Cheap Cable TV Service

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By
Rob Webber
Rob Webber

Rob Webber

Founder

About Rob

Rob has 15+ years experience running price comparison & review websites that empower consumers to find the cheapest cell phone services, cell phone deals, home phone, and internet providers available. He has been published in Forbes, US News, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Inc.

Rob's Expertise

5G wireless networks, cell phone plans, cell phone deals, MVNOs, internet services, tablets, comparison shopping, money saving, reviewing telecom products & services

- Last updated on January 18th, 2023

MoneySavingPro independently researches the products & services to bring you our recommendations. We may earn money when you click our links - disclosure policy.

As American viewing habits evolve to a hybrid of pay TV and internet content, cheap cable TV is more in demand than ever.

Of course, as cable prices rise year after year the term "cheap" becomes a relative term.

Still, if you know where to look and how to get the best cable deals you can do a pretty effective job of keeping that monthly cable TV bill under control.

Considering the notorious lack of competition in the industry, you might feel the outlook is bleak when it comes to finding cheap TV service.

There are options, however, which we'll cover, along with the best TV providers and how to negotiate the best rate for your service.

Cheap Cable TV Service

Best cheap cable TV service

Call to order now: (888) 473-8957
Download
400-1,200 Mbps
Channels
Calls
Monthly Price
$40-80
123 User Reviews

Pros

  • Lightning fast options

  • Multiple speed choices

  • Large bundle selection

  • Contract and no-contract options

  • Widespread availability

  • Hotspot access away from home

Cons

  • Less than stellar customer service ratings

  • Known for its occasional outages

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


Best cheap cable & internet bundles

Call to order now: (855) 458-2223
Download
300-5,000 Mbps
Channels
Calls
Monthly Price
$55-180
69 User Reviews

Pros

  • Flexible bundling options

  • Quickly expanding fiber network

  • DSL service available

  • Extensive rural availability

Cons

  • Data caps on some plans

  • Contract required for best deals

AT&T offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $55.

Plans

AT&T Internet Only Plans

Package

Internet

TV

Phone

Price

Internet 300

300 Mbps

$55.00

Internet 500

500 Mbps

$65.00

Internet 1000

1000 Mbps

$80.00

Internet 2000

2000 Mbps

$110.00

Internet 5000

5000 Mbps

$180.00

AT&T TV Plans

Package

Internet

TV

Phone

Price

Entertainment

160 Channels

$64.99

Choice

185 Channels

$69.99

Ultimate

250 Channels

$89.99

AT&T Triple Play Bundles

Package

Internet

TV

Phone

Price

Internet 300 + Entertainment TV + Phone

300 Mbps

160 Channels

Unlimited

$154.98

Internet 300 + Choice TV + Phone

300 Mbps

185 Channels

Unlimited

$159.99

Internet 300 + Ultimate TV + Phone

300 Mbps

250 Channels

Unlimited

$179.99


Best cheap prepaid cable TV service

Call to order now: (888) 495-3456
Download
300-1,000 Mbps
Channels
Calls
Monthly Price
$50-90
59 User Reviews

Pros

  • Fast speeds

  • No contracts

  • No data caps

  • One-hour installation appointment window

  • Plenty of bundles

Cons

  • Negative customer service reputation

  • No fiber option

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


Best cheap cable service for families

Call to order now: (888) 512-1582
Download
300-940 Mbps
Channels
Calls
Monthly Price
$50-90
30 User Reviews

Pros

  • 100% fiber network

  • Speed options up to Gigabit

  • Equal upload and download speeds

  • No contracts

  • Good customer service reputation

Cons

  • Limited availability

  • Fees can add up

Verizon FiOS offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $50.

Plans

Verizon FiOS Internet Only Plans

Package

Internet

TV

Phone

Price

Fios Internet 300 Mbps

300 Mbps

$49.99

Fios Internet 500 Mbps

500 Mbps

$69.99

Fios Gigabit Internet

940 Mbps

$89.99

Verizon FiOS TV Plans

Package

Internet

TV

Phone

Price

Your Fios TV

125 Channels

$70.00

More FIos TV

300 Channels

$90.00

The Most Fios TV

425 Channels

$110.00

Verizon FiOS Triple Play Bundles

Package

Internet

TV

Phone

Price

Your Fios TV + Internet 300 + Home Phone

300 Mbps

125 Channels

Unlimited

$139.99

More Fios TV + Internet 300 + Home Phone

300 Mbps

300 Channels

Unlimited

$159.99

The Most Fios TV + Internet 300 + Home Phone

300 Mbps

425 Channels

Unlimited

$179.99


Best cheap cable TV alternative

Dish TV

Call to order now: (888) 474-7624
Download
Channels
Calls
Monthly Price
$70-105

Dish offers TV service with plans starting at $70.

Plans

Dish TV Plans

Package

Internet

TV

Phone

Price

America's Top 120

190 Channels

$69.99

America's Top 120 Plus

190 Channels

$84.99

America's Top 200

240 Channels

$94.99

America's Top 250

290 Channels

$104.99


Cable TV availability by ZIP code

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Comparing cable providers

There are a few useful facts to know before you even begin your comparison of cheap cable companies.

  • The FCC requires that all cable companies offer a basic tier of service. This is the most inexpensive package and typically includes local broadcast networks like NBC, ABC, and CBS, along with the PEG access channels (public, educational, and governmental).

  • While cable providers are required to offer the basic set of cable channels, they don't always list this option on the website. You may have to call to request the lowest tier plan in order to get truly cheap cable.

  • Choosing cheap cable doesn't prevent you from accessing your favorite premium options. You will still have access to pay-per-view, as well as the option of adding on channels like HBO (for an additional monthly charge).

  • Some cheap cable services require an agreement (generally one to two years in length) in order to lock in the promotional price. It's best to avoid this if possible, just in case you do decide to upgrade to more channels or add another service later on.

Cheapest TV packages

Provider Download Monthly Price
Ultra 5G Home Ultra 5G Home 100 Mbps$54.99
Mediacom Mediacom 60-1,000 Mbps$19.99-79.99
WOW! WOW! 100-1,000 Mbps$19.99-54.99
RCN RCN 50-940 Mbps$29.99-59.99
Armstrong Armstrong 12-500 Mbps$34.95-149.95
Windstream Windstream 200-1,000 Mbps$35.00-55.00
Optimum Optimum 300-1,000 Mbps$39.99-79.99
Xfinity Xfinity 400-1,200 Mbps$39.99-79.99
Atlantic Broadband Atlantic Broadband 400-1,000 Mbps$39.99-59.99
Sparklight Sparklight 100-1,000 Mbps$45.00-125.00

Cheap basic cable

With so many different packages out there, from 10 cable channels all the way up to 400 or more, the term "cheap cable" can definitely be subjective.

Your idea of affordable pay TV may be just the bare essentials like local networks, or it may be getting all of your favorite sports channels and other frills at a bargain rate.

No matter what you're looking for, the following advice can help you get the best deal on cable for your budget and preferences.

Basic cable

The cheapest cable TV option is usually called basic or limited.

This package typically includes 10 or more channels, including those such as: ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and Fox.

Other channels that come with cheap cable will vary depending on where you live. For example, I live near the Canadian border so the basic cable plan in my area comes with a couple of Canadian networks, like CBET.

Use our comparison engine to find TV providers by ZIP code, then you'll be able to see which stations are offered with basic cable in your area.

Cheap basic cable packages range in price between about $10 and $25, depending on which cable providers are available in your area.

Expanded basic cable

Expanded cable is a solid cheap TV service option for those who want a little more variety than basic cable without going overboard. Cable providers may market this package under different names.

For example, Comcast calls expanded basic cable "Digital Economy". Channels vary from provider to provider, however commonly networks with expanded basic cable include CNN, Food Network, Cartoon Network, Lifetime, A&E, and Animal Planet.

What you won't get with expanded basic cable are networks like ESPN and HGTV. Still, as far as cheap cable services go, expanded is an affordable option with plenty of popular viewing choices.


Cheap TV service FAQs

What are the cheapest TV packages?

Prices can vary within regions, but Xfinity offers a great selection of low-cost tv packages.

Can I get cheap TV service with no contract?

Yes, a number of providers offer no contracts for their tv packages including Suddenlink, Cox, AT&T, and Spectrum.

Recap

In order to get the cheapest prices for your cable TV service, know what kind of programming you want, compare all available TV providers' rates, and work with your chosen provider to negotiate a package that works for you.

Whether you're working with a customer service representative on the phone or through live chat, be polite yet firm. Sticking to your needs and budget allows you to resist being talked into packages you're not interested in.

With a little time and legwork, you can find the services you want at a price you can afford.

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