Key takeaways 83% of U.S.households have at least one video streaming service subscription The streaming industry will be worth over $400 billion by 2030 The number of cable TV subscribers has decreased to 72.2 million from 98.7 million in 2016 Streaming services have taken the world by storm in recent years, leaving many to decide whether they should cut the cord or stick with cable TV.89% of U.S.
households have at least one video streaming service subscription and the streaming industry is expected to be worth nearly $2 trillion by 2030.The number of cable TV subscribers has also decreased by 26.5 million since 2016 — it’s safe to say many are choosing to say goodbye to hefty cable bills in favor of streaming subscriptions. But is subscribing to streaming platforms really cheaper than cable TV service? We’ll break down the cost of streaming vs.cable so you can decide for yourself. Advantages and disadvantages of cable vs.
streaming Methodology To compare the costs of cable vs.streaming, we looked at the monthly cost of popular streaming platforms and cable TV providers with pricing sourced directly from providers.We factored in the added cost of an internet plan at $69.00/mo.
Cable vs.streaming overview Below, we’ve outlined the monthly cost ranges of cable and streaming services.We also included the added cost of an internet plan that adds to the monthly cost of each service.
Keep in mind that these price ranges do not include taxes and extra fees. ServiceBase cost range Cost with internet Cable$35.00 – $146.00/mo.$45.00 – $224.99/mo.Streaming$7.99 – $24.99/mo.$76.99 – $93.99/mo.
Streaming cost overview The different plan prices of popular streaming services Netflix, Disney+, Max and Hulu are listed below.The most basic plans with ads start as low as $7.99/mo., with ad-free plans ranging from $15.99 – $24.99/mo.We’ve included a column with the price range of each service and its plans with the median cost of internet at $69.00/mo. Streaming service Cheapest planAd-free plansPrice range with internet* Netflix$7.99/mo.
(with ads)$17.99 – $24.99/mo.$76.99 – $93.99/mo.Hulu$9.99/mo.(with ads)$18.99/mo.
$78.99 – $87.99/mo.Max$9.99/mo.(with ads)$20.99/mo.$78.99 – $89.99/mo.
Disney+$9.99/mo.(with ads)$15.99/mo.$78.99 – $84.99/mo.The cheapest combination of internet and streaming service is Netflix’s lowest plan with ads, and the monthly total is about $77.00/mo.
The most expensive streaming service plan we listed is with Netflix at $24.99/mo.on its own.With an internet plan, the cost comes to about $94.00/mo.
If you subscribe to only one streaming service, the monthly cost is actually quite low compared to cable TV costs.The monthly cost with streaming starts to increase once you subscribe to more than one service at a time, which is common when considering the different content offered with each. Streaming services Combined cost Combined cost with internet Netflix + Hulu$17.98 – $43.98/mo.$86.98 – $112.98 Netflix + Hulu + Max $27.97 – $64.97/mo.$96.97 – $133.97 Netflix + Hulu + Max + Disney+$37.96 – $80.96/mo.$106.96 – $149.96 These are a few service combination options.
Competing streaming services are often priced similarly, so you can get a good idea of what you’ll be paying monthly with more than one service.Live TV One of the main reasons people cut the cord is the live TV options available with streaming services.Platforms like Hulu and YouTube TV are becoming very popular for cord-cutters because they don’t involve the extra fees common with cable.
Streaming picture quality If picture quality is important to you, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV support 1080p.Change the video bitrate setting to 4,000 Kbps if you want the best streaming picture.ServicePrice rangeCost with internet YouTube TV$82.99/mo.$151.99/mo.
Hulu + Live TV$82.99 – $95.99/mo.$151.99 – $164.99/mo.Sling TV$45.99 – $60.99/mo.$114.99 – $129.99/mo.Philo$28.00/mo.
$97.00/mo.DIRECTV $74.99 – $164.99/mo.$143.99 – $233.99/mo.Cable cost overview The cable TV services below have plans ranging from $40.00 – $146.00/mo., not including added fees or the cost of an internet plan.
We’ve included the price range for these plans with the median cost of internet added ($69.00/mo.).Most cable providers will have a bundling option for their TV and internet plans.The prices below reflect those bundle prices.
Cable TV servicePriceCost with internet Spectrum$40.00 – $105.00/mo.*$70.00 – $145.00/mo.** Optimum$35.00 – $125.00/mo.$100.00 – $200.00/mo.Xfinity$49.99 – $89.99/mo.$45.00 – $140.00/mo.Cox$61.00 – $146.00/mo.$55.00 – $224.99/mo.
Additional costs with cable The major downside of cable TV is the extra fees.Outside of your plan cost, expect to pay fees for regional sports and broadcast TV, equipment and other local taxes and fees.These costs vary by provider and location, but you can expect your monthly bill to be higher than your plan’s initial cost.
Cable TV fees could add up to $60 to your monthly bill, and if you want premium channel add-ons, expect to pay between $5 – $15/mo. Satellite TV Satellite TV is another option for watching your favorite programs.DIRECTV is an alternative to cable, but it can be more expensive, running from $74.99 to $164.99/mo., depending on the package you pick.DISH also provides satellite TV, starting at $91.99/mo.
So, which is the cheapest? When you consider the slew of added fees with cable and the higher overall starting prices, streaming is the cheapest option, even with the cost of an internet plan or with Live TV. Live TV services with streaming allow you to watch the channels you’d get with cable but at a base price with no added local broadcast fees. For more broadband data reports, visit our Research Hub.Streaming vs.cable FAQs Is streaming or cable better? Whether streaming or cable is best for you is based on what you want.
Cable can provide a set and schedued experience, often with local news elements.Streaming is totally customizable, allowing you to pick exactly what you want.Do I need internet to use a streaming service? Yes, you will need some type of internet connection to access a streaming service. How much internet does streaming use? Netflix, like most streaming services, need from 3 to 5 Mbps, and 4K/Ultra HD requires 15 Mbps.
What does streaming cost? Streaming services start at around $6.99/mo. How much does cable TV cost? You can get basic cable TV for around $25 a month.Allconnect: Let us compare providers for you Why should you choose Allconnect? We’re the #1 broadband marketplace in the U.S., meaning you can trust us to search, compare and order internet and TV service for your home.Get started Written by: Camryn Smith Camryn Smith started writing for Allconnect in July 2022 and has developed broadband expertise across the landscape, including home internet providers, plans, pricing and equipment, as well as internet technolog… Read more Edited by: Anine Sus Editor I Read bio What to read next Read more Featured Discover the benefits of online entertainment Robin Layton — 3 min read Featured 10 questions you should ask before choosing an internet service Robin Layton — 3 min read Featured Data report: How Americans use the internet Joe Supan — 3 min read Latest Wednesday, February 19, 2025 Cost of cable vs.
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