Free and Low-Cost Cable TV Options (2025)

With these successful options, you can decrease your cable TV bills, like cutting the cord or having a digital TV antenna. When it comes to movies, it's nice to be able to sit in the comfort of your own home on your sofa and watch TV. You don't want to pay for one arm and one leg, though. Here are several to consider if you are searching for options for low-cost cable TV or looking for other alternatives.

How about the "Skinny" cable TV package?

A smart way to get TV options for less is through "skinny" cable packages or bundles. These are mostly simple or restricted packages that only give you the channels that you need at a price that you can afford. When shopping, in the plan name or definition, look for terms such as "economy," "starter," or "basic."

Xfinity's Digital Starter package, for example, comes with 140+ channels, including Nickelodeon, HGTV, and ESPN, but depending on your venue, it only costs $24.99/mo.* to $39.99/mo. As part of their Cox TV Starter plan, cable provider Cox provides 75+ channels for $25/mo.

Bundle It Together

Consider a double package deal or even a triple-play bundle with the home phone if you already pay for the internet and TV. Many cable providers give consumers an opportunity with discounted rates to bring all their offerings together.

Xfinity internet customers can get 60 Mbps internet in selected regions plus 10+ channels for just $39.99/mo., while Cox customers can enjoy 10 Mbps internet for $44.99/mo. and 75+ channels.

Ohio provider Buckeye Broadband offers 10 Mbps internet, 30+ channels, and a home phone for $44.97/mo.* when it comes to triple packages, while Suddenlink provides 100 Mbps internet, 225+ channels, and a home phone for $59.99/mo.* Xfinity offers the X1 Triple Play for $79.99/mo.* with 150 Mbps internet and 125+ channels as well as a home phone.

Related: Cable TV: Advantages and Disadvantages

Find an Alternative for Cable TV

Buy a digital TV Antenna

The days of changing rabbit ears to try to get a signal are gone. For just the price of equipment, new and enhanced digital TV antennas let you get movies, news, sports, and your favorite shows.

ABC, CBS, FOX, MyNetworkTV, PBS, and The CW, plus other networks available within the range of your antenna, can be enjoyed with a one-time investment for free and in HD. This means that without having to pay a monthly charge, you can keep up with your favorite network TV shows.

Although you can enjoy some local sports and national games with a digital TV antenna, as you can with a cable TV subscription, you would not be able to get around-the-clock sports coverage or out-of-network games.

Use Streaming Services

Without getting a cable subscription, streaming services like DIRECTV NOW, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling offer you live channel options. One thing to bear in mind, though, is that an Internet connection and home Wi-Fi will be needed for streaming TV.

DIRECT NOW recently increased its rates, which means it might not be the most cost-effective choice for you. Their Plus package costs $50/mo.* and contains more than 45 channels and HBO, something with a cable TV subscription you won't receive.
For 60+ channels, including live sports, Hulu's Live TV option costs $44.99/mo. For 30+ networks, including ESPN, TBS, HGTV, Disney, and more, Sling provides three levels of TV streaming, starting at $25/mo.

Another choice is to watch content on-demand, such as Amazon Prime, CBS All Access, HBO NOW, Hulu, and Netflix, via a service. Prices vary between $5.99/mo.* and $15.99/mo.*

Keep an eye on data limits if you want to stream, so you don't end up costing yourself more per month in data overage fees.

Related: How to watch Netflix on AT&T DirecTV 

Visit your local library

Your local library has more than just books. Many library branches also sell entertainment that you can borrow, such as DVDs of films, documentaries, or TV shows. To learn all about their borrowing policies and get set up with a library card, visit your nearest branch today.

So, there are plenty of choices to help you save money on your entertainment each month when it comes to low-cost cable TV options. To learn more about what's available in your town, call one of our TV experts today!