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite | $29 | Budget pick, HD only |
| Roku Streaming Stick 4K | $49 | Simple interface, lots of app support |
| Apple TV 4K | $129 | Best if you’re in the Apple ecosystem |
| Android TV Box | $40–80 | Most flexible, best for KrushTV |
Our recommendation: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. It’s what most KrushTV users run, it’s easy to set up, and at $49 it pays for itself in the first month after you cancel cable.
If your TV is already a Smart TV (Samsung, LG, Sony, etc.), you may not need a separate device at all, check if it already has the apps you need built in.
Step 3: Replace Cable with a Live TV Streaming Service
This is the big one. Most people stay on cable because they think they’ll miss their live channels, news, sports, local channels.
Here are your main options:
Option A: Full Replacement (Everything Cable Has)
KrushTV, $20/month
– Hundreds of live channels
– Every major sport, NFL, NBA, Premier League, UFC, MLB, NHL
– 35,000+ movies and series on demand
– Works on Firestick, Android TV, phones, tablets
– 3-day free trial, no credit card
This is the best value for cord-cutters who want everything in one place. At $20/month it’s the most affordable full-replacement option available.
Start your free trial → krushtv.com/free-trial
Option B: Budget (Streaming Only, No Live TV)
If you only watch Netflix-style on-demand content and don’t care about live channels or sports:
– Netflix: $17/month
– Disney+: $14/month
– Max (HBO): $16/month
The problem: these don’t include live sports or news. Most people who try this end up missing cable sports and come back to a live TV service.
Option C: YouTube TV / Hulu Live
These are $73–82/month, not much cheaper than cable, and they don’t include everything. Only worth it if you need local broadcast channels (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX) and nothing else will do.
Step 4: Handle Local Channels (Optional)
If you want local news and network TV (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX) for free, get an HD antenna.
- Cost: $20–40 one-time
- Channels: All local broadcast channels in your area, in HD, completely free
- No subscription, no internet required
Plug it into the back of your TV or a streaming device with an antenna input. Go to antennaweb.org to see what channels you’ll get based on your address.
Most cord-cutters combine a live TV streaming service + an HD antenna and have everything they need.
Step 5: Cancel Cable
Once everything is set up and working:
- Call your cable company
- Say: “I’d like to cancel my TV service”
- They will offer you deals, write them down but don’t commit immediately
- If the deal doesn’t beat your new setup cost, cancel
Common retention offers:
– 6 months at a reduced rate (usually still $80–100/month)
– Free premium channels for 3 months
– Loyalty discount (temporary)
Do the math. Even at their best offer, $80/month vs $20/month = you’re still saving $720/year by switching.
After canceling, return any cable boxes or equipment within the timeframe they give you (usually 30 days) to avoid being charged.
What About Live Sports? (The Biggest Concern)
Sports is the #1 reason people hesitate to cut the cord. Here’s the reality:
With KrushTV you get:
– NFL regular season games
– NBA on ESPN and TNT
– Premier League, every match
– Champions League
– UFC events
– MLB, NHL, NASCAR, PGA Tour, and more
All live. All included at $20/month.
For comparison:
– NFL Sunday Ticket alone: $350/season
– ESPN+: $11/month (limited coverage)
– Peacock (for some NFL games): $8/month
KrushTV covers the full sports calendar for a fraction of what you’d pay piecing it together.
Full Cord-Cutting Budget Breakdown
What most people pay for cable:
| Service | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Cable TV | $120 |
| Netflix | $18 |
| Disney+ | $14 |
| Hulu | $18 |
| ESPN+ | $11 |
| Total | $181/month |
After cutting the cord:
| Service | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| KrushTV | $20 |
| Netflix (optional) | $18 |
| HD Antenna | $0 (one-time $30) |
| Total | $38/month |
Annual savings: $1,716
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my local channels?
Not if you get an HD antenna ($20–40 one-time). You’ll actually get them in better quality than cable, true HD, no compression.
Can I watch on multiple TVs?
Yes. KrushTV supports 2 simultaneous streams on one account. Add a Firestick or streaming device to each TV.
What if I share an account with family in another location?
Each device logs in with the same username and password. As long as you don’t exceed 2 streams at once, it works fine.
Is there a contract?
No. KrushTV is month-to-month. Cancel anytime.
What if I don’t like it?
That’s what the free trial is for. Try it for 3 days with no credit card required. If it’s not for you, walk away, no charges.
Ready to Cut the Cord?
The setup takes about 30 minutes. The savings start immediately.
Here’s your checklist:
– [ ] Check internet speed (25 Mbps minimum)
– [ ] Buy a Firestick ($49) if you don’t have a smart TV
– [ ] Start KrushTV free trial (3 days, no credit card)
– [ ] Set up HD antenna if you want local channels
– [ ] Call cable company and cancel
Start your free trial at krushtv.com/free-trial →
No credit card. No commitment. Cancel anytime.