Sure. So there's software called "PlayOn" and a second companion software called "Play Later". They are always going on sale, so there's no need to pay full price for them. You can pay a yearly subscription for each, but it's a MUCH better deal to wait until they're on sale (every other month it seems), and get the lifetime licenses.
PlayOn lets you stream Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, MLB, NHL, NFL (all requiring subscriptions of course), as well as CBS, NBC, and most any other streaming service, inc. YouTube and any streaming video link you can find.
It should be obvious it requires a running computer (we're talking about streaming, duh). Butif you're worried about electricity use, keep in mind, your cable DVR NEVER shuts off , even when you push the power button.
It plays these streams out to a Roku, Xbox, PS3/4, Chromecast, iPad, or Android tablet or phone.
PlayLater works with PlayOn to "record" the streams. These recordings can be kept indefinitely, and copied to any device that can play mp4 files, inc. an iPad or Android device.
Say you watch Blue Bloods, but you don't want to pay for Hulu Plus. You can "record" each episode during the season using PlayLater. As free Hulu pulls episodes (I think they usually only keep 4 at any given time), yours remain on your device. At the end of the season, you can binge watch it if you like. You can also skip the commercials, as you would with any video file.
I have dozens of movies I've "recorded" from Netflix. As Netflix removes them, I get to keep them.
I could, if I wanted, subscribe to HBO for a month, record seasons of HBO series from HBOGO, then cancel HBO and spend a few months watching my recordings.
Then there's Usenet and Torrents, which, contrary to what many people have been brainwashed into thinking, are not all illegal files. There are tons of public domain shows like The Beverly Hillbillies and Gilligan's Island available. No need to subscribe to expanded basic to get TV Land. There are even programs that can automatically search out these shows and download them for you.
Cable in it's present form will continue for some time. Your cable co. gives you a remote control, but the reality is they push the buttons. Personally, I believe streaming is the future. Whether it controls you, or you control it is up to you.
Damn it Chloe, we're running out of time. Use the not a computer device!