Cord Cutting Guide: How to Cut the Cable Cord in 2026

Look at your last cable bill. How much of it pays for channels you actually watch, and how much goes to box rentals, fees and taxes? If that question makes you wince, this cord cutting guide is for you.

Cord cutting simply means canceling traditional cable or satellite and getting your TV over the internet instead. It sounds technical, but most households finish the switch in a weekend. Below you will find what it means, what you need, how to compare costs fairly and a five-step plan you can follow at your own pace.

Cord cutting guide: what it actually means

For decades, TV reached your home through a coaxial cable or a satellite dish and a rented set-top box. Cord cutting removes that middle layer. Instead, your TV programs travel over the same internet connection you already use for email and video calls.

Services that deliver TV this way are often called IPTV, which stands for internet protocol television. View IPTV is one example. You sign in on a compatible app, and live channels, movies and series appear on the screen, with a TV guide that looks a lot like the one you know from cable.

Why people cut the cord

Households cut the cord for a handful of common reasons. The most common is cost, but it is rarely the only one.

• Cost: cable bills can grow through equipment rentals, regional fees and promotional prices that end.
• Flexibility: you can watch on a TV, a tablet or a phone, in any room with a signal.
• Choice: no long contract tying you to a fixed bundle of channels.
• Simplicity: one app and one login replace a box, a remote and a pile of cables.

What you need before you cut the cord

You probably have most of what you need already. Check the list below before you call your cable company.

How to compare costs fairly

A fair comparison looks at the total monthly amount you pay today and the total you would pay after switching. Pull out your last bill (our breakdown of cable TV cost per month shows what each line means) and fill in the left column of the worksheet below. Then use the right column for the new setup.

To put a number on it, the View IPTV 12-month plan costs $64.99 for one screen, which works out to roughly $5.42 per month. You can see every plan and screen option on the IPTV pricing page and compare it line by line with your worksheet.

A simple five-step plan to cut the cord

1. 1

   List what you watch

   Write down your must-have channel types, sports or news needs and the movies you rewatch. This keeps you from paying for things you do not use.

2. 2

   Check your internet

   Run a speed test near your TV. If the signal is weak, move the router, add an extension or use a cable. Streaming in 4K needs a stronger connection than HD.

3. 3

   Choose a device

   Use the smart TV you have, or plug in a streaming stick. Our device guides show how each one works.

4. 4

   Run a free trial

   Test the new service on your own TV for several days, at the times you normally watch. Message us on WhatsApp if you want a trial.

5. 5

   Pick a plan, then cancel cable

   Choose the plan length and the number of screens. After everything works, cancel cable and return the equipment so you are not charged for it.

Mistakes to avoid when you cut the cord

• Canceling the whole bundle and losing your internet along with your TV.
• Forgetting to return the cable box and paying for it for months.
• Buying a long plan before you test it. A trial costs nothing and answers most questions.
• Ignoring the Wi-Fi in the TV room. A weak signal causes buffering that is blamed on the service.

Where to get help

If you want to see how a typical switch works from start to finish, read our guide on how to switch from cable to IPTV. If you are still comparing options, cable TV alternatives explains the main choices side by side. Planning to take your TV on the road? See how to watch TV in an RV without cable. For consumer help with your existing TV or internet provider, the FCC consumer help center is a trustworthy place to start.

Conclusion: your cord cutting guide in one minute

Cord cutting is mostly about preparation. Know what you watch, check your internet, pick a device, test for free and only then cancel cable. Follow that order and you keep your TV, your internet and a good chunk of your monthly budget.

Ready to test it? Request a trial on WhatsApp, look over the IPTV plans and use the FAQ if you have questions along the way.

Frequently asked questions