Be honest. How much time do you spend watching niche channels like the Hallmark Channel, Speed, or Animal Planet? If you scanned your cable lineup, you might be surprised at how many channels you rarely or never watch.
That is one of the reasons many people are cutting the cord to save money and focus only on the content they actually enjoy.
Cable TV Costs and How They Have Changed
Traditional cable TV is no longer inexpensive for most households. Recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis shows that the Consumer Price Index for cable, satellite, and live streaming television services was about 595 in late 2025. This metric tracks the price of these services over time and shows that the cost has climbed steadily compared with decades ago.
Other research confirms that cable and satellite TV subscription costs have continued to rise. For example, average monthly bills for packaged cable or satellite services were reported at about $188 in early 2025, up from previous years, while unbundled TV services were around $122 per month.
Between rising base subscription fees, taxes, equipment rentals, and additional charges for premium channels, the total monthly cost of cable can quickly exceed what many households consider reasonable.
The Decline of Traditional Pay TV
Cable TV subscription numbers have been falling for more than a decade. In 2025, only about 69 million U.S. households still subscribed to cable TV, down significantly from more than 100 million in 2010.
Streaming and on-demand viewing have become the dominant way people watch video. Streaming represented nearly 45 percent of total television viewership in 2025, surpassing the combined viewership of cable and broadcast TV.
Additionally, surveys show that while a majority of U.S. adults watch streaming TV, far fewer subscribe to cable or satellite today. Only about 36 percent of adults in the United States reported having a cable or satellite subscription, compared with much higher numbers a decade ago.
Analysts project that by 2026, more than 80 million U.S. households will have fully cut the cord, surpassing the number of households still paying for traditional TV subscriptions.
Streaming Services: A Growing Market
Streaming services remain the core of modern television consumption. Although exact subscriber numbers vary over time and some companies have changed how they report them, estimates for some of the biggest platforms include:
- Netflix has around 302 million global subscribers.
- Amazon Prime Video has roughly 200 million estimated subscribers.
- Disney+ has about 131 million subscribers.
Streaming platforms together hold a major share of the TV market, and while growth rates have begun to stabilize, subscriptions remain widespread and essential to many households’ entertainment habits.
Streaming has also reached a point where consumers have multiple services. Surveys suggest that average viewers may subscribe to multiple streaming platforms simultaneously, and price sensitivity is increasing as inflation and costs rise.
Comparing Cable and Streaming Costs
Even as streaming services become more expensive over time, they still offer greater flexibility than traditional cable. Pricing varies by service, content library, and plan type, but in general:
- Streaming plans can be chosen individually rather than bundled with channels you never watch.
- Streaming platforms often allow subscribers to pause or cancel their subscriptions without penalty.
- Users can mix and match services based on interests, such as movies, documentaries, sports, or niche content.
Many households find that even with multiple streaming subscriptions, their monthly expenses are lower than a modern cable bill, especially when you exclude channels they rarely watch.
Devices That Make Streaming Easy
Streaming is easier than ever thanks to a variety of affordable devices that connect your TV to the internet, such as:
- Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Google Chromecast
- Gaming consoles like Xbox and PlayStation
- Smartphone and tablet apps for iOS and Android
These devices usually require a one-time purchase, and you can access a wide variety of streaming platforms without needing cable boxes or rentals.
Free Streaming Options
One of the biggest advantages of the streaming era is the growing number of free services. Platforms like Pluto TV, Tubi, and Freevee provide access to movies, classic TV shows, and niche content at no cost. These free channels often include ads, but they enable viewers to access a wide range of entertainment without a subscription.
The Bottom Line
Even when you invest in a streaming device and subscribe to multiple services, most households find they save hundreds of dollars each year compared with traditional cable bills. Streaming lets you pay for the channels and services you actually use, and it continues to improve with higher picture quality, fewer interruptions, and more content choices.
There has never been a better time to evaluate your entertainment costs and consider cutting the cord to take control of your budget and enjoy entertainment on your terms.