Cord-Cutting Checklist 2026: 10 Steps to Cancel Cable
Cable bills hit $180/month in 2026 — and you watch maybe 15 channels. Follow this 10-step checklist to cancel cable and save $1,500+/year with StreamTV's $11.88/mo all-in-one IPTV. No contracts, no equipment fees, no surprises.
The 10-Step Cord-Cutting Checklist
- 1
Audit your current cable bill
Note channels you actually watch — usually 10-15 of 200+
- 2
Check your internet speed
25 Mbps for HD, 50+ Mbps for 4K. Run speedtest.net
- 3
Pick a streaming device
Firestick 4K Max ($60), Apple TV 4K, or use Smart TV
- 4
Sign up for StreamTV ($11.88/mo)
24,000+ live channels — replaces 95% of cable
- 5
Add Netflix or Disney+ if needed
Optional — most VOD is built into IPTV already
- 6
Test for 3-7 days before canceling
Confirm sports, news & favorite shows all stream
- 7
Call cable company to cancel
Ask for retention dept; refuse 'discount' offers
- 8
Return cable boxes within 14 days
Avoid $200+ unreturned equipment fees
- 9
Set up multi-room streaming
5 simultaneous streams cover entire household
- 10
Calculate your annual savings
Average cord-cutter saves $1,200-1,800/year
StreamTV vs Cable — The Math
| Feature | StreamTV | Cable (Comcast/Spectrum) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $11.88 | $120-180 |
| Annual cost | $179 | $1,440-2,160 |
| Live channels | 24,000+ | 150-200 |
| Contract | None | 1-2 year lock-in |
| Equipment fees | $0 | $15-30/month |
| Annual savings | $1,200-1,800 | $0 |
What You Won't Miss
- All your live channels: ESPN, CNN, HBO, AMC, Discovery, etc.
- Local ABC/NBC/CBS/FOX affiliates
- Live sports — NFL, NBA, MLB, Premier League, F1
- International channels — UK, Spain, Italy, India, Korea, more
- DVR & catch-up — rewind anything from past 7 days
- 5 streams across all rooms — no per-TV fees
FAQs
How much can I save by cord-cutting in 2026?
The average household saves $1,200-1,800/year by replacing cable ($120-180/mo) with StreamTV ($11.88/mo) — even after adding Netflix or Disney+.
Will I lose my local news channels?
No — StreamTV includes ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX local affiliates plus 24/7 news (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, BBC, Sky News) in every market.
What about live sports after cutting cable?
StreamTV streams ESPN, Fox Sports, NFL, NBA, MLB, Premier League, F1 — every major league live in HD/4K. No need for separate sports packages.
How do I avoid cable cancellation fees?
Wait until your contract ends, return all equipment within 14 days, and confirm cancellation in writing via email or chat to keep proof.