Spectrum TV Packages, Prices, and Deals: Learn More in Our Expert Review
Spectrum cable TV is flexible, reliable, and somewhat flawed.
Spectrum TV is great, if you can overlook its flaws
First introduced in 2014 by parent company Charter Communications, Spectrum is a pretty typical modern telecommunications company. It offers broadband, cable, and internet services, and it’s willing to bundle its services for any customer that wants to buy in.
And Spectrum TV is popular. The brand says it’s the no. 1 TV provider in the nation, as well as one of the most-viewed streaming apps online. And because of that, Spectrum has been able to offer its users plenty of different TV packages, from a simple 85-channel stream to a “signature” package that includes subscriptions to other popular services like HBO Max and Hulu.
But while packages and options seem great, is Spectrum TV really all it’s cracked up to be?
As a longtime journalist, couch potato, and recent Spectrum convert, I did all the research and testing, comparing prices, plans, and platforms to find out more about Spectrum’s capabilities. What I discovered was an affordable, multi-dimensional service that left me with only a few quibbles.
Spectrum TV is cheap—provided you don’t want that many options
| Plan | Starting price | Channels | Included streaming services | Type | Optional DVR | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum TV Select Signature | $100.00/mo. (reg. $120/mo.) for 12 mos. | 150+ channels | Disney+ Basic, HBO Max With Ads, Paramount+ Essential, Peacock Premium, AMC+ | Cable | From $13.50/mo. | View Plan |
| Spectrum TV Select Plus | $110.00/mo. (reg. $130/mo.) for 12 mos. | 160+ channels | Disney+ Basic, HBO Max With Ads, Paramount+ Essential, Peacock Premium, AMC+, ViX Premium with Ads, Tennis Channel | Cable | From $13.50/mo. | View Plan |
| Spectrum TV Stream | $40.00/mo. for 12 mos. | 85+ channels | — | Streaming | From $13.50/mo. | View Plan |
Data effective as of publish date. Availability varies by location and is subject to change. See full disclaimer.
Spectrum TV packages start at just $25, though that won’t get you all that much. Step up to the next price bracket, and that’s where the company’s value starts coming to light. $40 a month gets Spectrum customers the TV Stream package, which boasts more than 85 channels, all streaming directly to TVs and devices via the company’s proprietary app.
Kick your subscription up to $100 a month, and you’ll not only get 150 channels, but you’ll also get subscriptions to HBO Max, ESPN+, Hulu, Disney+, Paramount+, Peacock, Fox One, AMC, and Vix. Considering each of those streamers runs anywhere from $10–20 a month, it’s easy to see how even though $100 seems like a lot for cable, you could be saving quite a bit with Spectrum. DIRECTV’s PREMIER plan, which also offers 185 channels, only links up to about two-thirds of those services, and it’ll run you between $25 and $55 more a month, depending on where you are in your contract—a stat that makes the Spectrum deal seem that much sweeter.
And in truth, that’s one of the reasons I ended up making the switch to Spectrum. As the nation’s largest TV provider, the company is able to make deals with streaming services and providers that others just can’t. (Think Amazon or Walmart’s negotiating power, but in TV form.) Spectrum’s breadth of channels and streaming options is incredible, even if, in all honestly, you’ll never really watch half of the channels available to you.
As a former DIRECTV subscriber, I always felt like I was calling them and threatening to leave if they wouldn’t cut me a better deal. With Spectrum, I pay just $40 a month for my 85 channels, with no expiration date on that deal. Even if I had sprung for the $100 package, when the price went up after a year, I’d still only be paying $120—a marked savings compared to both DIRECTV and the a la carte pricing for all those services.
Spectrum has everything you’d want to watch and more
Spectrum’s cheapest plan, TV Stream Latino, costs just $25 and offers users access to more than 45 Spanish-language channels, including Antena 3 TV, Bandamax, and BeIN Sports. The $40 TV Stream package steps the channel options up to more than 85 networks, including big basic cable names like AMC, Bravo, CNN, and Food Network. For $100, you can get the aforementioned TV Select Signature package, which includes access to HBO Max, ESPN+, Hulu, Disney+, Paramount+, Peacock, Fox One, AMC+, and Vix, plus more than 150 traditional TV channels, including premium options like BTN, ChimeTV, and Daystar.
You’ll get all of those on the company’s TV Select Plus package, which costs $110 and includes all the aforementioned streaming platforms and 160 live channels, including regional sports networks and the Tennis Channel. The company’s top-of-the-line service, TV Platinum, will run you $145 for the first year, but you’ll get all those streamers and sports, plus more than 230 channels, including premium options like HBO Comedy, HBO Movies, MTV2 and MTV Classic.
At my house, while we’ve got a lot of streaming services, we’ve chosen to go with just the TV Stream plan, which has best met our needs. When we were sitting down to choose what to do with our cable service, my husband started to advocate for cord-cutting so we made a list of the shows we watched and where we could watch them. While many were available on streaming services, others—like Dodgers baseball—were not. I also liked the ease of being able to program many of my shows into Spectrum’s in-app DVR, versus having to remember when each hit streaming, what app it was on, and if I watched the previous week’s episode.
To learn more about Spectrum’s channel coverage, check out our Spectrum Channel Lineup guide.
Spectrum’s customer service is kind, quick, and easy to access
Every year, CableTV.com talks to hundreds of Spectrum TV customers as part of our Cable TV Customer Satisfaction Survey to see how Spectrum TV performs in the real world.
Here’s what customers like you told us:
| Question | Score |
|---|---|
| Are you satisfied with Spectrum’s overall channel lineup? | 68% approval |
| Are you satisfied with Spectrum’s picture quality? | 61% approval |
| Are you satisfied with Spectrum's reliability? | 64% approval |
| Are you satisfied with Spectrum's TV user experience? | 68% approval |
Evidently, though, I’ve been more satisfied with my Spectrum TV than the average customer. Our Cable TV Customer Satisfaction Survey respondents gave Spectrum a failing grade in every single question, with the brand habitually losing to competitors like Verizon Fios, Xfinity, Cox, and Xtream. While they often stood above smaller, regional options like Sparklight and Optimum, you’d expect a little more for a national company.
Personally, I haven’t had that many issues with Spectrum. It could be because I live near a relatively large market in Los Angeles, but our service is almost always available. I can count on one hand how many times it’s gone out and I’ve been aware.
I will admit that I find the service’s picture quality to be somewhat lacking, though that comes with a caveat: When I am watching a show either live via the streaming app or after it’s been recorded onto my DVR, I find the picture to be crystal clear. If I’m trying to watch a show as it’s recording, however—like I click into a Law & Order: SVU 40 minutes after it started airing, when most of the show has already aired—the picture can be fuzzy, sluggish, and lacking. It’s made it so I can’t watch anything I’m recording live, which doesn’t cause me an immense amount of pain in my everyday life but is just a little annoying, especially when you’re talking about longer “event” shows, like SNL or the Oscars.
Spectrum’s digital service is convenient and portable
The other big reason we got Spectrum is because my husband and I are fairly mobile people. My husband travels a lot for work, and Spectrum’s all-digital, app-based service means that he can watch what he wants—whether it’s a Dodgers game or the latest Ken Burns documentary—no matter where he is in the United States. He loves to watch baseball on his second monitor while he’s at work across town, too, so that’s a nice perk.
This also came in handy when my family was displaced after the Eaton Fires in Southern California. While our home was being remediated, we bounced from short-term rental to short-term rental, but having access to our Spectrum cable via the internet or the Spectrum app meant we always had access to what we wanted to watch on TV.
And because Spectrum TV is exclusively digital, it made for a pretty easy set-up experience. After signing up with the company, we simply turned our TV on, downloaded the app via our Apple TV box, and signed in. Our service was active then and there, and choosing to watch something on Spectrum is as easy as choosing to click on any other streaming app, whether it’s Netflix or PBS Kids. We don’t have to futz around with multiple remotes or cable boxes that may need replacing, and it all just seems super easy.
We do have to pay an additional $10 a month for the DVR I wanted, which I know isn’t strictly necessary in a world where everything I would watch on TV is streaming on some app or another. But I’m admittedly a little old-school and like the all-in-one “you like this, you recorded this, now watch this” style interface you get with a DVR versus having to hop all over the services or remember what’s on TV when.
That being said, while I admire the ease of having my DVR just built into the Spectrum streaming app, it’s probably one of the worst DVRs I’ve ever used. Because it’s built in, you can’t flick through the Spectrum TV guide while you’re watching a show, meaning if you say “Ooh! I want to record this TV show that’s being teased in the corner of this other show I’m watching,” you’ll have to click out of the second show, go into the Spectrum app’s guide, search the new show, add it, then back out and re-enter the show you were watching. It also always drops you in live to a show on your DVR if it’s currently airing.
Spectrum features decent deals, mixed usability
Spectrum TV’s search
While the Spectrum TV app has a very visible search area, I’ve found its functionality to be laughably awful. Trying to figure out how to record something like the Academy Awards can be an exercise in futility and frustrated scrolling, since the app’s guesses about what you might want to watch are, honestly, pretty terrible.
I spent five minutes trying to figure out how to record the latest Ken Burns documentary The American Revolution because it didn’t give it to me when I searched “American” or “Ken Burns,” meaning I had to Google what it was actually called and type in a search for “The American R” before it actually figured out what I wanted. It’s enough to make you scream.
Watching live TV from your laptop
Since Spectrum TV is entirely digital, you can watch it practically anywhere. While I do most of my viewing on my couch, I appreciate that I can, in theory, watch my favorite shows on the go if I want.
That being said, I’ve had a number of issues using the Spectrum TV site to watch live TV from my office. Knowing you want to watch a baseball game currently airing on TBS and being able to actually figure out how to find the baseball game in the guide and click on it and/or TBS to actually watch said game can seem impossible. Eventually, I had to figure out a sort of workaround into channel surfing my way to the game, but in a “click on what you want” era, the fact that it remains that hard to just click on something and watch it in the Spectrum TV app is ridiculous.
Spectrum TV loves a bundle
While I mentioned Spectrum TV’s many app-friendly bundles above, it’s worth noting that the brand also offers a number of offers to those willing to bundle their TV service with their internet or mobile—or both.
We opted to bundle all three together in our house, because we were able to get 500 Mbps fiber internet, 85+ channels with a DVR, and two unlimited mobile lines for just around $130 a month. That’s pretty good, considering we were paying $110 for phone service alone before the move. We also locked in the bundle rate for three years and could have gotten a free Xumo Stream Box if we wanted, but since we already have an Apple TV, we opted to use that brand’s interface to access our cable instead.
What do real Spectrum customers think about Spectrum TV?
Overall, Spectrum TV customers seem to be pretty unhappy with the service as a whole. We surveyed over 4,000 cable subscribers in our TV Customer Satisfaction Survey and only 69 percent of Spectrum customers say they’re completely or very satisfied with the provider. The company was beaten out by Cox, Xfinity, and Verizon Fios.
- 70% of Spectrum customers say the brand has effectively met their needs in recent interactions.
- 65% of customers say they’re satisfied with Spectrum as a cable service.
- Just 61% of Spectrum customers say they think the price of the service is “excellent” or “good,” based on the quality of service they receive.
- And only 60% of Spectrum customers say that the price they pay is “excellent” or “good” compared to competitors’ prices.
Their services are quite affordable and they perform quite well. Also, their customer service is quick to respond.
I lose cable every once in a while and it takes some time to come on again.
I love the cable service…the $40 monthly plan allows me to watch cable through my XUMO box and I don’t need a cable box.
It has considerable room for improvement. I doubt they'll get it done anytime soon.
Personally, I’ve found Spectrum’s customer service to be pretty solid. While I haven’t had to go into one of their Spectrum stores for service, I do like that they exist. On the rare occasion I’ve had to call, I’ve found the call center representatives to be kind and professional, always identifying themselves by name and saying where they live. It makes them seem a little more human, and I like the personal touch. They were also quick to address my issues and courteous when the call ended.
Final take: Spectrum TV may have issues, but its value remains
While our cable customer survey respondents tended to give Spectrum TV failing marks, I’ve been mostly satisfied with the service. It has all the channels I want to watch, and while I certainly have issues with the provided DVR service, I do have faith that it could change—especially since all it would presumably require is an app update.
Spectrum TV is great for customers who want to bundle, too. If you’re not married to your existing internet and mobile services, a Spectrum bundle is a great way to save. There’s also a deal to be had if you bundle your TV and streaming apps through Spectrum, which is honestly pretty nice given our modern age of entertainment.
Overall, I like—not love—Spectrum. It’s a solid service that doesn’t really let me down. It’s reliable, affordable, and mostly dependable, and when it comes to cable providers, that’s more than enough for me.
Spectrum TV review FAQ
How much is Spectrum TV a month?
Spectrum standalone TV plans cost $40.00–$110.00/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 Signature is the cheapest Spectrum cable TV plan. Spectrum TV Select Signature costs $100.00/mo. (reg. $120/mo.) for the first year and includes 150+ channels.
What is the best Spectrum package?
TV Select Signature + Internet Premier offers the best TV and internet from Spectrum, starting at $130 a month for 24 months. This bundle comes with download speeds up to 500 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) and 150+ HD channels. You can also add the Entertainment View channel pack for 70+ additional cable channels for $15.00 a month.
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 $40.00–$110.00/mo. (for 12 months), and all 150–160+ 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.
Does Spectrum offer Disney+?
Yes, offers the basic Disney+ subscription (with ads) when you sign up for either the TV Select Signature or TV Select Plus plans.
Can I watch Spectrum TV without a cable box?
TV customers get free access to the TV app, which enables you to use your login credentials to watch live and on-demand TV anywhere. You can watch it on your phone or cast it to another supported device. The app is available on Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox One, and the Apple App Store, Google Play, and Amazon. Spectrum also offers TV Stream plans, which allow you to stream popular channels and On Demand titles without a cable box.
Does Spectrum offer a senior discount?
offers a senior discount through Spectrum Internet® Advantage. 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 Advantage 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 Advantage, fill out the application form from Spectrum. Once approved, you’ll be eligible for a plan up to 100 Mbps (speeds may vary) for $30 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.
What channels are included in Spectrum packages?
In TV Select Signature ($100.00/mo. (reg. $120/mo.) for 12 months, 150+ 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 and regional sports networks in TV Select Signature.
Where is Spectrum available?
You can find in 41 states. For a full list, check out our 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, although that's not the proper name for the company.
Why you should trust us
To evaluate Spectrum’s cable TV plans, we spent three weeks analyzing its plans and pricing compared to competitors like Xfinity and DirecTV. We also surveyed thousands of real-life TV customers as part of our customer satisfaction survey series to see what they felt about Spectrum.
Contributing writer Marah Eakin has also been a Spectrum customer for three years and drew upon this experience when researching and writing this review. Check out our How We Rank page for more information on our methodology.
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 $100/mo; standard rates apply after yr 1. Taxes, fees, and surcharges 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.
