Digital Life: Can you live without cable TV for a week?

If you’re really serious about cutting the cord, I’m going to give you a challenge. I want you to go without cable for a full week.

For this experiment to work, you’ll need to commit to the mission. Don’t even think about turning on your cable box. If you’re worried about missing something, set your DVR to record it before you embark on this entertainment test.

Ready? Good.

Here’s what you’re going to do instead. You’re going to force yourself to see what else is out there. It might involve sacrificing your favorite channel or show for a week. But, then again, it might not. Either way, cord-cutters don’t watch TV the way you do, so if you want to be one, you have to act like one.

Start by poking around the app or channel store on your streaming stick or box. We talked about these devices last week. They include Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Chromecast. No box or stick? A smartphone, tablet or PC will do just fine (that’s the trendier way to watch “TV” anyhow).

After connecting your media player to the Internet, start browsing through the selection of available apps. Many apps will require a cable or satellite TV login. Do not use yours! The point is to go without. Plus, there are tons of free options.

I’m going to help you find a few.

Let’s start with some familiar broadcast networks. Take ABC, the network has a streaming app that offers a combo of free and cable login-only content. ABC’s live broadcasts are locked behind a login, but current and classic shows are not. For in-season series, digital episodes are available to stream a week after they air. If you can live with that, then you’ll get totally free access to tons of hit TV shows like “The Bachelor,” “Scandal,” “Modern Family” and so on. The app also has what are called “throwbacks.” These are older hits and include shows like “Felicity” and “My So Called Life.”

Just keep in mind, you will have to watch some ads. That’s typically the case with free content.

The CW app/channel is another great option for on-demand access to the cable network’s shows, including “Supergirl” and “The Vampire Diaries.” Everything is free — with commercials, of course — and no login is required.

Now, let’s move on to news. You have lots of options, but the CBSNews app is 100 percent free and comes with live news and on-demand access to popular news programs, including “48 Hours” and my personal favorite, “60 Minutes.” You’ll also get clips from current episodes of “CBS This Morning” and the “CBS Evening News.”

Not too shabby, right? Keep in mind you’re not getting local news, but, then again, a digital antenna can give you that.

Similarly, the NBC News (not the regular NBC app) is packed with free stuff. All of the NBC and MSNCB news programs — “Morning Joe,” “Today,” “Meet the Press” — are available in on-demand form with ads.

As for PBS, the public broadcast station’s streaming app has a limited selection of freebies. But PBS Kids, on the other hand, will keep the kiddos entertained at no cost to you. You’ll just need to provide your email address for access.

Part two of this challenge is to think outside your cable box. That means giving alternative TV apps, especially ones with unfamiliar names, a chance. Crackle, Newsy and Pluto, in particular.

Pluto is a good streaming channel for transitioning because the app’s guide resembles a traditional TV guide. Pluto blends traditional TV with newer streaming TV options, and it looks exactly like broadcast TV. Everything is live and free. So if you like to hunt and peck, and channel flip, Pluto is a great place to start.

Crackle is another goodie. Everything is offered on-demand, and content is mostly obscure TV shows and movies. But Crackle has familiar titles, too, like “Being John Malkovich,” “Apollo 13,” “Girl, Interrupted,” “Mad About You,” and “Seinfeld.” The digital media company also produces some original series and movies.

And if you’re willing to give non-network news a try, check out Newsy, which produces cable-like headline news and clips. It’s all free, but there are ads.

Finally, I want you to think like a kid. And where do kids watch TV? On YouTube, of course.

Even for adults, YouTube can be the cornerstone of your streaming life. Use it to watch all the best comedy clips and skits from your favorite late night programs, but also to scout for new talent.

Issa Rae, for instance, has a show on HBO that’s hilarious, but she got her start on YouTube with an equally entertaining digital series called, “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl.”

Everyone uses YouTube differently, so don’t be afraid to find your own way. If you need a little guidance, take inspiration from reader Adam McLane, who shared his YouTube habits:

“Every month or two, we (me and the kids) will binge on Jimmy Fallon skits. (We) rarely watch the whole show, but his skits and games are incredible. We watch Carpool Karaoke often. I watch SNL on YouTube Sunday morning because it’s on too late for me. I watch all the press conferences SDSU Athletics put up. And I watch all of the SoCal fishing videos that Dan Hernandez does. I think his show is on TV but I’ve only ever seen it on YouTube.”

I’m just barely scratching the surface of what you can stream for free, but this should keep you busy for a week.

Take the challenge and let me know what you discover.

jennifer.vangrove@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1840 Twitter: @jbruin