Sling, a popular ___ service, allows users to watch many of their favorite cable channels live.

Here's our quick take on the streaming services you will need to keep you entertained and whether eliminating cable is right for you. 

Here’s where it all begins: You’re sick of paying an exorbitant cable or satellite bill, and you have a strong sense that if you just limited your spending to a few streaming subscription services, you would be much more satisfied with your home entertainment experience. So let’s say that you already have a good TV, a speedy internet connection and a set-top box. (If you don’t, we’ll get to that later.) Who gets your money?

The answer to that will depend on what you’re specifically looking for from television. If your answer is “I want it all,” then honestly, you may be better off sticking with cable or satellite, because getting it “all” piecemeal will likely be prohibitively expensive. But if you have particular areas of interest, cord-cutting is definitely feasible and probably cheaper. (More advice on how to cut your bill without fully cutting the cord can be found in this guide from Wirecutter.)

Fill in this blank: “I’m most interested in watching _____.”

Prestige TV - Recent Hit Movies - Arty Movies - British TV - Sports - Reality TV -Classic TV - Classic Movies - News and Politics - Family Entertainment

Made your pick? Now scroll down to find the best services for you:

Start with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, tack on an HBO subscription to the latter, and consider paying for the Brit-centric streaming service Acorn as well. You’ll have plenty to watch, all commercial-free, and if you hear a lot of buzz about a show that isn’t available through any of those platforms, you can always pay for them on an episode-by-episode basis from Amazon (or iTunes, Vudu, or whichever digital retailer you prefer).

Once You’re Set Up, You Might Try: “The Crown” (Netflix); “Big Little Lies” (HBO); “Janet King” (Acorn); “Transparent” (Amazon Prime Video)

Although HBO and Showtime are perhaps better-known these days for original programming, they still show recent theatrical releases, and they make them available through their subscription services. Starz is also excellent for anyone seeking current blockbusters. Consider tacking on a subscription to one, two or all three of these to an Amazon Prime Video account. Video-on-demand rentals are also an option, facilitated by multiple retailers. And if you’re interested in owning digital copies of your movies, the service Movies Anywhere is a helpful way to manage and view your library.

This one’s easy: Get FilmStruck for sure, and then consider Mubi, Fandor and SundanceNow if you never want to run out of challenging foreign films, indie films and documentaries. And while cinephiles who decry Netflix’s paucity of older movies may be shocked to hear this, that service’s teeming library of recent art films from around the world (in July 2018 they included “Aquarius,” “Nocturama” and “Staying Vertical”) is maybe its best-kept secret.

In terms of subscriptions, Acorn is an absolute must for anyone who wants to spend hours every day touring around quaint villages and gritty British city streets, enjoying gentle comedy and hard-hitting crime stories alike. But Netflix is also well-stocked with great BBC, ITV and Channel 4 productions, and Sundance Now has been expanding its overseas catalog. Get those three and stay diligent with your PBS app, which makes a lot of its “Masterpiece” productions available for free for a limited time after they air. You could also try BritBox, a streaming service from the BBC and ITV. 

Those who want to see non-British foreign television have ample options, too. In addition to the aforementioned Acorn (which also features programs from Canada and Australia, among other countries), both MHz Choice and Walter Presents have well-curated collections of European series, with a particular emphasis on the many great Scandinavian crime dramas. And the increasingly popular TV coming out of South Korea is available on DramaFever, Viki, and Kocowa.

Once You’re Set Up, You Might Try: “Line of Duty” (Acorn); “Prime Suspect” (BritBox); “Call the Midwife,” (Netflix); “Chewing Gum” (Netflix)

If you’re a baseball fan, get MLB.TV. If you love basketball, get N.B.A. League Pass. If the N.F.L.’s your thing refer to the “A la carte sports” section below, because that one’s complicated. But no matter what sport you love, you’re probably going to need to pony up for a live TV subscription to see everything you want. 

The good news is that nearly all of these services offer the ESPN family of networks as standard, at the lowest tier. Many then offer regional Fox Sports channels, and even an array of overseas sports broadcasts. Soccer fanatics should also look into FuboTV, which emphasizes the major sports leagues in general but is particularly generous with international football. Again, be sure to check with the various live TV providers to see what you’re allowed to see in your region and for what price. (If you can afford it, consider Playstation Vue, which offers easy access to the many games streaming every day on ESPN’s website.) ESPN also now offers ESPN+, which features a selection of live games from professional and college sports, along with access to the network's documentary films and some studio content exclusive to the subscription service.

You really don’t need any more than the lowest tier of any of the live TV services (Philo in particular), most of which offer an array of basic cable channels ideal for people who like to watch house-hunting, cooking competitions, travelogues, World War II documentaries and celebrities hanging out at home.

Hulu and CBS All Access are the best places to start here, with Netflix as a potential add-on. You also may want to invest in an antenna to see if you can pick up a local channel that carries MeTV or a similar retro television service. Also, since the Philo live TV service has Nickelodeon and TV Land (and is super-cheap, starting at a bare-bones package for $16 a month), it might be worth subscribing to that as well.

Some of the live TV services offer Turner Classic Movies as part of the standard package; some put it in one of the pricier tiers. Check the channel packages available in your area, and if you can get one that offers TCM without charging too much, start there, then add Amazon Prime Video and add FilmStruck, which is also strong on foreign classics.

You might think that local news and cable news would be easy to find via your set-top box, but even if you get a live TV subscription, it may be missing your local channels, and it may not have your preferred cable pundits. (Fox News, for example, isn’t available on every service.) Hulu With Live TV will get you a lot of what you need with minimal hassle, but do check out your local line-up on the Hulu website first.

Here’s a good place to experiment. Don’t look for a live TV option with Nickelodeon or Disney; instead, make use of the PBS app and YouTube’s kid-friendly channels, which are free. Get a subscription to Boomerang for some classic cartoons, and supplement that with some combination of Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, all of which have some excellent children’s shows.

Let’s get some of bad news out of the way. If your goal in cord-cutting is to save money — but you’d prefer not to lose access to anything you’re currently watching via your cable or satellite subscription — then you should be aware that the money you save on one bill may be immediately redistributed to another. Additionally, unless you want your “Game of Thrones” episodes to look blurry and choppy, you’ll want to make sure you have the proper internet package.

Different Internet Service Providers, known as I.S.P.s, have different tiers. The various streaming services make different recommendations — typically available on their individual sites — as to the minimum requirements that allow their content to look sharp and run smoothly on different devices. Averaging their recommendations out, you’ll probably want to make sure that you have a minimum 4 Mb/s (that’s megabyte per second) connection, which, be warned, isn’t available in some of the more rural areas of the United States.

Do you have a bundle? If you are currently bundling your internet with your cable — and possibly your cellular plan, you may have a bigger complication. The major communications companies like AT&T have spent the past several years building and marketing systems designed to keep their customers “in the family” by packaging a variety of necessary services and then sending one bill. Before you embark on this cord-cutting adventure, be sure to do some comparison-shopping in your area to find the right I.S.P. for you that accounts for your entire internet, phone and cable bundle.

One of the advantages of unplugging from the physical cable sticking out of a socket in your home is that you’re free to enjoy the entertainment you’re paying for on any screen you happen to have handy, be it a laptop, tablet or mobile phone. Many streaming services, like Netflix and Hulu, keep track of what you’re watching and will let you pause a show or movie on one device, then pick it up later on another device. 

Four important TV notes:

• The fancier your TV, the faster your internet connection will need to be. The minimum 4 Mb/s recommendation for streaming video is inadequate for most 1080p, 4k, and 3D content. For that, you’ll likely need to upgrade to around 15 Mb/s.
• If you buy a new TV, take the time to calibrate the picture, or perhaps even pay a professional to do it for you. Most sets come out of the box with colors that are too garish and an image that’s too bright.
• Always take a moment on a new TV to switch off any special features that are meant to reduce motion-blurring. (These go by different names depending on the manufacturer, but the setting typically has the word “motion” in it, as in Sony’s “Motionflow” or LG’s “TruMotion.”) These settings tend to make movies and even most modern television shows look more flat and artificial, in what’s often called “the soap opera effect.”
• Television manufacturers have been moving toward “smart TVs” that connect to the internet and provide access to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and the like. The selection of apps on these sets vary depending on licensing agreements made between the manufacturers and the O.T.T. services. (O.T.T. is short for “over the top,” a term applied to any streaming media provider to which a consumer can subscribe directly.) Also, not all of them will let you plug in and get a seamless, cable-like TV experience without any other hardware. The technology and interfaces are certain to improve in the years ahead, but for now, for the best results, you’re better off just investing in a set-top box. 

Here’s some good news: Set-top boxes, which plug into the back of your TV set, are generally inexpensive. While the apps and services you connect to via these boxes (Netflix, Hulu, etc.) require subscriptions, the tech itself should function just fine from the moment you connect it to your TV and the internet.

Here are a few of the best-selling brands of boxes:

Google Chromecast ($35 or $69): As part of the Google family of products and services, Chromecast devices (standard and Ultra) offer an impressive library of apps that treat the TV screen as a tool for more than just passive viewing, including games, music and viral videos. Chromecast also takes part of its name seriously, allowing users to start watching something on their phone or tablet and then “cast” it to a TV. The devices are often discounted at the Google Store, online. 

Roku ($29.99 - $99.99): One of the pioneers in the concept of cheaply and simply turning any TV into a streaming portal, Roku offers a wide range of products, from simple sticks to bigger (yet still compact) boxes. Because it’s been around so long, Roku has agreements with pretty much every major and minor streaming video service, and it is even integrated into some smart TV models. The company has also been giving its customers more power to control the sound of what they’re watching, with features like “night mode” (which mutes explosions and amplifies whispers) and “private listening” (which allows viewers to watch a show or movie on their TVs but listen to it through headphones).

Amazon Fire ($39.99 - $74.99): Amazon’s set-top box and its cheaper stick have the advantage of syncing well with any other Amazon devices you may have. You can ask your Alexa to find a show for you, and after you start watching it, you can pause it on your TV and pick it up later on your Fire tablet. As with the Roku, the Amazon Fire’s features have also been integrated into a smart TV. The most expensive version of the box adds an HD antenna for picking up free over-the-air local broadcast signals. One common complaint about Fire devices is that they push Amazon Prime Video content over that of other streaming video companies, but that’s a bit of a nitpick. Netflix and Hulu shows are still easy to access with this interface.

Apple TV ($149 - $199): Similar to the Amazon Fire, the Apple TV is fantastic for dedicated Mac families, allowing them to sync programing between iPhones, iPads and laptops. Apple also has one of the better interfaces for finding and organizing content, with an app simply called “TV” that’s designed to function a lot like a DVR, keeping the latest episodes of your favorite shows in an easily accessible queue. Note: Netflix shows can be searched via the "TV" app, but they can't be added to its queue; users are simply redirected to the Netflix app.

Sony PS4 (starting at $299.99) / Microsoft XBox ($299 to $499): One of the biggest unexpected players in this space has been the major video game console companies. The Sony PS4 and Xbox One X are state-of-the-art in terms of their streaming capabilities, and they’re even creating their own services that attempt to serve the same functions as traditional cable TV. (More on that later.) The Xbox One S, Microsoft’s previous model, was still for sale as of August 2018, at $200 less than the One X. Click here to compare the two on the Xbox website.

Other: Have a TiVo? Depending on the model, you might be able to use it to watch Netflix and Hulu (among other services), even after you cut the cord. A lot of modern Blu-ray players, should you be among the minority who still watch Blu-rays or DVDs, will also allow you to watch some services.

The various streaming services have invested heavily in original programming over the past few years, and have built up a formidable library of TV series and movies, running the gamut from kids shows to arty foreign imports. 

The best way to navigate all of this? The New York Times has you covered with Watching, a curated site and recommendation engine that suggests worthwhile TV shows and movies based on your particular interests, tastes, and whims. In the mood for something empowering with a female lead? We can narrow that down for you.

Poke around on Watching to get the most out of your subscriptions. Tell us what shows or movies you like and we will suggest other great ones. In the meantime, for a more general overview, here’s just a sampling of some of what’s out there. Click on the titles below to start adding them to your personal Watchlist on Watching:

“Stranger Things” Revisit the glory days of ‘80s blockbuster movies with a teen-focused science-fiction/horror/fantasy series, which has become one of this era’s most talked-about shows.

“One Day at a Time” A revival of Norman Lear’s beloved ‘70s sitcom about a single mom updates the premise for our multicultural age, while remaining every bit as warm, funny and family-friendly.

“BoJack Horseman” A decidedly mature cartoon, this frequently surreal take on the life of a fading Hollywood star is also an insightful examination of how wealth and fame aren’t always satisfying.

“American Vandal” Although it starts out as a parody of true-crime documentaries, this sneaky hit becomes a surprisingly moving and insightful portrait of high school social castes and teen alienation.

“GLOW” An entertaining adult dramedy, this heavily fictionalized look back at '80s wrestling also has a nuanced take on how women in showbiz fight for their own voice and power.

“Queer Eye” The groundbreaking self-help series returns, with a new batch of gay fashion and lifestyle experts ready to broaden America's tastes.

Also: “Black Mirror,” “Godless,” “Mindhunter,” “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” “Orange Is the New Black,” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “Wild Wild Country”

“The Handmaid’s Tale” The first streaming-only TV production to win a “Best Series” Emmy adapts Margaret Atwood’s chilling post-apocalyptic feminist novel into a disturbingly relevant study of how authoritarian governments justify their cruelty.

“Difficult People” The fearless and funny Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner play aspiring New York comedians who spend their downtime riffing on the silliness of contemporary pop culture. 

“11.22.63” One of Stephen King’s more acclaimed modern novels becomes a provocative miniseries, with James Franco as a teacher who travels back in time to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

“Too Funny to Fail” This fascinating documentary looks at the disastrous 1996 run of “The Dana Carvey Show,” a controversial sketch comedy series that featured some of the earliest work of Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Robert Smigel and Louis C.K.

Also: “Casual,” “East Los High,” “Harlots,” “The Mindy Project,” “Shut Eye”

“Transparent” Amazon’s most culturally significant and critically acclaimed show follows one deeply dysfunctional Los Angeles family, that is  shaken out of its old habits by their former patriarch’s transition to a new gender.

“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” The creator of “Gilmore Girls,” Amy Sherman-Palladino, applies her rapid-fire wit to the late ’50s New York comedy scene, as seen through the eyes of a jilted upper-middle-class housewife who becomes a stand-up sensation.

“Bosch” The popular crime novelist Michael Connelly adapts his page-turning novels into gripping TV procedurals. Titus Welliver plays the grizzled, razor-sharp detective Harry Bosch.

“Catastrophe” Reckless, commitment-phobic lovers become accidental parents in a riotous dramedy that’s painfully honest about how hard it is for even two well-meaning goofballs to keep a relationship going.

“Goliath” Billy Bob Thornton gives one of the best performances of his career, playing a washed-out lawyer attempting a comeback in a deeply corrupt Los Angeles.

Also: “Fleabag,” “Long Strange Trip,” “One Mississippi,” “Red Oaks,” “Sneaky Pete.”

“The Bureau” (Sundance Now) A sophisticated spy thriller with a Gallic accent, this European import looks at the personal and professional lives of the men and women who work in France’s covert security agency.

“The Good Fight” (CBS All Access) The creators of “The Good Wife” revisit the rough-and-tumble world of Chicago lawyers and politicians, with stories that touch on matters of race, gender, privilege and modern life.

“Mr. Mercedes” (Audience/DirectTV Now) Brendan Gleeson plays a retired detective who’s still being tormented by the sick criminal he failed to bring to justice, in this TV adaptation of a Stephen King novel.

“Neil Gaiman’s Likely Stories” (Shudder) The top-tier fantasy author lends his name and his imagination to an anthology of freaky tales based on his work.

“19-2” (Acorn TV) Police procedurals are rarely as realistic or involving as this French-Canadian cop show, set in the politically divided city of Montreal.

“Star Trek: Discovery” (CBS All Access) The highest-profile series ever to go straight to a subscription streaming service is a prequel to the original ‘60s “Star Trek,” featuring a fresh set of interstellar adventurers.

“Vera” (Acorn TV) Brenda Blethyn stars as an offbeat but effective Detective Chief Inspector in a series of mystery stories as character-driven as they are crafty.

Bear in mind that, if you’re on the ball, there’s also plenty you can watch for free — with no need to subscribe to anything. This may change in the future as major media companies put more of their products behind a paywall, but for now, some major channels (like ABC, Fox, the CW and PBS) make select episodes of their shows available online for nothing, for a limited time after their original broadcasts. You can watch them through a web browser or through an app on your set-top box.

Depending on where you live, an HDTV antenna (interior or exterior) can also bring you a lot of great TV from local broadcasts; apps like Channels and Kodi can provide DVR-like functionality to turn those over-the-air signals into content-feeds that you control.

One last point on what to watch: If you really want to pay only for what you want to watch and nothing else, don’t forget that iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, Fandango Now, Cinema Now, Google Play and others will gladly sell or rent you movies and episodes of TV series to watch on your computer or TV. If you’re thinking of your various subscriptions as an analogue to cable, then think of this option as akin to the old-fashioned “pay per view.” The fees can add up if you watch a lot, but these vendors have some free videos, too. 

One last point on what to watch: If you really want to pay only for what you want to watch and nothing else, don’t forget that iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, Fandango Now, Cinema Now, Google Play and others will gladly sell or rent you movies and episodes of TV series, to watch on your computer or TV. If you’re thinking of your various subscriptions as an analogue to cable, then think of this option as akin to the old-fashioned “pay per view.” The fees can add up if you watch a lot, but these vendors have some free videos, too.