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 (/images/cord-cutting-savings-hero.svg)

The Cord-Cutting Cost Comparison

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

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:

1. 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.
2. Local news — Most markets are covered by YouTube TV, Hulu Live, or an OTA antenna.
3. 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.

• [ ] Run a speed test at fast.com (https://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)

• [ ] 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

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:

Best for Google TV users:

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 (https://www.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: