We are living in a world that has become prone to replacements. From face-to-face gatherings to Zoom/Skype calls, from dining out to being acquainted with UberEats, from physically going to malls to e-shopping groceries, we have replaced most things according to our convenience. For any individual who has considered cutting out cable TV due to the rising expenses, we have come up with a number of alternatives.
First things first, if you are someone who does not want to cut ties with cable TV just as yet, you should go for bundle deals as they save you a great deal of money. Bundling up your cable, internet, and phone in any customized way can help bring down your billing amounts. To give you a head start, we will recommend you to check out Spectrum bundle deals for double and triple play bundles being offered at reasonable rates.
For all others who are done with cable TV and are ready to switch, read along and find the best cable TV alternatives of 2021.
Netflix
Service Type: Streaming
Monthly Price: $9 to $18
Content: On-demand original and licensed
Free Trial: 30-day
No. of streams at the same time: One to Four
Netflix is an incredibly affordable streaming service that offers amazing original and licensed content. Almost all internet devices can be used to stream Netflix that makes it super convenient. It offers multiple plans ranging from $9 to $18 a month. All of its plans are ad-free and include all the shows and movies in the library.
You can also create personalized profiles giving each member the ease to use the service according to their personal taste. Netflix app allows users to download anything from the library to view it when offline, too.
YouTube
Service Type: Streaming; Live
Monthly Price: $12 to $65
Content: On-demand original and licensed; More than 85 Channels
Free Trial: 30-day free trial for Premium Plan; 14-day free trial for Live TV plan
No. of streams at the same time: Three
YouTube is the best video service available since ever. YouTube Premium is a paid subscription through which you get access to original movies and shows, and YouTube Music Premium at only $12 a month.
YouTube also provides a live TV option that allows you to watch more than 85 channels and is compatible to stream on Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Google Chromecasts, Smart TVs, and gaming consoles. Premium channels including MTV, Comedy Central, CNN, NBA TV, MLB, NFL, FS, and ESPN are included in the vast channel lineup.
Hulu
Service Type: Streaming; Live
Monthly Price: $6 to $65
Content: On-demand original and licensed; More than 60 Channels
Free Trial: 30-day free trial for basic plan; 7-day free trial for Live TV plan
No. of streams at the same time: Two
Hulu is one streaming service that provides both: on-demand content as well as access to live TV. It is an affordable alternative to cable TV and can fit your needs and budget. Some of its popular plans are:
| Package Type | Features | Monthly Price |
| Basic Plan | On-demand content Supports ads | $6 |
| No Ads Plan | On-demand content No ads | $12 |
| Bundle Deal | On-demand content Supports ads Includes access to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus | $13 |
| Live TV | More than 60 live TV channels On-demand content Supports ads | $65 |
Philo
Service Type: Live Streaming
Monthly Price: $20
Content: More than 60 Channels
Free Trial: 7-day
No. of streams at the same time: Three
Philo is one of the best live streaming services. This is because it offers 63 channels, customized profiles, is compatible with Google Chromecast, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Roku, offers three simultaneous streams, allows you to save content for 30 days, and all of this is provided for just $20.
With Philo, you get a good number of channels including premium networks like AMC, Comedy Central, A&E, BBC America, Food Network, HGTV, Hallmark Channel, Discovery Channel, Lifetime, Nickelodeon, and MTV.
Amazon Prime Video
Service Type: Streaming
Monthly Price: $9
Content: On-demand original and licensed
Free Trial: 30-day
No. of streams at the same time: Three
If you are associated with Amazon Prime, you can access Amazon Prime Video as a cable alternative right away. Moreover, even if you do not have Prime membership, you can subscribe to the streaming service for only $9 a month.
Amazon Prime Video has populated its library with a number of classic licensed and original shows and movies. It is compatible with smart TVs, android and iOS, Fire TV and tablets, Google Chromecast, Apple TV, gaming consoles, and internet browsers.
Another amazing feature is that if something is not available on Amazon Prime Video, you can rent it through Amazon without any hassle.
fuboTV
Service Type: Live Streaming
Monthly Price: $65 to $80
Content: 115 to 159 Channels
Free Trial: 7-day
No. of streams at the same time: Three
With fuboTV’s Elite plan, you can access more than 167 channels for just $79.99 per month. The channel lineup includes all the major local, entertainment, and sports networks. If you are someone who likes premium channels like Starz and Showtime, you can get them added to your plan for a nominal fee.
fuboTV also offers a Family plan that provides 122 channels for a mere monthly fee of $64.99. This service can be accessed on three devices at the same time and comes along with a Cloud DVR storage capacity of 250 GB. The Elite plan has no free trial option, however, the Family plan gives you the option to try it for 7 days, free of cost. It does not bind you in any sort of contract and you have the right to cancel it at any given moment.
AT&T TV Now
Service Type: Live Streaming
Monthly Price: $65 to $135
Content: 45 to 125 Channels
Free Trial: 7-day
No. of streams at the same time: Three
DirecTV soon realized that the only way to beat streaming platforms was to be one and so entered AT&T TV Now into the streaming sphere. AT&T TV Now offers plans ranging from $65 to $135 and comes with a no-contract policy. With this live streaming service, you get a chance to watch all your favorite TV channels at any time. The service houses premium networks like ABC, ESPN, CBS, CNN, Nickelodeon, HBO, and Fox. It replicates the ways of a traditional cable TV.
AT&T TV Now is compatible with Google Chromecast, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, and Fire TV.