Is Spectrum TV good?
We recommend Spectrum TV for folks who want premium channels like MaxTM (formerly HBO Max) or SHOWTIME®, and reasonably priced TV and internet bundles.
Spectrum’s base channel count is pretty low (155+ for $69.99/mo.) compared to other cable TV providers, and its DVR service isn’t anything to shout about. But factor in that Spectrum will buy out your contract up to $500◊ and gives you free basic Disney+, and we’re sufficiently impressed. We even gave Spectrum our Editorial Choice Award for cheapest TV provider.
Pros
- No contracts
- Contract buyout
- All channels in HD
- Thousands of on-demand movies and shows
Cons
- À la carte channel packs
- Confusing DVR options
Spectrum TV deals and promotions
Spectrum has all sorts of deals, including a $500 contract buyout and a free cable modem. To check out a full list of promotions, head over to our Spectrum deals page.
Spectrum TV packages and pricing
Package | Starting price | Channels | Popular channels | Spectrum TV app | Optional DVR | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spectrum TV Select | $69.99/mo. for 12 mos. | 155+ channels | ESPN, Hallmark Channel, and more | Included | From $13.98/mo. | View Plan |
Spectrum TV Select Plus | $74.99/mo. for 12 mos. | 160+ channels | FX, HGTV, and more | Included | From $13.98/mo. | View Plan |
Spectrum TV Stream | $39.99/mo. | 80+ channels | Food Network, CNN, and more | Included | From $13.98/mo. | View Plan |
Data effective as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See full disclaimer.
Spectrum has two English-language cable TV plans. The base plan, Spectrum TV Select, offers 155+ basic cable and network channels like ABC, ESPN, and Comedy Central. We really like Spectrum TV Select because it costs about as much as a live TV streaming service during the first year and offers slightly more channels.
Spectrum TV Select Plus includes the same channels as Select, but also adds Regional Sports Networks (RSNs), bumping the total channel count up to 160+. The $5.00 more monthly should be more than worth it to the sports fans out there.
If you’re interested in additional premium cable channels like Max ($15.00 a month) and SHOWTIME ($10.00 a month), you can add them à la carte to your plan during the checkout process. And remember, Spectrum has no-contract plans—at no extra charge, whereas other carriers charge a premium for that kind of freedom.
Keep in mind that your payment may increase by up to $25 (depending on your plan) in the second year. But since Spectrum has no contracts, you can call a Spectrum rep and request a new promotional rate in exchange for your continued business. There are no guarantees—but it’s worth a shot.
But if you’re interested in more premium cable channels, you’ll have to sit down and do a little paperwork. Unlike most cable TV providers, Spectrum broke up all of its channels into à la carte channel packs. Instead of upgrading your cable plan, you can add on the channel packs your family is interested in.
Don’t want cable? No problem. Spectrum’s new TV Stream plan lets you stream 80+ popular channels and thousands of On Demand titles—no cable box required.
Spectrum TV add-on packs
Plan | Price | Popular channels |
---|---|---|
Entertainment View | $15.00/mo. | Cooking Channel, Discovery Family, Military History Channel, Ovation |
Sports View | $7.00/mo. | ESPNews, Golf Channel, NFL RedZone |
Latino View | $15.00/mo. | Fox Deportes, beIN SPORTS, Univisión |
Max | $16.00/mo. | Max subscription, HBO Family, HBO Zone |
SHOWTIME | $10.00/mo. | SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME On Demand |
STARZ® | $9.00/mo. | STARZ, STARZ ENCORE® |
Data effective as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See full disclaimer.
Once you pick a TV plan, bundling is a snap because Spectrum bundles have a little bit for everyone. Want premium channels included with your TV package? Add premium cable packs—which include Max, STARZ, and SHOWTIME—with high-speed internet. Are you a rabid sports fan? Get the Sports View add-on and bundle it with Spectrum cable TV and internet to channel surf for games while you surf the internet for stats and news.
And, unlike live TV streaming services, with Spectrum you’ll get all your favorite channels in crisp HD and be able to manage all your TV and internet activities from one account.
Entertainment View covers the expected bases for a mid-tier basic cable plan. Along with typical channels like Comedy Central and CNN, you’ll get additional basic cable channels like Cooking Channel and Game Show Network with Entertainment View. At $84.99 monthly for your first year, the TV Select and Entertainment View bundle is also in the same price range as other standalone plans from competitors.
Although you might save a little money if you’re willing to forgo certain channels, these savings quickly evaporate if you add more than a few channel packs.
Spectrum bundles and pricing
Plans | Starting price | Channels | Popular channels | Max download speeds | Phone service | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spectrum TV Select + Internet | From $109.98/mo.‡ for 12 mos. | 155+ | AMC, ESPN, Hallmark Channel, and more | Up to 300 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | N/A | View plan |
Spectrum TV Select Plus + Internet + Voice | From $129.97/mo. ‡ for 12 mos. | 160+ | AMC, ESPN, Hallmark Channel, and more | Up to 300 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | $19.99/mo. | View plan |
Data effective as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See full disclaimer.
Customers typically get a cable TV and internet bundle for an obvious reason: it’s less work. Spectrum doesn’t offer discounts on bundles, so you’ll just add the price for each service to get your final promotional pricing.
Along with cable TV, these bundles will get you internet service with download speeds up to 300 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary), no data caps, a free modem, free antivirus software, and free access to Wi-Fi access points nationwide.
Spectrum Spanish-language TV packages and pricing
Starting price | Channels | Popular channels | Spectrum TV app | Optional DVR | Details | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mi Plan Latino | From $39.99/mo. for 12 mos. | 170+ (including 75+ Spanish channels) | Telemundo, Univision, CNN en Español, and more | Included | From $13.98/mo. | View plan |
TV Stream Latino | $24.99/mo. | 45+ (all Spanish channels) | Discovery en Español, Galavisión, Telemundo, and more | Included | From $13.98/mo. | View plan |
Data effective as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See full disclaimer.
Spectrum offers two Spanish-language packages, with shows from Latin America, Mexico, and Spain.
Mi Plan Latino is TV Select’s counterpart: though the channel lineups aren’t completely the same, this package is a bit more affordable than its English-only counterpart, and offers a higher channel count.
TV Stream Latino is also a bit cheaper than TV Stream, albeit offering less channels.
Spectrum TV equipment and features
TBH, Spectrum’s TV equipment isn’t that great compared to other cable providers like Xfinity. But Spectrum TV does have a lot of cool features that may offset its subpar equipment for some folks.
Spectrum DVR
How did you ever live without DVR service? The ability to pause a show, skip commercials, and record one channel while watching another really helps make TV fit your schedule. Spectrum must know this, ‘cause the provider gives you a choice of DVR types.
The Spectrum HD TV box with DVR ($8.99 a month) is not required to watch your Spectrum channels—you can use the Spectrum TV app for no charge. You’ll also have to pay for the actual DVR functionality. It’s $4.99 per month for one TV or $9.99 a month for two or more TVs.
You can go without DVR service and pay only for the HD TV box, but then you’ll have to endure commercials again.
Spectrum TV app
Another way that you can make TV fit your schedule is by using the Spectrum TV app, a free perk of your Spectrum TV package.
With the Spectrum TV app, you can watch your Spectrum channels, on-demand shows, and DVR recordings in your home while connected to your Spectrum home Wi-Fi network. You can also watch on the go with two out-of-home streams available, but there’s no downloading for offline viewing, and some content is blocked due to licensing restrictions.
At home or away, you can set DVR recordings, favorite channels, and parental controls through the app.
The app is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, and it’s compatible with bunch of streaming devices, including Apple TV (4th gen, 4K), Roku players (3rd gen), Android (5.0+), and Apple/iOS (15+).
For more on the Spectrum TV app, read our full review.
Free HD channels
Unlike most cable providers and all live TV streaming services, Spectrum offers all of its channels in high definition (HD). We like this feature because not only will you avoid buffering (sorry live TV streaming), but you’ll get a clear picture no matter what channel you’re watching.
Multiroom viewing
We also like that Spectrum doesn’t require you to use more than one cable box to watch TV in other rooms. It’s cheaper and less cumbersome than competitors like DISH and DIRECTV, which require more cable boxes for additional fees.
Parental controls
You got them free premium channels included with your TV package, but what about your curious kids? If you’re like most parents, you’ll appreciate the ability to manage what your kids watch and when they watch it with your Spectrum TV parental controls.
Spectrum TV vs. the competition
In our 2024 customer satisfaction survey, Spectrum placed 10th out of 11 TV providers—DIRECTV STREAM, DIRECTV, Xfinity, Verizon, and DISH were all competitors that beat it out for overall customer satisfaction.
Of the hundreds of Spectrum customers we surveyed, 61% scored their overall customer with Spectrum as completely or very satisfied. So while some people love their Spectrum service, it’s a more middle-of-the-road TV option when compared to other providers that may be in your area.
Spectrum TV channels
Depending on the channels you want, you could choose a basic Spectrum package (155–160+ channels) or an add-on channel pack filled with every Disney and Nickelodeon channel, plus Max, NFL Network, and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME.
Not sure which package has the channels you need? Check out our Spectrum TV Select Channel Guide to compare Spectrum’s channel packages. Or hit the button below for a closer look at Spectrum’s premium channels, sports add-ons, and bundles.
Spectrum sports channels and packages
One of the top reasons to get cable TV is live sports. Spectrum TV Select will get you must-have channels like ESPN and FS1, and TV Select Plus will get you those channels plus RSNs. And if you need more sports, you can always upgrade your Spectrum TV package with sports add-ons like FOX Soccer and MLB Extra Innings.
Is Spectrum TV worth it?
Despite its smaller channel count, we think Spectrum TV service is worth it for most folks.
Here’s why: Spectrum gives you a lot for your money with all-HD channels, a wealth of on-demand content, two DVR options, and the Spectrum TV app. You can feel comfortable getting your money’s worth when signing up for Spectrum TV service.
Spectrum TV review FAQ
How much is Spectrum TV a month?
Spectrum standalone TV plans cost $69.99–$74.99/mo.. You can also add additional basic cable and premium cable channel packs for between $7.00 and $15.00/mo.
What is the cheapest Spectrum cable TV plan?
Spectrum TV Select is the cheapest Spectrum cable TV plan. Spectrum TV Select costs $69.99/mo. and includes 155+ channels.
What is the best Spectrum package?
TV Select + Internet offers the best TV and internet from Spectrum, starting at $109.98 a month. This bundle comes with download speeds up to 300 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) and 155+ HD channels. You can also add the Entertainment View channel pack for 70+ additional cable channels for $15.00/mo.
Can you get Spectrum TV without internet service?
You don’t have to sign up for internet to get Spectrum TV. Spectrum has multiple TV plans priced at $69.99–$74.99/mo. (for 12 months) and all 155–160+ channels are in HD.
What is Spectrum On Demand?
Spectrum On Demand is a collection of movies and shows that you can watch free with your Spectrum TV subscription.
Is Spectrum On Demand free?
Yes, Spectrum On Demand is included free with your Spectrum TV subscription.
Can I watch Spectrum TV without a cable box?
Spectrum TV customers get free access to the Spectrum TV App, which enables you to use your Spectrum login credentials to watch live and on-demand TV anywhere. You can watch on your phone or by casting to another supported device.
The app is available on Samsung Smart TVs, and Xbox One, as well as the Apple App Store, Google Play, and Amazon.
Spectrum also now offers TV Stream plans, where you can stream popular channels and On Demand titles with no cable box required.
Does Spectrum offer a senior discount?
Spectrum offers a senior discount through Spectrum Internet® Assist. The program offers affordable high-speed Internet to customers aged 65 or older who currently receive Supplemental Security Income and aren’t already Spectrum Internet® customers. (You can also qualify for Spectrum Internet® Assist if one of your household members qualifies for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the Community Eligibility Provision of the NSLP.)
If you think you might qualify for Spectrum Internet® Assist, fill out an application form from Spectrum. Once approved, you’ll be eligible for a plan up to 50 Mbps (speeds may vary) for $24.99 per month for 12 months that includes a free modem, free antivirus software, no data caps, and no contracts. Spectrum also offers a Wi-Fi router rental for an additional $5 per month. (*WiFi is an additional $5 a month.)
What channels are included in Spectrum packages?
In Spectrum TV Select ($69.99 for 12 months, 155+ channels), you’ll get your local channels plus popular cable channels like AMC, Discovery Channel, FX, Lifetime, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, TBS, TNT, and more. With TV Select Plus, you’ll get all the channels in TV Select, plus Regional Sports Networks.
Where is Spectrum available?
You can find Spectrum in 41 states. For a full list, check out our Spectrum availability page. Or enter your zip code below to see all the providers in your area.
Is Spectrum still owned by Charter?
Charter Communications uses the trade name Spectrum for its TV, internet, voice, and mobile services. You may also see some people refer to Spectrum as Charter Spectrum.
Why you should trust us
Our TV experts have spent hundreds of hours researching and testing Spectrum TV service in order to help you make an informed decision before you sign up. For more information on our process, see our “How We Rank” page.
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 $64.99/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.
Spectrum Internet:For 12 months when bundled. 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. Taxes, fees and surcharges extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra.
Spectrum Internet Ultra + Internet Gig: For 24 months when bundled. 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.
Mi Plan Latino: 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. Mi Plan Latino promotion price is $39.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr 1. Mi Plan Latino and Internet is $84.98/mo; standard rates apply after yr 1. Mi Plan Latino, Internet and Home Phone is $99.97/mo; standard rates apply after yr 1. Spectrum TV Select Signature and Latino View is $61.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges (broadcast surcharge up to $21.00/mo) extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: INTERNET: Speed based on wired connection and may vary by address. Wireless speeds may vary. TV: TV equipment required for each TV that gets Spectrum TV Latino for an additional monthly charge. Channel and HD programming availability based on level of service. Account credentials may be required to stream some TV content online. HOME PHONE: Unlimited calling includes calls within the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and more. 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. ©2022 Charter Communications.