Is it time to pull the plug on your cable?

On the prowl for a cable and satellite alternative? You're in luck.

While cutting the cord can be a good thing for your wallet, it may be tough to replicate the TV-watching/channel-surfing experience.

However, with the increasing assortment of Web-based video options, some frugal-minded folks are abandoning their cable and satellite services altogether and taking the plunge.

Is it time to pull the plug on your cable?

There are many sites online that offer free show streaming; from sitcoms to sports to special events. The caveat? It's not instant gratification like cable. It may take a day or even a week to see your program appear online.

So, where can you find your programs on the Internet? Thanks to an article on LifeHacker.com, we've got the lowdown:

Network favorites
Looking to watch a show from a specific network? Head straight to their site shortly after the show is aired. The network Web sites offer free behind-the-scenes footage, and offer previews for upcoming episodes. The shows online are usually available for a few hours after they've been aired on TV. Networks to visit include CBS.com, NBC.com, ABC.com, and Fox.com

Gawker.TV
This isn't the site to watch your favorite show, but can help to sum up a show immensely. If you've missed a solid ten minutes, or the flashbacks and flash forwards have confused you beyond repair, head to Gawker.TV. The site posts synopses and clips of shows to keep you up to date with the show's material.

Amazon Video On Demand
With Amazon Video on Demand, you'll have to pay for the shows downloaded from the site. The pro? The show can be formatted to fit your mobile device.

Hulu
At Hulu, you can organize and search for shows. Hulu has pretty much got you covered when it comes to finding a show you want to watch, and offers many psych shows, The Daily Show, and cable TV shows. New episodes are available for 30 days after they've been aired on TV. Hulu is also well stocked with complete old seasons of favorite shows.

Netflix
At Netflix, streaming old shows is easy. Netflix doesn't really offer new shows. There's a monthly fee for Netflix, but once you are signed up you may stream as many shows as you would like. Click here for a free trial.

Clicker
Clicker comes in handy. It acts as your TV Guide. Bookmark this site to let you know what's available online, and when. Search through shows to find on which site it is being aired.

Report shows consumers are cutting the cable cord

On the prowl for a cable and satellite alternative? Time to join the bandwagon.

A recent report issued by The Convergence Consulting Group claims that 800,000 Americans have "cut the cord" over the last two years on their cable television and now watch their TV online using services such as Netflix, Hulu and iTunes.

And, that number is expected to double by next year, growing to 1.6 million households by the end of 2011.

Is it time to pull the plug on your cable?

There are many sites online that offer free show streaming; from sitcoms to sports to special events. The caveat? It's not instant gratification like cable. It may take a day or even a week to see your program appear online.

Our suggestion for cord cutters? A small set-top-box device called Roku connects your television set to the internet. Couple that with a monthly Netflix subscription and save hundreds per year on cable fees.

So, where can you find your programs on the Internet? Click here for the lowdown.

Cut the cord and watch free documentaries online

In the spirit of “cord cutting,” we’re looking for new ways to entertain ourselves without paying outrageous cable bills. For those of you who claim to need cable for educational TV, we have your solution… freedocumentaries.org.

Freedocumentaries.org is an easy-to-use site, collecting well-known documentaries like “Sicko” and “The 11th Hour,” as well as more obscure and hard-to-find films from all over the world. Best part is, all the films are free and it’s actually legal.

You can stream the videos instantly to your computer, no commercials or sign ups required. The site is currently applying for non-profit status, with a mission to “educate and entertain as many people as possible in the hopes of fostering a healthy democracy.” Fueled mostly by volunteers, the site depends on donations to cover overhead and keep improving the site.

Cut your expensive cable bill and you’ll have plenty left over to help in the cause. You’ll even have plenty left over to host move night and learn something in the process. With over two-hundred titles listed, and more constantly being added, freedocumentaries.org is one to join Hulu and Netflix on your favorites tab.

Click here for details. Also, click here for additional pointers for those looking to pull the plug on their cable.

--Lana Petersson

Savings 101: Time to cut out your cable?

Is it time to cut out your cable?

A $70 a month cable bill adds up to $840 a year. That's a nice chunk of cash that could be stashed in the bank, if you're willing to deal with minor buffering issues.

If you do cut your cable, where do you go? Hulu offers free commercial-supported TV shows and movies from NBC, FOX, and many others. Netflix sends you DVDs by mail, and as a bonus streams selected movies via the Internet. You can try Netflix for free, and it's then only $4.99 a month with no late fees. For shows not on Hulu, most of the major networks offer free viewings online. You can also download movies and watch them immediately from iTunes and Amazon, for a small fee.

Cutting your cable may be a money and time saver. Karen Lubensky, switched from cable and uses NetFlix. What does Karen find? "The savings are tremendous. My husband and I watch a lot of movies from Netflix, and I find more time to read, and go to the gym. I now take a sewing class once a week, something I wouldn't have had the money or time for. "

We recommend giving it a try... Maybe cable is something you won't end up missing after all.