Do-it-yourself TV packages that save you money
Want to trim your cable expenses and still get the kinds of shows you love? Here are three packages you can assemble yourself to accomplish both feats.
Also read our new report on how to get the shows you want at the best price.
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Sling TV, $20/month: Twenty popular channels, plus ESPN and ESPN2, and TNT for Final Four and NBA Basketball. | Verizon FiOS Custom TV, $60/month: Local broadcasts and cable channels, plus broadband. | Free over-the-air broadcast TV using an antenna. |
SlingTV sports add-on pack, $5/month: ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPNews, Universal Sports, SEC Network, etc. | Two FiOS add-on packs (such as Kids and Pop Culture) are included in package. Additional packs are $10 each per month. | HuluPlus, $8/month, and Netflix, $8/month, for TV shows and movies. |
Over-the-air TV antenna, $40: For local channels and sports events. | Amazon Prime $8.25/month: Includes access to older Viacom shows, including “Dora the Explorer.” | Over-the-air TV antenna, $40: For local channels and sports events. |
$80 up front (antenna and $40 Amazon Fire TV Stick), plus $25/month for Sling TV, plus broadband, about $50. | $78.25/month with no up-front costs, but there are additional monthly service and equipment fees. Broadband is included. | $90 up front (antenna and $50 Roku Stick), $16/month for streaming services, plus broadband, about $50. |
This article also appeared in the August 2015 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
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