Best Streaming Service for
Cord Cutters (2026)
Evaluating price, channel blackouts, and local RSN quirks, we have mapped out exactly what streaming stack you need.
Top Recommendation
Digital Antenna + Sling TV
If the goal is saving money, install a $30 digital HD antenna on your roof to grab local, uncompressed CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC feeds for free. Then, supplement that with a cheap Sling TV subscription to capture ESPN and FS1.
Alternate: YouTube TV
If your definition of "cord cutting" is just replacing the cable box but keeping the premium price tag.
Alternate: Antenna + Peacock + Paramount+
Extremely thrifty setup mainly just to catch basic Sunday NFL games.
Critical Channels Needed
Varies wildly
Honest Trade-offs
You lose the convenience of a unified DVR and 100-channel program guide.