How to replace cable with IPTV in the USA
USA · Updated · 3 min read
The average American cable TV bill in 2026 is $147 a month, according to CableTV.com's 2026 Cable & Streaming Industry Report. That is $1,764 a year, before equipment fees and price rises. IPTV replaces the cable box with an app: live channels and on-demand films and series stream over the internet you already pay for.
This guide covers what it costs, what you need, and the steps to switch without being caught out by the cable company on the way out.
What does IPTV cost compared with cable?
A year of Gabo365 on one screen is $90, about $7.50 a month. A year on five screens, enough for most families, is $265. Against $1,764 a year of cable, that difference is why most people switch.
- One month on one screen: $20
- Three months on one screen: $45
- Six months on one screen: $60
- A year on one screen: $90, about $7.50 a month
- A year on two screens: $170
- A year on five screens at once: $265
Prices are in US dollars and paid once, up front. Nothing renews on its own, there is no contract, and there are no equipment or installation fees.
What do you need to switch?
- Home internet. Most broadband plans are enough; for 4K, allow 20 Mbps per screen.
- A device on each TV: a Firestick, an Android TV or Google TV box, an Apple TV, or a Samsung or LG smart TV.
- A free player app, such as VividoPlayer on Fire TV and Android, or IPTV Smarters Pro on Samsung, LG and Apple TV.
- Your login: a server, username and password, shown in your dashboard.
If your internet comes bundled with cable TV, you can usually keep the internet and drop the TV. Ask your provider for its internet-only price before you cancel, so you know what the new bill will be.
What channels do you get?
Every plan includes the full line-up: 25,000+ live channels and 100,000+ films and series on demand. That covers a large US selection, with news, entertainment, kids’ channels and sports, plus international channels grouped by country, which is why IPTV is popular with expats.
Line-ups change, so check the channels you care about during the free trial. The full list is in your dashboard as soon as you sign up.
A checklist for cancelling cable
- start a free 24-hour trial first and watch for a couple of evenings, so you are sure before you cancel anything.
- Check your cable contract for an early-termination fee and the date it ends. Waiting a few weeks can save the fee.
- Ask for the internet-only price, as above.
- Return every box and remote, and keep the receipt. Unreturned equipment is the most common surprise charge.
- Check your final bill for part-month charges.
Setting it up on your TV
Setup takes about ten minutes per TV. On a Firestick you install a free app, then enter the three login details from your dashboard; our Firestick setup guide shows every step. The same login works on all your devices, and your plan sets how many can stream at the same moment.
Questions and answers
- Is IPTV cheaper than cable?
- For most households, yes. A year on one screen is $90, against an average US cable bill of $147 a month.
- Do I still need internet from a cable company?
- You need home internet from any provider: cable, fiber or DSL. You can keep your current internet and cancel only the TV part.
- Can I watch on more than one TV?
- Yes. Install the app on as many devices as you like. Your plan sets how many can stream at once: 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 screens, depending on the plan.
- Is there a contract?
- No. You pay once for the plan length you choose, and nothing renews by itself.