The best cable packages in December
The hunt for the best cable deals can be equivalent to looking for a needle in the haystack.
If you, like most people, are looking for a way to reduce the hit to your wallet when it comes to getting your favorite channels, you'll need some tips on getting the lowest rate.
Fortunately, we've got you covered with our comprehensive guide on how to get the best cable deals. After all, you're probably here because you want to take the edge off your bank account.
You'll find information on not only what you should be considering when on the hunt for that amazing cable deal but also on bundling cable TV and internet service, tips, the future of cable TV, and more.
Keep in mind that cable packages change frequently so you'll want to check with the provider for the most current promotions. In addition, prices can vary from location to location.
| Xfinity TV | $20-70/mo |
| Spectrum TV | $50-95/mo |
| Cox TV | $53-138/mo |
Best cable TV deals
- Download
- Channels
- 10-185
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $20-70
Xfinity offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $20.To order service call: (888) 473-8978
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 TV & Internet Bundles
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic TV + Internet 400 Mbps | 400 Mbps | 10 Channels | $54.99 | |
Extra TV + Internet 400 Mbps | 400 Mbps | 125 Channels | $89.99 | |
Preferred TV + Internet 800 Mbps | 800 Mbps | 185 Channels | $99.99 |
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 |
Pros
Flexible bundles
Month-to-month service option
Quality DVR choices
Mobile app
Cons
Rate hikes after promotional pricing expires
Negative customer support ratings
Benefits
Optional no contract plan
Great flexible bundle deals
Top quality DVR choices
Good add on channel options
Plenty of on demand content
Includes a voice remote
Online virtual support
24/7 customer support
Xfinity TV is a bit less expensive than compared to competitor prices, however, many Xfinity TV packages require a two-year agreement so it's important to take that commitment into consideration.
Also be aware that Xfinity does not include any of its equipment rental service charges in its promotional pricing, so be sure you know what you're going to pay for your set-top box, modem, and/or DVR.
Xfinity cable TV deals
| Package | Channels | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Basic TV | 10 | $20 |
| Xfinity Extra TV | 125 | $67.27 |
| Xfinity Preferred TV | 185 | $69.99 |
Xfinity internet bundle deals
| Package | Speed | Channels | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Basic TV + Internet 400 Mbps | 400 Mbps | 10 | $54.99 |
| Xfinity Extra TV + Internet 400 Mbps | 400 Mbps | 125 | $89.99 |
| Xfinity Preferred TV + Internet 800 Mbps | 800 Mbps | 185 | $99.99 |
Xfinity triple play packages
| Package | Speed | Channels | Phone Plan | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Extra TV + Internet 400 + Voice | 400 Mbps | 125 | Unlimited | $99.99 |
| Xfinity Preferred TV + Internet 1000 + Voice | 1000 Mbps | 185 | Unlimited | $109.99 |
Best cable TV bundle deals
- Download
- Channels
- 125-200
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $50-95
Spectrum offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $50.To order service call: (888) 501-9180
Spectrum TV Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TV Select | 125 Channels | $49.99 | ||
TV Silver | 175 Channels | $74.99 | ||
TV Gold | 200 Channels | $94.99 |
Spectrum TV & Internet Bundles
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TV Select + Internet Ultra | 400 Mbps | 125 Channels | $79.98 | |
TV Silver + Internet Ultra | 400 Mbps | 175 Channels | $89.98 | |
TV Gold + Internet Ultra | 400 Mbps | 200 Channels | $109.98 |
Spectrum Triple Play Bundles
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TV Select + Internet Ultra + Voice | 400 Mbps | 125 Channels | Unlimited | $94.97 |
TV Silver + Internet Ultra + Voice | 400 Mbps | 175 Channels | Unlimited | $102.97 |
Voice + Internet + TV Select | 200 Mbps | 125 Channels | Unlimited | $114.97 |
TV Gold + Internet Ultra + Voice | 400 Mbps | 200 Channels | Unlimited | $122.97 |
Pros
No contracts
Mobile TV app
Attractive bundling options
One-hour installation appointment window
Wide availability
Cons
Mediocre customer service ratings
Pricier than some competitors
Benefits
No contract required
No extra cost for HD
Customer service online virtual chat
Good selection of bundles
Convenient self-install options available
200+ HD channels available
Free primetime on demand
One of the great things about the internet and cable deals through Spectrum is that there are no data caps. In addition, free HD service and free modem rental during the promotional period are fairly unusual among cable plans.
Spectrum TV deals
| Package | Channels | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Spectrum TV Select | 125 | $49.99 |
| Spectrum TV Silver | 175 | $74.99 |
| Spectrum TV Gold | 200 | $94.99 |
Spectrum internet bundle deals
| Package | Speed | Channels | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum TV Select + Internet Ultra | 400 Mbps | 125 | $79.98 |
| Spectrum TV Silver + Internet Ultra | 400 Mbps | 175 | $89.98 |
| Spectrum TV Gold + Internet Ultra | 400 Mbps | 200 | $109.98 |
Spectrum triple play packages
| Package | Speed | Channels | Phone Plan | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum TV Select + Internet Ultra + Voice | 400 Mbps | 125 | Unlimited | $94.97 |
| Spectrum TV Silver + Internet Ultra + Voice | 400 Mbps | 175 | Unlimited | $102.97 |
| Spectrum Voice + Internet + TV Select | 200 Mbps | 125 | Unlimited | $114.97 |
| Spectrum TV Gold + Internet Ultra + Voice | 400 Mbps | 200 | Unlimited | $122.97 |
Best cheap cable deals
- Download
- Channels
- 75-250
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $53-138
Cox offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $53.To order service call: (888) 474-1329
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 TV & Internet Bundles
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Internet Preferred 250 + Contour TV Preferred | 250 Mbps | 140 Channels | $147.99 | |
Internet Essential 100 + Contour TV Preferred | 100 Mbps | 140 Channels | $147.99 | |
Internet Ultimate 500 + Contour TV Preferred | 500 Mbps | 140 Channels | $167.99 | |
Internet Gigablast + Contour TV Preferred | 1000 Mbps | 140 Channels | $197.99 |
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 |
Pros
2 TB capacity DVR
Customizable channel packages
No contracts
Bundles available
Cons
Limited channel counts
Spotty customer support reputation
Benefits
Large range of packages
Extensive list of HD channels
Option for a 2 TB HD capacity DVR
Record up to two programs simultaneously
BYO device if it's compatible with a CableCard
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.
Cox cable TV deals
| Package | Channels | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cox Contour TV Starter | 75 | $53 |
| Cox Contour TV Preferred | 140 | $98 |
| Cox Contour TV Preferred Plus | 170 | $118 |
| Cox Contour TV Ultimate | 250 | $138 |
Cox internet bundle deals
| Package | Speed | Channels | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cox Internet Preferred 250 + Contour TV Preferred | 250 Mbps | 140 | $147.99 |
| Cox Internet Essential 100 + Contour TV Preferred | 100 Mbps | 140 | $147.99 |
| Cox Internet Ultimate 500 + Contour TV Preferred | 500 Mbps | 140 | $167.99 |
| Cox Internet Gigablast + Contour TV Preferred | 1000 Mbps | 140 | $197.99 |
Cox triple play packages
| Package | Speed | Channels | Phone Plan | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox Internet Preferred 250 + Contour TV Preferred + Voice | 250 Mbps | 140 | Unlimited | $167.99 |
| Cox Internet Essential 100 + Contour TV Preferred + Voice | 100 Mbps | 140 | Unlimited | $167.99 |
| Cox Internet Ultimate 500 + Contour TV Preferred + Voice | 500 Mbps | 140 | Unlimited | $187.99 |
| Cox Internet Gigablast + Contour TV Preferred + Voice | 1000 Mbps | 140 | Unlimited | $217.99 |
Tips on finding the best cable deal
You know all of those glossy inserts you get in the mail, advertising special rates on cable plans? Hang onto those even if you don't plan on ordering from that particular provider. They may come in handy when it's time to negotiate your deal.
In other words, don't just go for the first dirt-cheap offer you see - advertising can be deceiving. Collect information from a number of sources - paper fliers, the providers' websites, online consumer forums, and customer service representatives - before making a final decision...
...which brings me to the next important step in making sure you get one of the best cable deals:
- Have all of your research on the best cable plans and prices on hand before you call.
- Don't stop at the first customer service rep you speak to - call back again and see what kind of deal the next person offers you.
- Use the online chat function to find out whether that rep can give you an even better deal (they're often willing to go lower because they aren't always direct employees of the company).
I personally wish I had done that very thing several years ago when I called to negotiate my cable rate. I pointed out to the phone rep that I had been a loyal customer for better than 10 years and I was willing to leave if they couldn't adjust my rate. The response? "Ok." I ended up switching providers, but if I'd spoken to someone else I might have been able to stick with the same company. It takes a little extra effort and time for you to explore every option, however, it could end up saving you some hassle.
Compare cheap cable packages
| Provider | Channels | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | 10-185 | $20.00-69.99 |
 Metronet | 100-295 | $30.00-105.00 |
| Spectrum | 125-200 | $49.99-94.99 |
| Cox | 75-250 | $53.00-138.00 |
 AT&T | 160-250 | $64.99-89.99 |
 DIRECTV | 165-340 | $64.99-139.99 |
 Dish | 190-290 | $69.99-104.99 |
 Verizon FiOS | 125-425 | $70.00-110.00 |
 Optimum | 200-340 | $74.99-119.99 |
 Sparklight | 100 | $84.00 |
Be a cord shaver
Not ready to cut the cord all together? Take time to assess whether or not you actually watch most of the channels to which you are subscribed. The best cable deals are typically the lower tier packages - and make no mistake, shaving some channels off of your subscription can give you some big savings.
For example, Comcast's Digital Economy package is a whopping $30 cheaper (at the time of this writing) than their next tier up. The Economy plan gives you your favorites like CNN, Food Network, Disney, and a slew of music stations, minus the painful price tag.
Granted, cord shaving can prove to be a challenge for sports fans, as popular sports networks like ESPN are typically only included in the upper - translation: more expensive - tiers. The industry is responding (albeit slowly) to consumer demand in this regard, however, and I'll talk more about that in a bit.
After the honeymoon
Have you ever taken advantage of a great deal on cable only to find that a year or two later your bill suddenly shoots up - sometimes by as much as double? Once your promotional period ends, retail pricing usually takes over. You don't have to accept this expensive fate, however. There are some things you can do to continue getting the best cable deals.
- Get ahead of the ball. The FCC requires cable companies to notify you of rate changes at least 30 days in advance. Don't take any chances on missing this notification, though. The minute you sign up for a promotional rate, record the date - either in writing or in your smartphone's calendar - so that you know exactly when your pricing will expire.
- Be proactive. Before your rate expires, call your cable provider and ask to speak to the customer retention department. Politely explain that you'd like to talk about what cable deals they can offer you, because you may not be able to afford your service once the retail rate kicks in. Don't be afraid to push the envelope (again, politeness is key). If you can get the rep to give you a good price, ask if they can extend that offer out another six months or a year. It's not unusual for the cable providers to offer perks like free premium channels for a limited time in order to keep you as a customer. You never know unless you ask.
- Be prepared to follow through. If you're going to play the "I'll have to switch providers" card, be ready to actually do it. Yes, it's a pain, but you can get a new introductory offer from a different provider (assuming there's more than one cable company that serves your area). Sometimes cable providers just won't budge, and in that case, you should be prepared to move on.
With a little finesse and some time and effort, you can prevent the rude awakening that can come once that attractive price isn't so attractive anymore.
Cheap cable TV alternatives
You can hardly read anything about the cable industry these days without hearing all about cord cutters. Typically Millennials, cord cutters are those opting against cable TV in favor of internet-based content like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
But for all the hype that seems to be all over the media, data collected by Leichtman Research Group reveals that most Americans are, in fact, traditionalists. The firm found that 83% of households still subscribe to cable television.
If you're in that majority of people who can't quite let pay TV go, you no doubt want to know how to minimize the hit to your wallet. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to get a better bargain on your cable service.
TV streaming
There are live TV streaming options now, who are vying for the cord cutter's attention. Live TV streaming is far more affordable compared to cable, beginning at just $20 a month (looking at you, Sling TV) depending on the service. There are several live streaming TV providers now: PlayStation Vue, Sling TV, DIRECTV NOW, YouTube TV, Hulu Live, and more.
Unfortunately, there are two issues with live TV streaming: while the competitor prices are low, you won't receive as many channels as you could with cable TV. You will have your sports channels, but at the same time, you won't have hundreds upon hundreds of channels at your fingertips. What's the second issue? Why provider packages and networks are subject to change often.
You can always choose broadcast TV as well, which is mostly free. There are, however, only five major English-language broadcast TV networks in the US: FOX, CBS, NBC, The CW, and ABC.
In other words, you may be better off with a cable TV provider like U-Verse TV and Verizon FiOS. Verizon FiOS, while expensive, still packs plenty of TV programming, and U-Verse TV is also worth your penny, especially when you bundle services together like high-speed internet access.
Best cable deals FAQs
Which cable company offers the best deal?
The best cable TV deal will depend on what you want from your tv provider. DirecTV offers good sports packages, DISH is good for family packages, AT&T provides the best option for TV and internet.
Who has the best cable and internet service?
Currently, AT&T provides the best options for TV and internet, but it's determined by where you live. So be sure to check what providers and offers are available in your area.
Recap
Finding the best cable deals really just requires that you do some research and pay attention to the details. Know what you're getting for the cost, and know exactly how long you'll be getting those rates.
Always read the fine print, and never be afraid to negotiate. If you're not sure what's available in your area, use our convenient tool to find cable TV providers by ZIP code.
An alternative way to way to television is to watch programming from your computer. There are dozens of different places on the web for content--and some of them are free! Check out our guide to learn how to watch TV online.
