Cord Cutting Guide 2026: Plan, Equipment and Services

This cord cutting guide for 2026 walks you through leaving cable or satellite in six steps: list what you actually watch, check your internet, get a streaming device and an antenna, start with free TV, add only the paid services you need, and review your bill each season. Done well, most households can replace cable for less, but 2026 has brought changes you should know first, including new genre plans, price increases at ESPN and Peacock, and the end of FanDuel Sports Network.

What changed for cord cutters in 2026

• Skinnier bundles: YouTube TV added genre plans in February 2026, such as a Sports plan and an Entertainment plan, priced below its main plan.
• Network apps grew up: ESPN’s own streaming service and FOX One both passed their first anniversaries, and they are sold together for around $39.99 a month.
• Price increases: ESPN Unlimited and Peacock raised prices on September 17, 2026.
• Local sports reshuffle: FanDuel Sports Network wound down in spring 2026, sending many NBA, NHL and MLB teams to team apps, MLB or free local TV.

Step 1: Audit what you really watch

Before cancelling anything, spend a week writing down what your household watches live. Group it into four buckets: local channels and news, sports (and which leagues and teams), cable networks, and on-demand shows. Most people discover they watch far fewer channels than they pay for.

Step 2: Check your internet

Streaming replaces the cable box with your broadband connection. As a rough guide, plan for at least 25 Mbps per 4K stream and fewer for HD, with headroom for everyone else in the house. Ethernet or a modern Wi-Fi router helps a lot with live sports. Our guide to 4K streaming requirements explains the numbers.

If your internet comes bundled with cable TV, call your provider to price internet-only service before cancelling, as bundle discounts can disappear.

Step 3: Get the right equipment

Our best streaming device guide compares current models.

Step 4: Start with free TV

Set up the antenna and two or three free apps before paying for anything. Free ad-supported apps such as Pluto TV, Tubi, The Roku Channel and Samsung TV Plus offer hundreds of live channels, and the antenna covers local news, network shows and many NFL games. Our guide to free live TV streaming apps shows which to install on each device.

Step 5: Add paid services that match your list

Use your audit to pick the smallest set of paid services. Prices below are approximate at the time of writing.

For local teams, check your team’s official broadcast page first, as many now sell their own in-market streams. Our guide on how to watch your local team without cable walks through each league.

Some households also look at IPTV. The technology is legal, but only providers that license the channels they carry are legal to use, so check rights and local law. IPTV Journal offers one 12-month plan for $89 if you want to compare an annual option.

Step 6: Review every season

1. Keep a simple list of every subscription, its price and renewal date.
2. Cancel sports services in your off-season and resubscribe later; most are month to month.
3. Watch for price-increase emails and reassess when one arrives.
4. Look for promotional rates, but note when they end.

A sample setup for three types of household

The light viewer

An antenna for local news and network shows, two free apps such as Pluto TV and Tubi, and one on-demand service. Monthly cost can be close to zero beyond the on-demand subscription.

The sports fan

An antenna for CBS, FOX and NBC, the ESPN Unlimited and FOX One bundle for national sports, and your team’s in-market app during its season. This usually costs less than a full live TV service, though it means switching between apps.

The everything household

One full live TV service with locals, sports, news and a cloud DVR. It costs the most, but everyone in the house can find what they want in one app, and you can still drop it in the summer if nobody watches.

Common cord cutting mistakes to avoid

• Signing up for a full live TV service on day one and ending up paying close to your old cable bill.
• Forgetting to return cable boxes, which can lead to equipment fees.
• Using unofficial apps or free “everything” streams, which are unlicensed and risky.
• Using a VPN to dodge sports blackouts, which breaks service terms.

FAQ

Is cord cutting still worth it in 2026?

For most households, yes, as long as you avoid stacking too many services. An antenna, free apps and one or two targeted paid services usually cost less than cable. Heavy sports fans who want every league may save less.

What do I need to cut the cord?

Reliable broadband, a streaming device or smart TV, and ideally an antenna for local channels. Then add the free and paid apps that match what you watch.

How can I watch local channels after cutting the cord?

An antenna is the cheapest way and has no monthly fee. Live TV services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and Fubo also carry local networks in most markets.

Can I keep watching sports without cable?

Yes. Network apps like ESPN Unlimited and FOX One, live TV services, and team in-market apps cover most sports legally. Check each league’s partners and your team’s official broadcast page.

Will I lose my DVR?

No. Most live TV services include a cloud DVR, and some, like YouTube TV and Philo, offer unlimited recording space. For antenna channels, a separate OTA DVR can record locally.