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When it comes to finding a TV provider in your area, information can be few and far between. What with the limited-time deals you never know what is exactly included in the cost and what isn't.
Most people opt to bundle with cable TV so at least your internet, TV, and home phone can all be billed to the same place.
But which company really offers the best price? And which one gives you the most bang for your buck?
Our review of the best cable TV providers will help you decide which one is best for you.
Xfinity offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $40.
Plans
Xfinity Internet Only Plans
Package
Internet
TV
Phone
Price
400 Mbps Internet
400 Mbps
$39.99
800 Mbps Internet
800 Mbps
$59.99
1000 Mbps Internet
1000 Mbps
$69.99
1200 Mbps Internet
1200 Mbps
$79.99
Xfinity TV Plans
Package
Internet
TV
Phone
Price
Basic TV
10 Channels
$20.00
Extra TV
125 Channels
$67.27
Preferred TV
185 Channels
$69.99
Xfinity Triple Play Bundles
Package
Internet
TV
Phone
Price
Extra TV + Internet 400 + Voice
400 Mbps
125 Channels
Unlimited
$99.99
Preferred TV + Internet 1000 + Voice
1000 Mbps
185 Channels
Unlimited
$109.99
Xfinity has a lot to offer in terms of cable TV. From bundles to service to their highly sought after X1 DVR. Here's what else they have to offer:
Price - XFINITY is cheaper than most other providers.
Packages - Even their smallest channel package has some of the most popular channels.
No Contract - XFINITY doesn't make you sign up for a large amount of time to become one of their customers.
Equipment - As stated, Xfinity X1 DVR holds an amazing amount of programs and can record up to six shows at one time.
Here's the downside though:
Fees - XFINITY will charge you for every additional service you receive. Yep, including that DVR. You'll be charged for almost every additional service your receive through Xfinity meaning you'll pay for the X1 DVR, sports, and some broadcasting.
Spectrum offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $50.
Plans
Spectrum Internet Only Plans
Package
Internet
TV
Phone
Price
Internet
300 Mbps
$49.99
Internet Ultra
500 Mbps
$69.99
Internet GIG
1000 Mbps
$89.99
Spectrum TV Plans
Package
Internet
TV
Phone
Price
TV Select
125 Channels
$59.99
Spectrum Triple Play Bundles
Package
Internet
TV
Phone
Price
TV Select + Internet + Voice
300 Mbps
125 Channels
Unlimited
$129.97
TV Select + Internet Ultra + Voice
500 Mbps
125 Channels
Unlimited
$149.97
TV Select + Internet GIG + Voice
1000 Mbps
125 Channels
Unlimited
$169.97
When it comes to bundles Spectrum has you covered. Here are the other perks:
Bundle Packages - Bundle internet and phone with your TV service for more savings.
Customer Service - Spectrum's customer service has improved immensely since they acquired Time Warner Spectrum.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing Spectrum:
Plan Options - Spectrum has very limited plan options available.
Offers - Be aware the Spectrum offers many sign-up discounts. Those often end before your contract is up though so be aware that your price will almost certainly go up.
Cox offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $50.
Plans
Cox Internet Only Plans
Package
Internet
TV
Phone
Price
Internet Essential 100
100 Mbps
$49.99
Internet Preferred 250
250 Mbps
$59.99
Internet Ultimate 500
500 Mbps
$69.99
Internet Gigablast
1000 Mbps
$99.99
Cox TV Plans
Package
Internet
TV
Phone
Price
Contour TV Starter
75 Channels
$53.00
Contour TV Preferred
140 Channels
$98.00
Contour TV Preferred Plus
170 Channels
$118.00
Contour TV Ultimate
250 Channels
$138.00
Cox Triple Play Bundles
Package
Internet
TV
Phone
Price
Internet Preferred 250 + Contour TV Preferred + Voice
250 Mbps
140 Channels
Unlimited
$167.99
Internet Essential 100 + Contour TV Preferred + Voice
100 Mbps
140 Channels
Unlimited
$167.99
Internet Ultimate 500 + Contour TV Preferred + Voice
500 Mbps
140 Channels
Unlimited
$187.99
Internet Gigablast + Contour TV Preferred + Voice
1000 Mbps
140 Channels
Unlimited
$217.99
When it comes to your cable provider good customer service is a major perk. After all, if anything were to happen with your connection or equipment you'll want it dealt with swiftly. Cox has the best customer service rating amongst cable TV providers. And that's not all they have to offer. They also:
Customizable Plan - With Cox's Contour TV you can customize your TV package with "paks." So add on a kids plan or a sports package and get TV the way you want it.
Cox also has its downfalls. Including:
Price - Cox prices are much higher than other cable TV providers.
Equipment - Cox's DVR is more expensive than most it's competitors.
Hidden Fees - Keep in mind that with Cox you'll have to pay installation fees, regional sports and broadcast fees, and a few other fees that can hike up your monthly bill.
Optimum offers internet & TV services with plans starting at $40.
Plans
Optimum Internet Only Plans
Package
Internet
TV
Phone
Price
Internet 300
300 Mbps
$39.99
Internet 500
500 Mbps
$59.99
Internet 1 GIG
1000 Mbps
$79.99
Optimum TV Plans
Package
Internet
TV
Phone
Price
Core TV
200 Channels
$74.99
Select TV
290 Channels
$99.99
Premier TV
340 Channels
$119.99
If you're looking for a plan with no commitment you're not alone. A lot of cable users would prefer to be without a contract that could lock them into prices they didn't sign up for. That's where Optimum comes in.
Spectrum often comes up top. It covers the most amount of states and offers flexible plans.
Who has the best cable and internet service?
Xfinity has a great selection of bundles and their prices suit all budgets.
Can you get basic cable TV for free?
You can't get basic cable TV for free, but if you're eligible there are schemes that could mean you would pay between $10-$15 for a basic tv plan.
Recap
What cable TV provider you choose is going to be limited to the area you live in. You'll always get the best deal by bundling your TV service with Internet, and home phone.
Be sure to check out what promos each provider is running when it's time to choose a provider. But keep in mind that the promo price often ends before your contract is up so you may actually save money by committing to a "higher-priced" provider.
