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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.
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5G wireless networks, cell phone plans, cell phone deals, MVNOs, internet services, tablets, comparison shopping, money saving, reviewing telecom products & services
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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.
The cheapest cable providers in 2023
Best cheap cable TV service
- Download
- 400-1,200 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $40-80
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.
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
- Download
- 300-5,000 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $55-180
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.
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
- Download
- 300-1,000 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $50-90
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.
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
- Download
- 300-940 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $50-90
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.
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
- Download
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $70-105
Dish offers TV service with plans starting at $70.
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
100 Mbps | $54.99 |
|
60-1,000 Mbps | $19.99-79.99 |
|
100-1,000 Mbps | $19.99-54.99 |
|
50-940 Mbps | $29.99-59.99 |
|
12-500 Mbps | $34.95-149.95 |
|
200-1,000 Mbps | $35.00-55.00 |
|
300-1,000 Mbps | $39.99-79.99 |
|
|
400-1,200 Mbps | $39.99-79.99 |
|
400-1,000 Mbps | $39.99-59.99 |
|
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.