A Beginner's Guide to Cutting the Cord

By now, you've undoubtedly heard the term "cutting the cord" as a cost-effective way to shed a hefty cable bill—along with those hidden and unexplained fees—without sacrificing the ability to catch all of your favorite shows, news programs, and live sports.

More and more viewers are relying less on cable companies—and their binding contracts—and are instead turning to more affordable and flexible streaming alternatives, some of which you may already be paying for. For some, cutting the cord is about saving money—on average, $1,236 a year—and for others, it's about control and only paying for what you use. 

If you've wanted to cut the cord but don't know exactly how to go about doing it, we're here to help with this step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Break Up With the Cable Company, Sort Of

Your first order of business is to make sure that you have good WiFi coverage and download speeds, so go ahead and cancel your cable service, but keep the internet.

Take a moment to assess the number of devices and people in your household that will need to connect to the internet. On average, 100 Mbps download speed will be sufficient for most families, considering that a single 1080p HD stream requires at least 5 Mbps. Still, in homes with multiple smart devices (i.e., Echo, Nest, Ring, smart lighting) or children streaming simultaneously on their tablets and gaming online, you may need to up your service to a higher tier.

You may also have to pay a cancellation fee because of an existing cable contract or if your cable service and internet are tied to the same bundle. However, almost all cable companies offer a variety of internet-only plans at lower costs. Some may try and talk you into a more expensive bundle, such as an included home phone, but be firm that you only want internet service.

Lastly, now that your Wifi will be doing most of the heavy lifting make sure that your router's range is powerful enough to cover your home's square footage. Most combination modem/routers that the cable company provides will reach every room in the house. Still, larger homes, or homes with brick walls, etc., might benefit from a mesh network or a more powerful third-party modem and router to cover any dead spots. 

Step 2: Select a Live TV Service

Next, you'll want to subscribe to a service that allows you to watch and record live television, along with other content ordinarily available through cable, like local and cable news, HGTV, ESPN, etc., an option that is not available through most on-demand services like Netflix and Disney+.

Many live TV services offer a cable-like experience with program guides that you can channel surf, record shows, have full access to on-demand content, and a supporting mobile app to make it easier to discover, favorite, schedule, and watch content across multiple screens and devices.  

All of the services below offer free trials, so you can test-drive any options below to find the one that best suits your needs and budget.

Step 3: Pick a Streaming Device

Next, you will need a dedicated streaming device to act as the primary hub and user interface to access all of your services and content.

Think of this device as your new "cable box." It is now the main interface you will use to access your live TV streaming service and any other streaming services you may use, such as Netflix, Movies Anywhere, Disney+, Discovery+, and Prime Video.

Most of these devices are a simple and space-saving "dongle" that connects directly to an HDMI port on the side of your television and includes a compatible remote control.

Once your streaming device is installed, you simply download the app for the services you use, consolidating all of your entertainment in one easy-to-use and intuitive interface. Below are some of our recommendations, all of which support up to 4K content. 

Step 4: Stream On

Congrats, you have cut the cord! You now have access to all of your streaming services in one place and are probably going to save yourself a few bucks each month without missing out on any of your favorite programs, award shows, or live events.

Should you need to save more money—either short or long term—you can easily cancel (and restart) any service since none of them require a contract. You can also add new services at any time, giving you more control over your home entertainment. Plus, some of the services this blog mentions offer similar programming, so—for example—if you have YouTube TV, you likely don't need to pay for (regular) Hulu since you can record or watch the same shows live or on-demand.

Technology has changed how we access and consume entertainment, and we are no longer beholden to the limitations of cable companies. It is easier now than ever to cut the cord from expensive subscriptions and binding contracts.

By following these simple cord-cutting steps, you can enjoy a more personalized, streamlined, and affordable alternative to the cable company.

Updating your home entertainment set-up? Take a look at BDI's beautifully designed and innovatively featured media consoles and TV stands. 

About BDI

BDI is a premier designer and manufacturer of innovative home furnishings with over 35 years of expertise in the home entertainment and home office furniture industry. Guided by the philosophy that intelligent design has the power to improve everyday life, BDI furniture combines original design with innovative function to seamlessly integrate technology into the home and office environments. Collections include media furniture, office, and work-from-home solutions, modular storage systems, and more. BDI designs are available through leading home furnishings and online retailers throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad. To find a BDI retailer near you, visit bdiusa.com/retailers