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Best TV services of 2023
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 2023
- YouTube TV – Best channel lineup
- DIRECTV – Best sports package
- Xfinity – Best bundle deals
- Spectrum – Best skinny packages
- DISH – Best hi-tech DVR
- Verizon Fios – Best customization
- Optimum – Best basic plan channel count
- Cox – Best cheap TV plan
YouTube TV
Best channel lineup
YouTube TV has your favorite channels, unlimited DVR space and no contracts.
Learn moreTV Start Price
Channel Count
Streaming Access
TV Contract Terms
Monthly price range*
Technology
DIRECTV
Best sports package
DIRECTV comes with HD programming, thousands of on-demand titles and a Genie DVR.
Learn moreTV Start Price
Channel Count
Streaming Access
TV Contract Terms
Monthly price range*
Technology
Xfinity
Best internet bundle option
Save $10/mo. per service when you bundle Xfinity TV with Xfinity internet, voice and/or security.
Learn moreTV Start Price
Channel Count
Streaming Access
TV Contract Terms
Monthly price range*
Technology
Spectrum
Best for premium networks
Spectrum offers a basic plan which allows for a variety of add-ons to create a package that includes your favorites shows, premium channels and sports.
Learn moreTV Start Price
Channel Count
Streaming Access
TV Contract Terms
Monthly price range*
Technology
DISH
Best hi-tech DVR
DISH customers can enjoy the Hopper3 DVR, one of the most advanced devices on the market.
Learn moreTV Start Price
Channel Count
Streaming Access
TV Contract Terms
Monthly price range*
Technology
Verizon
Best customization
Verizon provides easy channel customization and no long-term contracts.
Learn moreTV Start Price
Channel Count
Streaming Access
TV Contract Terms
Monthly price range*
Technology
Optimum
Best basic plan channel count
Get hundreds of HD channels and the Altice One device for HD streaming.
Learn moreTV Start Price
Channel Count
Streaming Access
TV Contract Terms
Monthly price range*
Technology
TV Start Price
Channel Count
Streaming Access
TV Contract Terms
Monthly price range*
Technology
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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.
Compare top TV providers
| Provider | Starting monthly price* | Channel range | Simultaneous DVR recordings | Contract | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $72.99 | 100+ | Up to 3 | None | Streaming |
| DIRECTV | $64.99 | 75 – 150+ | Up to 5 | Two years | Satellite, internet |
| Xfinity | $20.00 | 10 – 260+ | Up to 4 | None required for TV only | Cable, fiber |
| Spectrum | $59.99 | 125 – 200+ | Up to 6, depending on DVR model | None | Cable, fiber |
| DISH | $74.99 | 190 – 290+ | Up to 16 | Two years | Satellite |
| Verizon | $70.00 | 125+ – 425+ | Up to 12 | None | Fiber, streaming |
| Optimum | $85.00 | 220 – 420+ | Up to 15 | One year | Cable, fiber |
| Cox | $56.00 | 75 – 250+ | Up to 6 | Varies by plan | Cable, fiber |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of the contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices are subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 04/06/23.
TV channels and Premiums
Click the links to learn more about each provider’s channel lineup.
- Cox TV – Free premium channels included with Cox Ultimate TV plan ($69.99/mo.) include HBO®, SHOWTIME®, STARZ®, CINEMAX® and EPIX®.
- DIRECTV – Free premium channels included with DIRECTV Ultimate TV plan ($99.99/mo.) include The Movie Channel and STARZ ENCORE®.
- DISH – Free premium channels with DISH’s America’s Top 250 TV plan ($99.99/mo.) include STARZ®, STARZ ENCORE® and The Movie Channel.
- Frontier – Free premium channels with Frontier’s Premier TV plan ($119.99/mo.) include Cinemax, EPIX®, HBO®, SHOWTIME® and The Movie Channel.
- Mediacom – No free premium channels included but you can add any or all premium channels to an Mediacom plan for an additional monthly fee.
- Optimum – Free premium channels with Optimum’s Premier TV plan ($124.99/mo.) include HBO® networks, SHOWTIME® networks, STARZ® and STARZ Encore®.
- Spectrum – You can add any premium channels to your TV Select package.
- Verizon – Free premium channels with Verizon’s The Most Fios TV plan ($90/mo.) include SHOWTIME®, STARZ®, STARZ Encore® and The Movie Channel.
- Xfinity – Free premium channels with Xfinity’s Premier TV plan ($84.99/mo.) include HBO®, SHOWTIME®, STARZ®, STARZ Encore and The Movie Channel.
- YouTube TV – You can add any premium channels to your YouTube TV experience for $3 to $40/mo.
See how top providers compare
Take a closer look at how TV companies in your area stack up by clicking on a comparison below. Find nationwide availability, package deals, add-on options and more from TV and internet providers in your area.
Which cable TV provider do we think is best? Spectrum offers great values
Spectrum offers TV Select with 125+ channels. Spectrum’s main plan, TV Select, is a particularly good deal as it offers 125+ channels, including five or more sports channels, for $59.99/mo. We are rating Spectrum first because it is one of the few providers that offers over 100 channels for under $60/mo.
Expert tip: Build a Spectrum TV and internet bundle to simplify your bills.
Cheap TV providers near you
TV service doesn’t have to be expensive. Many popular providers offer basic cable service that includes local channels and major networks between $50 to $65/mo. for an average of 100 channels. If you’re looking for the best value for your money and only need the most basic of channels, Xfinity is the cheapest option – if they are available in your area – with starting prices of $40/mo. for 10+ channels.
Here’s a list of TV companies that offer cheap TV services:
Cheap TV packages
| Provider | Price | Channel count |
|---|---|---|
 | $56.00/mo. | 75+ |
| $59.99/mo. | 125+ |
| $70.00/mo. | 125+ |
| $20.00/mo. | 10+ |
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 04/06/23.
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 among major providers, so consider your plan price as a starting point.
Cox TV Starter is best for cheap cable TV
If you are looking for cheap cable TV, but still want a good selection of channels, go with Cox TV Starter. Although Xfinity offers a slightly cheaper cable TV plan at $20/mo. for 10 channels, the Cox TV Starter is only $5/mo. more and you get access to significantly more channels.
Search TV providers for plans in your area
What 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.
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 live TV streaming services to choose from, streaming 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: DIRECTV, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV and Philo TV
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 and Xfinity
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.
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 and Verizon Fios
Regardless of what type of TV service you end up with, you almost always have the option to bundle other services, such as internet or home phone, with your TV subscription. Bundling services together is not only convenient, it can also save you money with certain providers. While nearly all internet, tv providers offer a bundling option, this is not always the case for streaming providers.
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:
Live TV services, such as DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV and fuboTV, are becoming an increasingly popular option over cable TV. These services tend to be less expensive than cable TV and they require less of a commitment.
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.
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 choosing the best 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 internet and tv 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.
Search TV providers for plans in your area
Understanding the contract
Most cable TV providers require a one- to two-year contract for its service. Make sure you understand what you are getting into before you sign that contract.
Early termination fees
If you sign a one- or two-year contract and want to back out of the contract early, you will likely have to pay a fee. This is known as the early termination fee. Most providers charge around $15 for every month you have left in your contract. Military members can usually avoid cancellation fees when terminating internet and TV services.
Price changes
One of the most frustrating aspects of a cable TV contract is that even though you are often locked into a two-year contract, the cost of your service isn’t locked in as well. This means there is a good chance your bill will increase after the first year. Expect that this will happen unless your cable provider specifically says the price is locked in. It is worth asking before you sign a contract so you know how much you could be paying after the first 12 months.
Hidden fees
Another thing you will want to watch out for before you sign your contract are hidden fees. Most cable TV providers have fees on top of their service and equipment fees, such as activation fees, broadcasting fees, regional sports fees, etc. Make sure you have the full picture of how much you will actually be paying each mont
FAQs on TV providers
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 providers, these companies often give a discount for setting up all of your services through them rather than getting internet from one provider and TV from another.
Cox offers the cheapest cable TV plan at 75+ for $25/mo. Other cheap plans include Xfinity’s 10+ channels for $30/mo. and Spectrum’s 125+ channels for $59.99/mo.
YouTube TV is the best streaming service if price is your consideration at $64.99/mo. It also has one of the best channel line-ups.
Live streaming means you can watch a sports game, news show or sitcom as it is debuting on cable, satellite or antenna. A traditional streaming service provides shows and movies that are available any time and are not being aired live on other channels.
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Written by:
Robin LaytonEditor, Broadband Content
Robin Layton is an editor with Allconnect. She works closely with the content team writers to ensure consumers get a fair and balanced reporting of the state of broadband services to help them understand the pro… Read more 
Edited by:
Camryn SmithAssociate Writer
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