With cord cutting on the rise, a guide to all the options

Fox shows such as ‘Gotham’ are available across a range of services and devices.

At the end of the month, AT&T will roll out DirecTV Now, the latest in an increasing number of over-the-top options that allow cord cutters, the people who have abandoned traditional pay TV subscriptions, the chance to watch a handful of their favorite TV channels at a much lower price.

DirecTV Now reached a deal with Fox Networks on Monday that ensures three of the Big Four broadcast networks will be available on the service – AT&T still hasn’t reached a deal with CBS.

Just a few years ago, such a deal would have been unthinkable. The networks had no reason to essentially encourage people to cut the cord.

But it’s become increasingly clear that people are going to do it anyway—cord cutting hit an all-time high in third quarter. And so networks have adjusted to the idea that they’d better look for ways around the problem, such as making deals for skinny bundles or OTT networks like DirecTVNow.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the most promising pay TV alternatives being embraced by cord cutters.

Streaming video on demand

Netflix, Hulu and Amazon are the premier SVOD sites. They have vast libraries of content, ranging from older shows such as “Seinfeld” to current hits like “Empire,” as well as original content.

Every site now has at least a dozen signature shows, and many have aired to critical acclaim. All cost less than $10 per month.

How to watch them: Via mobile, tablet, connected TVs or connected devices such as Roku.

Skinny bundles

Cable and telecom companies offer these slimmed-down packages to people who want to cut their cable bills but still want to watch their favorite shows.

Networks at first fought the idea (ESPN sued Verizon), worrying about declines in household availability, but, again, now see it as inevitable.

How to watch them: With subscription through your TV.

Cable OTT

PlayStation Vue, DISH’s Sling TV, Hulu, DirecTVNow and YouTube have launched or will soon launch over-the-top networks that allow viewers to stream their favorite cable channels for a much lower price.

The networks offered, as with skinny bundles, are the cream of the crop – only top-tier options such as ESPN, TNT, FX and such are signed to these services.

How to watch them: Via mobile, tablet, connected TVs or connected devices such as Roku

Connected devices

For those without connected TVs who still want to watch online content on their TVs, there are devices such as Apple TV, Roku, Google Chromecast and Kindle Fire that plug into the set and open a suite of apps, such as Hulu, YouTube and much more, that can then be streamed onto the TV.

These can also be used to watch live cable TV through a network’s app if you have a pay TV subscription – or, for cord cutters, if you have a friend willing to lend you theirs.

How to use them: Plug into the TV and download apps.

Standalone OTT networks

A number of networks, from CBS and Showtime to HBO and Nickelodeon, have launched standalone OTT channels people can subscribe to separate from a skinny bundle.

This gives viewers access to just the one network, but at a very reasonable price – usually less than $10 per month. It’s essentially the a la carte cable option many politicians long rallied for.

How to watch them: Via mobile, tablet, connected TVs or connected devices such as Roku.

Tags: alternatives to cord cutting, connected tvs, cord cutting, cord cutting alternatives, skinny bundles, svod