Like many people, you probably love watching cable TV shows, but hate paying the high subscription fees required for a full cable subscription. Fortunately, some networks have realized that this is a common dilemma and have started offering streaming services for cord cutters.
These streaming services are available independently, giving audiences the opportunity to watch the shows they love without being lugged around by hundreds of channels they aren't interested in.
Many other networks not on this list (for example, Lifetime, The History Channel, and Cartoon Network) also offer streaming content. However, you have to pay for a cable service to watch it. And they hide that stipulation somewhere in the fine print.
By making use of the list below, you can take advantage of libraries packed with content. And best of all, subscription rates are significantly lower than cable TV. Should you cut the cord or keep cable TV? Should you cut the cord or keep your cable TV? If you're still stuck with your cable subscription, but are debating whether it's time to make a switch, we're here to help. This guide will help you decide. Read more.
Consider CBS All Access, a service that supports your binge-watching habit. It offers more than 9,000 episodes on demand. Take your pick from a soap opera like The Young and the Restless Or go with a reality show like The Amazing Race . You can even watch old shows that are still fan favorites. Take Seventh Heaven for instance. The CBS All Access collection includes nearly 250 episodes of that family drama.
The streaming service also allows you to watch subscriber-only content. Try episodes of Star Trek Discovery or No activity starring Will Ferrell. Wondering about live cable TV shows? You can see them 24/7. Catch up on the news headlines with CBSN, a broadcast channel with award-winning content.
You can also watch NFL games. Just keep in mind that those football matches are not available to watch on smartphones.
Use CBS All Access on your Android or iOS device. These are all the best ways to watch videos on Android These are all the best ways to watch videos on Android Should you stream video on your Android tablet? Store local video files on your Android smartphone? Or maybe there is a better option? Let's see all the ways to consume video on Android. Read More
After your seven-day free trial, you can select one of two pricing plans. Pay $5.99/month to watch content with limited commercials. Alternatively, you can pay $9.99/month for commercial-free content. However, even on the most expensive plan, live TV and certain on-demand programs still contain commercials.
Due to archived shows, live TV and exclusive content, CBS All Access offers excellent value for money. If you're not sure if your favorite shows are on the service, check out the full list of shows before signing up.
$5.99-$9.99/mo after free trial
Subscribe: CBS All Access for iOS | Android | Playstation 4 | XboxOne | Roku
One major advantage of HBO Now is that it offers new full-length theatrical movies every week. The rest of the content library includes documentaries, talk shows, and exclusive HBO shows. There's even a section for children's content.
However, HBO's site isn't as straightforward about the specific shows or movies offered through the service. Go to HBO's main lineup, then click on a show in the grid. You will then see a chart that provides a synopsis of the show and air times. Pay attention to the Streaming section and look for the blue button Run on HBO Now.
As you can see on the screenshot, HBO Signature broadcasts Shakespeare in Love . This example shows how HBO Now brings you the content shown on HBO premium channels HBO NOW vs. HBO Now. HBO GO:What are the key differences? HBO NOW vs. HBO GO:What are the key differences? If you're confused between HBO NOW and HBO GO, this quick comparison will show you which one is more relevant to you. Read More
Watch cable TV shows online on a wide variety of devices. Go to HBONow.com through your web browser or use your Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, or Fire TV Stick. HBO now also works on Chromecast and select Samsung Smart TVs. If you're a gamer, rest assured that you can watch HBO Now content on a PlayStation 4 or PS3, or an Xbox One or Xbox 360. Finally, download the app for iOS or Android devices or your Amazon Fire tablet.
If you like to be entertained without leaving home, HBO Now may be a good option for you. It offers sports programming that you can't find anywhere else, like boxing matches. Plus, you can watch theatrical movies shortly after their theatrical release dates. HBO Now is an exceptional service for people who love diverse content. In addition, the length of the free trial allows you to determine if the programming suits your preferences before confirming.
$14.99/month after a free trial
Subscribe: HBO Now for your web browser | rock | Apple TV (pre-installed on the platform) | Amazon Fire TV, Fire Tablet and Fire TV Stick (Subscribe through Amazon channels within the devices) | Google Chromecast | PlayStation 3 and 4 | Xbox 360 (Download the HBO Go app inside the device and sign in with your username and password for the streaming service) | iOS | Android
By choosing this streaming provider, you get full access to Showtime's entire content library. Watch recent movies like Bad Moms or enjoy a beloved romance like Notting Hill . Plus, check out comedy specials from superstars including Dane Cook, Jay Pharoah, and Martin Lawrence. Do you like documentaries? The 12 Best Netflix Documentaries of 2016 The 12 Best Netflix Documentaries of 2016 Hundreds of documentaries are added to Netflix every year. So, to save you the trouble of separating the wheat from the chaff, here are the best Netflix documentaries of 2016. Read More They are well represented here, offering titles on music, politics, and sports, among others.
You can watch Showtime streaming content across various devices. After the free trial ends, the service costs $10.99/month or $109/year. Do you want to cancel a monthly subscription? Please do so through the website or service provider that handled your registration process.
Is it worth buying?
Showtime's streaming service brings you the same content available with a cable subscription. It's a great option if you're on the verge of cable outages but can't bear to miss Showtime. Also, the variety of content is quite wide and covers numerous genres. Due to these advantages, it is a worthy subscription service.
$10.99/month or $109/year after free trial
Subscribe: Showtime on iOS | Android | Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, or Fire Tablets (go to Apps, then select Free and Showtime) | Apple TV (pre-installed in the main menu) | rock | Chromecast
Starz's streaming service is similar to HBO Now and Showtime. Unlike CBS All Access, it doesn't offer exclusive content for streaming subscribers. Finding out what shows it shows requires going to network settings.
Then click on a program. If you see a play button, it's available to stream.
You can also look for the menu at the top of the Starz home page. Then click on it to explore different types of content. After selecting a show or movie, look for the Play button that indicates the streaming material.
$8.99/month after a free trial
Starz offers a comprehensive assortment of movie channels. There are specific programs for children, content in Spanish, indie movies and even westerns. However, it seems to have comparatively fewer non-movie selections. Additionally, this service does not provide live or recorded sports programming. The movies are not as recent as those available through HBO now.
With these potential pitfalls in mind, keep in mind that Starz is cheaper than the other services covered so far, so it still represents good value for money.
Subscribe: Starz for iOS | Android | Amazon Fire TV, Fire Stick, and Fire Tablet devices (available through Amazon Channels | Roku | Chromecast (launch the app on a smartphone or tablet first)
Hulu is one of the most popular streaming providers. It's potentially a smart choice for cable cutters. Is Hulu Plus worth your money? Is Hulu Plus worth your money? We're here to help you decide if Hulu Plus is worth the asking price. Depending on your circumstances, Hulu Plus could be a great buy right now, or you could pay to wait. Read More You can get this service for as low as $7.99/month with limited ads.
Discover an original series like The Handmaid's Tale or catch up on a current weekly show, like This is Us . Hulu also offers kids' shows and full-length movies. There's also a Live TV beta package that lets you watch over 50 channels live and on-demand, including ESPN and ABC.
With prices starting at $7.99/month, Hulu seems like a budget option, especially if you don't want extra channels or special content. The Live TV package is $39.99/mo, and it's another $14.99/mo to watch on unlimited screens.
Of course, the $7.99/month package offers impressive variety and a huge variety of content for a little more than a coffee at Starbucks. However, if you want additional material, keep an eye on the overall expense to avoid unpleasant surprises.
$7.99/month after a free trial
Subscribe: Hulu for iOS | Android | rock | Xbox One or Xbox 360 | Chromecast | Amazon Fire TV, Fire Stick or Fire Tablet | PlayStation 3 and 4
The streaming services covered here demonstrate how you can still access a host of cable-quality shows and movies without having to pay for a cable subscription. If you subscribe to multiple services in addition to your current Netflix subscription, the prices can obviously add up, but if you choose wisely, you can save a lot of money without losing access to the content you love.
Have you already canceled your cable? If so, which cable show do you miss the most? If you haven't cut the cord yet, do these streaming services offer enough for you to consider doing so? Please let us know in the comments below!
