If you are just beginning your journey to cut the cable cord, use this guide for resources that will help you navigate available services, determine your budget, and decide which devices you need to become a successful cord cutter.
Visit the library’s event calendar for information on upcoming Cut the Cord programs.
Websites
General Guides to Cord Cutting
These all-in-one guides describe the cord-cutting process from start to finish, including price breakdowns; the necessary equipment and connections; and the content available from streaming services:
- Cord Cutters News: Beginner’s Guide to Cord Cutting
- Cord Cutting Report: Cord Cutting 2022 Definitive Guide
- New York Times: How to Cut the Cord on Cable (2019)
- PCMag: Ultimate Cord Cutter’s Guide (Updated 2022)
- Tom’s Guide: Cord Cutting Guide (Updated 2023)
Home Internet Resources
Use these websites to check out available internet service providers by zip code and see the cost of plans and their expected internet speeds:
Are you looking for free or low-cost internet service? Visit the pages below to see low-cost options, and their eligibility requirements, from national providers:
- National Digital Inclusion Alliance: Free and Low-cost Internet Plans
- High Speed Internet: How to Get Free and Low-cost Internet
- Affordable Connectivity Program: the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more: the benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households.
- More information about the ACP is available from the AARP
Internet Speed Tests
To test whether your internet speed is capable of supporting streaming services, or capable of streaming services on multiple devices simultaneously, try an Internet speed test site:
- Fast.com. Note that Fast.com is a service provided by Netflix.
- Speedtest by Ookla
The review and recommendation website CNET has reviewed additional speed test sites for home internet connections; these reviews are available to view online at this link.
The technology how-to website Lifewire has also collated a list of links to speed tests offered by individual internet service providers; these links are available to access at this link: Internet Speed Test Sites.
Compare Streaming Services
Streaming content can be viewed through paid subscription services, or viewed at no cost through free, ad-supported services. If you’re not sure about the differences in content across the many available services, or about the difference between on-demand and live-streaming services, the Media Services staff recommend these comparison articles as all-in-one guides for your cord-cutting decisions.
Note that these guides may be updated regularly:
- CNET: Best Streaming Service of 2023
- Digital Trends: Best Free Streaming Services Right Now (2021)
- PCMag: Best Live TV Streaming Services for 2023
- Tom’s Guide: The Best Streaming Services in 2023
- Wired: 9 Best Free Streaming Services (2022)
Streaming Free at the Upper Arlington Public Library
Upper Arlington Public Library cardholders have access to the free streaming services Hoopla and Kanopy, through which you can watch feature films, documentaries, television series, and more. Content is available for all ages.
Hoopla and Kanopy are available for Apple and Android mobile devices, for Kindle Fire tablets, and streamed from your computer’s web browser. Both services are also available to stream on your television, using Apple TV, Fire TV, and Roku, among other streaming devices.
To sign up for accounts with Hoopla and Kanopy, visit the library’s online step-by-step instructions for new users:
- Hoopla Quick Start Guide
- For instructions on linking Hoopla to your television’s streaming device, visit the Hoopla Help Center and select the tab “Using Hoopla on your TV.”
- Kanopy Quick Start Guide
- For instructions on linking Kanopy to your television’s streaming device, visit the Kanopy Help Center page “Kanopy TV Apps,” then select your device type from the list.
Devices for Cord-Cutters
Streaming Media Players
Of the many ways to access streaming content from home, one popular option is a streaming media player: an internet-connected set-top box or plug-and-play “stick” that acts as a hub between your television and streaming services. The following guides may help you determine which player is best for your needs.
Note that these guides may be updated regularly:
- CNET: Best Streaming Device for 2023
- PCMag: Best Media Streaming Devices for 2023
- TechRadar: Best Streaming Devices for Your TV in 2022
- Tom’s Guide: Best Streaming Devices in 2023
- Wirecutter: Best Media Streaming Devices (2023)
Antenna Resources
If you are considering an antenna to access local, over-the-air (OTA) TV channels, the following websites provide channel availability by location:
The Upper Arlington Public Library offers three different indoor HDTV antennas to borrow. Click the links below to request an antenna for pickup at the library:
Click here to see the loan periods for library antennas.
Recommended Review Websites
Cord Cutter News
Where to Stream Your Favorite Movies and Shows
Search for movies and series to see which streaming services, whether free or subscription-based, make them available.
General Review and Resource Websites
The following websites are recommended by Media Services staff as reliable sources for product reviews and for instructional articles about the everyday use of technology, including cord cutting.
Self-paced Online Tutorials
GCFLearnFree: GCFLearnFree offers thousands of up-to-date lessons covering more than 200 topics, including tutorials on basic computer skills, email, social media, and using the web to get stuff done. Examples of tutorials related to cord-cutting include:
- How to Set Up a Wi-fi Network
- How to Stream Internet Video to Your TV
- Online Money Tips: Ditch Your Cable and Stream TV for Much Less
TechBoomers: An educational website that offers free tutorials on using websites, social media, apps, and mobile technology. It focuses on older adults and those who are new Internet users. TechBoomers offers a section for news articles and tutorials on streaming TV and movies, which includes the following tutorials:
Reference / Resources
The following resource can be accessed with your UA Library card number and PIN:
Consumer Reports: Find ratings, reviews, and buying guides, including recent news and articles on cord-cutting services and equipment:
The Upper Arlington Public Library offers a selection of videos for cord cutters, each under thirty (30) minutes, on its YouTube Technology Playlist. These videos are available to the public, and do not require an Upper Arlington Public Library card or a YouTube account in order to access and watch: