Cutting the Cord: A Guide to Streaming Entertainment

Alt Title: A Guide to Cutting the Cord in 2025

If you’re still clinging to cable in 2025, it’s time to ask yourself a hard question: why?

With bloated channel bundles and sky-high monthly bills, traditional TV is starting to feel like a relic from another era. You’re paying for dozens of channels you never watch – just to access a few you actually enjoy. And every year, the price creeps up a little more.

But cutting the cord isn’t just a cost-saving move anymore. It’s also about flexibility, control, and the ability to customize your entertainment around your actual interests instead of whatever the cable company decides to package up.

Keeping this in mind, here’s a quick guide to ditching cable and building a smarter TV streaming setup.

Step 1: Know What You Actually Watch

Before you cancel anything, figure out what you actually use. Look at the last month of your cable watching. Which channels do you really watch? What shows or sports do you care about?

You don’t want to switch to streaming and then realize the one network you love is missing. Being intentional here helps you avoid over-subscribing to streaming services out of FOMO.

(By the way, don’t forget live events. If you’re a sports fan or award show junkie, you’ll want to make sure your setup can still handle live TV.)

Step 2: Choose Your Streaming Services Wisely

Not all streaming services are created equal. Some specialize in movies, while others are primarily focused on binge-worthy series. Then you have a few that give you live TV options. The trick is choosing the right combo without spending more than you did on cable.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Netflix – Great for original series, documentaries, and movies. Still a powerhouse.
  • Hulu – Ideal for next-day network TV and a wide range of shows. Add live TV for a full cable alternative.
  • Disney+ – Must-have for Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and family content.
  • Max (HBO) – Top-tier prestige TV and movies.
  • Peacock / Paramount+ / AMC+ – Good if you’re into specific franchises or shows.
  • YouTube TV / Sling / FuboTV – Your best bets for live TV, sports, and local channels.

You don’t need all of these. Pick 2–3 core services that cover your favorites, and forget the rest. You can always rotate. For example, one month you have Max and the next you swap in Peacock. Because there are no contracts, you have full control.

Step 3: Pick Your Hardware

Streaming doesn’t require a fancy setup, but a little planning goes a long way.

If your TV is a smart TV, you may already have the apps built in. Otherwise, you’ll need a streaming device. Your top options include Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, and Google Chromecast.

Whichever one you choose, make sure it supports HD or 4K (depending on your TV) and has a strong Wi-Fi connection.

Step 4: Make Sure Your Internet Is Up to the Task

This is the piece most people overlook. Streaming works best when your internet doesn’t suck.

You’ll want at least:

  • 25 Mbps if you’re a solo viewer
  • 100 Mbps+ if you have multiple streamers at once, video calls, gaming, etc.

If you’re constantly buffering or stuck at low resolution, upgrade your plan or invest in a better router. You don’t need gigabit fiber, but you do need something reliable.

Step 5: Organize Your Subscriptions (And Your Budget)

It’s easy to fall into the trap of signing up for every free trial and then forgetting about them. One day, you realize you’re subscribed to nine services and paying just as much as you were before.

Set a reminder each month to review your streaming subscriptions. Are you watching what you’re paying for? If not, cancel and rotate.

Step 6: Don’t Forget Free Options

Cutting the cord doesn’t mean cutting off entertainment. There’s a surprising amount of high-quality, free streaming out there, including:

  • Tubi
  • Pluto TV
  • Freevee
  • The Roku Channel
  • YouTube

These platforms offer a mix of on-demand movies, shows, and even live channels. You’ll sit through a few ads, but you won’t pay a dime.

Step 7: Rewire How You Watch

If you’re used to flipping channels or watching shows at a set time, streaming will feel different. But that’s a good thing.

You’re not tied to schedules, and you don’t have to sit through 12 minutes of commercials per half hour. (Not to mention, you won’t need to pay for channels you never touch.)

Take some time to explore the recommendations on each platform and use watchlists to keep track of shows. If you miss the feel of channel surfing, apps like Pluto TV simulate live TV with themed channels you can drop into any time.

Taking Back Control

Cutting the cord is a cost-saving maneuver in most cases, but it goes beyond that. At its core, it’s taking back control of your viewing experience. You choose what to watch, when to watch it, and how much you’re willing to pay. Enjoy!