New, cheaper streaming TV is option

Philo and Sling TV are recommended since they have skinny TV bundles.

Editor’s note: This article was written by Michael Timmermann and originally appeared on Clark.com.

If you’ve cut the cable TV cord and aren’t 100% happy with your streaming TV service, now is a good opportunity to try a new and possibly cheaper option.

At a time when most of us are home due to the coronavirus pandemic, programming on major sports networks has changed dramatically.

Sporting events across the country have been canceled. That means nobody is watching live NBA, NHL, NCAA and other games right now or for the foreseeable future.

YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and AT&T TV now carry the networks that normally broadcast these games, and you’re still paying for them.

If you’re looking for ways to cut costs amid the coronavirus pandemic, you can switch to a cheaper live TV streaming service that doesn’t have the sports networks that drive up cable, satellite and streaming TV bills.

Since the major streaming TV providers have no contracts, you can always switch back when life returns to normal.

In the meantime, my two recommendations are Philo and Sling TV. They both have skinny TV bundles that cost about half the price of YouTube TV’s $50 monthly rate.

Philo’s $20 a month plan carries nearly 60 networks that focus on lifestyle and entertainment. No sports or local news.

Sling TV has two packages that cost $30 per month each: Sling Orange and Sling Blue. Local news is limited, but you’ll get a mix of sports, entertainment and cable news. For more channels, combine the packages and pay $45 a month.

With either of these services, you may be able to use a digital antenna to pick up your local ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and independent stations.

To determine if switching to one of these streaming TV services makes sense for your household, take a look at the channel lineups and think about the type of content you’ll want to watch during the coronavirus pandemic.

Philo and Sling TV both offer free trials. You can always test them out before deciding to pause or cancel your existing service.

In addition to live TV streaming services, there are other subscription video streaming services and even free streaming services that you can try out if you’re spending more time on the couch these days.