There are really two choices:
1. Cable like streaming services (live streaming).
2. Movies and recorded media, movies, content.
#1. Most of the packages that support live streaming can be expensive ~ $50 per month. And of course, you get advertisements which should make them free.
#1. Some networks such as AMC and Paramount offer live streaming of their stations a long with their movies. Typical costs are around $10 per month. The movie selection is not great but not bad either
#1. As you add more main stream cable stations, it gets more and more expensive and approaches the cost of Cable TV. Plus you end up paying for tons of advertisements. The percentage of advertisements on cable/network stations is huge. Massive and getting worse. Why pay $50, $60, $70 per month for crappy advertisements.
#1. Cable TV has trained network stations and customers to accept tons of advertisements. This is a beautiful business model and they are making money like crazy. They don't want to give up this sweet deal. So finding a pseudo cable like streaming service that is cheap is almost impossible. Expect to pay $50 or more per month.
#2. We follow a hit and run approach. We will sign up for a service watch all of the shows that we are interested in, usually takes a month or two, and cancel and replace it with a new one. You usually get some kind of incentive and savings to sign up.
Us right now:
We have Paramount+ and AMC+. We watch free Youtube (free version), Tubi, Pluto, Rumble, Comet, Peacock, Plex, and the local stations which each stream. We also have over the air antennas. We have streamed all of the major movie services. Many of the network TV stations like Fox News have their own Youtube channels.
Philo is $25 a month for Live TV.