If you’re looking for a cable company that will take one look at your student ID and slash its prices . . . good luck. It can’t hurt to ask for a student discount, but we haven’t found any specific student discount promotions this year.
With the affordability and flexibility of streaming live TV packages, streaming is our go-to recommendation for college students. But we’ve also found a variety of cable packages good for a student’s budget—so you can afford to chow down on pizza instead of instant ramen while you’re watching the game on ESPN.
Affordable cable deals for students
| Provider | Package | Channel Count | Promotional Price | Contract Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | Popular TV | 125+ | $50.00/mo. for first 12 months | 1 year |
|
| Spectrum | TV Select* | 155+ | $69.99/mo. for first 12 months | No contract |
|
| DIRECTV | DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT All Included | 165+ | $69.99/mo. for 24 months | 2 years |
|
Most cable companies don’t have nationwide coverage, so it’s important to find out which ones can provide service to your student housing. Enter your zip code below to find all the TV providers near you:
Best Xfinity deal for students: Popular TV
Sports fans will appreciate the Digital Starter package from Comcast Xfinity since it comes with the Pac-12 Network. While this plan includes a one-year contract, Xfinity has no-contract plans available for $10.00 more per month. That’s a bit pricier, but the freedom to leave a provider whenever you want can give you extra peace of mind.
Best Spectrum deal for students: TV Select from Spectrum
Spectrum, which formed from a merger between Charter, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks, also offers no-contract plans. The channel lineup with the TV Select package is solid but doesn’t include anything too exciting.
And while TV Select has fewer channels than Contour TV, it’s just as expensive, so see if you have other options before signing up.
Best DIRECTV deal for students: DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT All Included
DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT All Included Package Details
•165+ channels
• $69.99/mo. for 24 months
• 2-year contract
DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT isn’t ideal for most students, but it has a lot to offer if it works for you.
But if you’re confident you’ll be living in the same place for more than one year, this package is great for TV lovers. It comes with the Genie DVR included, and you’ll get three months of HBO®, STARZ®, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, and CINEMAX® at no extra cost.
3 tips for students buying cable
1. Bundle TV with internet.
If you’re already getting internet, it’s smart to order TV and internet from the same company. You’ll usually get a discount for bundling and sometimes additional incentives as well. And with both services on the same bill, it’s a lot easier to keep track of.
2. Ask about student deals.
It never hurts to ask! Call your provider prepared to do a bit of haggling for the price and channels you want, and it could pay off. You may be surprised to discover some unadvertised discounts and promo rates.
3. Consider low-cost alternatives.
In our post “Free and Low-Cost Cable TV Options,” we’ll clue you in on over-the-air TV and streaming TV options you might not have considered. Also, saving money on a TV can free up money for a better cable package, so check out the best TVs for students.
Choose your new TV provider.
There are a lot of choices out there. We listed the favorites for college students, but you could find a great deal from a provider not on our list. Enter your zip code below to see all your options:
Disclaimer
*Spectrum TV Select Signature: Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum TV Select Signature promotion price is $59.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr 1. Taxes, fees, and surcharges (broadcast surcharge up to $23.20/mo) extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: TV: TV equipment required; charges may apply. Channel and HD programming availability based on level of service and location. Account credentials may be required to stream some TV content online. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability.
Rachel Oaks has written hundreds of helpful articles in their five years at CableTV.com. You want all the deets on internet providers, download speeds, and affordable internet? They’re your new favorite writer. Rachel earned their Bachelor of Arts in English at Southern Utah University. You can find more of Rachel’s delightful insights on Yahoo! Finance, Roku.com, and BestCompany.
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