Tune In with These Budget-Friendly Alternatives to Cable

Now that spring is upon us, we can’t stop thinking about getting hooked to a new lineup of television shows, as well as finally getting some answers to our existing favorites. What exactly is going on now that the gang on The Walking Dead has discovered the Governor’s secret, and has the balance of power shifted in the mythical land of Westeros on Game of Thrones? If you’re a TV addict like we are, you know that some of your favorite shows can come with a high cost, as cable and Internet could run you nearly $150 per month. Thankfully, the digital age has left us with some clever ways to avoid paying the exorbitant costs of cable without sacrificing quality. Read onto find our favorite ways to watch television in your apartment on a budget.

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For Old Favorites: Netflix Streaming
Back in the olden days, we used to get one or two discs in the mail periodically from Netflix, but no longer. While that option is still available, who wants to wait few days in between catching up on episodes of True Blood? Netflix streaming is the best way to get caught up on old shows. You can even stream movies, and the best part is it’s only $7.99 per month. Watch instantly on your computer, or connect devices like the Wii, PS3 or Xbox 360 to watch your favorite shows right on your TV. Unfortunately, not every series is available for streaming, especially new ones, so be prepared.

For New Series: Hulu Plus
Just as Netflix is perfect for getting caught up on old TV shows, Hulu Plus is great for getting addicted to new ones, as they generally have the most current shows available. At just $7.99 a month with no commitment, you’ll have access to all current season episodes of many hit shows, hundreds of popular classic shows and thousands of award-winning movies.

For Reliability: Roku
The great thing about Roku is that you can stream various channels right to your TV without purchasing a gaming system that can cost hundreds of dollars. The box itself isn’t too expensive (from $49.99) and there are no monthly fees, so once you make the initial purchase, it’s all yours! It’s one of the most reliable streaming devices on the market, and there’s something for everyone. You’ll find movies and games as well as larger networks like HBO, CNBC and Showtime, and even inspiration and fitness channels.

For DVR Capabilities: Channel Master
Channel Master uses antenna technology to transmit many TV channel options for free, so it’s like having cable, only without the pesky monthly charges. The only downside is the set up and installation fees, which could cost you several hundred dollars, but after a few months, this system will more than pay for itself. One of the advantages of the Channel Master is its built in recording capability, so you’ll never miss your favorite shows again. You can pause live television, record up to two channels at once and fast forward through commercials.

For Fringe Benefits: Amazon Instant Viewer
If you’re a member of Amazon Prime, then you instantly have access to a number of great TV shows and movies, right at your fingertips. While not all of them are free, the ones that do cost money are available for only a nominal fee, so double check the prices before you click anything. And if you’re an avid online shopper, you’ll enjoy other benefits like free two-day shipping and no minimum order size in addition to unlimited instant streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows for just $79 a year.

For the Newest of the New: Google TV
The newest product to hit the streaming television market, Google has teamed up with Hisense to release a low-cost Google TV box, known as the Pulse. This box really does it all: customers can stream television shows and movies as well as access web content through the Wi-Fi connection, all for under $99. And, it will ship with a double-sided remote, complete with full QWERTY keyboard on one side and a touchpad and dedicated Netflix button on the other.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/mgkaya