Are you tired of the ever-rising cost of your cable and satellite tv service? There are many cable and tv alternatives. Such alternatives to cable tv are direct-to-air, satellite,  and internet tv. And with the advancements in cell phone technology, you can now watch tv on your phone.

Direct-to-air

This type of cable tv alternative is free but requires the purchasing of an antenna. This antenna will usually need to be installed on the roof in order to receive the best signal. Tv stations nationwide broadcast a digital signal and if you have an older analog television, you will need to buy a converter box in order to change the signal from digital to analog. There are very few channels available with this method, and usually only your local stations and public television like a local college station.

Satellite

Dish Network and Direct TV are examples of this cable tv alternative. This type of service requires a satellite dish with a clear view of the sky and receivers connected to each tv in the house. They both offer high-definition and DVR services, but their channel programming varies greatly. Be sure to compare both companies and find the company and programming packaging that is best for your needs.

Internet TV

A broadband connection is required in order to use this satellite tv alternative. Sites like hulu.com provide on-demand television programming via the internet. Your local tv stations usually have a website where you can view all of your local news and watch videos of earlier broadcasts. You can also connect your tv to the computer and use it as a big computer monitor. Then you can watch anything from the internet on the tv screen.

Cell Phones

With the advancements in the cellular industry, you can now  use your cell phone as an alternative to cable tv. You will need to check with your cellular service provider to see what options may be available for you. With most smart phones you can use your internet connection to watch the same sites as you would on your home computer. Be sure you have a large enough, or unlimited data package with your phone, otherwise you can get the shock of your life when the bill comes in.