Cable TV vs. Streaming Services: Complete Cost and Feature Comparison

The great cord-cutting debate continues in 2026, but the landscape has shifted dramatically. Streaming services now offer live TV, sports, and local channels that were once exclusive to cable. Meanwhile, cable providers have responded with more flexible packages and their own streaming apps. This guide breaks down the real costs, features, and trade-offs to help you decide whether to cut the cord, keep cable, or find a hybrid approach.

The True Cost of Cable TV

The advertised price of cable TV is rarely what you actually pay. Hidden fees add significantly to your monthly bill:

After promotional pricing expires (typically 12-24 months), your base rate increases by $20-50/month. Over a two-year period, the average cable TV subscriber pays $2,400-$3,600.

The True Cost of Streaming

Streaming costs depend on which services you choose. Here are the major services and their 2026 pricing:

Common streaming combos and their costs:

• Budget combo: Netflix (ad) + Hulu (ad) + Disney+ (ad) = $27.97/mo
• Mid-range combo: Netflix (standard) + Disney+ + Max = $51.97/mo
• Cable replacement: YouTube TV + Netflix + Disney+ = $100.97/mo

Internet Requirements for Streaming

If you cut cable, your internet connection becomes critical. Here's what you need:

• 5 Mbps: Minimum for one HD stream
• 25 Mbps: Comfortable for 1-2 simultaneous HD streams
• 50 Mbps: Supports 4K streaming and multiple devices
• 100+ Mbps: Recommended for households with 4+ simultaneous streams

Most cable providers offer internet-only plans that are significantly cheaper than bundled internet + TV packages:

Call Xfinity at (855) 389-1498 or view plans online.

Call Spectrum at (855) 771-1328 or view plans online.

Call AT&T at (855) 452-1829 or view plans online.

What Cable TV Still Does Better

• Live sports: While streaming services carry more sports than ever, some regional sports networks and events still require cable. However, this gap is closing rapidly with services like ESPN+ and Amazon Prime's NFL coverage
• Channel surfing: The ability to flip through channels is uniquely cable—streaming requires intentional content selection
• Local news: Live local news is easiest to access through cable. Streaming alternatives exist (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, free antenna) but aren't as seamless
• Reliability: Cable TV doesn't buffer. As long as you have cable service, the picture is consistent. Streaming quality depends on your internet speed and can vary
• Multi-room viewing: Cable easily supports TVs throughout the home with additional boxes. Streaming requires a smart TV or streaming device for each TV

What Streaming Does Better

• On-demand library: Vast libraries of movies, series, and documentaries available anytime
• No contracts: Cancel any service at any time with no early termination fees
• Cost control: Choose only the services you want, adjust monthly
• No equipment fees: Smart TVs and streaming sticks ($30-50 one-time purchase) replace cable boxes ($10-15/month rental each)
• Portability: Watch on any device, anywhere—phone, tablet, laptop, or TV
• Original content: The best new shows are often streaming exclusives (Netflix, Max, Disney+)
• No hidden fees: The price you see is the price you pay

The Hybrid Approach

Many households find the sweet spot is a hybrid approach: keep a basic internet connection from your cable provider and add specific streaming services. This gives you the flexibility of streaming with reliable internet service.

For example:

• Spectrum Internet ($49.99/mo) + Netflix ($17.99) + Hulu ($9.99) = $77.97/month total
• Compare to Spectrum TV + Internet bundle: $120-150/month after fees
• Annual savings: $500-$860

How to Cut the Cord: Step by Step

1. Audit your viewing habits: Track what you actually watch for two weeks. Most people regularly watch content from only 5-10 channels
2. Get a reliable internet plan: Ensure you have at least 100 Mbps for a household that will be streaming on multiple devices
3. Get an antenna for local channels: A $20-40 indoor antenna picks up ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, and PBS in HD for free in most areas
4. Choose 2-3 streaming services: Start with the services that cover your most-watched content
5. Buy streaming devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, or Apple TV ($30-150) for each TV without smart TV capabilities
6. Cancel cable: Call your provider and switch to internet-only service. Ask for the best internet-only rate
7. Rotate services: Subscribe to one service at a time for binge-watching, then switch to another. No contracts means ultimate flexibility

Call Cox at (855) 454-9498 or view plans online.

Call Verizon Fios at (855) 452-1505 or view plans online.

Choosing the Right Plan for Your Situation

The right internet plan depends on several factors unique to your household. Start by evaluating how many people will use the connection simultaneously during peak hours, typically evenings and weekends. Each simultaneous user adds to the bandwidth demand. A single user streaming in HD needs about 8 Mbps, while a household of five with multiple streams, gaming, and video calls may need 300-500 Mbps combined.

Beyond speed, consider the total cost of ownership over a two-year period. The advertised monthly rate is just the starting point. Add equipment rental fees ($10-15/month if you do not own your own modem and router), data cap overage risks ($10-15 per 50 GB if applicable), and post-promotional rate increases that typically add $20-40/month after the first year. A plan advertised at $50/month may actually average $75/month over two years when all costs are factored in.

Contract terms also matter significantly for your flexibility. Month-to-month plans let you switch providers, upgrade, or cancel without penalties. Contract plans may offer lower introductory rates but lock you in for 12-24 months with early termination fees if you leave. For most consumers in 2026, the flexibility of no-contract service outweighs the modest savings of a contract plan. Spectrum, AT&T Fiber, Verizon Fios, and T-Mobile all offer competitive no-contract options.

Optimizing Your Internet Experience

Getting the most from your internet connection requires attention to your home network setup, not just your ISP plan. Router placement is the single most impactful factor for Wi-Fi performance. Place your router in a central, elevated location away from walls, microwaves, and other electronic devices. Avoid closets, basements, and corners where signal must travel through multiple walls to reach your devices.

For homes larger than 1,500 square feet, a single router may not provide adequate coverage. Mesh Wi-Fi systems from manufacturers like Google Nest WiFi, Eero, and Netgear Orbi use multiple access points to create seamless whole-home coverage. These systems cost $150-400 but eliminate the dead zones and weak signals that cause frustration in larger homes. For more details, see our home networking guide.

Wired Ethernet connections always outperform Wi-Fi for speed and reliability. For stationary devices like desktop computers, gaming consoles, and smart TVs, running an Ethernet cable from your router provides the fastest and most consistent connection possible. Even with the fastest Wi-Fi 6 router, a wired connection delivers 20-50% better performance due to the elimination of wireless overhead and interference.

Quality of Service (QoS) settings on your router allow you to prioritize certain types of traffic over others. If you work from home, you can prioritize video conferencing traffic to ensure clear calls even when other household members are streaming or downloading large files. Most modern routers provide simple QoS interfaces through their mobile apps, making configuration straightforward even for non-technical users.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

When your internet is not performing as expected, systematic troubleshooting can identify and resolve most issues without a service call. Start by running a speed test at speedtest.net using a wired Ethernet connection to establish your baseline performance. If wired speeds meet your plan expectations but Wi-Fi is slow, the issue is your wireless setup rather than your ISP connection.

Power cycling your modem and router resolves a surprising number of internet issues. Unplug both devices, wait 30 seconds, plug the modem in first, wait for it to fully connect (usually 2-3 minutes), then plug in the router. This process clears cached errors and re-establishes your connection to the ISP network. Many ISPs recommend this as the first troubleshooting step for any connectivity issue.

If problems persist, check your ISP's outage map or social media accounts for reported service disruptions in your area. Large-scale outages require your provider to restore service, and individual troubleshooting will not resolve them. Knowing whether an outage is affecting your area saves time and frustration. If your area is not experiencing an outage, contact your ISP's technical support with your speed test results and troubleshooting history for faster resolution.

Related guides: Cable vs. Satellite | Data Caps Explained | Internet Speed Calculator