How Do I Save Money on Cable and Streaming TV?

What this helps with: Lowering a cable or satellite bill, and spending less on streaming apps, without losing the shows you love.

TV bills tend to go up a little each year. A few phone calls and a little planning can bring them down. You don’t have to do it all at once.

Lower your cable or satellite bill

1. Get your bill and your channel list. Look for the one “all-in” price for TV. The FCC requires cable and satellite companies to show it. Then look for extra charges, like box rental.
2. Return boxes you don’t use. Each extra box often costs money every month. A TV in a guest room may not need one.
3. Drop extras you don’t watch. Premium channels and DVR service often cost extra. You can usually add them back later.
4. Call and ask for a better price. Use the phone number on your bill. Try saying:
   • “My bill keeps going up. What can you do to lower it?”
   • “I’m thinking about canceling. Do you have a better offer?” Ask to speak to the “retention” or “loyalty” team if the first person can’t help. Ask about senior discounts too.
5. Write down what they promise. Note the new price, how long it lasts, and the name of the person you spoke with. Set a reminder for when a promo price ends.
6. Ask if a contract or fee applies before you agree to anything.

Spend less on streaming

• Rotate your apps. You don’t need every app every month. Sign up for one, watch the shows you want, cancel, then try another. You can usually come back anytime.
• Choose a plan with ads. Many paid apps offer a cheaper plan with commercials. Check the app’s own price page.
• Look at bundles carefully. A bundle of two or three apps can cost less than paying for each. But it only saves money if you watch all of them.
• Check what you already have. Some phone, internet, or store memberships include a streaming app. Look before you pay twice.

Free ways to watch

These are free to use. Some show ads.

• An antenna for your local channels. See How Can I Watch the News Without Cable?
• Pluto TV and Tubi: free movies, shows, and live channels, with ads.
• The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, and LG Channels: free channels built into many TVs and devices.
• PBS: the free PBS app has many PBS shows.
• Your library card: many public libraries offer Kanopy or Hoopla, free movie and TV apps with no ads. Ask your library, or check their websites.

How to cancel a streaming app

You usually cancel where you signed up.

• On the app’s website: sign in, go to Account, and look for Cancel or Manage plan.
• Through Apple: on iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions.
• Through Google Play: open the Play Store, tap your picture, then Payments & subscriptions.
• Through Roku or Amazon: cancel in your Roku or Amazon account.

Deleting the app does not cancel it. You’ll keep being charged until you cancel.

Stay safe

• Never pay a “cancellation fee” to someone who calls you. Call the company back using the number on your bill.
• Watch out for free trials that turn into paid plans. Write down the end date.
• Fake “free TV” offers may ask for your card number. A real free app doesn’t need it.

Official sources

• FCC: All-in pricing for cable and satellite TV
• FCC: DTV reception maps
• Apple: Cancel a subscription from Apple
• Google: Cancel a subscription on Google Play
• Kanopy: kanopy.com
• Hoopla: hoopladigital.com
• Pluto TV: pluto.tv
• Tubi: tubitv.com

Last checked: Oct 20, 2026

This is general help, not financial advice. We don’t get paid by any company named here. Prices and offers change often, so check each company’s own website.