The vMVPD Value Collapse: Is It Time to Rethink Your Setup?
Once upon a time, a subscription to a vMVPD (virtual Multichannel Video Programming Distributor) -- or "live streaming TV" -- meant you could watch all your favorite channels, your local news, and your favorite sports teams for a fraction of the cost of cable. Over the last few years, that has changed. The "cable killer" has effectively become the new cable, complete with the heavy price tags and familiar frustrations we once tried to escape.
The Shrinking Return on the Dollar
We have reached a point where the convenience of the big bundle is no longer worth the cost. For many, cable was easy and familiar, but the return on the dollar eventually soured. Today's major streaming services have followed that same trajectory. YouTube TV, which launched at $35, now sits at $83 per month. Hulu Plus Live TV and DirecTV Stream have climbed into the $90 -- $100 range.
When you factor in that most subscribers only watch a handful of the hundreds of channels they pay for, the "convenience" starts to look like a massive monthly tax. If the value lowers enough, it is time to look elsewhere.
The Fragmentation of Sports
The primary reason many hold onto expensive services is sports, but that landscape is transitioning. We are moving toward a world of "a la carte" sports access:
- The Big Bundles: National sports are increasingly moving toward direct-to-consumer models like the ESPN and FOX joint ventures (often referred to as the ESPN Unlimited and FOX One bundle), which cover the majority of major national games for roughly $40 -- $45 per month.
- The RSN Flux: Regional Sports Networks are in a state of collapse. This past season, DirecTV Stream was the only service carrying 28 MLB teams. However, as of early 2026, MLB has taken over production for 21 of the 30 teams, offering in-market, blackout-free streaming for approximately $20 per month.
Depending on your favorite team, you may have already lost the value of your vMVPD. If you have to find another outlet for sports anyway, why continue paying for the bloated bundle?
The Antenna Strategy
It may be time to look for an antenna. If you have an old one still in place from days gone by, it likely still works perfectly. Despite the marketing, there is no such thing as an "HDTV antenna" -- there is only an antenna, and the airwaves are still free.
If local channels are available in your area, getting used to watching them via an antenna is the first step toward significant savings. To make the transition easier, you can add a network tuner to your mix:
- Tablo: This is the simpler route. It allows you to watch and record antenna TV through an app on your existing streaming devices with no monthly subscription fees for guide data.
- HDHomeRun: This works similarly to Tablo. While often used with media servers like Plex, you can simply use the HDHomeRun app on your TV just like any other streaming service.
The Shadow Month Trial
Because streaming services are month-to-month, they are easy to subscribe to and, more importantly, easy to cancel. If you find yourself watching more antenna TV and less of your expensive vMVPD, it is time to look at dropping that service for one that is half the price, a third the price, or even lower.
Pairing an antenna for locals with a "skinny" bundle like Philo ($33) or Frndly TV ($9) can cover your entertainment needs for a fraction of the cost. The day of reckoning for the expensive streaming bundle has arrived for many. It might be time to see if it has arrived for you, too.
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