Watching live television without a cable or satellite subscription is possible; it just requires a little planning. A growing number of people are ditching their pay-TV services and choosing to watch TV on the internet. This is possible because internet providers now offer live TV streaming services. Basically, you can now watch your favorite shows on-demand without a cable or satellite subscription.
There are several live TV streaming services available to consumers. These include Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV, DirecTV NOW and YouTube TV. All of these services offer a wide selection of channels for $40 per month. You'll also get cloud DVR capabilities and access to apps for mobile devices. The best part is that all of this is available to you without a contract or a long-term agreement with your ISP.
Cable companies also provide access to live TV channels through their internet packages. Most basic plans from major cable companies include at least 30 channels of live content. That includes local and national broadcast stations, sports networks and even popular drama series from cable networks like HBO and AMC. Additionally, many cable companies provide additional on-demand content after their initial broadcast schedule ends. This keeps your bill low while allowing you to customize your viewing experience.
As far as content goes, there's plenty to keep you busy without a cable or satellite subscription. Most cable channels are available online through free streaming websites like Hulu and Netflix. Plus, most popular shows are available on-demand through your cable company's app or website. Even sports can be watched online via services like ESPN360 or Watch ESPN. A handful of local channels are usually included in package deals as well- so you'll never be without your favorite shows.
Not having a cable or satellite subscription means relying on third parties for online television content. Most major streaming services offer shows from all over the world via their catalogs. Although this isn't perfect, it's better than nothing at all. There are plenty of free options online for watching live television; however, most of these use outdated software that doesn't work very well with modern hardware setups. A few high quality alternatives do exist, but they're hard to find and use well in practice.
Ditching your pay-TV service isn't as difficult as many people make it out to be. Consumer television has come a long way in the last decade, allowing you to watch virtually any show or movie on demand whenever you want. Unless you have a specific need for local channels, there's no reason not to take advantage of these advancements.
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