Stop Overpaying for Cable TV: Your 2025 Guide to Cord Cutting

Keep Everything You Love, Save Hundreds Every Year

Updated: July 2025

My neighbor Janet called me last week, frustrated about her $174 cable bill. "I only watch about ten channels," she said, "but they're making me pay for 250!" Sound familiar?

If you're nodding your head, you're definitely not alone. Millions of Americans are discovering they can watch all their favorite shows, local news, and sports for way less money. Here's how they're doing it – and how you can too.

The Cable Bill Problem is Getting Worse

Cable companies keep raising prices every year. What used to cost $80 now costs $150 or more. Meanwhile, they're still forcing you to buy huge channel packages when you probably only watch a handful of stations.

Think about it: when's the last time you watched the Fishing Network or the 24-hour weather channel? Yet you're paying for them every month.

Here's what we're seeing families pay these days:

• Cable TV + Internet: Usually $150-200 monthly
• Fast internet + streaming: Around $80-110 monthly
• Money back in your pocket: $70-90 every month

That's real money – over $1,000 a year that could go toward family vacations, paying off debt, or just having more breathing room in your budget.

Everything You Watch is Available Without Cable

I get it. The thought of losing your shows feels scary. But here's what might surprise you: streaming services now have more content than cable ever did.

Netflix alone has over 15,000 titles. That's more movies and shows than you could watch in several lifetimes. And that's just one service.

Here's what's out there:

• YouTube TV gives you live channels just like cable, including all your local stations
• Hulu has current TV shows the day after they air, plus live TV options
• Netflix offers thousands of movies and original series you can't get anywhere else
• Amazon Prime Video comes free with Amazon Prime shipping
• Disney+ has everything Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars
• Max gives you all the HBO shows everyone talks about

Most families end up choosing 2-3 services and still get way more entertainment options than cable provided.

Yes, You Can Still Watch the News and Your Team

This is probably your biggest concern, right? Don't worry – I had the same worry when I cut cable three years ago.

YouTube TV and Hulu's live TV service both include your local ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX stations. You'll still get:

• Your morning news team
• Local weather forecasts
• Evening news
• Sunday football (yes, really!)
• March Madness
• The World Series
• Network shows like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune

I actually get better sports coverage now than I did with cable. YouTube TV includes ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports, and even NFL Network. Plus, if you're a die-hard fan of a specific team, you can add their streaming package for less than cable sports tiers cost.

Modern TVs Make This Surprisingly Simple

If you bought your TV in the last few years, streaming is probably already built right in. Just connect it to your home Wi-Fi and you're ready to go. No extra boxes, no tangled cables, no waiting for the cable guy.

Got an older TV? No problem. You can add streaming capability for around $40 with devices like:

• Roku – Super user-friendly, works with everything
• Amazon Fire TV Stick – Plugs right into your TV, comes with voice remote
• Apple TV – Premium option if you have other Apple devices

These little devices plug into your TV's HDMI port. Setup takes maybe 15 minutes, and then you're watching Netflix, YouTube TV, or whatever service you choose.

Start Small – No Need to Jump in All at Once

Here's the approach that works for most people:

First week: Keep your cable but sign up for YouTube TV (they usually offer free trials). Spend a few days watching your usual shows on the streaming service instead of cable.

Second week: Make a list of everything you actually watch. Check which streaming services have those shows. You'll probably be surprised how few services you actually need.

Third week: Try one more streaming service if needed. Again, most offer free trials, so this won't cost you anything.

Fourth week: If you're comfortable with streaming, call your cable company and cancel the TV portion of your service. Keep internet if Starry isn't available in your area yet.

Take your time with this. There's no prize for rushing. The goal is to feel confident about the change.

Internet Speed Matters More Than You Think

Here's something cable companies don't tell you: their internet often slows down right when you need it most. Ever notice how Netflix starts buffering during prime time? That's usually because your internet provider is overwhelmed.

For smooth streaming, you need:

• At least 25 Mbps for one 4K TV
• 50+ Mbps if multiple people are streaming at once
• Consistent speeds that don't drop during busy hours

This is exactly why we built Starry's network differently. Our internet is designed for streaming families. You get the speeds you pay for, even when everyone in the neighborhood is online watching Netflix.

We'll Help You Figure Out What You Need

Choosing streaming services shouldn't feel like homework. That's why we work with experts who help you create a personalized plan.

The process is straightforward:

1. You tell us what you currently watch
2. We show you exactly which streaming services have those shows
3. We help you pick the right combination for your budget
4. You start saving money immediately

No guesswork, no paying for stuff you don't want.

Real People, Real Results

Here's what some folks have shared with us:

"My husband was convinced we'd lose his precious ESPN. Turns out YouTube TV has more sports channels than our old cable package did. Plus we're saving $73 a month." – Karen from Arlington

"I was worried about missing my soap operas, but I can watch them on Hulu the next day. Actually, I like it better because I can fast-forward through commercials." – Robert from Brooklyn

"My daughter set up Netflix on my smart TV. Now I can watch British mysteries anytime I want instead of waiting for PBS to show them." – Margaret from Boston

Questions People Always Ask

What happens if my internet goes down? Same thing that happens when cable goes out – you wait for it to come back. But honestly, Starry's network is more reliable than most cable TV systems. When there are issues, they're usually fixed much faster.

Can I still record my shows? Absolutely. YouTube TV gives you unlimited recording space. Record as many shows as you want and watch them whenever. It's actually better than cable DVRs because you never run out of space.

Will this work in every room? Yes. You can watch on every TV, plus phones and tablets. Most services let you stream on 3-5 devices simultaneously. Kids can watch cartoons upstairs while you watch the news downstairs.

What if I hate it? Unlike cable companies, streaming services don't lock you into long contracts. Don't like something? Cancel it. Want to try something new? Sign up anytime. You're in control.

Ready to Stop Overpaying?

Look, cable companies are counting on you being too intimidated to make the switch. But it's really not complicated, and the savings are too good to ignore.

Here's what to do next:

1. Call 1-888-STARRY-1 to see if we're in your neighborhood yet
2. Visit our website and contact our team to learn about using streaming with Starry Internet.
3. Try a streaming service while keeping cable for a few weeks
4. Cancel cable once you're comfortable (which usually happens pretty quickly)

Our team will walk you through everything. We're not trying to sell you stuff you don't need – we just want to help you get the entertainment you want for a fair price.

Millions of people have already made this switch and wondered why they waited so long. Your turn to join them and start keeping more of your hard-earned money.