Still Paying $200–$300 for Cable? Stop Wasting Money — Here’s How

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man
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I now pay almost $300 a month for my Comcast service which includes Internet and a big video package. Do you have any tips on how to lower that? I can’t keep doing this!! I am on Social Security and savings and I only have to much to spend. Please keep in mind that I get the Washington Nationals games on Comcast and that’s important to me. – Jim, Deale, Maryland.

Jim, one of the reasons why I started this site is to help older Americans lower their TV bills. I often hear from readers and friends that they spend more than $200 a month on their cable and/or satellite service and can’t understand why. They would drop their TV service but they don’t want to lose their favorite shows and channels. In most cases, they are not aware of cheaper programming alternatives or other methods that could reduce their bills.

So listen up. There’s no reason why you should pay that much money for television. Absolutely none. If you’re paying more than $200 a month for cable/satellite TV plus Internet service, this is what you should do:

First, examine your video lineup. Select the channels that you can’t do without. In Jim’s case, it’s the Washington Nationals’ baseball games so his situation is easy to solve. The Nationals have a streaming service, Nationals.tv, which is just $19.99 a month. If the Nationals are the only reason why he’s continuing to subscribe to Comcast’s video plan, then he should cancel that plan today and get Nationals.TV. He would save around $80-100 a month right there.

There’s no reason why you should pay that much money for television. Absolutely none.

If there are other channels you must have, write them down and research whether they are available in a cheaper streaming plan offered by services such as Sling TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV streaming or Fubo. Before ordering, however, think hard if you really need those channels. You might find that you can get their programming from other sources such as Paramount Plus, Peacock, Hulu or other streamers. (Also, check out less expensive ‘genre plans’ from DIRECTV, Fubo and YouTube TV; your favorite channels may be available in those at reduced prices.) Also, if the networks are important to you, try installing an indoor antenna. You could get all local channels for free!

As you can see, I am trying to encourage you to eliminate the cable/satellite video bundle entirely. There are simply cheaper ways to watch your favorite shows.

Second, examine your Internet plan. In Jim’s case, it sounds like he has the one Gig plan. But unless he lives in a mansion, he does not need that much speed. He should look to reduce his Net service to 300 or 500 Mbps. That will probably be plenty fast enough for an average-sized house, even with multiple people using the Internet at the same time. Comcast is now selling the 300 Mbps plan for just $40 a month with a five-year guarantee.

By trimming, or eliminating the video bundle entirely, Jim could cut his TV bill to under $100 and add some streaming services. Let’s take a look:

Nationals.TV – $19.99 a month
Internet – $40 a month
Netflix with ads – $8.99 a month
HBO Max with ads – $10.99 a month
Paramount Plus with ads – $8.99 a month

He could supplement his viewing choices by watching the free (with ads) streamers such as Pluto TV, Tubi, The Roku Channel and so on. There’s so much quality programming there that it’s hard to believe it’s free.

Seriously, everyone, stop paying so much money for television. It’s not necessary – and you may enjoy it even more.

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Have a question about television? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com.