Cox delivers innovations you won't find with many cable TV providers. With that said, you might find the customer service lacking. With other cheap cable TV providers out there, complete with the lowest prices, choosing Cox can be a little difficult for you.
However, you should first see what packages Cox offers, so you can compare and contrast the packages of your local cable companies.
We've taken the time to compile the necessary data for you and organized it all into a comprehensive guide. Inside this guide, you'll learn more about the available TV packages (including high definition TV), the equipment charges, the deals, the customer service, and more.
Hopefully, with our help, you'll be able to decide whether or not Cox Cable TV packages are right for you.
Compare Cox Cable TV Packages
Cox touts over three million customers use its TV services. A big reason for this concerns its new Contour feature, offering customers a user-friendly experience that is second to none.
Some of the features included in this is a voice command remote control, an innovative on-screen guide that can show up to two weeks of programming, and suggestions on shows you might like based on your viewing habits.
Cox offers TV packages with a baseline of channel offerings then gives you the choice to select from different packages, which includes groupings of channels based on interests such as news, sports, and more. Below is a closer look at some of the plans it offers
Below is a closer look at some of the plans it offers:
TV Starter
This package almost seems pointless given the fact you receive your local channels and a handful of other offerings. For the price you pay monthly for it, you will be better off buying a digital converter box if all you want is access to local channels.
TV Essential
If you want more variety in what you watch this plan will appeal to you. It comes with over 50 of the most popular channels, where you will also have free access to this package for every TV in your home.
At the same time, it's price point might be high, depending on where you live, compared to other packages you could receive through DirecTV or AT&T as with both you receive more channels at less expense.
Related: For the lowest prices, you can compare cheap cable TV providers with our guide here.
Contour TV
This package allows you to take advantage of Cox's most innovative tools through Contour.
You also receive access to over 220 channels and have the best picture quality with digital TV, making this a smart choice if you want variety in your programming.
Contour TV Preferred
This plan is similar to the regular Contour TV package, only with this one you receive more than 280 channels.
Contour TV Primer
With this package, you receive an extensive selection of entertainment choices with over 340 channels available. This, coupled with its digital TV service makes it a great deal.
Contour TV Ultimate
If you want the most choices available and don't mind paying significantly for them, then this package is right for you.
With it, you receive over 380 channels, giving you almost limitless entertainment choices.
Equipment Charges
When you do select a TV plan from the Cox cable company, there are several fees to be mindful of.
Here is a look at them:
- Digital receiver: $8.50 monthly charge
- HD receiver: $8.50 monthly charge--this fee doesn't apply to its bundled plans
- HD-DVR Receiver: $8.50 monthly charge and a $10 charge monthly for DVR service
- Contour Record 2 HD-DVR Receiver: $8.50 monthly charge and a $10 charge monthly for DVR service
- Contour Record 6 Whole Home HD-DVR Receiver: $8.50 monthly charge and $15 charge monthly for record 6 DVR fee
- CableCARD: $1.99 per month
- Mini-box: $2.99 per month
As you can see, Cox charges quite a bit for its equipment rentals, making it not the best choice among providers in this regard. To compare, Charter Spectrum doesn't charge a high definition TV service fee, so that alone can save you up to $102 annually.
You can compare the available local cable companies in your area if you're looking for a service that won't charge you an arm and a leg for rentals.
Bundles
If you want to package Cox cable and the internet connection packages together, then Cox, being an internet service provider, has several plans you can choose from.
Read More: Need more internet options? You should read our buyer's guide to Internet service providers.
| Package | Channels | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced TV Economy | 40 | $31.99 |
| Contour TV | 220 | $59.99 |
| Preferred | 280 | $71.49 |
| Internet Essential + TV Essential | 150 | $74.99 |
| Premier | 340 | $84.99 |
| Contour TV + Internet Preferred | 200 | $89.99 |
| Bronze Triple Play | 200 | $89.99 |
| Silver Bundle | 200 | $109.99 |
| Gold Bundle | 340 | $129.99 |
| Ultimate | 380 | $144.99 |
Contour Flex Starter
This package is perfect if you want a reasonable amount of TV channel choices and good internet speeds. With it, you have access to over 80 channels total, including the CW and your local channels. It's important to note that as part of its channel total, more than 50 are music choices.
This package also gives you access to add channel packs for $10 each. This is where you can add packages like the Contour Flex Economy Pack, which includes the History Channel, TV Land, and E!
Moreover, you also receive high-speed internet access through Cox. If you are looking for cheap TV providers with no contract plans, this is among the most affordable available.
Bronze Bundle
The Bronze Bundle from Cox is perfect if you want to combine cable service with the internet and home phone service. With this plan, you receive a wide range of channels--more than 220--with popular choices included such as AMC, ESPN, and A&E.
You also receive high-speed internet broadband services, with download speeds as fast as 50 Mbps. Lastly, you receive home phone service you can use to make unlimited calls to the United States, Canada, and more than 30 countries.
This plan comes with many attractive benefits such as free professional installation, free HD service, and a 30-day money back guarantee. Most importantly, you receive the promotional price for the first year of service and you can cancel whenever you want with no early termination charges.
Silver Bundle
In this bundle, you receive many of the same benefits as you would with the Bronze Package. However, with the Silver Package, you receive more than 280 channels, with premium options like HBO and Showtime included. You also have access to the faster internet with download speeds approaching 150 Mbps.
Gold Bundle
If you want the best mix of cable channels and the fastest broadband services, this is the plan for you. It comes with over 340 channels, including all the movie options available. Moreover, you receive exceptionally fast internet with download speeds approaching 150 Mbps. Similar to all other bundles, there are no service contracts to sign.
Related: To learn more about internet and tv bundles, be sure to check out our guide.
Channel Lineup
To find your local channel lineup, you can visit Cox's website. On there, you should click on the shop tab, scroll down under TV and select the channel lineup link.
Next, input your zip code and state of residence to access your channel guide. For an entire list of the channels available to you, check out our Cox Channel Guide.
Contour DVR
Cox offers innovative DVR technology through Contour. Along with easy searching tools and voice command options, you have access to store up to 1,000 hours of programming with its DVR service. This makes it a better option than other providers, who offer only a fraction of that storage space.
On-Demand
On-demand programming allows accessing shows, movies, and more whenever you want. Cox makes this feature available through its Contour service, where you can binge your favorite shows or take in a hit movie with a press of a button.
Service Availability
Similar to finding channel lineups, you can visit Cox's website. When you are on its homepage, scroll to the top right-hand corner to select the location pin. From there, you can enter your zip code and state of residence to see if Cox services your area.
You can also use our quick tool to search for cable TV providers by ZIP code.
Another way you can go about this is to contact Cox's customer service department. Using your address, they can determine your service eligibility.
Deals and Special Offers
You can often find the latest deals and special offers by visiting a provider's website. In the case of Cox, you should visit its website then scroll down to the bottom to select the bundles and promotions under the shop tab. This will give you access to Cox's latest deals.
Related: How to Find the Best Cable Deals
Speaking of bundles, normally they are going to be your best path to finding affordable plans. Most people require internet service, so combining it with cable makes sense because you only have one bill instead of two.
Additionally, by combining services, providers like Cox offers better deals than you would receive by keeping those two with separate companies.
Cox Customer Support
Customer service for cable companies has not been the best, and Cox hasn't done much to change that perception. The American Customer Satisfaction Index scored Cox at 59, placing the customer support and technical support in the bottom quarter of subscription service providers.
Even worse for Cox concerns the fact it hasn't improved.
The survey reports Cox had a 4.8 percent decrease in customer satisfaction from last year to now, indicating it still has long ways to go to offer the high level of support top companies like Verizon Fios deliver.
On the Better Business Bureau, Cox is an Accredited Business with an A+ score. Trustpilot, a website that ranks companies purely from customer reviews, rates Cox a 4.9/10. Keep in mind that the experiences of one customer are not representative of the company as a whole, but it is important to spot potential issues you may have with the company early nonetheless.
In the meantime, if you are or have been a Cox TV customer, your feedback on the support, including technical support, is important to our readers. Feel free to fill out the review section on the bottom of the page to let us know your experiences with it.
Recap
Cox TV offers many attractive elements such as no contract plans, free installation and a money back guarantee. Furthering its appeal is its Contour service, which is customer-friendly to use.
At the same time, Cox charges more for its TV packages than you will find with other providers. Adding more concern is the fact its customer support is well below par relative to other companies in its segment.
With these things in mind, when you search for the best TV providers, I would suggest looking for other options like these, as Cox doesn't offer enough in terms of attentive support to warrant its pricing.
