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Compare the best TV providers near you

Are you looking for a TV and internet bundle deal, a custom channel lineup or the cheapest TV service available? Explore all your options from top companies near you.

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Find the best TV service for you

No matter what’s on your TV wish list, we’ve put together a list of reliable, local TV companies that may be available in your area. Find the TV service best suited for your address!

Best TV providers of 2020

As ranked by Reviews.com as of 08/18/20.

Reviews.com is owned and operated by an affiliate of Allconnect, Inc. However, Allconnect, Inc. is not involved in or responsible for the production of Reviews.com content, including the rankings cited on this page.

Your “best” TV provider depends on what you and your family are looking for in a great home entertainment experience. Click below to shop popular TV companies near you.

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What types of TV services are available near me?

Cable TV service is the most popular connection type, however, your address may also be eligible for fiber or satellite TV plans depending on where you’re located. Residents in rural areas, for example, can shop satellite TV providers which offer service in places that other providers do not. Take a look at some of the pros and cons of the TV connection types that may be available in your area.

Streaming TV services

To find all the channels and movies you want, consider a combination of traditional TV service plus a streaming provider (or two). With almost a dozen streaming TV services to choose from, streaming TV can be a great option to supplement all your household’s TV needs. 

Pros:

  • Availability – Streaming TV is available everywhere.
  • Price – Plans starting at $9/mo., depending on the provider. 
  • Flexibility – Switch between multiple user profiles.

Cons:

  • Sports – Fewer live sports options available.
  • Internet – Requires a stable internet connection with plenty of data.

Popular streaming companies: Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV and Philo TV

Cable TV services

Many people use “cable” in reference to TV services in general, but cable TV is a specific type of TV service that uses coaxial cables. Since coaxial cable networks are nearly as commonplace as phone lines, cable TV is readily available in many areas.

Pros:

  • Availability – Cable TV is available to roughly 89% of U.S. residents.
  • Convenient bundling – Most cable TV companies also offer internet, home phone and home security services.
  • Reliability – Cable TV is less susceptible to service interruptions due to inclement weather.

Cons:

  • Cost – Standalone TV packages may be higher priced than satellite TV packages with similar channel lineups.
  • Specialty channel options – Compared to satellite TV, cable often will not have as many regional sports networks, international channels or other add-on options.

Popular cable TV companies: Cox, Mediacom, Optimum, Spectrum, Suddenlink and Xfinity

Satellite TV services

Satellite TV service is one of the most popular and readily-available alternatives to cable TV. Satellite TV is available throughout all 50 states, but you will need a clear view of the southern sky and a place to mount a satellite dish to receive service.

Pros:

  • Availability – Satellite TV is available nearly everywhere, making it an excellent TV option in suburban and rural areas.
  • Package options – Satellite TV gives you numerous base package options and lots of add-ons for premium channels, sports and more.
  • Picture quality – Satellite TV technology supports higher bandwidth than cable, which means you’re likely to get more HD and 4K programming with satellite TV.

Cons:

  • Signal interference – Inclement weather, snow and heavy cloud cover can result in signal loss.
  • Contract obligations – Satellite TV is likely to come with a two-year service agreement, a longer commitment than most cable or fiber-optic TV providers require.

Popular satellite TV companies: DIRECTV and DISH

Fiber-optic TV services

Fiber-optic TV service is becoming more popular as fiber-optic networks are expanded. Currently, fiber-optic TV is primarily available in metro areas and less than a third of U.S. residents are eligible for service.

Pros:

  • Package options – Like satellite TV, fiber-optic TV has a high bandwidth that will support many channels and high picture quality.
  • Bundle options – If fiber-optic TV is available, it’s likely that you’ll be able to bundle with fiber-optic internet service, an emerging internet connection type.
  • Reliability – Fiber-optic cables are more durable and resistant to interference than coaxial cables, giving fiber-optic TV superb reliability.

Cons:

  • Availability – Fiber-optic TV is currently one of the least-available types of TV service.
  • Cost – Standalone fiber-optic TV package may cost more than satellite or cable TV options. Plus, you may have to bundle with internet to qualify for certain TV packages or pricing.

Popular fiber-optic TV companies: Frontier FiOS and Verizon Fios

Find out which TV service types and providers are available in your area. Click “Shop providers” below or call to speak with our TV experts about available options in your area.

Shop TV providers

Summary of top TV companies

Compare details like contract agreements, installation fees and channel lineups when considering your TV provider. Our experts have done the in-depth research for you to make your TV decision easy.

Top TV companies at a glance

*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 08/18/20.

Take a closer look at how TV companies in your area stack up by clicking on a comparison below. Find nationwide availability, bundle deals, add-on options and more from TV and internet providers in your area.

Get cheap cable service near you

TV service doesn’t have to be expensive. Many popular providers offer basic cable service that includes local channels and major networks at an affordable price. If you’re looking for the best value for your money, we’ll help you find some of the cheapest TV providers for your address. Here’s a list of TV companies that offer cheap TV service:

Cheap TV packages

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 08/18/20.

These prices are low, especially for cable TV plans, but consider the additional monthly charges that you may incur with service. Cox TV Starter, for example, starts at $25/mo.* but increases as you add things like TV receivers ($10/device), DVR service ($12.99/mo.) and Complete Care protections ($10/mo.) 
Things get more expensive as you add premium channels and channel paks to customize your service. Personalizations and equipment fees are common amongst major providers, so consider your plan price as a starting point.

Call now: (844) 451-2720 (844) 451-2720

Over-the-top streaming TV services

A cheap alternative to cable TV is to simply purchase a fast internet connection and stream your favorite shows. Here are a few TV streaming options that you might find to be good substitutes or complements to traditional TV service.

AT&T TV NOW

AT&T TV NOW (formerly DIRECTV NOW) is a subscription over-the-top service that lets you watch live TV and On Demand programming. It’s a cost-effective way to “cut the cord” and still get many of the live channels you get with regular TV service. DVR service is now available with DIRECTV NOW and offers up to 20 hours of cloud storage for shows.

Netflix, Hulu & Amazon Prime

Popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime feature movies, hit series and original shows. For the most part, these services feature On Demand streaming, which makes them a great supplement to TV service, but not the best substitute for live programming.

Roku and other devices

Many devices, such as the Roku and Amazon Fire TV Stick, let you stream TV from a variety of sources. However, like Netflix and Hulu, available content is limited. Such devices are ideal for viewers who just watch a few TV series and On Demand movies.

Tips on shopping for a TV provider

You can find the best deal out there as long as you know what to look for. Here are a few quick tips to find the TV provider and plan that’s best for your household:

  • Shop around: Make sure you’re considering every provider in your area before narrowing down your options.
  • Consider bundling: Bundling home service plans with a single provider will almost always save you money. You’ll also simplify your monthly bills.
  • Add in equipment fees: Surprise bills aren’t fun bills. Look at how many TVs you’ll need receivers for, if you’ll want DVR service and if add-ons are a necessity. All of these things will increase your monthly bill.
  • Check your channel lineup: Do a little digging on the channel lineup that’s included with your plan instead of relying on the number (125 channels). If your favorites aren’t included, it won’t be worth the money no matter what.

If you need assistance shopping, we’re here to help. Contact us today for more information on providers in your area.

Call for details: (844) 451-2720 (844) 451-2720

FAQs on TV providers

What’s the difference between satellite and cable TV?

Cable service providers use a coaxial cable connection and a cable box, while satellite TV providers use a satellite dish to send the TV signal. With a satellite dish installed, satellite TV is available to most homes nationwide. Cable, on the other hand, is only available to homes connected to a cable network and may not be available in rural areas.

Availability for TV companies varies nationwide. Satellite TV companies are the most widely available, followed by cable, fiber-optic and IPTV. Call to hear about available TV service providers and plans in your area.

4K TV, also called “Ultra-HD”, is a picture resolution with 3840 x 2160 pixels, roughly four times the 1920 x 1080 you get with HD resolution. The result is a sharper image, but you need a 4K TV and a service that offers 4K programming to experience it.

Most TV companies offer discounts to customers who bundle services together. Because of increased competition between internet and TV companies, providers often give a discount for setting up all of your services through them rather than getting internet from one provider and TV from another.

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Lisa Iscrupe

Written by:

Lisa Iscrupe

Writer, Broadband & Data Content

Lisa uses years of experience in sales and customer service for internet-TV providers to inform her writing on broadband. Her work has been referenced by CNN and other national sources. In Lisa’s Words: Ever… Read more

Robin Layton

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband & Wireless Content

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