FAQ
How much can I expect to save?
Again, every customer is different (notice a pattern?), but according to Consumer Reports, the average customer is paying a total of $217.42 a month to their cable provider. Until I began my own cable-cutting journey, I didn’t realize how much of that figure is tied up in what I call “junk fees” – cable box rentals, regional sports charges, etc. Consumer Reports breaks it down
That’s 24% of the average bill just on these junk fees – and they are consistently rising, bumped up ad infinitum by cable companies trying to offset the losses from cord-cutting.
And if you have one of those bundle packages (I did), you may be getting soaked for a phone line you never use and way-too-powerful Internet, far beyond what you’ll ever use. When I was talking with my provider as I made the switch to Internet-only, I found out I had enough speed for 120 devices to connect simultaneously.
Nobody loves being online more than I do, but this was beyond overkill. We’ll help you unbundle-the-bundle and find an Internet-only deal that’s appropriate for your specific needs – whether it’s working from home, gaming, or just streaming your favorite content. Then we can determine whether a live-streaming service like YouTube TV makes sense for you. Every household is unique – we’ll work with you to make the days of overpaying for services you don’t need an (un)pleasant memory.
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Cord-cutting refers to geting rid of your existing cable/satellite TV service in favor of a home entertainment experience built around streaming services.
What this experience will look like is unique to you – I’ll help you tailor a streaming experience that fits your wants and needs. This could include a live TV streaming like YouTube TV, Fubo, Sling, Philo, or Hulu in combination with standalone streaming services (think Netflix, Amazon Prime, Paramount). Maybe you can get by with just a few targeted streaming services.
The point is, no two streamers are the same – I’ll work with you to figure out your must-haves and craft a plan of attack so you can get all the content (and more) you were getting from cable, but with more flexibility and a more attractive price point.
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Yes you are!
The tipping point in my own decision to cut the cord came when I realized most of the content I was watching didn’t come from cable at all. Rather, it came from standalone services like the ones I mentioned – and I was paying for them in addition to cable.
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My final bill with cable was $436.77 – and that doesn’t include what I was paying for Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney +, YouTube Premium, Audible, Criterion, and Paramount.
Flash forward to now: I’m paying a total of $226.88 for my new setup of standalone Internet service and YouTube TV, with add-ons.
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Many smart TVs come with streaming hubs already preinstalled. Some people will want to buy a streaming device (Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV) that offers a cleaner experience. (I went with Roku). These devices will plug into your USB connection. It’s up to you – we know the pros and cons of all these devices and can steer you towards the one that’s best for you.
The one must-have is a robust Iternet connection to handle your new streaming lifestyle. How robust? We’ll figure it out with you. The goal is for you to be comfortable, to pay the least amount for a plan that lets you work, watch, and create with no worries about interruptions.
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Yes!
Cable and satellite companies have spent gobs of money to scare customers about what we’ll lose if we ditch their services for streaming. I was hugely susceptible to it: I hesitated on cutting the cord for the longest time because I was worried about not being able to watch Commanders football games (Fox, CBS, ESPN), University of Connecticut basketball (FS1), and cable news.
I needn’t have worried – these channels are included with live streaming services like YouTube TV and Fubo. Different services have different strengths – YouTube TV, for instance, acquired distribution to NFL Sunday Ticket, while Fubo leans heavily into live soccer.
Again, it all depends on what you like – all these services come in at different price points and with different pros and cons. You may even be able to save more money by going without a streaming service and buying a season package like MLB TV, NBA League Pass, or NHL Center Ice directly within an app store.
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Remember, everything is negotiable. I hesitated on cutting the cord because I just assumed my contract was ironclad. Not so! Because of the exodus of customers cutting the cord, providers commonly waive early termination if you stick with them for an Internet-only plan – they are desperate to offset the revenue losses. And if your current provider insists on paying hardball, the free market has your back – T-Mobile, for instance, will cover up to $500 in early termination costs if you switch to their new home Internet service.
This is a new era: after years of cable companies setting the terms, customers are finally operating from a position of strength – the spectre of early termination fees is one of the last best ways providers have to manipulate us into sticking with a bloated bundle, full of channels nobody watches, in perpetuity.