We ditched our DirecTV about 3 years ago and used an outside antenna for local channels--we get about 15. For UK ballgames and things we want that we can't get off the air, we use Sling TV. Sling sometimes has a sound issue, but we don't mind it. We are saving about $100 a month by doing this. We do have Netflix, Amazon Prime for movies if we want to watch them. For internet we have ATT Uverse and we are very pleased with it.

You can also watch some cable news live through you tube, that's what we do in my house.

Not one of the options you mentioned but we have Verizon - bundled phone; tv; internet. No premium channels but we do have what back in the day was referred to as 'expanded basic' - which gets us the basic network affiliates; some independents and a few other things. Our only other option is Comcast. I hate Comcast more than I hate Verizon. DH wants to jump between the 2 when the initial contract is up and the price goes up. I just can't make myself that crazy! We now have one (of 3) 'smart' TV's. If all of your sets are digital, you can get a digital antennae for local channels and then use the internet service to 'stream' other programming. Since we only have the one digital set, that is not really an option for us at this point.

I think regardless of the provider, they all radically increase their prices once the contract is up. If you are over 65 you can play the 'senior card' and that will usually get you a price break. A friend of mine does that with Comcast each rate increase and usually wins!

BTW - bro is in the Raleigh, NC area and I believe he has Cox (definitely not AT&T). He's no happier with their service than any of the rest of us with ours, sadly.

We had the cox contour in Louisiana and I loved it. We have directv now and it would be great if I didn't have the cox to compare it to. I have antennas on some tvs. I don't enjoy that set up. Too unreliable for me. I don't think ATT does U-verse anymore since they bought Directv

I cut the cable 4-5 years ago. I got tired of my bill going up and paying for a lot of channels I never watched. I use Mohu Leaf antennas and have the cheapest internet service, 19.99 a month, offered by Spectrum. I have no trouble streaming whatever I want. I use Netflix, CBS all access (because I like a lot of CBS programming and get lousy CBS reception), and PBS. I borrow my daughter's password if I wasn't to watch something on a cable channel.

North Carolina
 

DD moved to Reidsville ,NC area a yr ago. The Dish network is the only choice for them. I assume Direct TV is also there.They like the service,but at home phone service is pricey & timed.She has to have it for work.

Peckish- thanks for the info. I just bought the Roku for my husband for his birthday so we're just setting it up.

Same here - if my 99 year old mom did not LOVE Fox News and watch it 24/7, I would definitely get rid of cable tv and stream everything. I do live in North Carolina, and some areas of NC have better choices than others for internet - but everyone complains about the quality and price of the tv servicers here.

If you're only interested in local programs and channels, don't pay for cable at all. Get a digital antenna and motor to turn it if you live close enough to stations. My antenna gets channels from 75 miles away.

That won't work. My husband watches MSNBC. I'm going to see about the Roku that I bought though.
We don't watch anything local, as I said we watch MLB, Netflix, and Amazon Prime