I have a smart tv and this how I did it. Buy an HD indoor antenna for local content. I get about 50 stations including abc, nbc and cbs (also fox but I don’t watch them lol). Your smart tv should include Netflix and Amazon on the menu. Boom! The cable stuff like msnbc and cnn can be viewed on DirectvNow or I’ve heard on YouTube. Have not tried it. That should cover all your bases. Hope that helps!

I have the same questions - I want to do away with our very expensive Direct TV but I don't know enough about all the new services to make an informed decision.... We live in an area where internet service can be spotty at times....is that a major issue?

You could add DirecTV now. It is DirecTV streaming service. No satellite dish needed. No contract.

Depends upon your carrier and plan. I got rid of my cable a year and a half ago. I tried my Apple TV, but my satellite wifi carrier did not have the bandwidth, and the extra data plan wouldnt improve that any. I now listen to my stereo, the local PBS station, or stream CNN or Accuradio through my phone. I'm actually much happier and a lot less stressed.

I haven't had cable for over 10 years. Internet and OTA TV, almost exclusively for NFL football. Haven't turned it on since the World CUp.

Streaming is THE BOMB. Have you noticed how desperate the TV companies are now? They are offering new customers 70 dollars per month deals for TV, landline, and internet, but charging me 90 for internet and landline because I REFUSE TO PUT ANOTHER DIME IN THE POCKETS OF TV CEOS. PERIOD.

You ought to be able to get Netflix and Amazon Prime through your Smart TV.

For cable channels like MSNBC and CNN: not sure if they are available online; my Smart TV has an internet browser, and that might be option if yours does, albeit it might be a bit clunky. Otherwise, you would need a streaming service like Hulu, or how about DirecTV Now since you're already familiar with DirecTV.

For broadcast TV, presuming you live a reasonable distance from them, get a HD antenna; I recently got one but it turns out I don't need it. It cost me $28.90 + shipping and has an 80 mile range; I'd ship it to you unused for 28.90 and I'd pay for shipping.

If you're into local sports, more and more major league teams are being covered by cable channels; DirecTV Now would be the best bet to have these, but other streaming services might be more iffy about local cable channels.

I recently had all the same questions as you; I was getting lousy service from FiOS and paying way too much. I actually decided on DirecTV (with the dish) because I was also interested in getting the Music Choice channels which DirecTV Now doesn't appear to include. It's cheap as a new customer, and if that price creeps up in a few years, I'd re-explore my options again.

Hulu has an option for live television. What I love is the add ons for hbo and showtime.

Android tv box and HDMI lead. With your choice of apps on the box, you can watch everything you so desire.
BTW, run it with a VPN then no.one can know who or where you are.

Is it a Samsung smart TV? if so Netflix, Amazon are embedded in the smart hub.
For broadcast TV I have a good outside antenna with rotor, I live on the shore of a lake that is Erie near Cleveland and I get Detroit, Toledo, and Canadian. Try tvfool.com

Is it a Samsung smart TV? if so Netflix, Amazon are embedded in the smart hub.
For broadcast TV I have a good outside antenna with rotor, I live on the shore of a lake that is Erie near Cleveland and I get Detroit, Toledo, and Canadian. Try tvfool.com

I use pretty much the same as @Brydsfan, mostly so I can watch my PBS channels, but I had to pay more for my antenna, being out in the boonies a bit. I also have Netflix and Amazon. I find many programs are captured in Youtube, PBS Newshour for instance. Maybe some of the MSNBC content is there but I haven't looked for it. Dateline and 48 Hours episode can be found on Youtube as well.

I’m not sure about MSNBC and CNN live unless they have avenues to subscribe and watch them online. Everything else you can do with the Amazon Fire stick. They’re 40 bucks each, buy 2 and ask your most tech savvy relative to figure out how to install Kodi on them with TV addons and tell them they can keep the second one, you’ll both enjoy them immensely. You can watch every TV show or movie ever with this method, in addition to their more official access to Netflix or any other streaming app out there.

Best Buy might try to tell you that they patched this loophole and it can’t be done; this is misinformation (don’t bring it up that these are your plans but they might try to discourage you anyways). Not technically 100% legal but you won’t be disturbed. They shut down the host sites for these shows all the time and 10 more pop up in their place, but all you’re in possession of is a search engine to find them, which is fine. Theres really no practically feasible way of tracking who’s visiting the sites enforcing anything against the end user, just the hosts. You’re safe as long as your personal morality doesn’t mind ripping off some cable companies. (It shouldn’t they’re among the biggest crooks in the country).

Supposedly there are add ons for Kodi that allow you to watch live sports and such so there’s probably some way to get MSNBC and CNN live on there too, I’m just not positive.

You can get some if you have a streaming tv...and internet, of course.

Yeah, the problem isn't a lack of options in this regard. It's having way too many. Some services are not easy to decipher. What exactly do they offer?

Netflix is easy, it could be available already if you have a smart TV. If not, every media streaming box is going to have it. A couple people before me have recommended a couple, they're all the same honestly. Pick which one suits you best. Media streaming boxes do basically nothing on their own.

I'm not sure exactly how much TV (live or otherwise) you want to watch, but there are plenty of options, from SlingTV, PSVue, DirecTV Now, YoutubeTV, Hulu with live TV, even Fubo if you're just a sports fan.

Sling is cheapest ($20 a month or so) and PSVue is probably still the most fleshed out TV replacement, with the most channels for your buck, but starts at about $40 a month.

Both of those will have the channels you're looking for, both do OnDemand. DVR is an extra $5 a month for Sling but already present on Vue.

Ultimately, you'll have to do your own research for a cable replacement. If you're still in need of live TV expect to pay at least $20 a month. Ultimate packages can go higher. I doubt any of them are as high as a cable TV bill though.

Edit: For the record, I had Playstation Vue for a little over a year. Was happy with the service, especially with no contract, though none of them are great at getting live sports consistently. I found that, after a while, I just never watched TV and was wasting $45 bucks each month.

I am glad you asked this question. I just watch streaming Netflix and would like to find some ways to watch (only a little) live TV news, etc.

Did you check out Amazon's fire stick or similar products?