So many of my friends are fed up with cable and are telling me this is the way to go. I pay almost $250 a month to suddenlink for upgraded cable with HD and movie channels, DVR, WiFi and phone.

I am looking into HDTV antenna and amazon firestick.

Wondering what experiences others have had with cutting the cord. 

I haven't paid for cable/satellite in years. I subscribe to Netflix, Hulu and HBO. I will also buy shows from iTunes like Better Call Saul.

Add those up and I'm still thousands of dollars ahead of paying for content I would never watch. 

AppleTV here. I still keep cable to get access to apps that require a network subscription. I only use cable for watching news now.

Sometimes I use the built in smart tv apps to watch 4K from Netflix and Amazon prime for the odd content shot at 4K 

Cut the cord a long time ago, and for shows that are not broadcast, that I like, such as Walking Dead, I use TVIDS.NET...may have to wait till the next day to see new episode, but it's free 

Apple TV, ROKU and Netflix and Hulu for us. 

We did this 2 years ago and I actually watch more TV now than I ever did. We have Roku and subscribe to Hulu, Netflix and Sling. We get Amazon Prime so get a ton of stuff to watch there to. All said and done - 44.00/month. I have never regretted it. We had an Apple TV but it got blown up when lightening struck a tree in our yard . Haven't replaced it yet 

Sling TV is an option when cutting the cord. Not to be confused with Sling Box.

Sling is cable channels, like AMC, streamed to your TV. We used it for awhile and got a free Amazon Firestick out of it.

https://www.sling.com 

Got rid of cable like 8 months ago. We have 2 digital antennas for local stuff. Roku for bedroom and Smart TV in living room. We subscribe to Hulu, Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Love not paying for Cable.

Downsides?

1) Our internet usage has gone up and I've had to upgrade our Suddenlink internet package once already and might have to do it again. I'm actually in talks with Suddenlink because I don't think they are tracking my usage right. One day they actually marked me as using zero internet when I knew we were home.

2) Walking Dead isn't on Hulu. So we borrowed a friends Direct TV log in to stream it. 

It's really helpful to hear what everyone is using.

Aborto, why 2 digital antennas? Is there anyway to get news channels without cable? 

Aborto, why 2 digital antennas? Is there anyway to get news channels without cable??

One for the living room, one for the bedroom. The digital antennas will get you local channels. I only use them for the Today show and if there's ever a big sporting event. They come in different ranges. I suggest buying the biggest to mid range one because of the trees. Each antenna will run you about $20. 

Only have one antenna in the attic. Using a signal booster, it runs 4 TVs 

I'm feeling like a dummy. What is 4k?

nevermind, just educated myself a little by searching. I'm obviously not techie or even much of a tv watcher. 

In the attic with a signal booster is the best method if it's possible in your house. 

In the attic with a signal booster is the best method if it's possible in your house.

What kind do you recommend? 

Only have one antenna in the attic. Using a signal booster, it runs 4 TVs

What local channels do you receive on it? Do you get HD or just regular with it? 

Put you general whereabout into here and you'll get a list of local free channels -- about 30 of them.

http://antennaweb.org


This antenna works great. There's a splitter/amp I also got from Amazon I'll have to look for the name.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DFTGR4 

Kodi 

What local channels do you receive on it? Do you get HD or just regular with it?

I get all the local channels. It's all HD anymore. The newer TV's are HD, so they will scan and save all the channels out there. The older sets have to use a converter box. 

Can you watch live sports without cable? I'm so sick of Suddenlink, too, but my husband must be able to watch college football, nfl, nba, and mlb. Any way to get sports? 

Can you watch live sports without cable??


Kodi 

I'm following this thread because I want to ditch cable too but had no idea all this was possible this far away from the local stations.

I still want the local channels, would also like CNN and HGTV if possible. I am assuming since I have Amazon prime that I can get their movies.

Is there a service that you can pay that can set you all up? I wouldn't know where to start with putting something in the attic. And I am just learning about Hula and Sling, etc.

This is a very good thread. I am so sick of Suddenlink's high rates. 

The ESPN app, Sling TV or over the air for free.


Sports is basically watching men that get paid to play with each other. 

Lelia -- there's one, maybe two cooking channels that broadcast for free and are good. Best part is there's not a single second of Guy Fiery on either one. 

And for those going to antenna, you'll need a TV guide. This is the one I use. It can be used for cable, dish, or broadcast. You can go into the settings and hide all the channels you'll never watch.

Titan TV 

Lelia -- there's one, maybe two cooking channels that broadcast for free and are good. Best part is there's not a single second of Guy Fiery on either one.

Yeah, he is annoying. I want to yank those stupid sunglasses off the back of his head too. But I love Ina. She is really the only chef on there that whose show I enjoy. 

I have been looking on Amazon to try to figure this antenna stuff out.

Has anyone used one of the indoor antennas successfully? The Mohu Leaf for 50 miles is rated highly. I just don't know if we are close enough in Kingwood to the towers to get a signal with one of these.

I am not about to try to get on the roof or even in the attic. Those days are over for me! 

I watch just one channel every day all the time. Investigation discovery. Except in football season (college and pro) and that is local channel for the most part. I use a lot of internet streaming you tube for the grandchildren for Ninjago and a few games.

I pay Suddenlink $238 a month. Two dvr boxes. No HBO or such.

What are your suggestions for me? (directed at anyone technical) 

I'm not technical at all Mulch. But I pay about the same as you. I hardly even watch TV so I'm basically throwing money away to suddenlink. They keep raising my rates and then with all of the fees that they claim are required I know I could do better. But I don't understand most of the options and I sure as heck can't install equipment in my attic or rooftop! 

I watch just one channel every day all the time. Investigation discovery.

Here is one similar on antenna tv

And no way would I be paying that kind of money to basically watch one channel. 

+1 for the inside antenna. Comcast was charging us for four boxes when we only have two TV's, and they raised their rates again, and we got to $150/month I had had it.

We got a Roku, but husbeast mostly watches streaming shows on the computer. I'm not a big TV watcher, but I love my Netflix. Just got done with first season of Better Call Saul - most excellent, but I really like when there's 5-7 seasons of something I can really sink my teeth into. 

4 TVs, 4 boxes plus one for the boat, most premium channels and I pay 220 a month. Direct TV. 

Ooopsie 

I'm in midtown right now but I get by fine with this indoor antenna

I get all the local channels (for some reason KPRC is iffy). I use hulu, netflix and amazon prime for everything else. Cable company for internet only.

I'm not sure how good the reception would be in kingwood with an indoor antenna though. I think you might be better off with something in the attic. 

4 TVs, 4 boxes plus one for the boat, most premium channels and I pay 220 a month. Direct TV

I have 2 on my Learjet. I hate directtv though 

AppleTV here. I still keep cable to get access to apps that require a network subscription. I only use cable for watching news now.

With basic cable and apple TV (or firetv) can you download the apps for example, HGTV without subscribing to a premium package? I'm trying to figure out if I should trim down my cable to just the local channels and internet and then use either apple TV or firetv with netflix and amazon prime for movies. Maybe add in sling TV. (It would still be much less than my current cable bill)