Video Options for the New Year
New Year, New You! 2026 is when you finally explore the options!
For decades (seriously, for like fifty years), traditional cable TV has been the default way to watch live television, and premium channels.
In that time, you got your first VCR, your first CD player, your first DVD player, I could go on…
Rising monthly bills, long contracts, and packages packed with channels no one watches have pushed many to look for alternatives. Today, viewers have more control (that’s the first ‘C’) than ever. There are a wide range of cable alternatives that deliver live TV, on-demand content, or even completely free entertainment. Whether you’re ready to cancel cable entirely or just exploring your options, let’s take a look at some alternatives.
Live TV Streaming Services: Cable Without the Cable Box
Sick of that monthly fee for the cable box? A popular cable replacement is live TV streaming services. These platforms are just like traditional cable experience but typically cost less. Don’t let the word ‘streaming’ frighten you remember when you had that first VHS or DVD player. They were new, but you had the hang of them in no time.
YouTube TV is considered one of the strongest all-around alternatives to cable TV. It offers a robust lineup of live channels, including major broadcast networks, sports, news, and entertainment. Unlimited cloud DVR storage and easy access across devices make it especially appealing for families and sports fans.
DIRECTV via Internet is another strong option without satellite dishes or long-term contracts. It offers a wide selection of regional sports networks, premium channels, and familiar cable-style packages, making it a good option for longtime cable subscribers. DIRECTV even offers ‘skinny’ genre packages at costs far below that of traditional cable packages!
Other live TV options like Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and Fubo also cater to specific viewing habits, whether that’s sports-heavy programming, budget-friendly plans, or customizable channel bundles.
Most of these platforms are available at a lower cost (that’s the second ‘C’) than traditional cable TV.
Subscription Video on Demand: Watch What You Want, When You Want
Time to head back down memory lane. You’ve been watching Video on Demand (VOD) since the mid-1990s. That’s thirty years!
Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) platforms focus on on-demand content. These services allow viewers to watch shows when and how they’d like. Most of these platforms come in two tiers, allowing you to view programming with, or without commercials. (Back to that first ‘C’, control.)
Netflix and Amazon Prime Video remain two of the most popular streaming platforms thanks to their vast library of original series, movies, and documentaries. From binge-worthy dramas to family-friendly content, Netflix and Prime continue to set the standard for original programming.
Other major SVOD platforms like Disney+, Max, Apple TV+, and Paramount+ cater to specific audiences, offering everything from blockbuster franchises and prestige TV to exclusive originals and classic favorites.
These subscription services offer content (there’s the third ‘C’) that is often not available on traditional cable TV.
Free Streaming Platforms: TV like it used to be!
For viewers looking to cut costs even further, free ad-supported streaming (also known as FAST) platforms have become incredibly popular. These services don’t require subscriptions and offer a surprising amount of content. Tubi and Pluto each have close to one hundred million users each and every month!
Tubi features thousands of movies and TV shows across multiple genres, from classics to cult favorites. While ads are part of the experience, the price—free—makes it an attractive option.
Pluto TV takes a different approach by offering live, cable-style channels alongside on-demand content. Viewers can flip through channels dedicated to news, movies, reality TV, and even specific shows.
Other free platforms like The Roku Channel, Xumo Play, and Plex continue to expand their libraries, proving that quality entertainment doesn’t always come with a monthly bill.
The New Way to Watch TV
Traditional cable TV is no longer the only option—or even the best one—for many households. Cutting the cord isn’t about giving something up – it’s about choosing what works best for you.
Remember the 3 ‘C’s. Control, Cost, and Content. When you think about it, we can add a 4th ‘C’. Convenience. These options are all without contracts and you can jump from one to another rather than having them all at once.
Go ahead, give them a try, you won’t miss your cable box at all.
