It’s no secret that cable bills have become ridiculously expensive over the years. The average cable bill now costs over $100 per month in the US alone. But in 2024, there are more cord-cutting options than ever for affordable live TV and on-demand entertainment. From skinny bundles to free ad-supported services, this guide covers all the best ways to ditch your cable bill once and for all.

Key Takeaways:

When exploring cord-cutting options for 2024, keep these key takeaways in mind:

• Figure out must-have channels and shows before choosing services
• Mix and match paid streaming options to stay under a $50 monthly budget
• Layer on free streaming apps for even more free content
• Use free trials before committing to any paid streaming services long-term
• Consider sharing subscriptions with family or friends to save money
• Change or cancel services month-to-month to stay flexible

Follow the above best practices to unlock thousands in annual savings by going all-in on cord-cutting this year and beyond!

What is Cord-Cutting?

Cord-cutting refers to canceling your traditional cable TV subscription in favor of cheaper online streaming alternatives. Cord-cutters use services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more to watch their favorite shows and movies without paying a fortune. Some cord-cutters combine free streaming options with “skinny bundles” for live TV channels at a fraction of what cable charges.

Benefits of Cord-Cutting in 2024

There are many perks to cutting the cable cord in 2024, including:

1. Major Monthly Savings – Streaming services cost much less per month than cable packages. Most cost between $5-$15 per month, adding up to major savings over a full year. Even live skinny bundles with some cable channels start at only $20-40 monthly.
2. No Contracts or Commitments – Nearly all streaming services are both contract-free and commitment-free. You can subscribe for one month and cancel the next with no penalties. This freedom of choice means you only pay for services you’ll use each month.
3. Diverse Content Libraries – Top streaming services like Netflix and Hulu have vast libraries with hundreds of shows, movies, and original programming. You’ll get far more choices in entertainment than the limited offerings of cable packages.
4. Watch Anywhere, Any Device – Streaming services allow you to watch your content from just about any device with an internet connection—phones, tablets, laptops, TVs, and more. Enjoy your shows at home or on the go!

Affordable Cord-Cutting Options for Live TV in 2024

Replacing your cable package no longer means losing access to critical live programming from big broadcast and cable TV channels. Thanks to live TV streaming services (also called live internet TV or live TV skinny bundles), you can stream live shows, news, sports, events, and more without contracts or hidden fees.

Here are the top four affordable live TV streaming options for 2024:

1. Sling TV Starting from only $20 per month, Sling TV is likely the cheapest live-streaming service available in 2024. They offer two base packages—the Sling Orange plan ($20/month, 31 channels) and the Sling Blue plan ($25/month, 41 channels)—which can be combined for $40/month. Popular channels include ESPN, CNN, AMC, HGTV Food Network, TBS, TNT, and more. Sling is one of the most flexible and customizable services too, with many add-on packs for extra channels.
2. DirectTV Stream Formerly known as AT&T TV Now, DirectTV Stream has plans starting at $40 per month up to $150 per month with 130+ channels. Their starter “Choice” package includes local sports and news like ESPN, Fox Sports, ABC, CBS, and NBC, plus 20 hours of DVR storage for just $50 monthly. This makes them a bit pricier than Sling but still far cheaper than most traditional cable packages today.
3. Hulu + Live TV For $70 monthly, Hulu’s live TV plan bundles its vast on-demand streaming library with over 75+ live channels. Sports fans will love channels like ESPN, Fox Sports 1, CBS Sports Network, and NBC Sports Network. Plus, Hulu Live includes unlimited DVR storage to record live games and shows. This dual live/on-demand nature makes Hulu one of the best overall cord-cutting options in 2024.
4. YouTube TV
   At $50 per month with over 85+ channels, YouTube TV is a bit pricier than Sling but includes unlimited DVR and more regional sports networks. They offer most major cable news, entertainment, and sports channels minus a few exceptions. YouTube TV also allows up to 6 accounts per subscription so it’s shareable with family or friends.

Free Streaming Services Worth Using in Cord-Cutting Option in 2024

In addition to affordable paid streaming options, there are also several free streaming services worth using to fully cords the cable cords in 2024. While they include ads and less premium programming, these free services offer on-demand shows, movies, viral videos, sports, news, and more.

Here are the top free streaming services as of 2024:

1. Peacock (NBCUniversal) With popular shows like The Office and classics like Friday Night Lights, Peacock offers over 15,000 hours of free programming from NBC, Bravo, and other NBCUniversal properties. Peacock Premium does cost $5 per month but their free tier has ample content worth streaming for the price of ads.
2. PlutoTV (Paramount) PlutoTV might be the most cable-like free streaming service with over 250+ channels of live programming. From movies to sports to news to reality TV, they offer a robust channel guide completely free, albeit with ads. PlutoTV partners with major networks like CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, and more.
3. Tubi Tubi has one of the largest content libraries of any free streaming service with over 25,000 shows and movies in 2024. They offer popular classic shows and movies as well as niche B-movies and international content. While you’ll stream ads, Tubi is 100% free and easy to use on most devices.
4. The Roku Channel Expanding in 2024, The Roku Channel offers free access to more than 80,000 movies and shows all supported by ads. Programming comes from major studios like Lionsgate, MGM, Paramount and more. The Roku Channel can be accessed via Roku devices or downloaded as a standalone app on iOS and Android.

Conclusion:

With exorbitant cable bills only getting worse each year, 2024 is the time to explore cheaper cord-cutting options once and for all. Thanks to endless streaming alternatives—from comprehensive bundles like Hulu + Live TV to totally free options like Tubi or PlutoTV—you can easily replicate cable entertainment at a fraction of the price.

Follow the recommendations in this guide to craft the perfect package of paid and free streaming services catered to your must-have channels, shows, sports, and more. Going all-in on cord-cutting this year will save the average household over $1000 annually. And with easy month-to-month subscriptions across the board, you can fine-tune your entertainment preferences each season.

So what are you waiting for? Join the millions of cord-cutters in 2024 and finally cut out that expensive cable middleman for good!

Cord-Cutting Option in 2024 – (FAQs)

Will I lose access to local TV channels if I cut the cord?

No, most mainstream cable channels and local broadcast stations like ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and PBS are available across all live TV skinny bundles like Sling TV, YouTube TV, DirectTV Stream, and more. The only exception would be fringe local channels not widely available.

Can I still watch live sports if I cord the cord?

Yes. All the top live TV streaming services include popular sports channels like ESPN, Fox Sports 1, NBC Sports Network, NFL Network CBS Sports Network, and more. Options like Sling TV even have Sports Extra packs to add more regional sports networks.

Is high-speed broadband internet required for cord-cutting?

Most streaming services recommend at least 10-25Mbps minimum internet speeds for smooth streaming in HD. While not always required, fast and reliable home internet ensures the video quality and performance you expect on par with cable. Consider upgrading your home Wi-Fi router as well if needed.

Can I access streaming services while traveling abroad?

It depends. Due to geo-restrictions, most mainstream streaming platforms only allow streaming while physically located in the United States or your home country. Some services offer ways to bypass regional blocks using a good VPN (Virtual Private Network). Always review a streaming provider’s terms before traveling internationally.

What devices are needed?

Every mainstream streaming service like Netflix or Hulu can be accessed on any modern device with an internet connection—smart TVs, media streaming devices like Roku/Fire TV, game consoles, iOS/Android mobile devices, browsers and more. All you need is a streaming app on your device of choice!