What is the first thing you should do before cutting the cord?

Calculate your current cable bill, including all fees. Then audit what channels you actually watch each week. Most people find they use fewer than 15 channels consistently — almost all of which are available through a streaming alternative for far less money.

How much internet speed do I need to cut the cord?

You need at least 25 Mbps for a single HD stream. For a household with multiple TVs, aim for 100 Mbps or higher. Run a speed test at fast.com before you cancel to confirm you have enough bandwidth.

What equipment do I need to cut the cord?

At minimum: a streaming device (Roku, Fire TV, or similar), a streaming service subscription, and a reliable internet connection. If you want local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox), add an indoor OTA antenna.

Will I save money cutting the cord?

Most households save $600–$1,200 per year. The average cable bill is $127/month. A well-planned streaming stack — one live TV service plus two on-demand services — typically runs $45–$85/month.

How do I watch local channels after cutting the cord?

An indoor OTA antenna picks up free local channels over the air. Alternatively, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and FuboTV all include local affiliates in most markets.

What is the hardest part of cutting the cord?

Sports and live local news are the most common friction points. Live TV streaming services like YouTube TV and FuboTV solve sports. An OTA antenna or live TV service covers local news. Everything else is easier than most people expect.

Cord Cutting Checklist 2026: Before You Cancel Cable

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The average cable bill in 2026 is $127 per month — roughly $1,524 per year for a bundle most households use at 20% capacity. The average cord-cutter pays $45–$65 per month for a well-planned streaming stack. That's real money, and this cord cutting checklist walks you through every step to get there without the headaches most people hit on the first try.

I've spent years covering streaming services and streaming hardware, and the biggest mistakes I see are always the same: canceling cable before buying a streaming device, underestimating internet speed needs, or building a streaming stack that costs more than cable ever did. Our team has walked through this process with dozens of households, and I recommend working through each step in order — skipping steps is where people run into trouble. This checklist fixes all of that.

Work through the steps in order. By the time you reach Step 7, you'll have everything in place to cancel confidently.

Streaming cost comparison showing cord-cutting savings versus cable bill in 2026

The Cord-Cutting Cost Comparison

Before any checklist work, here's what you're actually comparing:

| Setup | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |---|---|---| | Average cable + internet bundle | $175–$220 | $2,100–$2,640 | | Internet only (standalone) | $50–$80 | $600–$960 | | Live TV streaming (YouTube TV) | $72.99 | $875.88 | | On-demand (Netflix + Disney+) | $22–$32 | $264–$384 | | Free streaming (Tubi, Pluto, Peacock Free) | $0 | $0 | | Typical cord-cutter total | $50–$85 | $600–$1,020 |

The standalone internet line is important: when you cancel your cable bundle, your internet bill will likely increase because you lose the bundle discount. Factor this in from the start.

Step 1 — Calculate Your Current Cable Bill

[ ] Log into your cable provider account
[ ] List every line item: base package, equipment rental, DVR, sports tier, taxes, fees
[ ] Calculate your monthly total with all fees
[ ] Calculate the annual cost (monthly × 12)
[ ] Call your ISP and ask what standalone internet would cost after you cancel cable

The equipment fees alone often add $15–$40/month on top of the advertised rate. Sports tiers can add another $10–$25. When you see the real number, the motivation to cut the cord usually takes care of itself.

Break-even math: A streaming device costs $30–$130 one-time. At $80/month savings, you break even in under two months. After that, every month is savings.

Step 2 — Audit What You Actually Watch

This is the most important step on the cord-cutting checklist and the one people skip. Most households watch far fewer channels than they pay for.

[ ] For one week, note every channel you actually turn on
[ ] Mark which are "must-have" vs. "nice to have"
[ ] Flag any sports leagues or live events (these drive the live TV decision)
[ ] Check local news: do you watch it daily, or could you get it from an OTA antenna?

The three friction points:

Sports — NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports. This is the biggest cord-cutting challenge. YouTube TV and FuboTV have the most comprehensive sports coverage among streaming services.
Local news — Most markets are covered by YouTube TV, Hulu Live, or an OTA antenna.
Regional sports networks (RSNs) — These are still the hardest to replace. FuboTV carries the most RSNs, but availability varies by market.

If your "must-have" list fits on a single live TV service, you're in good shape. If you need three different services just to get your channels, your savings will shrink quickly.

Step 3 — Internet Speed Check

Streaming requires consistent bandwidth. Many households discover their internet is undersized only after they've already canceled cable.

| Use Case | Minimum Speed | |---|---| | 1 HD stream | 5–10 Mbps | | 1 4K stream | 25 Mbps | | 2 simultaneous HD streams | 20 Mbps | | 4K + 1 HD simultaneously | 35–40 Mbps | | Full household (2–4 streams + smart home) | 100 Mbps+ |

[ ] Run a speed test at fast.com on your home Wi-Fi
[ ] Test at peak hours (evenings), not just during the day
[ ] If you're under 50 Mbps, call your ISP and ask about upgrading
[ ] Compare the upgrade cost against your projected cord-cutting savings

Important: When you drop cable, your internet-only rate typically increases by $15–$40/month. Most people still come out ahead, but you need to know the real number before canceling.

Pro tip: Consider running an ethernet cable to your main TV if possible. Wired connections eliminate buffering and give you consistent 4K playback that Wi-Fi often can't guarantee at range.

Step 4 — Choose Your Streaming Setup

This is where most cord-cutters overcomplicate things. Start lean. You can add services later.

Live TV Services (If You Need Live Sports or News)

| Service | Monthly Price | Best For | |---|---|---| | Hulu + Live TV | $82.99 | Disney content + live TV bundle | | YouTube TV | $72.99 | Most complete channel lineup | | Sling TV | From $40/mo | Budget live TV, customizable | | FuboTV | $82.99 | Sports fans, most RSNs |

[ ] If you watch live sports or local news daily → pick one live TV service
[ ] If you rarely watch live TV → skip this tier entirely

On-Demand Services

Start with one or two. You don't need all of them on day one.

[ ] Netflix ($15.49–$22.99/mo) — Best original content library
[ ] Disney+ ($7.99/mo) — Best for families, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar
[ ] Max ($9.99/mo) — HBO originals, Warner Bros. films
[ ] Amazon Prime Video (included with Prime) — Strong originals, rotating catalog

Free Streaming (Add These Immediately — They Cost Nothing)

Tubi — 50,000+ movies and shows, no subscription required
Pluto TV — 250+ live channels and on-demand, free
Peacock Free — NBC content, some originals, news

See our full breakdown: Plex vs Tubi vs Pluto TV — Best Free Streaming Services

Viewer Type Decision Matrix

| Viewer Type | Recommended Stack | Est. Monthly Cost | |---|---|---| | Sports fan | FuboTV + Peacock Free | $82.99 | | Movie lover | Netflix + Max + Tubi | $25–$33 | | Family with kids | Disney+ + Hulu + Peacock Free | $24–$28 | | Budget cord-cutter | Sling Orange + Tubi + Pluto | $40 | | News + entertainment | YouTube TV + Netflix | $88 |

Step 5 — Get the Right Streaming Equipment

[ ] Determine whether your TV is smart TV–capable or needs an external device
[ ] If your smart TV is 3+ years old and feels slow, a streaming stick will outperform its built-in OS
[ ] Pick a device based on your preferred interface (Amazon, Roku, or Google)

Recommended Streaming Devices

Best overall value: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K — 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, fast interface. At around $49.99, it's the go-to recommendation for most households. Streams everything, integrates with Alexa, and goes on sale regularly.

Best platform-neutral option: Roku Streaming Stick 4K — Roku's clean interface doesn't push any ecosystem on you. No Amazon ads, no Google data. Excellent app support and the simplest remote in the category. Around $49.

Best for Google TV users: Google Chromecast with Google TV — Great for Android phone households. Integrates with Google Assistant and offers a smart universal search across all your services. Around $39–$49.

Premium pick: Apple TV 4K — Best-in-class picture quality, AirPlay, and the fastest interface available. At $129+, it's a luxury. Worth it if you're deep in the Apple ecosystem or prioritize picture quality above all.

One Device or Multiple?

Most households need one device per TV. For a second or third TV, the Roku Express is a solid $29 option — 1080p only, but perfect for bedroom or guest room TVs where 4K doesn't matter.

Step 6 — Set Up Your Antenna (For Local Channels)

An OTA antenna is the most overlooked tool in cord-cutting. It gives you free over-the-air channels — ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, and local affiliates — in full HD with no subscription required.

[ ] Check which channels are broadcast in your area at antennaweb.org
[ ] Note the signal strength at your address (this determines which antenna you need)
[ ] If you're within 30 miles of broadcast towers: an amplified indoor antenna works
[ ] If you're 30–60 miles away: you'll need an amplified antenna with a stronger range
[ ] Place the antenna near a window facing the broadcast towers for best reception

Recommended antenna: Amplified Indoor HD Antenna — Covers up to 50 miles, supports 4K 1080p, and installs in minutes. This is what most urban and suburban households need.

For deeper guidance, see our full guide: How to Watch Local Channels Without Cable in 2026

Step 7 — Cancel Your Cable Service

You're ready. Here's how to do it without getting talked out of it.

[ ] Call your cable provider directly — most won't let you cancel fully online
[ ] Say: "I'd like to cancel my cable service." Keep it simple.
[ ] Expect a retention pitch — they'll offer discounts, free equipment upgrades, and promotional credits
[ ] Do the math on any offer before accepting. A $20/month discount for 12 months = $240 savings. Compare that against your full streaming stack savings.
[ ] If you decline, confirm the cancellation effective date and get a confirmation number
[ ] Ask about equipment return: most providers require you to return cable boxes and remotes within 7–10 days

Cancellation guides by provider:

Equipment return tips:

Photograph all equipment before boxing it up
Get a drop-off receipt if returning to a store
Keep the receipt for at least 6 months — providers sometimes charge for "unreturned" equipment weeks after return

Step 8 — Manage Your Streaming Subscriptions

The most common cord-cutting mistake is recreating the cable bill's bloat with too many streaming services. A little planning here keeps your monthly cost in check long-term.

[ ] Set a monthly streaming budget (recommended: no more than 50% of your old cable bill)
[ ] Track all subscriptions in one place — your credit card app, a spreadsheet, or a dedicated tracker app
[ ] Identify which services you use seasonally: subscribe in-season, cancel off-season
[ ] Rotate on-demand services: Max for an HBO series, then pause and add Paramount+ for a month
[ ] Review your stack every 3 months and cancel anything you haven't used in 30 days

Advantages of cord-cutting subscription management:

Flexibility to cancel and re-subscribe anytime (a clear benefit cable never offered)
Month-to-month commitments mean no early termination fees
Rotating services lets you access full content libraries for a fraction of the cost

Limitations to be aware of:

Some premium content is spread across multiple services — this is a real drawback for completists
Price increases happen regularly; a service at $15/mo today may be $18/mo next year
Managing multiple login credentials and billing cycles adds friction

Subscription rotation strategy: If you're subscribed to five on-demand services simultaneously, you're probably not watching all of them. Watch what you need, then pause. Most streaming services make it easy to pause or cancel — take advantage of that flexibility. In my experience, most households can comfortably rotate through 6–8 services per year while spending less than $40/month on on-demand streaming. Cable never let you do this.

Free trial strategy: Many services offer 7–30 day free trials. If you only need a service for one show, start the free trial the day the season premieres. Finish the season and cancel before the trial ends. This is perfectly legitimate — the services build it into their acquisition model.

Full Cord Cutting Checklist — Summary

Before You Cancel

[ ] Calculate total current cable bill with all fees
[ ] Identify your must-watch channels and live events
[ ] Run an internet speed test; upgrade if needed
[ ] Get a standalone internet price quote from your ISP
[ ] Choose your streaming service stack
[ ] Order your streaming device(s)
[ ] Set up an OTA antenna (if needed for locals)

Day of Cancellation

[ ] Call your cable provider and request cancellation
[ ] Decline retention offers unless they genuinely beat your new streaming cost
[ ] Get a cancellation confirmation number
[ ] Confirm equipment return instructions and deadline

After You Cancel

[ ] Return all equipment within the deadline; keep your receipt
[ ] Set up your streaming devices and install apps
[ ] Connect your OTA antenna
[ ] Test all your streaming services before your first billing cycle
[ ] Set a calendar reminder to review your subscriptions in 90 days

Bottom Line

Done right, cord-cutting saves most households $600–$1,200 per year without giving up anything you actually watch. The key is working through this cord-cutting checklist in order — most people who get frustrated skipped the audit step, underestimated their internet needs, or didn't account for the standalone internet price increase.

If you hit a snag at any step, our complete cord-cutting guide for beginners covers every topic in more depth. And if you're on the fence about which streaming services to pick, our Netflix vs Disney+ vs Hulu comparison breaks down where each service wins.

Prices and availability are verified as of April 2026. Streaming service pricing changes frequently — always confirm current rates on the provider's website before subscribing.