# What's the cheapest way to get network television on-demand without cable? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 13, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-cheapest-way-to-get-network-television-on-demand-without-cable/819526 "2018-08-13T16:11:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-cheapest-way-to-get-network-television-on-demand-without-cable/819526/1 "2018-08-13T16:11:33Z")
And I mean one that has practically everything on the network. I have hulu, which is lacking, and I’m considering Hulu live if that fills in the gaps. But I wouldn’t mind getting rid of hulu altogether if there’s something better out there. Preferably one that works with a chromecast. ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2018, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-cheapest-way-to-get-network-television-on-demand-without-cable/819526/2 "2018-08-13T16:14:50Z")
Check out YouTube TV. Certainly should work with Chromecast since both are Google products. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2018, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-cheapest-way-to-get-network-television-on-demand-without-cable/819526/3 "2018-08-13T16:15:47Z")
By network television, do you mean one of the big four broadcast networks? If that’s the case, have you tried just watching it via an antenna? ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2018, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-cheapest-way-to-get-network-television-on-demand-without-cable/819526/4 "2018-08-13T16:21:45Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > By network television, do you mean one of the big four broadcast networks? If that’s the case, have you tried just watching it via an antenna? I tried an antenna, a while back. It was alright but I’d prefer just to stick with with the internet, and do on-demand without having to use a DVR. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-cheapest-way-to-get-network-television-on-demand-without-cable/819526/5 "2018-08-13T17:53:28Z")
There are several comparison charts: > **[Hulu vs. YouTube TV vs. Sling TV vs. DirecTV Stream channels](https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/live-tv-streaming-services-rundown-100-top-channels/)** > > We evaluate and summarize the pricing and what's offered on platforms like Fubo, YouTube TV and Sling. > **[Live TV Streaming Services Channel Comparison - Cordcutting.com](https://cordcutting.com/compare/live-tv-streaming-service-channels/)** > > In our full live TV services channel comparison, we break down the channel differences between major live TV streaming services ("skinny bundles"). ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2018, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-cheapest-way-to-get-network-television-on-demand-without-cable/819526/6 "2018-08-14T13:20:02Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > There are several comparison charts: > [Hulu vs. YouTube TV vs. Sling TV vs. DirecTV Stream channels - CNET](https://www.cnet.com/news/live-tv-streaming-services-channel-lineups-compared/) > [https://cordcutting.com/live-tv-streaming-services-channel-comparison/](https://cordcutting.com/live-tv-streaming-services-channel-comparison/) Thanks. Tough choice between DirectTV Now and Youtube TV. I like that you can get anything from 72 hours back from DirectTV, and it has all the channels I’d care about, and the option to get HBO (for extra). Then again, YouTube TV includes YouTube red, which gives you on demand music and some original content and works on 5 google accounts and a lot more DVR time. Hmmm. They both have 7 day trials so I guess I’ll try them both out. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-cheapest-way-to-get-network-television-on-demand-without-cable/819526/7 "2018-08-16T19:35:12Z")
What’s the down side to an antenna? We’ve used a Leaf for years – worked so well, we’re doing no cable or internet (other than very occasional Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime). Just switched to a powered [ClearStream ECLIPSE](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HZD5MUM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) for better reception. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2018, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-cheapest-way-to-get-network-television-on-demand-without-cable/819526/8 "2018-08-17T12:13:19Z")
> [@digs](#): > > What’s the down side to an antenna? If you’ve had a DVR and/or done streaming for a while, watching TV only in real time is practically a shock to the system. So you need an antenna _plus_ a DVR (which often entails a fee for a program guide) or go the streaming option. Even the antenna plus DVR isn’t enough for some people. What if they forget to record a show? How do they watch it legally?