COMMENTS

24 responses to “Ask The Techspert: How To Cut The Cord?”

1. I’m a Senior Planet/OATS support tech volunteer. I have helped about a dozen people cut the cord WITHOUT signing up for streaming services. We’ve been streaming for free at home since 2013, literally saving us over $19,000 over 11 years, and we paid off our house after buying it in 2011.

   I recommend a Fire unit – Stick, Cube, or TV – and then downloading the free KODI app, plus an add-on or two. Seniors can schedule a session with me by calling the tech support hotline. Ask for Tim.

   Reply to Tim Specht

   1. You can visit the Senior Planet Website to learn more about “cutting the cord.” Or call the Senior Planet Hotline at 888-713-3495 to get additional information. If you’re lucky enough, you might get a chance to work with Tim. https://seniorplanet.org/event/streaming-smart-tvs-11-21-25/

      Reply to Abraham Cespedes

2. I want to cut the cord with cable. I want to keep my landline phone and my internet. I want to get rid of the cable box, the router and moteum . But I can’t figure out what DVR to get. I want to be able to record 4 shows and watch one. I need at least 500 hours. Commercial skip and I would like to be able to setup future events. I have my own router and moteum and smart Fire TV smart TV. Any recommendations you can recommend to me will be greatly appreciated.

   Reply to Vance David

   1. Thanks! Since you’re using a Fire TV and want DVR features, I recommend YouTube TV. It offers unlimited cloud DVR, records multiple shows at once, lets you skip commercials on some content, and supports future scheduling. Hulu + Live TV and Fubo are also solid with DVRs.

      Reply to Jonathan Ushindi Zaluke

3. Congratulations Senior Planet!!!
   It’s a fun, interesting, vast collection of resources we seniors are lucky to have access to!
   If I cut the cord and did nothing but zoom with Senior Planet I’d still have a hard time keeping up with you and your innovative programming:-)

   Reply to Elly

   1. Thank you so much Elly!! I am so happy we help! We will always be here for you ❤️

      Reply to Jonathan Ushindi Zaluke

4. Hi, Looking to cut the cord. But can it be done and still keep my Landline?
   Cable is so expensive and I know I’m paying for channels I don’t even watch.
   Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.

   Reply to Loretta

   1. The simple is YES.

      There are generally three components to your cable bill:
      1. Internet
      2. Telephone
      3. HDTV

      You need Internet and Telephone and HDTV are billed and provided separately

      Reply to Richard

      1. I am so confused. Is there a step by step guide ? My guy has to have football and baseball. I can live with Netflix Hulu and live tv which would include my local station CBS NBC ABC and PBS .
         I currently pay 300+ for internet, phone, and TV.
         Is DVR included anywhere
         Are our needs to much for an “a la carte” set up? Thanks to anyone who feels like going through the steps too educate me appreciate it

      2. Hello Mary,
         Getting Netflix, and Hulu with live TV should do the trick to satisfy both your needs. You may be able to save. The key is to separate those bills and completely remove cable. And yes, Hulu+Live TV comes with Cloud DVR. It works the same as regular DVR except it is easier to use and does not require an extra equipment. :)

      3. Thank you Richard

      4. My bill has TV 155.98, internet 87.98 and voice ?22.99
         Do I need these ?

      5. Your TV bill likely includes cable, DVR fees, and possibly premium channels. Internet may also be pricey depending on your provider. Voice covers your home phone. You could save a lot by cutting the cord! For help with cheaper internet or cord-cutting, call the Senior Planet hotline at 888-713-3495.

   2. Yes Loretta,
      Cable is usually what makes the bill high. You should call your provider and ask them to remove the cable from the bill. When looking at the details of your bill, you should have a clear picture of what the bill would look like without cable on it. So, the first step is to call your provider, then to get the streaming service of your choice. By the way, if you have Amazon Prime, you already have access to Prime video with so many TV shows and movies.

      Reply to Jonathan Ushindi Zaluke

5. Hi.. I cut the cord last year and jumped to Direct Tv.
   I’m not sure I’m totally onboard with satellite, but I am saving $70+ . I wanted your thoughts on Satellite. I believe I’m tied in fir 2yrs.

   Reply to Colleen A Brady

   1. Hello Colleen,
      It all boils down to what you watch. If you do not watch all those channels, and you only enjoy good TV shows, then you should ditch the satellite as well. Also, Satellite might have some connection issue especially when there is bad weather. Something to compare with is this: Netflix and Hulu+Live TV comes to a staggering total of around $100. If you can live without live TV, then you might only need Netflix and Disney+Hulu bundle (No ads) for a total of less then $50.

      Reply to Jonathan Ushindi Zaluke

6. I have never had cable and I watch a lot of TV. I get all the major channels, ABC, NBC and CBS, as well as 3 PBS channels and a bunch of others, some Spanish, and, except during stormy times, the reception is as good as cable. I pay for Netflix and Amazon Prime and have more shows to watch than I have time to watch them. Long story short, I am a big fan of cableless TV.

   Reply to Patricia Hendrix

   1. How do you get CBS, NBC, and ABC without cable? I want to cancel my cable but I don’t want to lose the local news channels and the regular TV shows. I thought I needed to have cable to access them.

      Reply to Ruth

      1. I have the same question as Ruth. I’ve worked with/warched antena type reception & probly bec I live in a rural area the reception isn’t so good.

         To Jonathan: this is honestly the Best article I’ve read to date on the cutting the cord/streaming subject and I’ve done ALot of research. Thank you!!!

      2. Thank you again Elly! This is so wonderful to hear! I will cherish your compliment forever :)

         If you live in rural places where the reception might not be best, you will need a long range outdoor HDTV (or 4K HDTV) antenna. Some even go pass 200miles of coverage.

      3. Hello Ruth,
         Those are major national channels available locally. You do not need a cable for those channels. You only need an HDTV antenna. I you live in a place with bad reception, then you should opt for an outdoor long range HDTV antenna.

   2. Hello what antenna did you get and did you have to get one for each TV?

      Reply to Mary Ellen

      1. Hello Mary,
         So you can connect multiple TVs with a single antenna using a good quality coaxial cable and a signal splitter. Amazon has many great options for TV antennas, coaxial cables and signal splitter. But opting for this option will require professional help. You can also buy cheaper antenna for each TV, these ones you just need to plug it in the TV and in outlet and voila! Walmart and Amazon have great options for every situation.

         Thank you

   3. That is so wonderful to hear! I am very happy for you.

      Reply to Jonathan Ushindi Zaluke