Watching the game with your friends and snacks in tow is a time-honored tradition. Unfortunately, that tradition costs more than the price of a few bags of chips.
Sure, cable television gives you access to hundreds upon hundreds of channels, but if you’re mostly watching sports and not television shows, do you really need that expensive cable subscription?
Not at all! There are plenty of more affordable and practical options to keep you in the game while saving you money.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch sports without cable.
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The True Cost of Cable
Cord-cutting is one of the fastest growing consumer trends, with more and more customers ditching their cable boxes every quarter. Though individual factors such as moving or convenience are at play, consumers often agree on one thing: The cost of cable is too high.
If you stop to read the fine print on your cable bill, you’ll soon begin to realize that you’re paying for so much more than just a few extra channels.
Here’s a quick breakdown of your standard cable bill:
- $49.99 for your package (this cost is almost doubled after your contract expires).
- $5 local broadcasting fee.
- $7 regional sports fee.
- $10 DVR charge.
- $10 HD technology fee.
- $10 cable box rental.
That’s $92 per month assuming you don’t add any premium channels like Showtime or HBO to your package.
Should you avoid late penalties (usually an extra $10) or any other ridiculous hidden charge, you’re looking at $1,104 per year just to watch sports. What’s worse, cable prices are still increasing.
There is a bright side, however: You don’t have to pay so much!
How To Watch Sports Without Cable
As cord-cutting becomes increasingly popular, more companies are investing in streaming services. These services allow you to watch your favorite live TV (yes, including all the sports your eyes can handle) via an Internet-based stream.
Here are three of the best cord-cutting options for sports fans so you can still make your educated Oskeim Sports Picks for the week.
SlingTV
Sling was actually the first streaming cable alternative to hit the market. Though it hit quite a few bumps along the way, it’s come far in the last several years.
With three packages to choose from, you can stream sports for as little as $25 per month or as much as $40.
Fubo
Fubo prides itself on being the sports lover’s streaming service. And with channels like The Big Ten Network, 10 different Bein Sports streams, the NFL Network, NBA TV, and more, it’s an easy pick, especially when you factor in the cloud DVR.
The only downside to Fubo is its price. You’ll end up paying $40 for your first month, but either $45 or $50 per month after.
ESPN+
ESPN has long been one of the primary reasons why sports fans refuse to leave their cable provider. Yet ESPN seems to have seen the writing on the walls, as it finally launched its own standalone service earlier this year.
For those who need to stream sports and only sports, ESPN+ is the best option with a price of only $5 per month.
More Games, More Choice, Less Money
Whether you’re looking for football, basketball, baseball, hockey, tennis, or more, there’s undoubtedly a great game on television tonight. And with these tips on how to watch sports without cable, you can catch all the action without paying an arm and a leg!
Looking for more great entertainment tips? Be sure to check out our guide to the top grossing movies of 2018.