You can't get all the stations that you've become a custom to, but you don't have to pay for a lot of stations that you don't watch. The Roku cuts out the middle man and lets you decide what you want to pay for.
I bought this solely for the Shudder app. We already have a smart tv and have all the regular Netflix, Hulu apps, etc. We also have Verizon cable but with all the great apps that the Roku has, I don't even watch cable anymore!! So easy to use that my 2 year old can go right to PBS! Love love live it! No lag in any of the apps and so simple to manuever!!