If you are looking for the best cable TV alternatives, then this article is a perfect source of information. Here you will find more details on cord cutting, how to use streaming services like Sling TV, Netflix, Hulu and others to watch television without cable or satellite. Furthermore, we will cover basics of devices and antenna.
Best Alternative Television
This section is about all the best streaming services available for cord cutters. Find out how to watch TV without cable or satellite.
Alternatives Review
Sling TV
Sling TV is one of the best telly options as it also offers live channels over the internet. With its full channel offering Sling is compatible with many cable packages but it allows to watch television without satellite. Plus, Sling TV’s subscription fee is a lot lower than a regular telly contract.
The Sling was presented in February 2015, and it was the first online service that streamed multichannel over the internet. Currently, initial Sling TV month subscription fee starts at $20; it includes around 30 live television channels. Some of the most popular TV channels that Sling offer is ESPN, AMC, History Channel, Disney Channel, CNN, and more. Sling TV also offers more advanced channel package, it’s called “Sling Blue, ” and it cost $25 per month.
Furthermore, Sling offers a free Roku Streaming Stick for the users that sign up and prepay one cable month of their service. And a significant advantage of Sling TV is that it allows 7-day free trial before committing to a full membership.
Although Sling is one of the best and cheap cable alternatives, the downside is that it is currently only available for users who live in the United States of America. Due to the geo-restrictions Sling can only be accessed outside of the USA by getting the US IP address with a VPN service
Here’s a step by step guide on how to unblock Sling TV outside of the USA:
1: Subscribe to a VPN service. The VPN service has to have a server in the USA.
2: Connect to a server in the US.
3: Visit Sling website.
4: Sign up by creating your account. And making a payment for a package, you wish to subscribe.
5: Watch telly from anywhere in the world.
Sling TV might be the best online streaming service available to watch television without cable or satellite. Try Sling to replace cable now. However, if you are looking for more options then below we are looking some other excellent services.
DIRECTV NOW
DIRECTV NOW is another great TV alternative offered by AT&T. The service offers to stream more than 120 live and on-demand channels. You can watch live channels and catch all the critical moments of breaking news, live sports, and other events. DIRECTV NOW is supported by most modern web browsers and Apple TV, Android, iOS, Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV.
Also, this streaming service like Sling offers free seven day trial for its new users. Unfortunately, also DIRECTV NOW is geographically restricted, and therefore it’s only available to internet users who are living in the USA. To subscribe and watch DIRECTV NOW, use a VPN service with a server in the US.
Steps on how to watch DIRECTV NOW outside of the USA:
1: Sign up for a VPN service with servers in the United States.
2: Download and install VPN software.
3: Login and connect to a VPN server in the USA.
4: Go to DIRECTV NOW website (you may need to open new incognito on your browser) and sign up for its service.
5: Relax and enjoy DIRECTV NOW outside of the US.
PlayStation Vue Streaming Service
Also, PlayStation Vue is an online streaming service like Sling and DIRECTV NOW. PlayStation Vue is one of the best ways to watch TV without cable or satellite.
To sign up for this service you don’t need to be PlayStation gaming console owner. PlayStation Vue is available with Roku, Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire, iOS, and Android. However, you may also use your PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 to watch PlayStation Vue.
PlayStation Xue offers a large number of favorite TV channels. You can watch more than 100 live television channels without an annual contract. However, its monthly subscription fee is slightly higher than Sling TV. You can sign up for a PlayStation Vue paying $30 per month.
Due to geographic restrictions also PlayStation Vue isn’t available outside of the US. However, being one of the best alternatives to cable TV, many users bypass this limitation by using a VPN service.
Learn how you can unblock PlayStation Vue outside of the USA with these five simple steps:
1: Subscribe to a reliable VPN provider with servers in the United States.
2: Download and install its software and mobile apps.
3: Sign in and connect to a server based in the US.
4: Visit PlayStation Vue site, choose your plan and sign up.
5: Watch PlayStation Vue from anywhere in the world with a VPN service.
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime is one of the best on-demand movie and TV content service provider that offers 30-day free trial to its new customers. The free trial makes it one of the best ways to watch live television. Another reason for Amazon Prime being one of the best cable television options is that it offers a way to add Showtime and Starz to your subscription. Only for $8.99 per month, you have access to all the movies and shows provided by Showtime and Starz.
Plus, you get to stream more than 40,000 most popular movies, and TV shows watched. Also, you can listen to free music, read books and get an unlimited photo storage. With Amazon Prime subscription you get fast two-day shipping from Amazon.com to any location and with exception to some metropolis that provides free 2-hour shipping.
Unfortunately, just like previously mentioned cable television options, also Amazon Prime is only available to its users in the USA.
Here’s a step by step guide on how you can get access to Amazon Prime with a VPN service from overseas:
1: Sign up for a VPN provider that offers VPN servers in the USA.
2: Install VPN software.
3: Login and find an American VPN server. Then connect.
4: Go to Amazon Prime website and sign up for its service.
5: Access movies, shows, free music and books with Amazon Prime service from anywhere in the world.
Netflix Streaming Without Cable
Netflix is probably the most popular and well known on-demand movie and shows streaming service. Currently, Netflix is available almost anywhere in the world. Which makes it a top online streaming service that allows watching TV without cable or satellite internationally. However, most of the people still wish they could access Netflix US version as it has bigger show offering. Netflix is also reasonably priced. The monthly subscription is only around $9.99 per month for unlimited HD streaming which can be used on two TVs concurrently.
If you are a movie and show lover, then you would most likely be interested in getting Netflix US version. VPN service allows you to unblock geo-restricted sites and services, including services like Sling TV and Netflix.
Follow these easy steps to get Netflix US subscription outside of the US:
1: Find a reliable VPN service with servers in the USA and subscribe to it.
2: Get a VPN software on all the devices that you intend to use.
3: Sign in on your VPN software and connect to the American server.
4: Access Netflix USA and sign up for an account
5: Watch newest movies and TV-shows from anywhere in the world.
Hulu Without Cable Subscription
Hulu is another excellent option to watching telly. It offers many movies and TV-shows that are airing also on Fox, ABC, and NBC. Besides, Hulu also offers its original shows and other content. Plus, Hulu provides its users with a decent catalog of many shows from cable and network TV.
Hulu is slightly cheaper than Netflix; its current monthly subscription fee is $7.99. However, it has a downside as it includes a few commercials. If you can’t bear with commercial breaks, you may pay extra dollars to get rid of it.
Also, Hulu is the only US-based movie and TV-show streaming service. Therefore people based outside of the USA are unable to access it without a VPN service.
If you live outside of the United States and want to watch Hulu then here are some easy steps on how you can unblock it:
1: Get a stable VPN service subscription. Make sure it offers servers in the USA.
2: Download and set up VPN software and login.
3: Connect to a server in the USA.
4: Visit Hulu website and make a subscription.
5: Access and watch Hulu from anywhere in the world.
CBS All Access
CBS TV shows are something that many people find fascinating. However, they aren’t available on services like Sling TV, Netflix, and Hulu. Therefore, CBS offers an essential service that allows its users to watch CBS Shows the next day after the initial broadcast. CBS All Access cost is $5.99 per month. Basic plan airs commercials. However, it also offers a commercial-free package for $9.99 per month.
The downside of this service is that it’s only available in every part of the USA. And it isn’t available in other locations in the world. If you wish to get CBS All Access, then you can get it by using a VPN service and connecting to a server in a location where CBS All Access is available.
Free Cable Television Alternatives
There are also online services that offer completely free content. However, most of their content offering is very limited. Some of the best services that are subscription free include Tubi TV, ConTV, Crackle, Shout Factory TV, and others.
A lot of online video services offer free trials. For example, you can watch free documentaries with CuriosityStream for 30 days. Later on, it’s only $2.99.
Now that you know which are the best online services to watch TV without cable or satellite, you may like to find out which streaming devices and antennas you can use to watch live television.
What Streaming Device is Best?
Now that you know which are the best cable television substitutes and have decided on one service you would like to use, the next most important thing is to figure out which streaming device is the best for your needs. Roku probably is one of the best streaming devices available; it supports almost all the apps. It also provides you a very easy to use and intuitive interface. However, for streaming service like PlayStation Vue, the better option would be Amazon Fire TV. Compared to other streaming devices, the Amazon Fire TV offers the best user interface for PlayStation Vue.
Apple TV is the best if you are iOS user and if you download a lot of movies and TV shows from iTunes. However, even for users with many Apple products, Roku might be a better option.
Antenna TV
A television antenna allows its users to access and watch free broadcast TV. The free broadcast TV provides access to networks like ABC, Fox, CBS, and NBC. This broadcast TV is only available if you are close to TV towers. If you are not sure if you are entitled to get access to TV antenna channels, then Mohu has a tool that allows you to find out what free TV channels are available in your place.
Mohu Leaf and an amplified Mohu Curve are our most recommended indoor antennas. Not every location is required to have an amplifier. Therefore, if you go with the Curve, then you can leave that component out if unnecessary. Mohu Curve is very pleasing to the eye. But on the other hand, Mohu Leaf fits almost anywhere. Having said that, differences between Mohu Leaf and Mohu Curve are in placement options and style.
In case you aren’t very close to any TV towers and you can’t use an indoor antenna then you can get a good outdoor solution. Besides, you should make sure that your TV has a digital tuner as current digital TV signals require it. Most of the TVs made before 2017 doesn’t have a digital tuner.
Conclusion
Many movie and TV show lovers are fed up with a high TV network subscription fees and are looking for the best alternatives to cable TV. Since the past few years, many online streaming services have appeared and made its success. Cheap monthly sign up fees has made services like Sling TV, Netflix, Hulu, and others accessible not only in the USA but also internationally. Now that you know how to watch TV without cable or satellite, it’s time to choose the right streaming device and enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows from anywhere in the world with a VPN service assistance.
Author: Inga
I’m a freelance writer living in Canada. Highly interested in topics on technology, online surveillance, and censorship. Love traveling and outdoor activities.