How Much Does It Cost to Cut the Cord? Year-One Budget
By View IPTV Editorial Team · · 7 min read
Most people can recite their cable bill to the dollar, yet have no number at all for the other side of the switch. So how much does it cost to cut the cord? That missing number is why leaving cable feels like a gamble, even for people who are tired of the bill.
The answer is smaller and clearer than it seems. It has three parts: a few one-time purchases, a monthly TV plan, and one easy-to-miss change to your internet price. Below we price each part, run a worked first-year example and show you how to build your own total in four steps.
How much does it cost to cut the cord? The three buckets
Every cord-cutting budget comes down to three buckets. Two of them are easy to price. The third is where most surprises hide, so we look at it on its own further down.
| Bucket | How often you pay | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Gear: streaming device, antenna, cables | Once | Only TVs that cannot already run the service |
| TV plan | Monthly, or prepaid for 1 to 12 months | Everyone |
| Internet | Monthly, as today | Everyone, and it may change price |
One-time costs: what you buy once
Many homes already own everything they need. A recent smart TV can run the service directly, and a phone or laptop works too. Older TVs need a small streaming device, and this is the part of the cost of cutting the cord that you pay once and then forget.
| Item | Do you need it? | How to price it |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming stick or box | Only for a TV that is not smart | One per older TV, at today's store price |
| Indoor antenna | Optional, for local channels | One per TV you want local news on |
| HDMI or Ethernet cable | Sometimes | A short cable for the main TV |
| Wi-Fi extender or better router | Only if a room has weak signal | Test the room first, then decide |
Check what you own before you buy anything. Our setup pages for a smart TV and a Fire TV Stick show which devices work, so you can skip gear you do not need.
Monthly costs after you cut the cord
Your monthly cost has two lines: the TV plan and the internet. The internet line is not new, because you needed it for cable bundles and streaming anyway. The TV plan is the line that replaces your cable package and box rentals.
View IPTV plans are prepaid and priced per screen, with no box rental. The table below shows every plan price for 1, 2 and 3 screens.
| Plan | 1 screen | 2 screens | 3 screens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | $12.99 | $18.99 | $24.99 |
| 3 months | $29.99 | $44.99 | $56.99 |
| 6 months | $49.99 | $74.99 | $94.99 |
| 12 months | $64.99 | $96.99 | $122.99 |
On the 12-month plan that works out to about $5.42, $8.08 and $10.25 a month for 1, 2 and 3 screens. Prices can change, so confirm the current numbers on the pricing page before you plan around them.
The internet bundle trap
Here is the cost people miss. Cable companies often discount internet when it is bundled with TV. When you cancel the TV, the internet can rise to its standalone price. That jump belongs in your budget, because it reduces your cord cutting savings.
Also check speed. The FCC's Broadband Speed Guide lists about 5 to 8 Mbps for one HD stream. Add up the screens that run at once, and make sure your current plan covers them. If it does not, a plan upgrade is part of your cost.
A worked example: one household's first year
The numbers below are an illustration, not a quote. We use the $132 two-TV cable bill from our cable TV cost per month breakdown, and we assume the internet price rises by $15 a month after cancelling. The device and antenna prices are round guesses. Swap in your own.
| Line | Year one | Year two |
|---|---|---|
| Cable TV, 2 boxes ($132 a month) | $1,584.00 | $1,584.00 |
| View IPTV, 2 screens, 12 months | $96.99 | $96.99 |
| One streaming stick (assumed $30) | $30.00 | $0.00 |
| One indoor antenna (assumed $25) | $25.00 | $0.00 |
| Internet price rise (assumed $15 a month) | $180.00 | $180.00 |
| New total after cutting the cord | $331.99 | $276.99 |
| Left in your pocket | $1,252.01 | $1,307.01 |
Even with a pricier internet line and new gear, this household keeps most of what it paid before. If your cable bill is much lower than $132, your saving will be smaller. That is why your own audit matters more than any example.
Build your own number in four steps
- 1
Price your current TV
Take your last statement. Add the package, fees, box rentals and taxes that belong to TV, then multiply by 12. Our guide to the real cable TV cost per month helps with the lines.
- 2
Price the internet change
Ask for the internet-only price. Subtract what you pay for internet today. The difference, times 12, goes on the new side.
- 3
Price the plan and the gear
Pick a plan length and screen count, then list only the devices you do not already own.
- 4
Compare the two yearly totals
Subtract the new total from the old one. Do it for year one and year two, because the gear cost drops out after the first year.
Hidden costs that catch people out
- Early cancellation fees: a promo term can carry a charge for leaving early. See how to cancel cable without penalty.
- Unreturned equipment: a box you forget to return can show up as a final charge.
- Overlap months: keep cable until your trial or first plan is working, then cancel. A week or two of overlap is a cheap safety net.
- Several separate subscriptions: if you add many on top, the monthly total can climb back toward a cable bill. List each one with its price first.
Is cutting the cord worth it?
Pros: Cutting the cord
- Lower, predictable TV cost with no box rentals.
- Prepaid plans instead of a long contract.
- Devices you own work in every room.
Cons
- Needs steady home internet.
- Internet price may rise after you leave a bundle.
- A few small one-time purchases for older TVs.
For most homes with decent internet, the numbers favor leaving. If you are unsure, our side-by-side IPTV vs cable TV comparison covers contracts, equipment and reliability. When you are ready, how to switch from cable to IPTV gives the timing steps.
Before you cancel, confirm
- Your yearly cable total, written down.
- The internet-only price and how long it lasts.
- Which TVs already run the service and which need a device.
- Your cable contract end date and any early fee.
- That the trial works on your main TV.
Conclusion: the real cost to cut the cord
The cost to cut the cord is a short list: a few one-time purchases, a monthly TV plan and a possible internet price change. Add them up for a full year, put that next to your cable total and let the difference decide. Questions about plans or refunds are answered on the FAQ page.
Ready to test it? Request a free trial from View IPTV on WhatsApp and see how it runs on your own TV before you change anything.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth it to cut the cord?
For most homes with steady internet, yes, because the TV portion of the bill usually drops a lot. Add the one-time gear and any internet price change to your yearly total, then compare it with your cable bill.
What equipment do I need to cut the cord?
Home internet, plus a screen that can run the service. A recent smart TV, phone or laptop may be enough. Older TVs need a streaming stick or box, and an indoor antenna is optional for local channels.
Will my internet bill go up if I cancel cable TV?
It can. Providers often discount internet inside a TV bundle, so the internet-only price may be higher. Ask for that price, and how long it is fixed, before you cancel.
Do I still need internet if I cut the cord?
Yes. Internet TV streams over your home connection, so you keep paying for internet. About 5 to 8 Mbps per HD stream is a common guide, and more if several screens run at once.
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