Should You Cancel Cable TV? Take This Quick Quiz to Find Out!

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man
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One of the biggest complaints I hear from readers, particularly older readers, is that they are spending WAY TOO MUCH money on a cable or satellite TV service. In some cases, with the addition of an Internet plan to the video package, the monthly cost far exceeds $200. That IS way too much but it doesn’t always mean you should cancel your service and become a cord cutter. For many, the traditional pay TV bundle is the way to go. (Although you need to look for ways to reduce your bill. See our article for some tips.) So, how can you decide whether to cancel cable TV? Take the TV For Seniors quiz, be honest, and you’ll get your answer:

The TV For Seniors Quiz:
Should You Keep or Cancel Cable TV?

Score yourself as you go.

•  Give yourself 2 points for every “Yes”

•  Give yourself 1 point for every “Sometimes / It depends”

•  Give yourself 0 points for every “No”

1. Do you regularly watch live sports, local news, or the same channel-hopping shows that only cable or satellite carries reliably in your area?

(Yes / Sometimes / No)

 2.. Are you comfortable learning a new remote, a smart TV menu, or a streaming app if it means lower monthly cost?

(Yes / Sometimes / No)

3. Does your current cable bill feel high enough that the money could meaningfully help with other expenses (medications, travel, grandkids, savings)?

(Yes / Sometimes / No)

4. Do you have (or can you easily get) reliable high-speed internet that supports streaming without constant buffering?

(Yes / Sometimes / No)

5. Do you mostly watch the same handful of channels or shows, rather than channel-surfing across dozens of options?

(Yes / Sometimes / No)

6. Would losing the ability to instantly flip through local channels or live events bother you more than saving money?

(Yes / Sometimes / No)

(Note: Answer “Yes” here if the inconvenience would bother you a lot.)

7. Are there people in your household (spouse, adult children, caregivers) who can help set up streaming or troubleshoot if something goes wrong?

(Yes / Sometimes / No)

8. Have you already tried free or low-cost options (antenna for local channels, free ad-supported apps, library streaming, or a single streaming service) and found them sufficient for most of what you watch?

(Yes / Sometimes / No)

How to Read Your Score

0–6 points: Cable is still working for you.

You value the simplicity, the live content, and the familiarity. The savings from canceling may not outweigh the hassle or the features you’d miss. Keep the service for now, but review the bill once a year and ask about senior or loyalty discounts. Many people in this range stay happily with cable for years.

7–11 points: You’re in the middle. A hybrid approach often works best.

You could keep a slimmed-down cable package (or switch to a cheaper live TV streaming service such as YouTube TV that mimics cable) while adding one or two streaming apps for the shows you actually watch. Many older viewers land here: they cut the expensive full package but don’t go full cord-cutter. Test a month or two of reduced service before making a permanent change.

12–16 points: Canceling cable is likely the better move for you.

You already lean toward fewer channels, you’re open to learning a new system, the bill bothers you, and you have (or can get) the Internet and support you need. Start with an antenna for local stations if reception is good, add the streaming services that carry your favorites, and cancel cable once everything is working. Most people who score in this range report lower stress and more money left at the end of the month after the transition.

A Few Practical Notes Before You Decide

– Don’t forget you can usually restart your cable service later if you change your mind. Nothing is permanent.

– An inexpensive indoor or outdoor antenna still brings in local ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and PBS in many areas and often with better picture quality than cable.

– Streaming services raise prices too, so compare the total yearly cost, not just the first month.

– If mobility or vision makes new remotes difficult, look for simplified streaming devices or ask a younger family member to set up voice control.

– And lastly, always come to TVForSeniors.com for the latest guidance on how to cut your TV bill!

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

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.