The short version: a typical 2026 US cable bill is $95-$147/month once you add fees and rentals. A single IPTV subscription covers live channels, movies and sports from $20/month, roughly $150 a month less than cable plus streaming apps.
If your cable bill feels like it creeps up every year, you are not imagining it. In 2026 the average US cable TV bill runs about $95-$147/month once you add equipment rental, regional sports fees and broadcast surcharges, and that is before your internet.
What you are actually paying for
The advertised price is never the real price. Here is where a typical bill goes:
| Line item | Typical monthly cost |
|---|
| Base TV package | $60-$90 |
| Box & DVR rental | $10-$20 |
| Regional sports fee | $8-$15 |
| Broadcast TV surcharge | $15-$25 |
| Post-promo price hike | +$20-$40 after 12 months |
⚠ The promo trap: most advertised cable prices are 12-month teasers. When the promo ends, the bill jumps by $20-$40/month, and that is the price you actually live with.
The streaming trap
Cutting cable for streaming apps helps, but not as much as you would think. The average household now pays about $69/month across roughly four apps (Deloitte, 2026), and still does not get live sports or PPV without paying even more. Stack a few apps plus a live-TV service and you are back near cable prices, just with more logins and bills to juggle.
The $20/month alternative
A single IPTV subscription like KanovaTV bundles live channels, movies and series, and sports and PPV into one plan from $20/month, on the devices you already own, with no box rental.
| Option | Typical monthly | Live sports? | Apps to juggle |
|---|
| Cable | $95-$147 | Yes | 1 (plus fees) |
| Streaming apps | ~$69 (4 apps) | Extra cost | 4+ |
| IPTV (KanovaTV) | From $20 | Included | 1 |
See it before you pay a cent
Stream live channels, movies & series, and sports & PPV in up to 4K. No contract, cancel anytime.
Start your free 24-hour trialHow to cut your bill this week
Add up your real cable bill, including every fee and rental
Note the channels and sports you actually watch
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Keep only your internet plan, drop the TV package
Cancel cable once your new setup is working
Frequently asked questions
How much is cable per month in 2026?+
The average US cable TV bill runs about $95 to $147 per month once you include box and DVR rental, regional sports fees and broadcast surcharges. Advertised prices are usually 12-month promos that rise by $20 to $40 afterwards.
Is IPTV cheaper than cable?+
Yes, by a wide margin. A single IPTV plan starts around $20 per month for live channels, a large on-demand library and sports, versus $95 to $147 for cable, roughly $150 a month less than a cable-plus-apps setup.
Do I have to give up my internet to cut cable?+
No. Keep your existing broadband and drop only the TV package. IPTV and streaming both run over the internet you already pay for.
Will I lose live sports if I cut cable?+
Not with a full IPTV service. Streaming apps usually charge extra for live sports, but a comprehensive IPTV plan includes live channels and PPV in the base price.