If you really want the cable channels, and have a smart TV, there are several apps that come with digital DVR. I forget the names, I’ve been exploring which one to subscribe to.
Youtube TV definitely has DVR. But there are a couple of others like Sling and maybe Tubi or Fubu or gosh there are a number of them with names I cannot remember. I just see them on the Samsung App Store. Some come with different packages and different channels but several of them offer DVR via digital.
We just moved to a new place literally days ago (still not completely out of the old place) so we have the internet hooked up at the new place and cut the cable cord from the old place. The premium channels we can get ala cart by their app or through Amazon Prime. The Samsung has an app called TVPlus (or PlusTV?) we’ve been using. It still adds up when you consider the cost of internet, plus all the subscriptions if you want premium channels and/or if you want one of those apps that stream the cable channels. But no cable box to rent, and you can cancel this or that streamer whenever you want. I had Disney+ for a month to watch Mandalorian. Cancelled it after a couple of weeks. I figure we can do that going forward. We never saw Yellowstone so we may add Paramount+ for a month to binge it. (If you get Paramount on Amazon they block Yellowstone! So we cancelled that).
There are also some hacks out there if you’re into that sort of thing. There is an Amazon firestick hack that can get you feature films before they even release to streamers. But you have to get the right firestick (and older model, used perhaps) and crack it. But it works. Just plugs into the HDMI port on the back of the TV.
Thank you.