There is no such thing as a free cable TV service for seniors. However, many of our cable and satellite partners provide older folks with discounts and unique pricing packages. It may be necessary to ask inquiries and be clear about your demands and how much you can afford to pay in order to get these savings.
Is there a discount for seniors who subscribe to Spectrum Cable?
- No Senior Discount Plan: Spectrum Internet does not offer a senior discount plan or senior discounts, although this is industry norm. We’ll go through how to save money on Spectrum Internet services in more detail later on this page.
- There are just three options available at this time from Spectrum Internet. While this simplifies the process of selecting a package, you won’t have as much choice as you would with other providers.
- Lower Customer Service Satisfaction: Spectrum’s customer satisfaction score in 2020 was 63, barely one point below the industry average of 64. This isn’t to say that the service isn’t good; it just means that it isn’t among the best in the internet provider sector when it comes to customer care.
Is there a cable TV discount offered by AARP?
- Inquire about a senior discount: There are so many advantages to being older, including the ability to take advantage of senior discounts. For low-income seniors or AARP members, several cable TV and internet companies provide a discount. Inquire with a customer service representative if these benefits are available.
- Inquire about military discounts: Many cable TV companies make special offers for active-duty military and veterans to give back to them and their families. If you’re a veteran, call customer service to see if you and your family qualify for a discounted cost.
- If you’re thinking of switching to cable TV, wait until the holidays to obtain the greatest pricing or take advantage of a limited-time promotion. On Black Friday, the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day, many providers will offer special discounts and bonuses that could save you hundreds of dollars.
- Fill out a contract: Even though signing a one- or two-year contract may seem daunting, it will almost always result in a lower monthly fee. We believe the commitment is worthwhile if you have no plans to move providers or cancel service in the near future.
- Bundle your cable TV package with internet access: The majority of cable TV providers also offer internet access. Bundling your internet and cable TV services and obtaining both from the same provider can save you money each month.
Is it possible to be cable-free?
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Fortunately, the days of having a clumsy antenna on top of your roof are over. There are also no rabbit ear antennae to worry with.
Antennas today are slim and simple to install. You can install an antenna in a few minutes even if you’re not a technical genius.
We receive the following channels with our antenna:
Home Shopping Network (HSN) is a television channel that
All of the network channels are also available to us. ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC are among them. The best way to view local TV without cable is using over-the-air antennas.
We live in Omaha, and our antenna receives about 30 channels. You can get up to 100 channels if you live in a major city. To find out what channels you can receive from your home, go to AntennaWeb.
The site will also tell you which antenna in your neighborhood will provide you with the best service. These are the possibilities:
- Antennas that are directional
- Antennas that are omnidirectional
It’s possible that you’ll need to invest in a roof-mounted or attic-mounted antenna. AntennaWeb can assist you in determining which option is ideal for you according on your location.
Directional vs. Omni-Directional Antennas
It’s not difficult to distinguish between the two types of antennas. When using directional antennas, keep the following in mind:
- Between the antenna and the tower, there is a clear line of sight.
- A multi-directional antenna would be ineffective since the tower is too far away.
- All of the towers are pointing in the same direction.
The purpose of omni-directional antennas is to intercept transmissions from all directions. When you don’t know where the TV signal is coming from, they’re the greatest option.
Is there a Comcast discount for seniors?
With speeds up to 200 Mbps, you’ll be able to connect many devices to the internet at once; even if your grandkids are playing video games in one room while you and your kids are watching a movie in another, your connection should stay stable. Plus, with a vast selection of HD channels to choose from, you’ll be able to keep up with all of your favorite shows and movies as they air.
Xfinity Internet Essentials
Xfinity does not presently offer any senior citizen discounts. Instead, they provide an Internet Essentials service that is tailored to low-income users and priced accordingly. For just $9.95 per month, the Internet Essentials plan provides enough bandwidth and speed to manage how most older citizens use the internet, as well as a few other bonuses.
The Internet Essentials plan covers the following features:
- Download rates of up to 25 Mbps are possible (good for email, social media, and web browsing)
- There are no expenses for activation or installation.
- Purchase a low-cost computer for as little as $149.99.
- Free internet skills training is available in three formats: online, in person, and in print.
- There is no long-term contract.
- There is no requirement for a credit check.
- Many localities have unlimited access to Xfinity hotspots.
While the essentials plan is a good choice for many seniors, especially those who don’t need to connect several devices or people at the same time, it isn’t just for them. In comparison, AT&T Access offers a competitively priced option for the same amount of data at $10 per month, however AT&T is confined to the less-reliable DSL connection in most places.
Participation in government assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Social Security determines eligibility for Xfinity’s Internet Essentials service. This package is also only offered to new Xfinity customers who have not had an account with Xfinity or Comcast in the previous 90 days and do not owe Xfinity or Comcast any money.
How can I cut my Spectrum cost in 2021?
- Call and ask for a lower rate.
- Remove any services that aren’t required.
- Fees for equipment should be reduced.
- As a new customer, you must qualify.
- Change your internet service provider.
- Send your bill to a firm that can help you negotiate a better deal.
- You may be eligible for a low-income subsidy if you meet certain criteria.
If you have a spouse or roommate, don’t skip number five; it’s a good last-resort alternative.
Do you want to witness some examples of success? To hear about reader experiences calling Spectrum to negotiate reduced prices, scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Are you willing to switch providers in order to save money? Spectrum’s service area has seen AT&T Fiber increase. Their base plan is approximately half the price of Spectrum’s comparable plans. It’s also worth looking into Verizon Fios as an alternative provider in New York.
Don’t have time to talk on the phone this afternoon? Consider using a bill-lowering app or service. You simply upload a bill, and they handle the rest, negotiating a lower price for you in exchange for a percentage of the savings.
Which Spectrum TV plan is the cheapest?
The cheapest Spectrum TV bundle is TV Select, which costs $49.99 per month and includes 125+ HD channels such as ESPN, Discovery Channel, CNN, HGTV, Lifetime, TLC, and others. For $99.98 a month, you can get TV Select and Spectrum Internet.
Is there a senior citizen discount on Directv?
While DIRECTV does not provide a senior discount or a special plan for seniors, we think DIRECTV CHOICE, which is only a few dollars extra per month than their standard DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT bundle, is the best alternative. CHOICE is a step up from the ENTERTAINMENT plan, with over 185 channels and an affordable price of $79.99 per month for 12 months with a 24-month term agreement.
Those who don’t have time to watch live shows will be able to record their favorites with the Genie HD DVR at no additional cost. With the accompanying NFL SUNDAY TICKET subscription, lovers of superb programs and live sports can enjoy anything from HBO Max to football games. With that stated, this bundle comes with a Regional Sports cost of up to $11.99 each month, but we think it’s worth it if you want more channel alternatives and sports programming.
What networks do seniors watch on television?
When it comes to tracking the evolution of online video, the young get a lot of attention. It would be a mistake, though, to dismiss older audiences. For example, in terms of online viewing habits, 50-64-year-olds lag behind 18-34-year-olds.
year-olds closing the online video gap with 18-34s
According to Nielsen, 18-34-year-olds are more likely than 50-64-year-olds to use online video. However, the disparity is not as significant as many people believe. Let’s look at how the two age groups use connected TVs, smartphones, and tablets.
60 percent of 18-34-year-olds and 45 percent of 50-64-year-olds watch video on linked TV. The average 18-34 year old watches video on a connected TV for 8 hours and 33 minutes per week, whereas the average 50-64 year old watches 44% more, or 3 hours and 45 minutes each week. When only connected TV users are considered, the picture changes. 50-64-year-olds watch 60% more than 18-34-year-olds.
The situation is identical when watching video on a smartphone. The 50-64 age group has a lower penetration rate, at 62 percent against 57 percent. Again, 60 percent of the 18-34s use their smartphones to watch videos. When it comes to watching video on a tablet, both age groups are equally represented. Again, tablet video users aged 50-64 view roughly 60% more than those aged 18-34.
YouTube an important video source for Boomers
With 80 percent of 50-64-year-olds utilizing YouTube, it is one of the most popular internet video sources. Each year, billions of dollars are spent on advertising targeted at seniors, with much of it going to television stations. Google, predictably, is quick to point out that YouTube may be a better way to reach baby boomers. Three surprising reasons why baby boomers are gravitating to YouTube were recently released by the business.
68 percent of baby boomers said they watch YouTube for entertainment, according to Google/Ipsos. General entertainment, music, and news are among the most popular categories among seniors. Star News, Fox News, and Watch JoJo are among the most popular channels among senior citizens.
An instruction manual or self-help book was the go-to location for learning how to do something when baby boomers were growing up. The Haynes Guide, for example, reigned supreme when it came to car maintenance. Baby boomers now are 1.3 times more likely than other generations to choose watching a YouTube video over reading an instruction manual.
Before the Internet, researching products and services was a time-consuming procedure. People looked for information in newspapers, magazines, and mailers. Before making a purchase, they went to stores or showrooms to finish the process. For one in every three baby boomers, YouTube is a valuable shortcut to this process.
What is the best way to obtain free cable on my smart TV?
Despite cable companies’ best efforts to persuade you that their high prices are the greatest deal, there are plenty of legitimate ways to watch live cable TV online for free or at a greatly discounted cost.
Get an HDTV antenna
Antennas for televisions are making a huge comeback. In reality, according to new Parks Associates data, the percentage of U.S. broadband consumers who utilize digital antennas in their homes has climbed to 20% since the end of 2017. (up from 16 percent in early 2015).
These aren’t the same TV antennas we used to put near a window to obtain good reception. These are HDTV antennas, which means better broadcast signals as well as a slew of new local channels. An HDTV antenna may catch signals from up to 109 channels if you reside near a metropolis. Antenna Web can tell you how many channels you can get from your location and which antenna will offer you the best reception.
Directional and omni-directional (types of antennas)
Antennas are classified as either directional or omni-directional. The ideal solution is determined by your location as well as other aspects of your home setup.
Directional antennas, as the name suggests, are meant to point in a single direction. It’s recommended to use a directional antenna when:
- Between the antenna and the cell tower, there is a clear line of sight.
- When a multi-directional antenna can’t handle the distance to the cell tower.
- When all of the available cell towers are pointing in the same direction.
On Amazon, you can generally purchase a nice HD directional antenna for less than $50.
Omni-directional antennas, on the other hand, are made to intercept signals in all horizontal directions equally well. When you don’t know where the TV signal is coming from, multi-directional antennas are your best chance.
These antennas can sustain satellite connectivity even when signals bounce off buildings and other objects because they intercept signals in a two-dimensional geometric plane. They’re a little more expensive than directional antennas, but they’re still a good deal when compared to cable.
Indoor vs. outdoor antennas (where to put your antenna)
You must also consider the location of your antenna to guarantee that reception conditions are always great. As a result, you must choose between an outside and an indoor antenna.
Indoor TV antennas are compact and can be placed in any room, and they may be the best option for you if you reside within 10 miles of a TV transmission tower. They’re also great if you reside somewhere where mounting an external antenna isn’t possible.
Indoor TV antennae of high quality are quite affordable. For example, the AmazonBasics Ultra-Thin Antenna offers a 50-mile range and is extremely inexpensive. An indoor TV antenna can be set up quickly and easily. Simply connect the antenna to your TV’s “Ant In receiver” and place the receiver in a nearby window.
If you reside in a wooded or rural region, an outside TV antenna can be suitable. Because outside antennas are often positioned on rooftops, signal interference from roofing materials, buildings, and walls is less common.
The majority of people believe that outside TV antennas are costly. On the contrary, the majority of them can be obtained for a reasonable price. For under $40, you can get one with an 80-mile range.
Crackle TV
Give Crackle TV a try if you enjoy binge-watching movies and TV series for free. The network was formerly known as “Grouper,” but after Sony Entertainment purchased the firm in 2006, it was renamed Crackle TV.
A word of caution: the streaming service inserts advertisements into the content at predetermined intervals. Although it can be inconvenient, it is necessary to maintain the service free. Crackle is not only a way to receive free television, but it also has a lot of high-quality material. While the content on Crackle TV changes on a monthly basis, there are plenty of TV shows and movies to select from.
Amazon Prime Video
For Amazon Prime members, Amazon Prime Video is a video streaming service. If you’re not an Amazon Prime member, Prime Video is still available for less than $10 a month.
Thousands of movies and TV shows are available for free or a modest price on Prime Video. You may also add cable channels like Showtime for a fraction of the cost of your cable bill.
Netflix
Netflix is one of the most widely used streaming services. Over 75 million people have signed up for the billion-dollar service. Netflix isn’t free, but the high-quality and quantity of television selections make it worthwhile.
Netflix offers a free 30-day trial, so you’ll have plenty of time to try out the service. If you’re not satisfied with the service, you can cancel anytime before the trial finishes, just like with any other free trial offer.
If you decide to subscribe to Netflix after your free trial period ends, you have three options:
- Basic: For $8.99 a month, you get unlimited standard definition streaming of movies and TV shows.
- Standard: The Standard plan allows you to stream limitless material for $12.99 per month. In addition, the package includes HD video quality and the ability to watch on two screens at once.
- Premium: For $15.99 per month, you receive unlimited content as well as HD and Ultra HD viewing options. You’ll also be able to watch stuff on four displays at the same time. If you want a plan for the entire family, this is a good option.
Even the most expensive plan is a fraction of what you’d spend for a traditional cable package. You may pay for Netflix without digging into your regular monthly budget if you figure out a method to make a few money from home.
Stream cable TV online yourself for free
If you currently pay a monthly fee for high-speed internet, you may get the most out of your subscription by watching cable TV online for free.
The website’s thriving community of television aficionados is another compelling reason to stay. It not only provides a comprehensive selection of TV shows to watch, but it also allows you to discuss your favorites with other members.
Use Classic Television Online
There is a way to watch television classics without having to pay a monthly subscription fee. You may find a comprehensive collection of historic television shows on the Classic Television Online website. There’s something for everyone in this collection, from daytime shows to prime-time specials to famous late-night interviews.
Purchase a Roku device
For many years, Roku has been the streaming device of choice, and for good reason. Roku has altered the way we watch movies and TV shows from the comfort of our own homes, thanks to its smart capabilities, amazing UI, and a boatload of awesome features.
You can watch free previous and current episodes from many networks and cable channels by connecting your Roku device to your TV. Roku continues to lead the streaming device market, beating away competitors like Apple TV, Amazon’s Fire TV, and Chromecast, thanks to the introduction of 4K and HDR technologies.
Watch YouTube videos
YouTube has grown to become the world’s most popular online video platform. YouTube TV was launched in 2017 as a foray into online television by the video hosting service. Although the service is young, it has already made a significant impact due to its amazing network package. YouTube TV is pushing its claim as one of the greatest cable TV alternatives, with over 60 networks now under its belt.