Earlier this year we finally cut the cable cord. It wasn’t difficult because we started using a digital antenna.
And the surprising part?
We haven’t missed cable at all.
Market research from NPD Group projected that the average monthly cable bill in 2015 was about $123, and estimates suggested it could rise to roughly $200 per month by 2020.
That’s a significant expense.
At $123 per month, the annual cost for 2015 would be around $1,476. If the monthly bill reaches $200, the yearly cost would be approximately $2,400.
Who wants to spend that kind of money just for TV?
I certainly don’t.
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Some people keep cable because they watch live sports or very specific channels, and for those viewers cable can make sense. However, many households subscribe to cable largely out of habit or because it’s what most people do—and that recurring cost can often be redirected toward more meaningful goals: a vacation, an early retirement fund, paying down debt, or saving for something important.
One of the easiest ways to make cutting the cable cord manageable is to buy a digital antenna.
Money-saving tip: another option is to replace cable with a streaming service such as Hulu, which offers plans starting at low monthly rates and can significantly reduce your TV expenses.
Cutting the cord is easy with a digital antenna
When you picture TV antennas you probably imagine the old-fashioned rabbit ears that were bulky and unattractive, and you might remember fuzzy reception or channels that would fade in and out. Antennas have changed a lot since those days. Modern digital antennas are sleek, compact, and provide a clear signal for many local channels.
Digital antennas are affordable. Entry-level models start around $30 and higher-performance indoor or outdoor units cost more. The key benefit is that there’s no monthly fee—you pay once for the antenna and then receive over-the-air broadcasts from local stations for free. For many viewers, local news, network shows, and some live sports are all they need, and those are available through an antenna without ongoing charges.
Consider the comparison: pay roughly $30 or more for an antenna and enjoy years of free local TV, or continue paying hundreds of dollars annually to a cable provider for channels you might not fully use. For many households, the antenna is the clear winner.
Related: 16 Alternatives To Cable TV That WILL Save You Money
Our digital antenna
We purchased a digital antenna recently and have been very happy with it. Our model is the ClearStream™ Micron Indoor Multi-Directional Digital TV Antenna. It’s an indoor unit that sits behind our television, so it doesn’t create an eyesore and is essentially invisible in our living space.
With this antenna we receive roughly 14 channels with very good picture quality. Some people in better reception areas report receiving 50 to 60 channels, depending on location, terrain, and distance from broadcast towers. The antenna we bought cost us about $60 and, by eliminating our cable bill, it will save us hundreds of dollars each year for as long as we keep it—making it an excellent long-term value.
Digital antennas are a reliable, low-cost solution for households that want access to local programming without monthly subscription fees. They’re simple to install and maintain, and for many families they cover the majority of what they watch on TV.
Do you still have cable? Why or why not?