Optimum Cable TV Review: Your Guide to the Top Plans and Packages
Our TV experts explain how Optimum TV may look tempting, but often provides a lesser experience.
Are Optimum TV plans worth it?
Based on our annual TV Customer Satisfaction Survey results, we think that Optimum TV isn’t worth it for most folks because of its higher cost and hidden fees. In fact, barely half (53%) of Optimum TV customers like its prices. That puts them in last place out of 10 total providers. (Woof!)
Be aware that Optimum doesn’t offer standalone TV, but it does sell bundles with high-speed internet service (cable or fiber), cable TV, and home phone lines. A TV plan will add between $15.00–$140.00/mo. to your internet bill, but you won’t get a bundle discount on your TV service.
Unfortunately, Optimum no longer offers Price for Life. It also has expensive equipment, limited availability, low DVR storage, and high DVR prices, so tread lightly with Optimum TV service.
Want Optimum TV? You’ll need an internet plan first.
When you sign up with Optimum online, you’ll be given a menu of internet and TV plans. The idea is for you to mix and match, creating your own bundle based on your TV and internet needs (and budget).
1) Choose an Optimum internet plan
| Plan | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Optimum 300 | $40.00/mo. | View plans |
| Optimum 500 | $60.00/mo. | View plans |
| Optimum 1 Gig | $70.00/mo. | View plans |
| Fiber Internet 300 | $40.00/mo. | View plans |
| Fiber Internet 500 | $60.00/mo. | View plans |
| Fiber Internet 1 Gig | $70.00/mo. | View plans |
| Fiber Internet 2 Gig | $90.00/mo. | View plans |
| Fiber Internet 5 Gig | $120.00/mo. | View plans |
| Fiber Internet 8 Gig | $280.00/mo. | View plans |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
See full disclaimer.
Depending on where you live, you’ll get either cable or fiber internet connections from Optimum. There is no difference in download speeds, but fiber connections are better because they have symmetrical upload speeds—you can upload as fast as you download.
But the speed you need depends on what do you do online, and how much of it you do.
Optimum 300 ($40.00/mo., 300Mbps) is good for most households with multiple devices, streaming TV in HD, casual/recreational online gaming, and downloading large files frequently.
At the other end of the spectrum, a large household with multiple TVs streaming in 4K, multiple serious online gamers with their own devices, and everyone on their phones, will want to go with Optimum 1 Gig ($70.00/mo., 940Mbps).
Now let’s assess your TV needs.
"After the first year at 90 dollars, the price increased to almost 200 dollars, which has me upset."
2) Choose an Optimum TV plan
| Plan (West) | Price* | Channels | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic TV | +$50.00/mo. | 50+ | View plans |
| Value TV | +$100.00/mo. | 125+ | View plans |
| Select TV | +$120.00/mo. | 200+ | View plans |
|
Premier TV Most Channels |
+$140.00/mo. | 250+ | View plans |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*for 12 month term w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply.
We’re not impressed with Optimum’s TV prices and service, but let’s go over your options anyway.
With Optimum Value, you’ll get 125+ basic cable channels like HGTV, Disney Channel, and ESPN. At $100.00/mo., the package will work best for most households who just want cable TV service.
Pro tip: We don’t recommend basic cable plans from any provider. That’s because you can get all your local broadcast channels and subchannels with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna. Antennas cost $25–$60 once, while basic cable plans cost $20–$50 monthly. You see what we’re getting at, here?
Optimum Select ($120.00/mo.) ups your lineup to 200+ channels with additional networks including NFL Network, Disney XD, and MTV. Your household will get the most out of Optimum Select if you have multiple family members who want to watch the package’s sports, kids, or news channels.
If you want the best of everything, Premier TV is our bang-for-your-buck pick. It has 250+ channels, and includes HBO MaxTM, Paramount+ Premium, STARZ®, and STARZ ENCORE®.
| Plan (East) | Price | Live channels | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entertainment TV | $15.00/mo.* | 80+ | View Plans for Optimum |
| Extra TV | $80.00/mo. | 125+ | View Plans for Optimum |
| Everything TV | $135.00/mo. | 200+ | View Plans for Optimum |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*for 6 month term w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.
So, here’s where things get a little confusing. The first table of TV plans is for Optimum’s West region, while the table directly above is for its East region. I prioritized the West region in this section because it covers the vast majority of Optimum’s service area, while Optimum’s East region consists of just Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.
If you’re a resident of one of those three states, you’ll have the options of the three plans listed above: Entertainment TV, Extra TV, and Everything TV.
Entertainment TV is a solid base plan (much better than Basic TV), offering 80+ channels, including cable classics like AMC, Nickelodeon, and Food Network. Families will gravitate toward Extra TV, with 45 more channels that include Disney Channel and ESPN.
Everything TV offers 200+ channels for the whopping price of $135.00/mo.. Too pricey, IMO, but for sports lovers, it may be worth it. Everything TV comes with tons of sports-centric channels like NBA TV, CBS Sports, and the ACC Network.
Optimum TV vs. the competition
How does Optimum stack up to competing providers? Here’s the scoop at a glance:
| Provider | TV Prices | Channels | Internet prices | Download speeds | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | 165–340+ | N/A | N/A |
View plan Read our DIRECTV review |
| DISH | $96.99–$126.99/mo. | 190–290+ | N/A | N/A |
View plan Read our DISH review |
| Spectrum | $40.00–$110.00/mo. | 150–160+ | $50.00–$70.00/mo. | Up to 500–1,000 Mbps |
View plan Read our Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $95.00–$139.00/mo. | 60–425+ | $49.99–$109.99/mo. | 300–2,300 Mbps |
View plan Read our Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $35.00–$90.00/mo. | 10–185+ | $40.00–$100.00/mo. | 300–2,000 Mbps |
View plan Read our Xfinity review |
Data effective as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
The table has links to our full reviews of each provider, but here are a few more comparison points:
- Channels: If having tons of channels is a priority, Verizon Fios (60–425+ channels) is the one to beat.
- Equipment: Optimum, Spectrum, Verizon, and Xfinity include your first receiver/TV box free. DIRECTV makes the same claim, but charges a $15 monthly Advanced Receiver Fee. DISH charges $5–$10 monthly for its Hopper receiver/DVRs.
- DVR fees: All providers in the table except DISH have cloud DVR for a fee. Optimum’s fees are the highest out of the bunch. DIRECTV, DISH, and Xfinity still offer the option of choosing physical receiver/DVRs, but don’t charge extra for storage.
Save money with mobile bundles and free streaming services
The best current Optimum TV deals can get you a free iPhone 16 and free Disney+ and Hulu when you bundle internet, mobile, and TV.
Optimum’s TV deals often change on a monthly basis. For details on all of Optimum’s promotions, check out our Optimum deals page.
Optimum’s highest-tier TV plan comes with a lot of channels
Optimum’s highest-tier TV plan, Premier TV, has 250+ live channels.
Here’s a rundown of Optimum’s popular channels, premium channels, and channel add-on packs. For even more information, check out our Optimum channel lineup guide.
Optimum offers the same premium channels as most other providers
If you want the premium stuff, Optimum has it, with all the best movies and TV series.
- CINEMAX® ($9.99/mo.)
- HBO Max ($16.99/mo.)
- SHOWTIME and The Movie Channel ($10.99/mo.)
- STARZ and STARZENCORE ($10.99/mo.)
Don’t forget—we recommend Optimum Premier ($140.00/mo., 250+ channels) because it already includes HBO Max, Paramount+ Premium, STARZ, and STARZENCORE.
Optimum channel add-on packs
If you’re into add-on channel packs, Optimum has two: one for Spanish speakers and one for sports fans.
- Optimum en Español ($15.00/mo.): 55+ channels, including Antena 3, CNN en Español, Discovery en Español, ESPN Deportes, FOX Deportes, History en Español, and NBC Universo
- Optimum Sports Pack ($15.00/mo.): 24 channels, including NFL Network, NFL RedZone, NHL Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, Golf Channel, and more.
Optimum’s main TV packages include a handful of Spanish-language channels. Those will suffice when your abuela is visiting. But if she’s gonna move in—or if a bilingual familia is your priority—go for Optimum en Español.
The Select ($120.00/mo., 200+ channels) plan already includes MLB and NFL Network at no extra cost. But if you have room in your budget, the Optimum Sports Pack is a sweet deal for the price.
Optimum DVR service and TV equipment
Your Optimum service equipment will vary depending on whether or not you have a standalone TV package or a bundle. Let’s talk boxes.
Optimum TV boxes
When you bundle with Optimum internet, you’ll get the Optimum TV Box (First box free, $12 a month for additional units) as your cable box. It has a voice-activated remote, supports 4K Ultra HD, and is compatible with streaming apps, including the Optimum TV mobile app.
For multiroom TV, you can choose the Optimum TV Box or an Apple TV device (both are $10 a month). If you go with the Apple TV, it’s a rent-to-own deal: The device is yours to keep after 13 months.
Optimum cloud DVR service
Optimum’s cloud DVR plans cost way too much for way too little storage—especially when you’re already paying $10 a month for the TV box.
Pro tip: Optimum’s Service Protection ($6.99/mo.) and Home Entertainment Protection and Support ($9.99/mo.) programs will waive service visit fees and provide support coverage for your Optimum hardware.
Optimum DVR plans and pricing
| Optimum DVR plan | Price | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud DVR | $9.99/mo. | 25 hrs. |
| Cloud DVR Plus | $17.99/mo. | 75 hrs. |
| Cloud DVR Max | $21.99/mo. | 150 hrs. |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Paying $22.00 a month for a TV box and 150 hours of storage stretches our idea of a decent deal. But it’s not necessarily a deal-breaker. On the bright side, Optimum’s Cloud DVR is included at no extra charge with their 1 Gig Internet + TV packages.
Optimum modem/router
For the internet part of its bundles, you get the Optimum Gateway 6 modem/router ($12 a month), which comes with in-home Optimum Wi-Fi and 24/7 tech support. Or, if you can do without the in-home Wi-Fi and tech support, you can go buy an Optimum-compatible unit—the cheaper option, in the long run.
Optimum TV app
The Optimum TV app (for Amazon Kindle Fire, Android, and iOS) allows you to watch your Optimum channel package and on-demand content anywhere. You can also watch, manage, and schedule DVR recordings—and even use your phone as your remote control.
Optimum customers give the app solid marks, though—3.6 stars on Google Play and 4.6 on the Apple Store.
What do real Optimum customers think of Optimum TV?
Optimum, like most TV service providers, comes with a lot of hidden fees and price hikes. So while the company’s TV prices can be steep, they’ll get even steeper in subsequent years.
Customers might be more willing to forgive the extra fees if the service was worth it. However, Optimum ranked historically bad in our 2025 customer satisfaction survey. Customers reported high prices, poor customer service interactions, and poor service quality.
"With multiple channels, we have a lot of glitching where the voice cuts out and seems to pause. We end up having to switch channels because you can’t hear what’s going on. That is extremely frustrating—especially when you’re in the middle of watching a show and it starts happening. There’s nothing we can do to fix it, so we end up not being able to finish the show."
Optimum TV review FAQ
What channels does Optimum have?
Optimum has 250+ channels available in four packages in its West region: Optimum Basic ($50.00/mo., 50+ channels), Optimum Value ($100.00/mo., 125+ channels), Optimum Select ($120.00/mo., 200+ channels), and Premier TV ($140.00/mo., 250+ channels). Select is the best value, while Premier has the best bang for your buck. In its East region, it offers channels across three packages: Entertainment TV ($15.00/mo., 80+ channels), Extra TV ($80.00/mo., 125+ channels), and Everything TV ($135.00/mo., 200+ channels). For more information on Optimum TV channels, check out our Optimum Channel Guide.
How much is Optimum’s basic package?
Optimum offers basic TV only in the Basic TV plan, which costs $50.00/mo. for one year and has 50+ channels. But we don’t recommend basic TV packages from any provider. An over-the-air (OTA) antenna should pick up all the same channels—without a monthly payment.
What is the cheapest Optimum package?
Optimum’s cheapest cable TV package is Basic TV, which has 50+ channels for $50.00/mo. on top of your internet plan. Optimum also offers a streaming TV package, Entertainment TV, which offers 80+ for $15.00/mo..
What is Optimum TV to Go?
Optimum TV to Go is when you watch your Optimum TV channels, on-demand content, and DVR recordings on your mobile devices with the Optimum TV App (available for Android, iOS, and Kindle Fire).
Does Optimum have Spanish channels?
Optimum has 50+ Spanish language channels in its add-on pack, Optimum en Español, which costs $15.00 a month. But if you happen to subscribe to Optimum Broadcast Basic, then Optimum en Español costs $20.95 per month.
How much does Optimum cable cost?
Optimum cable TV packages cost $15.00–$140.00/mo. for 50–250+ channels.
What channels are in Optimum’s Premier TV package?
Optimum’s Premier TV package ($140.00/mo.) has 250+ channels, including 29 of the 30 most-watched channels (according to Variety) plus HBO, Magnolia Network, NFL Network, SHOWTIME, STARZ, and STARZ ENCORE.
What are Optimum’s HD channels?
Around half of Optimum’s 250+ channels are in HD. These include 29 of the 30 most-watched channels, along with these channels:
- CNN
- ESPN channels (except ESPN Deportes)
- FS1
- HBO channels
- MLB Network
- NFL Network
- NFL RedZone
- NHL Network
- MSNBC
- SHOWTIME channels (except SHOWTIME Next, SHOWTIME Family Zone, and SHOWTIME Women)
- STARZ (except STARZ Cinema)
- STARZ ENCORE
- TMC channels
- Vice TV
- . . . and more
How do I get a new cable box from Optimum?
To get a new cable box from Optimum, call the general customer support line (1-866-218-3259) or call your regional customer service department directly.
- Connecticut: 1-203-870-2583
- New Jersey: 1-973-230-6048
- New York (Long Island): 1-631-393-0637
- New York (Bronx, Brooklyn, Westchester): 1-718-860-3514
- North Carolina (Hendersonville, West Jefferson): 1-877-491-0050
How do I program my Optimum remote to my TV?
You can learn how to program any of Optimum’s five different remotes using Optimum’s “Program your remote control” page.
What is the Optimum value package?
Value TV is the new name for Optimum's Core TV plan. We recommend Value TV because it provides 125+ channels for $100.00/mo. on top of your internet bill. If you want more channels, like TCM, Nat Geo Channel, and Nick Jr., you can upgrade to Select TV, which provides 200+ channels for $120.00/mo. on top of your internet bill. For more value TV packages, check out our guide to free and low-cost cable TV options.
Why you should trust us
Our experts broke down each Optimum cable TV plan, rating how each package’s features and price stacked up against the competition. We also referred to our annual TV customer satisfaction survey, which asks customers how responsive companies like Optimum are to their concerns.
For more information on our methodology, check out our How We Rank page.
Disclaimer
300 Mbps: w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.500 Mbps: w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.1 Gig: w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.2 Gig: w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.5 Gig: w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.8 Gig: w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.
