2-year net savings
+$2,729
Streaming ($2,599 over 2 yrs) vs Cable ($5,328 over 2 yrs)Example calculationYes, cutting cable saves $2,729 over 2 years
Once you include $62/mo in broadcast TV, regional sports, DVR box, and franchise fees, your cable bundle costs $202/mo in Year 1 and jumps to $242/mo in Year 2. Your streaming + internet setup runs $106/mo, saving $1,094 in Year 1 and $1,634 in Year 2.
Year-1 monthly savings
+$96/mo
$106/mo stream vs $202/mo promo cableYear-2 monthly savings
+$136/mo
$106/mo stream vs $242/mo Year-2 cableHidden cable surcharges
$62/mo
$1,488 in extra surcharges & boxes over 2 yrsNet streaming video bill
$41/mo
$0 live + $41 SVOD appsSide-by-side cable bundle vs cord-cutting breakdown
| Bill component | Cable + internet bundle | Streaming + internet |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone home internet baseline | $65/mo | $65/mo |
| Base video tier / live TV plan (Year 1 promo) | $75/mo | $0/mo |
| On-demand streaming apps (after 15% rotation savings) | $0/mo | $41/mo |
| Broadcast TV, regional sports, DVR boxes & franchise fees | $62/mo | $0/mo |
| All-in monthly bill in Year 1 (promo period) | $202/mo | $106/mo |
| All-in monthly bill in Year 2 (post-promo rate) | $242/mo | $106/mo |
| Upfront OTA antenna & streaming hardware | $0 | $60 |
| 2-year total out-of-pocket spend | $5,328 | $2,599 |
How the Year-2 cable rate hike widens the gap
Cumulative household TV and internet spend across 36 months:
| Timeline | Cumulative cable bundle | Cumulative streaming setup | Cumulative net savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month 6 | $1,212 | $695 | +$517 |
| Month 12 | $2,424 | $1,330 | +$1,094 |
| Month 18 | $3,876 | $1,964 | +$1,912 |
| Month 24 | $5,328 | $2,599 | +$2,729 |
| Month 30 | $6,780 | $3,234 | +$3,546 |
| Month 36 | $8,232 | $3,869 | +$4,363 |
How this calculator works
Advertised cable bundle prices almost never match the bottom line on your monthly statement. A "$75/mo TV add-on" routinely carries a $22 to $30 Broadcast TV and Regional Sports Network (RSN) surcharge, $10 to $25 for DVR service and extra room set-top boxes, and $12 to $16 in local franchise fees and taxes. On top of those below-the-line fees, promotional bundle discounts typically expire after 12 months, adding another $35 to $50 per month in Year 2.
When "streamflation" erases cord-cutting savings
Cord-cutting saves $1,000 to $1,600 per year when you pair standalone broadband with an indoor HD antenna for local broadcast networks and 2 to 4 on-demand streaming apps. However, if you subscribe to an $80+ live TV streaming replacement (like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo) year-round and keep 5 or 6 ad-free SVOD apps active every single month, your streaming bill can easily match or exceed a promotional cable bundle.
Frequently asked questions
How much do hidden cable TV fees add to the advertised bundle price?
Consumer Reports and FCC billing audits show that company-imposed Broadcast TV fees, Regional Sports surcharges, HD/DVR box leases, and municipal franchise taxes add an average of $50 to $75 per month on top of the advertised channel package rate.
How can I watch live local sports and network TV without paying $83/mo for a live TV streaming plan?
A $35 to $60 indoor UHF/VHF antenna picks up local ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and PBS stations in uncompressed 1080i/4K for free. Many households also subscribe to a live TV streaming service only during the 4-month football season and pause it the other 8 months of the year.
What is app churning and how much does it save?
Because streaming apps have no annual contracts or cancellation fees, rotating two on-demand services at a time (or pausing services between flagship show seasons) typically trims 15% to 35% off your annual SVOD spend.
Benchmark sources and dates
Starting assumptions are example benchmarks, not binding quotes. Change any input to match your own bills or offers.
| Assumption / Input | Starting value | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable TV Year-1 promo rate vs Year-2 post-promo rate and standalone broadband | $65/mo standalone internet, $75/mo Year-1 cable TV add-on, $115/mo Year-2 post-promo add-on | Federal Communications Commission Communications Marketplace Report | 2026-04-01 |
| Mandatory broadcast TV surcharge, regional sports fee, and set-top box rentals | $28/mo broadcast + RSN surcharge, $20/mo DVR and set-top boxes, $14/mo franchise fees and taxes | Consumer Reports Cable Fee Investigation | 2026-04-01 |
| On-demand SVOD app stack and live TV vMVPD replacement pricing | $48/mo on-demand apps (15% rotation discount), $0-$83/mo live TV streaming | Deloitte Digital Media Trends Survey | 2026-04-01 |