Optimum cable TV packages

By Ari Howard Last updated: May 1, 2023

Optimum by Altice offers three TV packages with as many as 220 to 420+ channels at a starting price of $85/mo. Compare Optimum’s TV packages with Allconnect to determine which plan is best for you.  

  • 220+ channels starting at:

    $85/mo.*

    *Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 05/01/23.

    Call to order: (844) 451-2720

Why choose Optimum TV?

Optimum TV availability exists for millions of people in New York City and the greater area, including further north to Yonkers and Poughkeepsie, as well as parts of northeastern New Jersey and southwestern Connecticut.

Optimum TV offers more channels than most cable providers, but at a potentially higher cost. Read our breakdown of Optimum TV packages and features below to determine if Optimum cable is the best choice for TV service for your home.

What we like

  • Altice One device – This device serves as a cable box, streaming hub, modem and router, but you’ll have to bundle with Optimum internet to get it.

Things to consider

  • High prices for standalone TV – Optimum packages start at $65/mo., a higher starting price point than many cable providers.

Optimum TV packages and pricing

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 05/01/23.

Though Optimum TV packages offer more channels, there aren’t many channels that particularly stand out compared to similar packages from other providers. 

View our complete comparison table page for more details about Optimum TV to decide if the service is right for your home.

Shop Optimum plans

Optimum delivers high-speed internet, TV and home phone with customizable plans.

Call to order: (844) 451-2720

Optimum TV equipment and fees

Equipment fees

Equipment fees can be pricey for standalone TV services. 

  • Cable box: $11/mo. per box
  • Cloud DVR service: $17.99/mo.

Installation fees

  • Standard installation: $59.99.
  • Professional installation: $149.99 (isn’t required for most homes)

Expert tip: Installation fee is waived when you purchase more expensive packages

You may be able to get the installation cost waived altogether, especially if you choose a higher-tiered TV package or bundle with internet.

Unreturned equipment fees

  • Fees for unreturned equipment (Altice One device, remotes, etc.): $12 to $300
  • To avoid the fee: You can package your equipment with a copy of your bill and drop it off at Walgreens, FedEx Office or any authorized FedEx location.

Expert tip: Bundling your services is the best way to save on equipment fees

Bundling Optimum services can be more cost effective when it comes to equipment fees. The Altice One device, which is a superior device to the cable box you’d get with standalone internet, is only $10/mo., and DVR service adds another $10/mo.

Choose the best Optimum TV plan for you

Everyone has their favorite channels, and Optimum TV packages do a decent job of meeting the entertainment demands of any household. You’ll find a list of some of the more popular channels included in each package below.

Core TV – Best for the most popular standard networks

  • News: ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, as well as other local channels.
  • National networks: AMC, BET, Bravo, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central, Disney, Freeform, HGTV, Lifetime, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Syfy, TBS, TNT and USA.
  • Sports: CBS Sport Network, ESPN, ESPN2, FOX Sports 1, NBC Sports Network and your regional sports networks are also included.

Select TV – Best for households with varying viewing interests

Additional channels that come with the Select TV package (and are not part of the Value TV package) include: American Heroes Channel, BBC World News, FX Movie Channel, MLB Network, MTV2, NBA TV, NFL Network, Olympic Channel, Sundance and The Golf Channel, among others.

Premier TV – Best for Premium movies and sports fans

Additional channels that come with the Premier TV package (and are not part of the Select TV package) include: beIN Sports, FOX Soccer Plus, HBO® networks, NHL Network, Showtime® networks, STARZ® and STARZ ENCORE® networks and Willow, among others.

Optimum streaming TV options 

Can’t find an Optimum TV package to fit your needs? If you are not seeing an optimum package in your desired price range, or with your most-wanted channels, there’s another option. Try combining your high-speed Optimum internet with a streaming TV package. 

Besides Netflix and Hulu, you can also try checking out some of these streaming TV providers. We recommend:

Additional benefits of Optimum TV service

  • Altice One device

    In addition to acting as your modem, router and cable box, the Altice One device can record up to 15 shows at once and has a built-in feature for accessing streaming apps. Rental fees for the Altice One device are also cheaper than standard cable boxes from Optimum.

    Altice One device

  • Live TV streaming

    Optimum TV to GO is available on your computer or mobile device and offers live TV streaming on many of the channels included in your Optimum TV package. You’ll also have access to your DVR library as well as thousands of on-demand shows available.

    Three people watching TV

  • No contract + contract buyout offer

    You aren’t locked into a long-term agreement with Optimum TV service, so you can change your service as needed without fear of early termination fees. And if you’re stuck in a contract with your current provider, Optimum has a contract buyout offer for qualifying customers.

    Woman and daughter using a cellphone

Compare Optimum cable packages to other TV providers

If Optimum is a TV option in your area, it likely isn’t the only one. Satellite TV providers are available nationwide and your address may also be serviceable for other cable or fiber-optic TV providers. See how Optimum cable TV compares to other TV providers below.

Optimum Spectrum
Starting price at
$85.00/mo.* $59.99/mo.*
Channels
220+ 125+
Streaming access
Optimum TV to GO Spectrum TV App
Records
15 shows at once 2 shows at once
Contract
None None

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 01/10/23.

Which provider is best for cable TV?

If you are looking for the most affordable cable TV plan available, then Spectrum TV is likely your best bet since pricing starts at just $44.99/mo. for 125+ channels. However, if you want the best value in terms of receiving the most amount of channels for the lowest price, Optimum is your winner.

Optimum cable TV customer satisfaction

In 2022, the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) gave Optimum a customer satisfaction score of 59/100. While lower than satellite TV providers DISH and DIRECTV, Optimum’s score is above Suddenlink’s 53.

Optimum add-on packages

  • Premium channels

    Starting at $9.99/mo. Get Cinemax®, HBO®, SHOWTIME®, STARZ® & STARZ ENCORE® networks, each available as add-ons to your Optimum package for an additional monthly fee.

  • Optimum Sports Pack

    Starting at $15/mo. The Optimum Sports Pack adds NFL Network and NFL, Red Zone, beIN Sports, The Golf Channel, MLB Network, FOX Soccer Plus and more to your lineup.

    Football team running out of a tunnel

  • Spanish-language programming

    Free of charge for the first month, $12.95/mo. after. Add Optimum en Español for Spanish-language versions of CNN, Discovery, History and NBC, as well as sports on beIN Sports, ESPN Deportes and FOX Deportes.

    A family watching TV

Optimum TV FAQs

What is Optimum TV to GO?

Optimum TV to GO is Optimum’s TV viewing service available on the Optimum App or on an internet browser. TV to GO allows you to watch Optimum TV from your laptop, desktop computer or any internet-enabled device. Anywhere you have an internet connection, log into your Optimum account and then click on the show or movie you’d like to watch.

Cablevision was a cable TV service operating in the NYC area prior to being acquired by Altice (the parent company of Optimum) in 2016. Many of the existing Cablevision networks are now used to supply Optimum service, but the Cablevision product is no longer available.

Yes. Subscribers 62 and older are eligible to receive discounted basic cable TV service. Users must also meet annual income requirements based on marital status to be eligible for the Optimum senior discount ( $24,432 for single income and $29,956 at the married income level).

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Ari Howard

Written by:

Ari Howard

Associate Writer, Broadband & Wireless Content

Ari Howard is a staff writer Healthline and spent two years as a writer on the Allconnect team. She specialized in broadband news and studies, particularly relating to internet access, digital safety, broadband-… Read more

Robin Layton

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content

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