Cutting the Cord in 2026: What a US Household Actually Needs

Cutting the cord used to mean giving things up. In 2026 it mostly means paying less for the same games and shows, as long as you plan the switch instead of just canceling. This is the sequence we recommend to customers who ask.

Step 1: Audit what you really watch

Spend one week writing down what the TV is actually on. Most households find a short list: a few news channels, the local affiliates for sports, two or three cable networks, and on-demand series. That list, not the 250-channel package, is what you need to replace.

Pay special attention to:

• Live sports. Which leagues and which teams? Regional sports networks are the hardest piece to replace cheaply.
• Local channels. For network sports, local news and award shows.
• Kids’ channels. If children watch a lot of linear kids’ TV, confirm your replacement has it.
• International channels. Often an expensive add-on on cable and included with IPTV.

Step 2: Separate internet from TV on your bill

Call your provider and ask for the price of internet alone at the speed you need (100 Mbps or more for a multi-TV home). Bundles hide the real cost of the TV part; once you see the internet-only price, the savings become concrete. Expect a retention offer; take it only if it beats your plan.

Step 3: Pick a device for each TV

• Smart TV from 2019 or later: you may not need anything else. Samsung and LG run IPTV apps directly.
• Older TV or a Roku/Vizio TV: a Fire TV Stick 4K or Chromecast with Google TV in a spare HDMI port, around $30 to $60.
• Main TV in a sports household: consider an Nvidia Shield or Apple TV 4K for speed and Ethernet.

Run Ethernet to at least the main TV device. It is the single biggest predictor of a buffer-free evening.

Step 4: Add an antenna for local channels

An indoor or attic antenna picks up local ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and PBS affiliates in uncompressed HD for free, with no monthly cost. It is a reliable backup for network sports and local news even if your streaming source also carries locals. A $30 flat antenna works within about 30 miles of the towers in most metro areas.

Step 5: Choose your main TV source

You have two broad options, and some households use both.

Live TV streaming bundles (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, Fubo) are mainstream, reliable and legal in the simplest sense, but their prices have climbed toward what cable charged, and sports add-ons stack up quickly.

Independent IPTV delivers a much larger lineup, including international channels and sports packages, at a flat monthly price with no contract. The trade-off is that you install an app yourself and should vet the provider carefully. Our guide to choosing an IPTV service lists what to check.

Step 6: Keep the on-demand apps you actually use

Most cord-cutters keep one or two subscription apps for originals. Rotate them: subscribe for the month a show you want is airing, cancel after. With an IPTV service that includes an on-demand library, many households find they need fewer separate apps than they expected.

Step 7: Do the math honestly

Write down the new monthly total: internet alone, your TV source, any kept apps, divided by the one-time cost of devices and the antenna over 24 months. For most households the result is a substantial saving, and more importantly a bill that is the same every month with nothing that renews on its own.

Step 8: Run both for two weeks

Do not cancel cable on day one. Set up the new system, use it exclusively for two weeks, and note anything missing. Fix those gaps (an antenna, an extra screen on your plan, a different app) and then cancel. Return the cable boxes in person and get a receipt; unreturned equipment fees are the most common surprise after cutting the cord.

A realistic timeline

• Week 1: audit your viewing; order a streaming stick and an antenna.
• Week 2: set up devices, run Ethernet, start a trial of your TV source.
• Weeks 3 and 4: live on the new setup; adjust.
• Week 5: cancel cable, return equipment.

If you want to see how the IPTV side looks before committing, the features page covers what is included and the setup guides show the install for each device.