How to Cut the Cord in 2026: A Beginner's Guide to Replacing Cable

More Americans than ever are deciding to cut the cord. According to CableTV.com's 2026 survey, the average cable bill is now $147 a month, while 92% of Americans already use at least one streaming service. If you're paying for hundreds of channels you never watch, this guide shows you how to cut the cord step by step — without missing the shows you care about.

Step 1: Know What You Actually Watch

For one week, write down every channel and show you watch. Most households find they use a small fraction of their cable package. This list decides everything else: which services you need, and which you don't.

Step 2: Check Your Internet Before You Cut the Cord

Streaming replaces the cable box with your internet connection, so it needs to be up to the job. Plan for about 10 Mbps per Full HD stream and 25 Mbps per 4K stream, and add those up for everyone in the home. Our guide to internet speed for streaming shows how to test it properly.

Step 3: Choose How You'll Watch Live TV

Many cord cutters combine two options: a live TV service for news and entertainment, plus an antenna for free local channels. See our Aero IPTV plans for current prices and connections.

Step 4: Get the Right Streaming Device

If your TV is a recent smart TV, you may not need anything else. Otherwise, a streaming device is a small one-time cost. Google TV devices, Fire TV and Apple TV all work well; our setup guides cover each one, and IPTV on Roku explains why Roku owners often add a second device.

Step 5: Keep Your Local Channels with an Antenna

Local broadcast channels are free over the air in much of the US. An indoor or outdoor TV antenna connected to your TV's antenna input picks them up with no monthly fee. Run a channel scan in your TV's settings after connecting it.

Step 6: Try Before You Cancel Cable

1. Set up your new service while cable is still active.
2. Use it as your main TV for a few days, at the busiest times of day.
3. Make sure everyone in the house can find their shows.
4. Only then cancel cable — and return the cable box to avoid equipment fees.

Aero IPTV offers a free trial for exactly this reason: you can cut the cord with confidence. Request your free trial and use our checklist on what to test during a free trial.

What You'll Save When You Cut the Cord

The exact saving depends on what you replace cable with. The biggest wins come from paying only for what you watch, avoiding box rental and hidden fees, and choosing longer plans with a lower monthly cost. Start with your viewing list from Step 1 and build from there.