Cutting the cord means cancelling traditional pay TV and watching everything over the internet instead. For many Australian households it is the easiest way to lower the monthly bills without giving up live sport, news or movies. This guide walks you through how to cut the cord in Australia in 2026, step by step.
Why Australians Are Cutting the Cord
- Rising bills – base packages, sport add-ons, HD fees and extra boxes add up quickly.
- Contracts – many people dislike being locked in for a year or more.
- Renting and moving – no dish, no installer and nothing to return when you move.
- More screens – families watch on phones, tablets and laptops as much as on the TV.
- International channels – multicultural households want channels from home without paying extra.
What You Will Need
| Item | Why | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| NBN or 5G home internet | Everything runs over the internet | Your existing plan is usually enough |
| A streaming device | Smart TV, Fire TV Stick, Android TV or Apple TV | Often already in the house |
| Free-to-air TV | Local channels with an antenna or the broadcasters’ free apps | Free |
| IPTV subscription | Live sport, news, movies, series and international channels in one app | From $7.21/month with OzStream TV |
Step 1: List What You Actually Watch
Write down every show, sport and channel your household watched last month. Most families find the list is shorter than they expected: a couple of sports, the news, some movies and a few series. That list tells you exactly what your new setup needs to cover.
Step 2: Check Your Internet
Run a speed test on the TV in the evening. About 15 Mbps per HD screen and 25 Mbps for 4K is a good guide. If the result is low, try Ethernet or 5 GHz Wi-Fi before upgrading your plan. Our NBN speed guide explains more.
Step 3: Choose Your Devices
A Fire TV Stick 4K is the most affordable way to upgrade an older TV. Recent Samsung, LG and Android TVs can often run a player app directly. Compare options in our best IPTV devices guide, or follow our Firestick setup guide.
Step 4: Test Before You Cancel
Do not cancel your old service until you are happy with the new one. Start a free 24-hour trial with OzStream TV and watch a live game, the news and a movie at peak time. Check your contract for exit fees and note the date it ends.
Step 5: Cancel and Return Equipment
Once you are confident, contact your pay TV provider to cancel, ask about any final charges and return the box if required. Keep the cancellation reference number.
How Much Can You Save?
Savings depend on your current package. Here is a simple way to work it out: add up everything you pay each month for pay TV, sport apps and box rental, then compare it with an all-in-one IPTV plan.
| OzStream TV plan | Total (AUD) | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months | $50 | $16.67 | – |
| 6 months | $72 | $12.00 | – |
| 12 months | $100 | $8.33 | $100 |
| 24 months | $173 | $7.21 | $86.50 |
Every plan includes 32,000+ live channels and 200,000+ movies and series, with no box to rent and no automatic renewal.
Keeping Live Sport After You Cut the Cord
Sport is the biggest worry for most cord-cutters. Our guides show how to follow AFL without Foxtel, NRL streaming and cricket over IPTV.
What About Free-to-Air and Catch-Up?
Cutting the cord does not mean losing local channels. A TV antenna still picks up free-to-air broadcasts, and the broadcasters’ own apps offer catch-up for many local shows. IPTV then fills the gaps: live sport, movies, series, kids channels and international TV in a single app. Most households end up with a simple mix of antenna for local channels plus one IPTV plan for everything else.
A Simple Cord-Cutting Setup
| Room | Device | What it is used for |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge | Fire TV Stick 4K on Ethernet | Live sport and movies |
| Bedroom | Fire TV Stick or Smart TV app | Series and news |
| Kids’ room or kitchen | Tablet | Cartoons and cooking shows |
| On the go | Phone | Scores and highlights |
Once everything runs smoothly for a week, cancel the old service with confidence and enjoy the savings.
Common Cord-Cutting Mistakes
- Cancelling before testing the new setup at peak time.
- Relying on weak Wi-Fi in the lounge room.
- Buying an expensive new TV when a $60–$100 streaming stick would do.
- Paying for several overlapping streaming apps at once.
- Forgetting to return the old pay TV box.
Cord Cutting for Families
Families often worry that dropping pay TV means fighting over one screen. In practice the opposite happens: with IPTV the kids can watch cartoons on a tablet while the footy is on in the lounge and someone else catches up on a series in bed. Set up a Favourites list for each person, and you have a tidy, personal TV guide on every device.
Grandparents and relatives from overseas also benefit. Channels in their own language are just a few clicks away – see our guide to international channels in Australia.
Cut the Cord FAQ
Can I keep watching live sport after cutting the cord?
Yes. IPTV includes live sport channels alongside news, movies and series. Test the competitions you follow during the free trial.
Do I need a new TV?
Usually not. A Fire TV Stick or Android TV box turns almost any TV with an HDMI port into a streaming TV.
Will I still get free-to-air channels?
Yes. Keep your antenna for local channels, and use IPTV for everything else.
Is there a contract with OzStream TV?
No. You pay once for 3, 6, 12 or 24 months and plans never renew automatically.
How much does OzStream TV cost?
Plans in AUD: $50 for 3 months, $72 for 6 months, $100 for 12 months ($8.33 a month) and $173 for 24 months ($7.21 a month), with a 7-day refund promise. See pricing.
Ready to Cut the Cord?
Test everything before you cancel. Start the free 24-hour trial or message us on WhatsApp with what you watch now – we will help you plan the switch.
Leave a Reply