Florida Cord-Cutting Guide 2025

Cut cable TV and save $1,200+ per year while keeping your favorite channels and sports

Average Florida Household Savings

$1,284/year

Based on average Florida cable bill of $127/month vs streaming alternatives

The Real Cost of Cable in Florida

Florida cable bills have increased 45% over the past 5 years, with the average household now paying $127 per month. That's over $1,500 annually for channels you might not even watch.

Service Monthly Cost Annual Cost What You Get
Traditional Cable (Xfinity/Spectrum) $127 $1,524 200+ channels, many unwatched
Smart Cord-Cutting Setup $20-50 $240-600 Only channels you want
Your Annual Savings $77-107 $924-1,284 More control & flexibility

Getting Florida Local Channels Free

One of the biggest concerns about cutting cable is losing local news and weather. Good news: you can get these channels free with an antenna!

Miami/Fort Lauderdale Local Channels

WSVN 7 (FOX)
WPLG 10 (ABC)
WTVJ 6 (NBC)
WFOR 4 (CBS)
WPBT 2 (PBS)
WLTV 23 (Univision)

Tampa/St. Petersburg Local Channels

WFLA 8 (NBC)
WTSP 10 (CBS)
WFTS 28 (ABC)
WTVT 13 (FOX)
WEDU 3 (PBS)
WTTA 38 (MyTV)

Orlando Local Channels

WESH 2 (NBC)
WFTV 9 (ABC)
WKMG 6 (CBS)
WOFL 35 (FOX)
WUCF 24 (PBS)
WRBW 65 (MyTV)

Best Streaming Services for Florida Cord-Cutters

Here's how popular streaming services stack up for Florida residents:

YouTube TV

$72.99/mo

Best for: Sports fans & families

  • ✓ All Florida local channels
  • ✓ Unlimited DVR
  • ✓ ESPN, FS1, NBA TV
  • ✓ 3 simultaneous streams

Hulu + Live TV

$76.99/mo

Best for: Disney bundle lovers

  • ✓ Local channels + Hulu library
  • ✓ Disney+ and ESPN+ included
  • ✓ 50 hours DVR
  • ✓ 2 simultaneous streams

Sling TV

$40/mo

Best for: Budget-conscious

  • ✓ Lowest price option
  • ✓ Customizable packages
  • ⚠ Limited local channels
  • ✓ 50 hours DVR

Free Options

$0/mo

Best for: Maximum savings

  • ✓ Pluto TV (250+ channels)
  • ✓ Tubi (movies & shows)
  • ✓ Local news apps
  • ✓ Network apps (ABC, NBC)

Watching Florida Sports Without Cable

Sports are often the biggest concern for cord-cutters. Here's how to keep watching your Florida teams:

Team/Sport Streaming Options Cost
Miami Dolphins NFL+ ($6.99/mo), YouTube TV, Paramount+ $6.99-72.99/mo
Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL+, YouTube TV, Fox Sports app $6.99-72.99/mo
Miami Heat NBA League Pass ($14.99/mo), Bally Sports+ $14.99-19.99/mo
Florida Panthers ESPN+, Bally Sports+ $10.99-19.99/mo
College Football ESPN+, SEC Network+, ACC Network $10.99/mo

Equipment You Need

Cord-cutting doesn't require expensive equipment. Here's what you'll need:

1

HD Antenna ($25-50)

For free local channels. Indoor antennas work great in most Florida cities.

2

Streaming Device ($30-50)

Roku, Fire TV Stick, or Chromecast. Many smart TVs have apps built-in.

3

Good Internet (25+ Mbps)

You'll need reliable internet. Most Florida households already have this.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cut Cable

1

List Your Must-Have Channels

Write down channels you actually watch. Most people use fewer than 20 channels regularly.

2

Test Free Options First

Try free services like Pluto TV and antenna channels before paying for subscriptions.

3

Start Free Trials

Most streaming services offer 7-day free trials. Test them before committing.

4

Run Services in Parallel

Keep cable for a month while testing streaming. This ensures a smooth transition.

5

Cancel Cable Service

Once comfortable, call to cancel. Be prepared for retention offers - stay strong!

Real Florida Success Stories

The Martinez Family - Miami

"We were paying $165/month for Xfinity cable. Now we use YouTube TV ($73) and save $92 every month. That's over $1,100 per year! We still get all our local channels and Univision." - Maria Martinez

Tom from Tampa

"As a Bucs fan, I was worried about missing games. With an antenna and NFL+, I see every game for less than $10/month. My Spectrum bill was $142!" - Tom Richardson

The Johnson Family - Orlando

"We cut cable 2 years ago and haven't looked back. Between free apps and a $25 antenna, we're saving $1,400 annually. That money went toward our Disney annual passes!" - Sarah Johnson

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Don't sign up for too many services at once - you'll end up paying more than cable
  • Check your internet data cap - streaming uses 3GB per hour in HD
  • Be aware of price increases after promotional periods
  • Don't forget to actually cancel cable - some providers require 30 days notice

Ready to Start Saving?

Join thousands of Florida families who've cut the cord and saved over $1,200 per year. You don't need cable to enjoy great entertainment!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my email address from my cable company?

Most cable companies let you keep your email for a small fee ($5-10/month) or free. Consider switching to Gmail or Outlook before canceling.

What about hurricane coverage and emergency alerts?

Local channels via antenna provide the best hurricane coverage. Also download apps like WESH 2 (Orlando) or WPLG Local 10 (Miami) for streaming coverage.

Can I still get Spanish language channels?

Yes! Univision and Telemundo are free with an antenna. For more options, try Sling TV's Spanish packages starting at $10/month.

What internet speed do I need for streaming?

25 Mbps is sufficient for most households. For 4K streaming or multiple devices, consider 50-100 Mbps.