The idea of “cord cutting” has been discussed for years around the internet. The rise of on-demand content providers such as Netflix, iTunes, Google and Amazon created the possibility of ditching traditional cable for the newer, internet based services.

But, for sports fans, cord cutting hasn’t really been a legitimate option. Sure I can binge watch Walking Dead episodes, but what about when Alabama is taking on Georgia on live television?

While traditional cable bundles still maintain a strong footing in American households, two facts are indisputable. First, cable providers remain some of the most hated companies that serve the masses. Second, alternatives to traditional cable are increasing each year, and for the first time, this includes legitimate options for live sports programming.

Sling TV

Launched in February of 2015, Sling TV is a subsidiary of Dish Network. The service offers a $20/mo package for 20 television channels including AMC, TNT, ESPN, ESPN2, CNN and others. For an additional $5/mo, you can add the Sports Extra package which will give you the SEC Network, ESPNU, ESPNNews and other channels. All in for $25/mo, you can get the live sports programming on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNNews and SEC Network. Not bad!

Cord Cutting sports

Sling TV streams over the internet through devices such as Roku and Amazon Fire. Unfortunately for us Apple TV owners, you can’t watch Sling TV through an Apple TV device.

CBS All Access

Since CBS has the rights to SEC football games each Saturday during the fall, it is worth mentioning CBS’s new cord cutting option called CBS All Access. For $6/mo, you can have access to a library of CBS content including shows such as Scorpion, Madam Secretary, NCIS: New Orleans, The Odd Couple. More importantly, in their top markets, you can have access to the live, local broadcast of CBS which means live sports. Currently, this live, local broadcast option is limited to top markets so there’s a likelihood that it is not available in your city. You can check by going here.

Over-The-Air HD

Of course you can get the live broadcasts of the major broadcast networks by using the old school method of hooking up an antenna. Many options are available for free HD quality television of the major broadcast networks such as ABC, FOX and CBS. Click here and here for more information on setting up OTA HDTV.

Cable On The Way Out?

Content providers are racing to open up their own access to consumers, and it is not limited to just CBS and Dish Network’s Sling TV. HBO recently announced HBO Now which is a streaming option that provides access to all of HBO’s content that they’ve ever made. The offering is $14.99/mo and can be streamed through an Apple TV device. I’d suggest picking up HBO Now for the 2nd season of True Detective coming soon which will help you pass the time prior to kickoff of the football season (then feel free to cancel your HBO Now subscription). Similarly, Showtime is releasing a streaming offering this July for $10.99/mo.

For the first time ever as a major sports fan, I’m considering cutting traditional cable. The introduction of products like Sling TV offer sports fans a true alternative to traditional cable at a fraction of the cost I’m paying to my cable provider. Of course, signing up for 4 or 5 services might add up to what you already pay for cable (and you’ll need a good internet connection as welL), so you will have to run the numbers to see what is the best option for you. Regardless, it’s nice to see more options for consumers… specifically, die-hard sports fans.