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With the rising costs of cable packages and the growing number of streaming services, monthly entertainment bills are climbing higher than ever. What once seemed like a cheaper alternative to traditional TV has now become a fragmented — and expensive — lineup of subscriptions. Many households pay more than they realize to keep up with their favorite shows, sports, and movies.
The good news? There are practical, effective ways to cut those costs without sacrificing the content you love. Whether you’re looking to downsize your cable package, cancel unused subscriptions, or find smarter streaming bundles, this guide will walk you through proven strategies to take control of your entertainment budget and save big each month.
Cord-Cutting: Why Ditch Cable (and Streaming Services)?
To flee the smash-and-grab traditional pay TV service, cord-cutting has become a full-blown phenomenon. The ability to pick precisely what you want and save enormous money is enough for us. That said, streaming bundles can get expensive, too, leaving room for folks to customise a DIY TV package themselves.
Understanding Surge in Cable Bill Costs
For years, infrastructure maintenance and licensing fees have caused cable bills to skyrocket as providers continue to bundle more premium channels. Typically, they pass on increased costs to their customers through heavier monthly bills. In addition, television companies often require consumers to purchase channels in packages they may not watch.
Limitations of Traditional Cable Packages
One of the key drawbacks of traditional cable packages is their lack of flexibility. Viewers are often locked into long-term commitments for a set of channels, even if they only watch a fraction. This lack of choice leads to higher costs and reduces viewer satisfaction. In contrast, DIY TV packages offer complete control, allowing viewers to personalize their subscriptions based on their interests.
The Allure of Streaming Services and Their Costs
The service was supposed to bring a cheaper, more flexible form of TV. But the more streaming platforms that have come out, the higher their prices have gone. Paying for several services you like can add up to nearly the same as being on cable with all kinds of turn-the-key offers.
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Building Your DIY TV Package: Unbundling for Savings
Building your DIY TV package involves selectively unbundling channels and services to pay only for what you want. This method gives you complete control over your entertainment spending, potentially saving you a significant amount if managed diligently.
Identifying Your Must-Have Channels and Content
When starting a DIY TV package, you first need a list of must-have channels and content. List your favorite shows, sports events, news programs, and anything else you cannot live without. This will help you determine which services are mandatory and which can be omitted.
Free and Paid Streaming Services (for News, Sports, and Entertainment)
Various free and paid streaming services offer various content to watch. Free services like Pluto TV and Tubi have large content libraries because they do not require a subscription to access the material. You can access apps from major networks like CBS and NBC for news. If you’re a sports fan, pay for services such as ESPN+ or regional sports networks. Services such as Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+ offer many entertainment options.
OTA (Over-the-Air) Reception and Local Channels
Over-the-air (OTA) is the most cost-effective way to get free local channels. A digital antenna can pull in free local news and sports from ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX networks with no monthly fee.
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Essential Tools for Your DIY TV Package
You must build your technology stack with a basic toolkit to create digital antennas and a successful DIY TV package. Such devices comprise smart TVs, digital antennas, and budgeting apps to monitor your subscriptions.
Smart TVs and Streaming Devices (Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV)
For some, smart TVs and streaming devices are essentially required to access your desired service. While these are more like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV, they all feature easy-to-use interfaces that enable you to jump from one service to another without jumping through too many hoops.
Digital Antennas for Optimal OTA Reception
You can get OTA broadcasts from your local major networks for a small investment ($) in a digital antenna. These antennas can be small for indoor installation or larger outdoor versions that receive a stronger signal. Properly position the antenna to get optimal signal strength and picture quality.
Subscription and Budgeting Apps (like Beem)
It must be challenging to keep track of multiple subscriptions. Applications like Beem allow you to control how you invest in streaming services so that the user is not billed monthly for subscription usage days and does not purchase unnecessary applications.
Beem’s BFF Budget planner can optimize your entertainment budget. It can help you track spending, set saving goals, and manage variable income. You can categorize expenses and monitor where your money goes each month.
Hidden Costs of DIY TV Packages
DIY TV packages are considered bait bundles, luring cable cutters with the promise of a value-packed experience while hiding numerous other costs. DIY TV packages can be cheaper, but only in some cases, as additional costs exist. Subscribing to each service 1, buying equipment, and possibly increasing prices for the companies that offer these services alone can ruin your life! Be careful when this is done so as not to spend less money than you ultimately would on cable or satellite.
Beem can help you plan and save money like an expert with on-point financial insights and recommendations.
Subscription Fees for Individual Streaming Services
Every service charges a subscription fee, meaning the costs can easily increase if you subscribe to several. Balancing your must-haves with the need to subscribe and go when accessing something you know will help can cut costs. Let’s face it: we only have so many subscription dollars.
Equipment Costs (Streaming Devices, Antennas)
Streaming Devices/Digital Antennas Streaming options will likely require an upfront purchase of digital equipment. Although those are usually one-time costs, they can still mess up your budget. But do your research and pick devices that are a good value, not just the cheapest option. Output Lately, I’ve been thinking about what kind of use cases make sense for IoT gadgets & (long-term reliability).
Hidden Fees and Potential Price Increases
Check for sneaky add-on fees or price bumps when using streaming services. Additional fees for premium content or add-ons, with rising subscription prices over time. Checking your bills and preparing to try alternatives if the prices go out in their favor may be one point you can consider when searching for savings.
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Optimizing Your DIY TV Package for Value
For those interested in DIY TV packages, subscription sharing and free trials could help you get more out of the money spent.
Sharing Subscriptions with Family (Account Sharing)
Streaming subscriptions like Netflix and Hulu offer account sharing, which can considerably cut costs. Sharing apps and services with friends or family offers a (semi) legal way to reduce costs while reading more.
Free Trials
Treat your ears (and wallet) to streaming services with free new subscriber trials. It is great to see how the service works before signing up. Also, remember to watch for trial periods and set an upcoming reminder if the service is not what you need.
Bundling Services
You can also save by bundling services. Another similar offering is discounts on multiple direct subscriptions from the provider. For instance, Hulu has a package that includes Disney+ and ESPN+ combined at no extra cost if you subscribe to them alone.
Conclusion
Cutting the cord and developing a DIY TV package can save money and give users control over their watching list. Key strategies include selecting the services that accommodate them the most, purchasing necessary devices, and keeping a close eye on hidden expenses. Modifying the subscription whenever needed is essential in maximizing the money spent.
Get insights on where to cut costs and where you can spend or invest more with your personalized budget planner from Beem. Download the app now!
FAQs On Your Guide To Cutting High Cable And Streaming Costs
Is a DIY TV package cheaper than cable?
It is if one is careful. Thanks to OTA, one can pay significantly less for watching TV every month by subscribing to only the desired services and considering the free source, which is the reception.Â
What internet speed do I need for a DIY TV package?
It depends on how many people in the household watch TV simultaneously and what picture quality they watch. However, a minimum of 25 Mbps for several users watching HD is a start. 50 Mbps or more is needed for several 4k devices.
Can I share my DIY TV package subscriptions with others?
Yes, but most streaming services are designed to enable sharing with family and friends. This can decrease overall expenditure and let people watch more content without difficulty when registered on different accounts. However, the rules are specific for each streaming service; not all allow such sharing.
