If you’re tired of paying too much for cable, streaming services offer a cheaper and better way to watch your favorite shows, movies, and live sports. With so many options, you can choose what fits your needs without paying for channels you never watch.
These streaming services and bundles give you more value than cable, helping you enjoy more entertainment for less money.
1. Amazon Prime Video
If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you get Prime Video as part of the package. It offers tons of movies, TV shows, and original series like The Boys.
You can rent or buy newer releases too. The value is high because you get both shopping benefits and streaming for less than cable costs.
2. Max
Formerly known as HBO Max, this streaming service offers all the shows and movies from HBO, plus additional content like Friends and Game of Thrones. It also releases new movies soon after they’re in theaters, which is a big plus.
It’s a great deal for those who love high-quality shows and movies, costing less than most premium cable packages.
3. YouTube TV
YouTube TV provides live TV channels, just like cable, but at a lower price. You get popular networks like ABC, NBC, ESPN, and more. It also comes with unlimited DVR storage, so you can record and watch shows whenever you like.
It’s a great option if you still want the feel of cable but without the high costs or contracts.
4. DIRECTV Stream
DIRECTV Stream offers a cable-like experience with live TV, including popular channels like ESPN, CNN, and NBC, but without the hassle of a long-term contract. It includes on-demand content, a cloud DVR for recording shows, and multiple package options to fit different viewing needs.
You can stream on multiple devices and access regional sports networks. It’s a solid option for those who want live TV and sports but at a lower cost and more flexibility than traditional cable.
5. Disney+/Hulu/Max Bundle
This bundle offers a fantastic combination of Disney+, Hulu, and Max, providing a huge range of content for less than subscribing to each service separately. With Disney+, you get family-friendly movies and shows from Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars.
Hulu provides current TV episodes, original series, and a large selection of movies, while Max adds premium content from HBO like Game of Thrones and Succession. This bundle gives you a wide variety of entertainment, from kids’ programming to top-tier dramas, all at a lower price than cable.
6. Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ Bundle
This popular bundle combines Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for a well-rounded streaming experience. Disney+ brings family-friendly content, Hulu adds a variety of TV shows and movies, and ESPN+ offers live sports, including UFC events, exclusive shows, and documentaries.
This package is ideal for families and sports fans, delivering diverse content for less than cable TV’s premium sports and entertainment packages.
7. Sling TV
Sling TV offers live TV at a fraction of the cost of cable. You can choose different channel bundles based on your preferences, like sports, news, or family shows.
It’s flexible and cheaper, allowing you to pay only for the channels you actually want, unlike traditional cable where you pay for a bunch of channels you never watch.
8. Paramount+
Paramount+ (formerly CBS All Access) includes shows from CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, and movies from Paramount Pictures. It also has live sports, news, and its own original series.
Paramount+ is much more affordable than cable, especially with all the networks and content it offers in one place.
9. Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is one of the most affordable streaming services, and it focuses on original content. It has high-quality, award-winning shows like Ted Lasso and The Morning Show.
While it doesn’t have a huge library like some others, the price is much lower, and you can bundle it with other Apple services for more value.
10. Netflix + Max (Verizon myPlan)
Verizon’s myPlan lets you bundle streaming services like Netflix and Max (formerly HBO Max) at a discounted rate. By combining both services, you get access to Netflix’s vast library of movies, TV shows, and original content, alongside Max’s premium series like Game of Thrones, Succession, and its blockbuster movies.
Instead of paying for these separately, Verizon’s myPlan offers a cost-saving option by including both services in one easy bundle with your mobile plan. This combination provides more flexibility and savings than paying for cable TV’s premium channels.
11. Xfinity StreamSaver
Xfinity’s StreamSaver lets you customize your entertainment by offering popular streaming services as add-ons to your internet plan. Instead of a traditional cable package, you can mix and match services like Hulu, Netflix, or HBO Max for a cheaper overall price.
You only pay for the content you watch. It’s a great alternative to bulky and expensive cable bundles, giving you more control and flexibility.
12. FuboTV
FuboTV is an excellent choice for sports fans. It offers live streaming of sports channels like ESPN, NBC Sports, and NFL Network, along with regular entertainment and news channels.
What sets it apart is the focus on sports, especially soccer, which isn’t always included in other streaming services. FuboTV also includes DVR features, so you can record live games.
It’s cheaper than many cable packages with a strong sports lineup, offering more value if you’re into live sports.
13. Philo
Philo is one of the most affordable live TV streaming services, focusing on entertainment and lifestyle channels like AMC, HGTV, and Comedy Central. While it doesn’t have sports or news channels, it’s perfect for people who mainly watch shows and movies.
Philo offers unlimited DVR, and for the price, it’s a fantastic alternative to expensive cable, especially if you’re not into live sports.
14. Peacock Premium
Peacock Premium offers a variety of TV shows, movies, live sports, and news. You can watch popular NBC shows, original series, and movies from Universal Studios.
It also streams live events like Premier League soccer and WWE. For a small monthly fee, Peacock Premium gives you access to an impressive library of entertainment at a much lower price than cable.
15. Starz
Starz is known for its original content like Outlander and Power. It also has a solid collection of movies, making it great for movie lovers who want premium content without paying cable prices.
You can subscribe to Starz as a standalone app or add it to services like Hulu for an even better deal.
16. AMC+
AMC+ is a bundle that includes content from AMC, Shudder, Sundance Now, and IFC Films. This platform is perfect for fans of AMC shows like The Walking Dead, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad.
Additionally, you get a selection of horror films from Shudder, indie films from Sundance Now, and cult classic movies from IFC. This bundle gives you access to a wide range of genres at a much cheaper rate than paying for multiple cable channels that offer the same content.
With so many options, you can pick the ones that best fit your needs and budget. By switching to streaming, you can save money and still get great entertainment without the hassle of long contracts or hidden fees.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
