How to Cut the Cord in the USA: A Simple Checklist
You have probably thought about it every time the cable bill arrives. Maybe the promo rate just ended, or you realized you pay for a box in a room nobody uses. Whatever the reason, you are ready to cut the cord, but you want to do it without a weekend of frustration.
This checklist walks US households through the switch in five simple steps. Follow them in order and you will never be left without TV, never pay twice and never wonder whether you made the right call.
In this guide
Why So Many Homes Cut the Cord
The reasons are pretty consistent. Cable bills tend to rise every year. Equipment fees stack up for every TV. Contracts make leaving harder than joining. Meanwhile, the internet connection that most homes already pay for can carry live TV just as well.
Cutting the cord does not mean giving up live TV. It means getting it a different way, over your internet, on the devices you already own, for a fraction of the cost. Services like Plex IPTV bring live TV, an on-demand library and a program guide together in one app, with no contract.
Step 1: Audit Your Cable Bill
Start with the facts. Pull up your last two or three bills and write down:
- The total you pay for TV each month, including box rental, HD or DVR fees, surcharges and taxes.
- Your internet cost, if it is on the same bill, and whether it is part of a bundle discount.
- How many boxes you rent and which rooms they are in.
- Your contract end date, and any early termination fee if you are still inside it.
That TV total is the number you will compare everything against. Plug it into our free cable savings calculator to see what switching could save you in a year. For most homes, it is a figure worth acting on.
If you are still under contract
Check the early termination fee. If you only have a month or two left, it may make sense to wait. If you have a year left, compare the fee with what you would save over that year. Sometimes paying it and switching now still comes out ahead.
Step 2: Check Your Internet
IPTV runs on your internet, so this step matters. You need roughly 6 Mbps for each HD screen and 25 Mbps for each 4K screen, plus some headroom for phones, laptops and everything else in the home.
Run a speed check on or near your main TV in the evening, when your network is busiest. If you want to know what counts as fast enough for different households, the FCC publishes a simple broadband speed guide. We also cover it in detail in our guide to internet speed for IPTV.
Keep internet, cancel TV
You will keep your internet service. If it is bundled with cable TV, call your provider and ask what internet alone will cost. Write it down, because you will need it for the final math.
Step 3: Check Your Devices
Walk through every TV in the house and note what it is. You are looking for one of these:
- A smart TV from 2018 or newer, especially Samsung, LG or a TV with Google TV built in
- A streaming stick or box, such as a Fire TV Stick, Google TV device or Apple TV
- Any phone, tablet or computer you would like to watch on
Most homes find they already have everything they need. If a TV is older or runs a platform with few app options, a low-cost streaming stick fixes it. Our supported devices guide shows how each one performs, and our free device checker gives you a quick yes or no.
Watching in more than one room
Count how many screens are usually on at the same time, not how many TVs you own. A home with four TVs where only two are ever watched together needs two streams, not four. Each Plex IPTV plan covers one device at a time, and multi-device plans for 2 to 5 devices cover busier homes. Getting this number right keeps you from paying for screens nobody is watching.
Step 4: Pick Your Plan
Now choose the service that replaces cable. With Plex IPTV, every plan covers one device and includes live TV, the on-demand library and the program guide:
- 1 Month, $14.99: the easy way to get started.
- 3 Months, $34.99: our Best Seller, $11.66 a month with 4K where available.
- 6 Months, $59.99: $10.00 a month with priority support.
- 12 Months, $89.99: the lowest monthly cost at $7.50, with priority support.
If several people watch on different screens at the same time, ask for a multi-device plan for 2 to 5 devices. Message us on WhatsApp, pay securely, and your login details arrive in the same chat. You can compare every plan side by side before you decide.
Set it up before you cancel
This is the most important tip in the whole checklist. Install the player app, enter your login details and watch for a few days while cable is still connected. Make sure the picture is smooth on the screens that matter most. If anything needs adjusting, our team helps you on WhatsApp.
Step 5: Cancel Cable the Right Way
Once you are happy with your new setup, it is time to make the call. A little preparation keeps it short:
- Be clear. Say you want to cancel TV service and keep internet, if that is your plan.
- Expect an offer. Retention teams often offer discounts. Compare any offer with your new total before saying yes.
- Confirm the details. Ask for the final bill date, the new internet price and a confirmation number.
- Return the equipment. Get a receipt for every box and remote, so no unreturned-equipment fees appear later.
- Check the next bill. Make sure TV charges are gone and the internet price matches what you were told.
Your First Week Without Cable
The first few days are about getting comfortable. Pin the player app to your TV's home screen. Explore the program guide so you know where things are. Try the on-demand library for the times nothing on live TV appeals.
If a stream ever buffers, restart the device and router, and consider an ethernet cable for your main TV. Most issues are solved in minutes, and you can always message us for help.
Getting everyone on board
The switch is smoother when the whole household knows what is changing. Show everyone where the app lives on each TV, how the program guide works and how to find the on-demand library. Write the steps on a sticky note for anyone less comfortable with technology. A five-minute walkthrough on day one saves a lot of questions later, and it helps the people who were nervous about leaving cable see that very little has really changed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Canceling cable first. Always set up and test your new service before you cancel.
- Forgetting the bundle. Ask what internet costs on its own before you drop TV.
- Ignoring Wi-Fi. A weak signal to the TV causes most buffering, not the internet plan.
- Keeping the boxes. Unreturned equipment can lead to surprise charges.
- Overbuying. You probably do not need a new TV or a faster internet plan. Check first.
The Checklist at a Glance
- Audit your cable bill and note your true monthly TV cost.
- Check your internet speed on your main TV, and the internet-only price.
- Check every TV and device you want to watch on.
- Pick your plan, set it up and use it for a few days.
- Cancel cable TV, return the equipment and check your next bill.
That is all it takes to cut the cord. A few hours of effort for savings that show up every single month. Ready for step four? See Plex IPTV plans and prices and message us when you are ready to start.
Cutting the Cord FAQ
How long does it take to cut the cord?
Most households finish in a weekend. Auditing the bill and checking internet and devices takes under an hour. Setting up IPTV usually takes minutes. The longest part is often the cable cancellation call and returning the equipment, so leave a little time for that.
Should I cancel cable before or after setting up IPTV?
After. Set up your new service first and use it for a few days while cable is still connected. Once you are happy with the picture on every screen you care about, cancel cable. That way you are never left without TV in between.
Will I lose my internet if I cancel cable TV?
Not if you only cancel the TV part. Tell your provider you want to keep internet service and cancel TV. Ask them to confirm the new monthly internet price in writing, since bundle discounts can change when the TV portion ends.
Do I need to buy new equipment to cut the cord?
Usually not. Smart TVs from 2018 onward, streaming sticks, Apple and Android devices and computers all run IPTV. If one of your TVs is older, a low-cost streaming stick is all you need. You return the rented cable boxes, which also ends their monthly fees.
What if I change my mind after cutting the cord?
You can always go back to cable, although new promotions and installation fees may apply. With Plex IPTV there is no contract to escape either way, since plans do not renew automatically. That makes cutting the cord a low-risk decision for most homes.