The calculation process
CableQuit first creates a coverage checklist from the channels, sports, local stations, shows, antenna preference, and existing apps selected in the calculator. It then builds possible service combinations from a centralized coverage matrix instead of assigning a provider at random.
Each candidate is audited item by item. Full live coverage receives the strongest treatment. An on-demand library can count as an accepted alternative only when the user allows it, and it remains labeled as partial rather than being presented as the live channel. Location-dependent local stations and unresolved sports rights remain caveats or missing items.
How the three paths are selected
Cheapest Setup favors the lowest estimated new monthly cost that makes a meaningful coverage improvement. Best Balance gives more weight to full coverage and fewer compromises while still considering price. Closest to Cable gives extra weight to broad live TV coverage and the most complete replacement experience. A broad live TV service is not automatically required for Cheapest or Best Balance.
Candidate setups are deduplicated before ranking. If two combinations have the same services or effectively identical coverage, only the stronger candidate is retained. A user-selected live TV preference is prioritized when applicable, but it does not override missing-channel disclosure.
Cost formulas
- Total setup cost = the monthly estimates for every service in the setup.
- Existing service cost = the portion of that total the household already pays.
- Estimated new spending = total setup cost minus existing service cost.
- Estimated monthly savings = current TV bill minus total setup cost, never below zero.
- Estimated yearly savings = estimated monthly savings multiplied by 12.
Using the full setup cost for savings avoids pretending that an existing app is free. Showing new spending separately still helps a household understand the immediate budget change caused by switching.
Illustrative calculation
Suppose a household enters a $185 current TV bill. A candidate setup totals $72 per month, including an $11.99 app the household already pays for. The estimated new spending is $60.01, but the full ongoing setup still costs $72. CableQuit therefore displays about $113 in monthly savings and $1,356 in yearly savings, while identifying the already-owned portion separately.
This example is arithmetic only, not a promised recommendation. The actual result depends on the selected content, current provider records, and any location-specific limitations.
Sources and update cadence
CableQuit reviews pricing and coverage against official provider plan pages, channel lineups, help centers, manufacturer specifications, and FCC reception tools where possible. The current core service review was completed August 20, 2026. Guide tables use the same centralized dates when they display a calculator service price.
High-impact services and bundles are checked when a provider announces a material change and during scheduled editorial reviews. Reader corrections are checked against a primary source before the site data is changed. You can review the current records and estimate history in the Streaming Price Tracker, or report an outdated price or lineup on the Contact page.
Why the calculator uses estimates
Provider prices, channel lineups, local broadcast station availability, regional sports rights, promotions, taxes, and equipment availability can change. CableQuit is designed to narrow your choices and show tradeoffs, not guarantee exact pricing or availability.
Before cancelling cable or subscribing to a new service, confirm current provider details and test any antenna-based setup at your address.
How existing apps are handled
If you already pay for a streaming app that appears in a recommendation, that app may count toward total coverage without being treated as new monthly spending. This helps avoid overstating the cost of a plan you partly already have.
Limits the calculator cannot resolve
CableQuit cannot test antenna reception at an address, confirm a regional sports blackout, predict taxes or future promotions, or guarantee that a show remains in an on-demand library. It also does not know the condition of a household's devices or internet connection. Those items must be confirmed before cancelling an existing provider.