Cable TV providers 2025
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Last updated: June 30, 2025
Looking for cable TV companies in your area? Allconnect’s experts provide you with info on the best cable services, deals and special offers, along with opportunities to bundle cable TV with internet.
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Best cable TV providers
*$20/mo. off reg. rate of $115/mo. Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. SPECTRUM TV SELECT: Standard rates apply after promo period. TV equipment may be required, charges apply. Channel availability based on level of service and not all channels available in all markets or locations. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2025 Charter Communications, all rights reserved. Updated as of 06/30/25.
Key takeaways
- Cable TV uses coaxial cables to transmit signals to your television
- Xfinity offers the cheapest cable TV package starting at $20.00/mo.
- Bundling internet and TV can save money
- TV boxes or DVRs can add to your monthly costs
Should you buy cable TV?
If you’re weighing cable TV against other types of home TV service, such as satellite or streaming, you might want to examine the pros and cons of cable TV to see if it may be a better choice over other TV options in your area.
What we like
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Bundling convenience – Cable TV companies typically also provide internet and home phone, and may offer extra incentives for bundling
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Package selection – Most cable providers offer three or more different TV packages, plus lots of add-on options for sports, movies and more
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Reliability – Cable service is also not as susceptible as satellites to service interruptions during bad weather
Things to consider
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Equipment costs – Rental fees for cable boxes and the DVR or HD service they provide can inflate your cable bill by $30/mo. or more
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Package pricing – Cable TV tends to be priced about the same as satellite TV, but more expensive than streaming services
Shop cable TV packages near you
Finding cable companies in your area is easy when you enter your ZIP code below. In addition, you can get satellite TV almost anywhere you can put a dish, and live TV streaming services work anywhere with a decent internet connection. There are other alternative TV options available, too.
When picking a TV provider, you’ll want to compare the number of available channels, add-ons like premium channels, monthly cost, hidden fees, contracts and customer service scores.
Enter your ZIP code to view internet plans available near you
Bundling cable TV and internet
One of the best ways to save money on your cable TV bill is to bundle TV and internet together with one provider. Some providers may only offer TV with internet, while others may offer standalone TV packages. Here are some of the benefits of bundling your services together:
- Discounts – For some providers, such as Xfinity bundles, the more services you bundle (cable TV, internet, home phone, home security, etc.), the more you save
- Convenience – The most common reason customers bundle their services is just for the convenience factor of having one bill for multiple services
- Promotional offers – Some providers offer a free subscription to a premium channel or streaming service, or will even provide a Visa Gift Card
Allconnect’s top cable picks
If you live in the West and want a few basic channels, Xfinity’s $20.00/mo. cable TV plan for 10 channels is a great deal. If premium channels are important to you, Xfinity’s top plans include them for free.
For bundling your internet and cable TV plans, Mediacom is an affordable choice for both, with plans starting around $60.00/mo. for speeds up to 250 Mbps and 50+ channels.
Cable TV provider breakdowns
Mediacom TV – Best for internet + TV bundles
Mediacom offers TV as part of internet and TV bundles. Choose flexible bundles that fit your needs based on the internet speed you need and channels you want for your home network. Mediacom TV is available in 22 states. Primary service areas include the Midwest, central U.S. and the Mid-Atlantic.
| Plan | Starting price* | Channels | Download speeds | Data cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet 250 + Local TV | $60.05/mo. | 50+ | 250 Mbps | 400 GB |
| Internet 250 + Essential TV | $135.05/mo. | 125+ | 250 Mbps | 400 GB |
| Internet 250 + Variety TV | $159.06/mo. | 170+ | 250 Mbps | 400 GB |
| Internet 500 + Local TV | $85.95/mo. | 50+ | 500 Mbps | 2,000 GB |
| Internet 500 + Essential TV | $155.05/mo. | 125+ | 500 Mbps | 2,000 GB |
| Internet 500 + Variety TV | $184.06/mo. | 170+ | 500 Mbps | 2,000 GB |
| Internet 1 Gig + Local TV | $100.05/mo. | 50+ | 1,000 Mbps | Unlimited |
| Internet 1 Gig + Essential TV | $170.05/mo. | 125+ | 1,000 Mbps | Unlimited |
| Internet 1 Gig + Variety TV | $199.96/mo. | 170+ | 1,000 Mbps | Unlimited |
| Internet 2 Gig + Local TV | $125.05/mo. | 50+ | 2,000 Mbps | Unlimited |
| Internet 2 Gig + Essential TV | $195.05/mo. | 125+ | 2,000 Mbps | Unlimited |
| Internet 2 Gig + Variety TV | $224.06/mo. | 170+ | 2,000 Mbps | Unlimited |
*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. Updated as of 06/30/25.
What we like about Mediacom
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Channel customization – Easy customization options for every plan, including adding premium channels, digital paks and sports channels
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Channel lineup – Good channel lineup with every plan
Things to consider about Mediacom
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Additional fees – Expect monthly surcharges for local TV and DVR
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Bundling – Required to bundle cable TV and internet together
Optimum TV – Best TV equipment
Optimum TV provides a broader selection of channels compared to many cable providers. However, this comes at a higher cost. Optimum TV is available in four states. Primary service areas include the Northeast and greater New York City area.
| Plan | Starting price* | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| Basic TV | $35.00/mo. | 50+ |
| Core TV | $85.00/mo. | 220+ |
| Select TV | $105.00/mo. | 340+ |
| Premier TV | $125.00/mo. | 420+ |
*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. Updated as of 06/30/25.
What we like about Optimum
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Great DVR equipment – Record up to 15 shows at once
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High channel count – All of Optimum’s plans have a high channel count (220 – 420+), which means you will always have lots of shows to choose from
Things to consider about Optimum
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High fees – Expect to pay additional fees for the Optimum cable box, cloud DVR service and network enhancement fee
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High starting prices – Optimum does not offer any cheap TV plans (i.e., under $50/mo.)
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Limited availability – Optimum has limited availability compared to some other providers
Spectrum TV – Best for no-contract cable TV
Spectrum offers a few TV plans to choose from with channels up to 170+. You can add on more channels with the sports, entertainment and Latino packages for an additional monthly fee. With no contracts required, you can sign up and cancel whenever you want without paying any fees. Spectrum TV is available in 46 states. Primary service areas include the South, Midwest and West Coast.
| Plan | Price | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| Spectrum TV Select Signature | $95.00/mo.* $20/mo. off reg. rate of $115/mo. | 150+ |
| Spectrum TV Select Plus | $105.00/mo.** $20/mo. off reg. rate of $125/mo. | 160+ |
| Spectrum TV Stream | $40.00/mo.**** | 85+ |
| Mi Plan Latino | $70.00/mo.*** $20/mo. off reg. rate of $90/mo. | 170+ |
*$20/mo. off reg. rate of $115/mo. Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. SPECTRUM TV SELECT: Standard rates apply after promo period. TV equipment may be required, charges apply. Channel availability based on level of service and not all channels available in all markets or locations. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2025 Charter Communications, all rights reserved. Updated as of 06/30/25.
**$20/mo. off reg. rate of $125/mo.
***$20/mo. off reg. rate of $90/mo. Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. MI PLAN LATINO: Standard rates apply after promo period. TV equipment may be required, charges apply. Channel availability based on level of service and not all channels available in all markets or locations. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2025 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.
****Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. SPECTRUM TV STREAM/SPECTRUM TV STREAM LATINO: Price subject to change. Spectrum Internet required. Channel availability based on level of service and not all channels available in all markets or locations. Additional equipment may be required to access PEG channels. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2025 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.
What we like about Spectrum
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High channel count – All of Spectrum’s TV packages offer a high channel count (85 – 170+ channels)
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No contracts – With Spectrum, you can cancel your plan at any time
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Add-ons available – You can add on additional channel packs to your existing plan
Things to consider about Spectrum
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Hidden fees – If you include the broadcast fee, TV box fee and the DVR fee, you can expect to pay an additional $20 – $30/mo. than the advertised price. Take this into consideration when choosing a plan
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Disappointing equipment capabilities – Spectrum does not have 4K streaming capabilities and you can only record two shows at a time
Xfinity – Best for cheap cable TV packages
Xfinity has the most plan variety of top providers. This is due to its variety of plans in its three service regions. Xfinity TV is available in 40 states. Primary service areas include the Northwest, Great Lakes area and eastern U.S. Plans vary based on your region.
| Package | Introductory price* | Channel count | Popular channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choice TV | $20.00/mo.** | 10+ | Hallmark, Oxygen, HSN |
| Extra | $67.27/mo. | 125+ | AMC, ESPN and Disney |
| Digital Preferred | $69.99/mo. | 185+ | ESPN, CBS Sports, MLB, NBA, NHL and NFL networks |
| Digital Premier | $89.99/mo. | 185+ | HBO, STARZ and SHOWTIME |
*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. Prices shown for Northeast region. Updated as of 06/30/25.
**Northeast region price starts at $25.00/mo. with no term contract.
What we like about Xfinity
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A variety of plans – Xfinity offers four main packages that range from 10+ channels all the way to 185+ channels. The channel lineup for the main three packages all include ESPN
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Premium channels included – Xfinity’s top two packages, Preferred and Premier, both include premium channels in its lineup. Preferred only offers STARZ, but Premier offers all the most popular premium channels including STARZ, HBO, SHOWTIME and more
Things to consider about Xfinity
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Equipment fees – Expect equipment fees to add up to at least an additional $20/mo.
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Pricing varies – Expect pricing to vary slightly based on your location and also if you choose to bundle TV and internet
| Package | Price | Channel count |
|---|---|---|
| Contour TV Starter | $71.00/mo.* | 75+ |
| Contour TV Preferred | $125.00/mo. | 140+ |
| Contour TV Ultimate | $162.00/mo. | 250+ |
*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. Updated as of 06/30/25.
What we like about Cox
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Great channel lineup – With any of the Cox TV packages, you get access to a wide selection of channels
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Great DVR options – The Cox Contour DVR offers customers 3 DVR options to choose from
Things to consider about Cox
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Additional fees add-up quickly – Expect boadcast/regional sport surcharges and the DVR fee to increase your monthly bill
Cable TV installation
Cable TV is delivered to your home via a coaxial cable connected to a utility pole or a buried line, which is connected at a main point to the internet service provider’s network. The cable is connected to a cable box, which is connected to your TV via an HDMI cable, which then unscrambles the signal to deliver your channels.
Typically, cable TV requires professional installation if your home has never had cable installed or the previous resident had a different provider. Your ISP provides the cable box and other equipment you need.
Cable TV prices and additional fees
Cable TV package deals
You can usually expect to pay more for cable TV than the listed starting price. Along with taxes and broadcast fees, equipment rentals and add-on packages can add to your monthly cable bill. To offset this price, bundling TV and internet is a great way to potentially save on your cable bill.
Check for special offers, like Spectrum’s contract buyout offer, good for up to $500 to help you out of your contract with another provider. Be sure to read the fine print as the offer is only available when you sign up for select TV and internet bundles. Free equipment, gift cards and installation could all be perks of internet package deals.
Cable TV vs. fiber TV
Cable TV is readily available across the U.S., whereas fiber TV is only available in select cities that Verizon serves with its fiber optic connections.
Although fiber connections are generally faster and more steady than cable, only one provider offers TV service through its fiber cables: Verizon Fios.
Verizon’s TV plan starting prices are a bit higher than other cable TV plans, around $85.00/mo. Premium add-ons can also increase your monthly bill, running $10.00 to $15.00/mo. per package.
Allconnect: Let us compare providers for you
Why should you choose Allconnect? We’re the #1 broadband marketplace in the U.S., meaning you can trust us to search, compare and order internet and TV service for your home.
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Cable TV FAQs
What is cable TV?
Cable TV uses coaxial cables, or sometimes fiber optic cables, to send radio frequency signals to your cable box, which then turns the signals into the image and audio you get through your television.
Who has the cheapest cable TV plan?
Xfinity offers the cheapest TV package at $20/mo. for 10+ channels.
Why are cable TV providers only in certain areas?
The main reason only certain TV providers are available in your area is to help keep costs low. With all the expenses that come with providing cable TV and internet service, attempting to offer new services where another cable provider is already established would not be cost-effective.
Is it cheaper to bundle cable TV and internet?
Quite often, yes. Most cable TV providers offer price discounts and other incentives, such as equipment upgrades, when you bundle TV and internet together. Call our cable TV and internet experts to hear about special offers from cable TV providers in your area.
What is the difference between cable and satellite?
Cable delivers video or internet and is delivered to consumers through a coaxial cable buried underground. Satellite TV and internet signals are transmitted from satellites in space to a satellite dish on your home.
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Written by
Robin Layton
Senior Editor, Broadband Content
Robin Layton is a Senior Editor for Allconnect, dedicated to helping consumers navigate the often-co… View profile
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Edited by
Anine Sus
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Anine Sus is an editor and publisher with Allconnect. With eight years of experience editing and wri… View profile
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