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The Best Cable Brands to Watch While on the Go

We've researched and tested TV providers' mobile apps—now we'll tell you which ones travel best.

#1 rated cable app

Xfinity Stream app

  • Price: $49.99–$89.99/mo.
  • Channels: 125–260+
  • DVR: 150 hrs.

Xfinity Stream app

  • Price: $49.99–$89.99/mo.
  • Channels: 125–260+
  • DVR: 150 hrs.
Optimum TV App
  • Price: $74.99–$124.99/mo.
  • Channels: 220–420+
  • DVR: 25–150 hrs.
  • Price: $74.99–$124.99/mo.
  • Channels: 220–420+
  • DVR: 25–150 hrs.
Xtream TV App
  • Price: $29.99–$139.99/mo.
  • Channels: 50–170+
  • DVR: 150 hrs.
  • Price: $29.99–$139.99/mo.
  • Channels: 50–170+
  • DVR: 150 hrs.
Spectrum TV App
  • Price: $39.99–$79.99/mo.
  • Channels: 155–160+
  • DVR: varies
  • Price: $39.99–$79.99/mo.
  • Channels: 155–160+
  • DVR: varies
Cox Contour TV App
  • Price: $50.00–$130.00/mo.
  • Channels: 75–250+
  • DVR: 250–1,000 hrs.
  • Price: $50.00–$130.00/mo.
  • Channels: 75–250+
  • DVR: 250–1,000 hrs.

As we become increasingly mobile, it’s important for TV providers to find ways to allow us to take our favorite TV shows on the road. In this article, we compare mobile apps from cable TV providers so that, next time the travel bug bites, you can enjoy cable on the go.

Xfinity on the go

#1 rated cable app
  • Price: $49.99–$89.99/mo.
  • Channels: 125–260+
  • DVR: 150 hrs.
  • Mobile app: Xfinity Stream

You can take your Xfinity entertainment along, no matter where you go, with the Xfinity Stream App. You can watch thousands of programs through Xfinity on Demand, plus more than 200 channels of live TV (depending on your package subscription), simply by downloading the app on your Android or Apple device and logging into your Xfinity account.

If you have the X1, you can stream or download your recordings to watch anywhere. The app includes features like genre filtering, video playback, parental controls and closed captioning. You can even sync your favorites on X1 with the Xfinity Stream App.

Optimum on the go

  • Price: $94.99–$184.99/mo.
  • Channels: 220–420+
  • DVR: 25–150 hrs.
  • Mobile app: Altice One app

Optimum lets you watch TV on mobile devices through their Altice One App. You simply download the app on your smartphone wherever you find an internet connection and choose your favorite network or show. Enter your Optimum ID and password and you’re set to watch cable on the go.

The Altice One App requires a subscription to the service and works only within the United States.

Mediacom on the go

  • Price: $109.99–$139.99/mo.
  • Channels: 50–170+
  • DVR: 150 hrs.
  • Mobile app: Xtream TV app

There is no Mediacom streaming app—at least, there’s not one by that name. Mediacom customers can watch TV on their smartphones, tablets, laptops, or other devices with the Xtream TV App. Download Xtream TV from the Google Play or Apple Store and login with your Mediacom ID and you’ll be able to watch your live channels, on-demand content, and DVR recordings while you’re away from home.

Spectrum on the go

  • Price: $39.99–$79.99/mo.
  • Channels: 155–160+
  • DVR: varies
  • Mobile app: Spectrum TV app

Spectrum customers can also enjoy cable on the go through their Spectrum TV App. The app allows you to watch over 160 live TV channels (depending on your subscription), plus on-demand content and DVR recordings while you’re out of the house.

In some areas, you may even be able to control your TV and DVR with the app.

Cox on the go

  • Price: $50.00–$125.00/mo.
  • Channels: 75–250+
  • DVR: 250–1,000 hrs.
  • Mobile app: Cox Contour TV app

Cox now has the Contour TV App, which allows you to watch live channels, on-demand content, and DVR recordings while you’re on the move. For more information, check out our complete guide to the Cox Contour TV app.

Final take: Which TV provider mobile app is best?

While not every provider offers an all-in-one app to help you access your favorite shows, they all do provide a great way to connect away from home. If you want easy availability for all of your subscriptions in one place Xfinity and Spectrum provide that. However, if you find yourself only wanting a few favorite channels while you’re traveling, the other providers’ option to download separate network apps and log in to each of those to view your programs is a great choice, too.

As more people choose to access content online you can expect cable providers to continue to find ways to provide service outside the home.

Methodology

Our TV experts spend hundreds of hours researching and testing cable TV providers’ mobile apps so we can tell you which ones have the best features and user experience for watching cable on the go. For more information on how we test, see our How We Rank page.

Best Cable Brands to Watch While On the Go FAQ

How can I watch cable TV anywhere?

To watch your cable or satellite TV subscription anywhere you want, you’ll use your TV provider’s mobile app. Almost any provider has one with these common features:

  • Watching live channels, on-demand movies and shows, and DVR recordings away from home
  • Setting and managing DVR timers and recordings
  • Setting and managing parental controls.

How can I watch Xfinity TV anywhere?

Yeah, just download the Xfinity Stream App and you can watch your live channels, on-demand content, and DVR recordings. You can also set and manger DVR timers and parental controls. To learn more, check out our Xfinity Stream App Guide.

Can I watch cable on my phone?

You can watch TV on your smartphone. All you need to do is download your cable or satellite TV provider’s mobile app. Or subscribe to any live TV or on-demand streaming service—it’s technically not watching cable on the go, but it’s still mobile TV.

Is there a Mediacom streaming app?

The Mediacom streaming app is called Xtream TV and it’s free to customers with active Mediacom subscriptions.

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