Why Cut the Cord in 2026?
Cable TV is dying. The average cable bill is now $150/month ($1,800/year), and most people only watch 10% of the channels they pay for. **The cord cutting revolution:** • 50+ million American households have cut the cord • Average savings: $100-150/month • More content available streaming than ever before • No contracts, cancel anytime This guide shows you exactly how to replace cable without missing anything.
5 Steps to Cut the Cord
Audit Your Viewing Habits
List what you actually watch. Most people watch 10-15 channels regularly but pay for 200+. Write down: news, sports, movies, series you can't live without.
Choose Your Streaming Strategy
Decide if you want: A) Multiple streaming services ($30-50/mo), B) IPTV for everything ($5-15/mo), or C) Hybrid approach. Most cord cutters go with IPTV + 1-2 streaming services.
Get the Right Hardware
You'll need a streaming device (Firestick $30, Roku $30, or Apple TV $130) for each TV. One device per TV, connected to your WiFi.
Set Up Your Services
Install your chosen apps, enter credentials, organize favorites. Test everything works before calling to cancel cable.
Cancel Cable (Finally!)
Call your provider. They'll offer retention deals - only take them if the deal beats your new setup. Return equipment to avoid charges.
Your Options Compared
IPTV (Best Value)
$5.83-15/month16500+ live channels
Best for: Sports fans, international viewers, budget-conscious
Streaming Services
$50-100/month (combined)On-demand content + some live
Best for: On-demand watchers, binge viewers
YouTube TV / Hulu Live
$75-85/month85+ live channels
Best for: Those who want "cable-like" experience
Antenna + Streaming
$0-50/monthLocal channels free + streaming
Best for: Urban dwellers, light TV watchers
What About Live Sports?
Sports is the #1 reason people hesitate to cut the cord — and the honest answer is that it's the one thing cord-cutting doesn't fully solve, because the rights are split on purpose. Here's the real route for each:
| Sport | Solution |
|---|---|
| NFL | Local Sunday games are free over the air with an antenna (CBS/FOX). Sunday Night on NBC/Peacock, Thursday Night on Prime Video; out-of-market needs Sunday Ticket. <a href='/lunotv-nfl-channels' class='text-accent hover:underline'>Full NFL guide</a>. |
| NBA | Your local team sits with the regional sports network; national games with the league's partners. League Pass is out-of-market only — it blacks out your own team. <a href='/lunotv-nba-channels' class='text-accent hover:underline'>Full NBA guide</a>. |
| Soccer/Premier League | Split by competition and country: Premier League on NBC/Peacock in the US, Champions League on Paramount+. In the UK, 3PM Saturday matches aren't televised at all. <a href='/lunotv-soccer-channels' class='text-accent hover:underline'>Full football guide</a>. |
| UFC/Boxing | Fight Nights come with the base subscription; numbered cards are the paid tier. Fight Pass is the archive, not the live main cards. <a href='/lunotv-ufc-channels' class='text-accent hover:underline'>Full UFC guide</a>. |
| MLB | MLB.TV (~$24.99/mo) is the official out-of-market package — but it blacks out your local team, because the regional sports network holds those rights. |
💡 Work out which two or three things you actually watch before you cancel anything. An antenna covers more live sport than most people expect, and it costs nothing per month.
Calculate Your Savings
Typical Cable Setup
Cord Cutting Setup
Recommended Equipment
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
Best value. Works with all IPTV apps.
Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Faster, WiFi 6. Worth upgrade.
Nvidia Shield TV Pro
Premium choice. Best performance.
Apple TV 4K
Great for Apple households.
Chromecast with Google TV
Good budget Google option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I miss anything by cutting cable?
With IPTV + 1-2 streaming services, you'll have access to MORE content than cable, not less. You might miss some niche channels, but most have streaming alternatives.
What about my local news?
An HD antenna ($20-30) gets you your local channels for free, which is the simplest answer and the one most people forget. It's also how much of the NFL is watchable for nothing — see our <a href='/lunotv-nfl-channels'>NFL viewing guide</a>.
Is cord cutting complicated?
Initial setup takes 1-2 hours. After that, it's just like using cable - turn on TV, pick what to watch. Most people find streaming interfaces easier than cable.
Research & Resources
Streaming now exceeds cable viewership according to Nielsen Media Research. For authoritative cord-cutting statistics, see Pew Research - Streaming Survey. For independent equipment reviews and recommendations, visit Consumer Reports - Streaming.