As a senior, watching your favorite TV shows, supporting your local sports teams, and enjoying the biggest movie releases has, and always will be a major part of our lives. But, in each passing year, cable prices continue to rise, and with a fixed income, it becomes more difficult to take on the bill.
Below you’ll find the best options in 2019 to enjoy what you love, at a fraction of the cost!
Search Out Senior Discounts From Cable Companies
Most companies are wary of broadcasting their discounts too widely, so you’ll need to do your research and talk to a sales associate in order to get a senior discount applied to your bill. Not all cable companies offer one, buts it certainly worth calling all your local TV providers and mentioning a senior and/or AARP discount.
The only provider that was open with their senior TV package offerings on their website was DISH Network. DISH offers those aged 55 and higher a free on-demand movie rental each month, free in-home tech visits, and a free voice remote. DISH packages are great for seniors because the package price is guaranteed for 2 years which makes budgeting much easier than companies that hike your bill up after the promo period.
Need Deeper Savings? Ditch Cable TV for Streaming Services
Traditional cable TV packages are going to offer the most channels, but if you need to cut your TV bill down, or tend to only watch a few channels, streaming options could be best for you.
Unlike cable TV which is set up by an installer and service runs through a cable line or satellite TV dish, streaming services are self-installed, and will require you to have an internet plan or access to Wi-Fi. You will also need either a smart TV or a streaming device such as a Roku to get access to your service and channels.
When choosing a streaming provider you’ll need to know what channels you want to have, if you want locals (not all services can support this), if you want to be able to record shows, and the maximum price you can pay.
Current pricing for streaming plans range from $20 to $80 a month, and the largest providers to look into are Sling TV, AT&T TV Now, Youtube TV, FuboTV, and Philio. Call or check each provider’s website to see which packages have the channels you want and the price. It’s best to check all of the providers as things change quickly.
Need a Free TV Channel Option?
Enjoy channels like NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, CW, PBS, Univision, and more, free of charge by purchasing and installing an indoor or outdoor antenna.
Antenna options have greatly increased as more and more homes move away from traditional television, and depending on the model you choose can get you anywhere from 20 to 75+ channels. When choosing an antenna you will want to pay attention to the maximum mile range. The further the range, the more channels you will be able to pick-up.
A good starting point would be looking at the Mohu ReLeaf HDTV Antenna which costs about $40 and gets you up to 60 channels.
Antennas will last a very long time, and after the initial cost of purchase, your TV viewing experience will be free!
Senior Outlook Today is your go-to source for information, inspiration, and connection as you navigate the later years of life. Our team of experts and writers is dedicated to providing relevant and engaging content for seniors, covering topics such as health and wellness, finances, technology and travel.
