A start-from-scratch explanation just in case, so if you already know this, then this can be for other visitors when they get a google hit to this thread.
Cable/satellite is like a buffet restaurant, you pay a big price and they get to decide which dish, when it gets put out, and it tastes bland. Streaming is like a menu, you get to choose each dish when you want it, but does not have the variety of a buffet, and you may have to pay extra to satisfy a unique taste. All "streaming" means is you are watching (or listening to) something at the same time it is downloading from a website over the internet. As long as you have internet service, you can stream at any time you want on your computer, smartphone, or home asssistant device (i.e. Alexa). If you choose you can then connect those internet devices to your tv to watch the program ('smart' tvs can access the internet directly). Keep in mind that you can not "stream" the exact television signal that is broadcast onto your tv - you pick and choose items to watch and there are different commercials than on broadcast signals.
Each "streaming" website that you access only has their particular programming available. Some are free and some you have to pay a subscription to, and some combine free content with pay-to-access premium stuff. You access these websites by either visiting through your internet browser or by installing their interactive app.
Various free:
- Networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, etc): Not all entire network lineups are available, and you may have to wait for just-aired programs to become accessible days later. Series-programs dominate, not usually special events, but you can access rebroadcasts of news and other snippets of shows.
- Internet providers (Xfinity, U-verse, etc): You are paying them to get internet to begin with, but included with that they provide access to some programming.
- YouTube: not much traditional programming
- Podcasts: basically a talk radio show, there are thousands available across the internet.
Various pay for:
- Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Prime, Sling, etc: They only have access to their owned/contracted programs, movies, networks, or unique content they create.
- Live action sports: usually behind a pay wall for that network
- Music: behind a pay wall for that service
- Roku: you buy a device to connect to your tv (or a 'smart' tv already has it installed), and this device just aggregates all the websites you want to watch. Any subscription sites still have to be paid for through those sites.
To connect the streaming website to your tv (if you are not using a 'smart' tv), you can simply connect a USB/HDMI physical cable from your computer. You can also buy a device, like Roku or Google Chromecast, that you plug into the tv and it allows you to "cast" the signal from your internet device to the tv.
The minimum recommended bandwidth for internet service is 5Mbps to stream on one device, and you still may get interruptions on video. Most cord cutters combine an antenna to get traditional digital broadcast stations, supplemented by streaming unique content.
