Streaming vs Cable Cost Calculator
Find out exactly how much you save by cutting the cord — monthly, annually, and over 5 years.
Cable & Internet
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$
Internet is a sunk cost — you pay this with or without cable, so it does not affect savings.
Streaming Services
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One-Time Equipment
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$0
Cable / mo
$0
Streaming / mo
$0
Annual Savings
$0
5-Year Savings
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Equipment Payback
$0
vs Cable
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Cumulative Savings Over 5 Years
Year-by-Year Breakdown
| Year | Cable Cost | Streaming Cost | Savings |
|---|
What You Get: Cable vs. Streaming
| Content Type | Cable | Streaming | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local News (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox) | ✓ | Antenna or Live TV | Free with $25–$50 HD antenna in most areas |
| Live Sports | ✓ | Varies | YouTube TV / Hulu Live include ESPN & regional sports |
| Netflix Originals | ✕ | ✓ Netflix | Exclusive to Netflix |
| Disney / Marvel / Star Wars | ✕ | ✓ Disney+ | Exclusive to Disney+ |
| HBO Max Originals | With HBO add-on | ✓ Max | Standalone Max often cheaper than cable HBO add-on |
| Network TV Shows (same day) | ✓ | Next day on Hulu | Hulu (no-ads) or live TV gets same-day access |
| Movies (new releases) | Premium channels | ✓ Multiple services | Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV+ rotate new titles |
| Kids Content | ✓ | ✓ Disney+, Netflix | Disney+ and Netflix both have extensive kids libraries |
| Documentaries | Select channels | ✓ Netflix, Prime | Streaming has a wider documentary selection |
| DVR / Recording | ✓ DVR fee | Cloud DVR on live TV | YouTube TV and Hulu Live include unlimited cloud DVR |
| 4K / HDR Content | Limited | ✓ Netflix, Apple TV+ | Streaming services lead in 4K HDR availability |
| Ad-Free Viewing | ✕ | Premium tiers | Netflix, Hulu No-Ads, Disney+ Premium offer ad-free |