Throwing a couple of TV platform scenarios + potential drawbacks.

Scenario 1: (Total $165)

Comcast Premium Package $105
Metro PCS unlimited 20GB hotspot $60

-This will give you all the movie channels over X1 with its interface and voice support remote. To get a PCS deal you'll have to accept an economy phone however at 20GB its plenty as a replacement for DSL to serve the laptops. Expect the price on the Comcast though to go up by $20 dollars after the first year and another $20 the second year.

Scenario 2: (Total $152)

Comcast Prepaid 20mbs DSL $50
Hulu TV add free $44
Hulu w/Showtime add-on $8
Metro PCS unlimited $50
-One Time Extra: Amazon Fire TV $69 (voice remote)

-Everything here is prepaid but will require a streaming device investment unless you've got a TV that by itself can support the Hulu app. You probably don't need to spend the $15 dollars for the HBO add-on as long as you know when each TV season is coming out of your favorite shows and you set a reminder somewhere. Showtime is discounted through Hulu so a good deal. Hulu TV commercial free is a little more money than the standard version of the service but does have a solid sports package. Not a huge cut in price from cable but you don't have to worry about it going up in price.

Scenario 3: (Total $109)

Sprint unlimited streaming 10GB hotspot w/Hulu add free $67
Showtime stand alone service $11
Samsung Galaxy 8 monthly payment $31.25
-One Time Extra: Samsung Dex Pad $99 (signal converter)

Its possible to get away with DSL entirely by using a Samsung Dex. A Dex will require a phone with Android Oreo software or above (think S8 or S9) and this is where the S8 comes into play. Having service with sprint they have a promotion for the ad free Hulu but there is no option to expand the service into Hulu live TV or the add-on premium channels should you care do to do so for football season.

Scenario 4: (Total $100)

Comcast Xfinity Mobile unlimited service/hotspot $45
Xfinity Mobile wireless stand alone charge $10
Hulu add free w/Showtime add-on $20
Samsung Galaxy 8 monthly payment $25
-One Time Extra: Samsung Dex Pad $99 (signal converter)
-Bonus: $250 prepaid card for purchasing a Samsung phone

This one requires being a current Comcast DSL customer to get the service but once you have it you can keep it with a $10 charge for a total of $55 unlimited. Comcast is selling the S8 for $600 a pretty average price BUT they are giving you a prepaid card after 4 months of service for $250. If you buy something for $250, return it as cash you could essentially buy the S8 down by that amount. Its like picking up the S8 for $350.

Aside from Cricket Wireless where they limit phone speed to 8mbps there is nowhere else selling it the S8 for $350 at the moment. Straight Talk has the S8 and one month of service for $500. Metro PCS/Boost Mobile about $530. Overstock has the S8 for $609 new. $350 is as good as it gets and can buy you into the Samsung line so by the time the S10 is out it you could get another $350 out of it in a trade in.