About the TV Alternatives Calculator
This calculator compares the cost of keeping your current cable or satellite TV service against switching to streaming alternatives. It uses a straightforward cost-comparison method: subtract your combined streaming cost from your current bill to get a monthly savings figure, then project that over time and account for any one-time equipment you need to buy to make the switch.
The formula
- Monthly savings = Current cable/satellite bill − Streaming alternatives cost
- Annual savings = Monthly savings × 12
- Equipment payback (months) = One-time equipment cost ÷ Monthly savings
- Net savings over period = (Monthly savings × Comparison period) − One-time equipment cost
How to get the best results
- Add up every streaming service, live-TV bundle, or antenna/DVR subscription you would actually keep — not just the cheapest one
- Include one-time costs for a streaming device, antenna, or adapter if you don't already own one
- Use a comparison period that matches how long you plan to keep the setup, such as 12 months or the remaining length of a contract
Practical context
This is a cost comparison, not a recommendation about which streaming services to choose. It does not account for internet costs (assumed unchanged either way), taxes, promotional pricing that expires, or the value of content exclusive to cable. Use the result as a starting estimate and revisit it if your subscription mix changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the TV alternatives calculator work?
It subtracts your total streaming alternatives cost from your current cable or satellite bill to get a monthly savings figure, then multiplies that by 12 for annual savings and by your comparison period for a net savings total after any one-time equipment cost is subtracted.
What counts as streaming alternatives cost?
Add up every subscription you would keep to replace cable: streaming services, a live-TV bundle, or an antenna DVR service. Use the combined monthly total, not the price of a single service, so the comparison is apples-to-apples with your full cable bill.
What is the equipment payback period?
It is the one-time equipment cost (streaming device, antenna, adapter) divided by your monthly savings, showing how many months of savings it takes to recover that upfront purchase. If streaming costs more than cable, there is no payback and the calculator reports that switching does not save money.
Can I use this on mobile?
Yes — the calculator is designed to work on any device. For complex multi-input calculations on small screens, landscape orientation gives more room to see all fields and results simultaneously.