According to the latest update, dropping cable or satellite TV isn’t the only way to lower your TV bill.
According to the latest update, by renting less equipment, bundling some streaming services, and making sure you’re not overpaying for internet, you can save decent money while hanging onto cable’s creature comforts. Even if you’re not ready to cut the cord, you may still be able to find some extra savings through your current pay TV provider.
In a fresh development, while switching to streaming or over-the-air TV will likely be cheaper in the long run, here are some other ways to reduce your TV bill before you make the leap:.
In a fresh development, these days, though, many TV providers offer free streaming apps that mirror (or at least closely resemble) what you’d get through a cable box, including live TV, on-demand video, and cloud-based DVR:. Cable and satellite firms dragged their feet for years on letting you access their TV services without expensive set-top box rentals.
According to the latest update, comcast includes one set-top box for free with TV service, but using the app on additional TVs can save you $14 per month, per TV. Comcast Xfinity: Use the Xfinity Stream app on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, LG TV, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Xumo devices.
The report highlights that in my experience, the Spectrum experience was better on an Apple TV 4K than on Spectrum’s own Xumo boxes, which cost $5 per month to rent. Spectrum: Use the Spectrum TV app on Apple TV, Google TV/Android TV, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, Xbox, Fire TV, LG TVs, and Vizio TVs.
Industry observers note that dish: The Dish Anywhere app is only available on Amazon Fire TV or Google TV/Android TV devices, but it can spare you from the $7 per month Dish charges for secondary Joey receivers.
Industry observers note that using the free apps instead of DirecTV’s receiver boxes can save you between $7 and $15 per month, per TV. DirecTV: Satellite and internet-only customers can both use DirecTV’s apps for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV/Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG TVs, and Vizio TVs.
Industry observers note that still, using the app with additional televisions can save you $14 per month, per TV. Optimum: Optimum only offers a TV app on Apple TV streaming boxes, and you still need at least one Optimum TV box at home.
As part of the ongoing story, you’ll need at least one Contour HD Box at home (the first of which is free), but using the Apple TV app can save you $8.50 per month on additional TVs. Cox: Cox’s Contour app is available on Apple TV devices only.
Industry observers note that make sure the experience meets your needs, then return some (or all) of your set-top boxes for instant savings. If you’re already using your smart TV or a streaming device to access services like Netflix or Hulu, I suggest taking your TV provider’s app for a test drive.
According to the latest update, if you’re going to stick with traditional TV service, you should at least get your money’s worth by taking advantage of any free or discounted streaming that your provider may offer:.
According to the latest update, while you may still come out ahead by cutting the cable TV cord entirely, you may at least be able to defray the cost of some extra streaming services you’re already paying for.
Industry observers note that it remains a great time to threaten to cancel your home internet service, as cable providers are seriously afraid of losing business to 5G home internet from the likes of T-Mobile and Verizon.
The report highlights that that will require a call to customer service, and possibly a request to reach their cancellation department, which may have more latitude to cut your rates. You might even get a deal on TV service in the process. Comcast, for instance, now offers much lower internet prices with price guarantees (including five years of 300Mbps service—more than enough for streaming—for $55 per month), but only if you demand the discounts.
As part of the ongoing story, after all, if you’re not severing the relationship with cable TV anytime soon, you might as well make sure you’re not overpaying for what you already have.
The report highlights that sign up for Jared’s Cord Cutter Weekly newsletter for more streaming TV advice.
According to the latest update, his Cord Cutter Weekly newsletter has more than 30,000 subscribers, and his Advisorator tech advice newsletter is read by nearly 10,000 people each week. Jared has a master's degree in journalism from NYU and specializes in making complex tech topics easy to understand, from streaming and cord-cutting to neat apps and useful tech tricks. He is based in Cincinnati, OH. Jared has been a freelance technology journalist for more than 15 years and is a regular contributor to PCWorld, Fast Organization, and TechHive, where he's written a weekly cord-cutting column since 2014.