How to Watch Spectrum Originals

Spectrum isn’t just about providing cable TV, internet, and digital phone services—it’s also in the original content game. The telecom giant offers several TV dramas (including Manhunt: Deadly Games), and one comedy reboot, that only Spectrum customers can watch, cleverly labeled as Spectrum Originals.

Similar to DIRECTV’s exclusive (and now defunct) Audience Network of years ago, some Spectrum Originals have gained some notice and acclaim outside of Spectrum’s subscriber base. Cop drama L.A.’s Finest even made the jump to FOX broadcast TV and Prime Video.

Jump to:

• Current Spectrum Originals
• How to watch Spectrum Originals
• What to watch on Spectrum Originals

Spectrum Originals series:

• Joe Pickett
• The Bite
• L.A.’s Finest
• Manhunt: Deadly Games
• Mad About You
• Paradise Lost
• Temple
• Curfew
• Side Games

How to watch Spectrum Originals

You’ll need to be a Spectrum TV® or internet subscriber to watch Spectrum Originals. If you live in an area serviced by Spectrum, that’s easy; if not, no shows for you. That’s what Spectrum means by “exclusive.”

Spectrum Originals for current customers

Current Spectrum customers can watch Spectrum Originals series using any of the following platforms:

Spectrum TV

• Turn on your cable-box-connected TV.
• Select Spectrum Originals channel 2010.
• Choose a Spectrum Originals series.
• Watch on your TV.

Spectrum TV app

• Download the Spectrum TV app to your Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Android TV, Xbox One, or Samsung TV streaming device (Roku doesn’t currently carry the Spectrum TV app).
• Launch the app on your internet-connected device.
• Sign in with your Spectrum.net credentials.
• Search for Spectrum Originals.
• Stream through the Spectrum TV app.

Watch.spectrum.net (Spectrum Watch TV)

• Open a web browser on your laptop, desktop, phone, or tablet.
• Go to Watch.spectrum.net
• Sign in with your Spectrum.net credentials.
• Search for Spectrum Originals.
• Stream through Spectrum Watch TV.

Spectrum Originals website

• Open a web browser on your laptop, desktop, phone, or tablet.
• Go to SpectrumOriginals.com.
• Sign in with your Spectrum.net credentials.
• Select a Spectrum Originals series.
• Stream through Spectrum Originals.

Spectrum Originals for new customers

Those who aren’t currently Spectrum customers can sign up for TV or internet service and gain access to Spectrum Originals. Even if you go with just Spectrum Internet service alone, you’ll still be able to watch the Originals series.

Spectrum TV plan

* For 12 mos. See full disclaimer for details.
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Spectrum internet plans

* For 12 mos. See full disclaimer for details.
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Spectrum bundles

* For 12 mos.
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

What to watch on Spectrum Originals

The Spectrum Originals lineup is small, but there are some interesting series to be found among them—and also L.A.’s Finest. Here are the nine current Spectrum Originals series:

Joe Pickett (1 season)

Based on the C.J. Box novels, Joe Pickett (played by Michael Dorman) is a rural Wyoming game warden dealing with local social politics, outsider land profiteers, and now, a murder. Joe Pickett is tailor-made for fans of rugged modern cowboy dramas like Yellowstone and Longmire, and Dorman has already established himself as a compelling, complex lead in Apple TV+’s For All Mankind and Prime Video’s Patriot. If it reaches the right audience, this may well become Spectrum’s first major hit original series. (Joe Pickett has since moved to Paramount+.)

The Bite (1 season)

Spectrum’s latest original series, The Bite, is a horror-comedy about being stuck at home during a viral zombie apocalypse—too soon? Or too late? New York City neighbors Rachel (Audra McDonald, The Good Fight) and Lily (Taylor Schilling, Orange Is the New Black) are facing different professional challenges during lockdown: Rachel is a concierge doctor watching her patients turn undead over Zoom, while Lily is a dominatrix managing her own quarantine bubble clientele. Wackiness mostly ensues, but The Bite has no teeth.

L.A.’s Finest (2 seasons)

The highest-profile Spectrum Originals series is also its most joked-about (we’re certainly guilty at CableTV.com). Set in Jerry Bruckheimer’s Bad Boys universe and starring Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba as LAPD detectives Syd Burnett and Nancy McKenna (Syd and Nancy, nice punk reference), it’s a by-the-numbers cop drama surprisingly short on Bruckheimer action. Rotten Tomatoes declared it a “spin-off to nowhere,” and Spectrum canceled L.A.’s Finest after two seasons.

Manhunt: Deadly Games (1 season)

Following Discovery Channel’s 2017 Manhunt: Unabomber season, Manhunt: Deadly Games was released as a Spectrum Originals series in February 2020, and later on CBS and Netflix. Deadly Games is a dramatization of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bombing story and controversial “hero cop” Richard Jewell (played by Cameron Britton). The series also stars Judith Light, Jack Huston, and Carla Gugino, and is one of the most popular true-crime shows on Hulu.

Mad About You (1 season)

Everything ‘90s is new again, and Mad About You is a sitcom reboot you might have missed. Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt reprise their roles as Paul and Jamie Buchman from the 1992–1999 NBC series, now as NYC empty-nesters with grown daughter Mabel (Abby Quinn) in college. Some old Mad About You friends, like cousin Ira (John Pankow) and neighbor Mark (Richard Kind), drop by occasionally, meaning this reboot is strictly for fans of the original.

Paradise Lost (1 season)

Paradise Lost is a 10-episode southern gothic mystery with a solid cast, including Josh Hartnett, Bridget Regan, Nick Nolte, Barbara Hershey, and Shane McRae. Years later, Yates Forsythe (Hartnett) returns to his Mississippi hometown with his new wife (Regan), and old town secrets and mysteries come to light—heard this one before? Unfortunately, Paradise Lost is long on big talk, pretty scenery, and supernatural hints, but short on coherent storylines.

Temple (1 season)

In this British import from Sky One, surgeon Daniel Milton (Mark Strong, 1917) operates an illegal, literally underground clinic below the streets of London. There, he stitches up criminals who can’t afford to be caught in the hospital system. He’s also running experimental procedures to keep his terminally ill wife alive—yes, there’s a lot going on here. Temple is a gritty crime/medical drama with a scattershot plot, but it has been renewed for a second season.

Curfew (1 season)

Another UK production from Sky One, Curfew is a zombie-apocalypse thriller without the zombies. Instead, it has “mooks,” virally infected humans who’ve mutated into feral killing machines. Also, in a Fast & Furious twist, some groups of the uninfected compete in illegal cross-country car races for a chance to escape to a mysterious “sanctuary.” The cast (which includes Sean Bean, Adam Brody, and Miranda Richardson), is solid, but the plot is a bit. . .much.

Side Games (1 season)

Also known as Todo por el Juengo, Spanish-with-English-subtitles series Side Games is a crime drama set in the world of Spanish soccer. The local mob has its hands in everything from fixing elections to soccer matches, in addition to buying and selling international players. If you thought soccer was boring, think again. Side Games is a violent and profane series full of action and intrigue that wouldn’t seem out of place on HBO (or HBO Latino), and it’s easily one of Spectrum’s best.

Final take: Are Spectrum Originals worth it?

Spectrum Originals are a nice extra to have in addition to TV and internet service, but most aren’t exactly ready for primetime.

If you’re already a Spectrum customer who was unaware of Spectrum Originals, it won’t cost you anything to check out the shows if you’re curious. But, beyond Side Games and the promising new Joe Pickett, there’s nothing here that should compel you to sign up for Spectrum just to access the Originals.

Spectrum Originals FAQ

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.
Spectrum Internet 500 Mbps: 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.
Spectrum Voice: 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. General Terms: HOME PHONE: Spectrum Voice promotion price is $14.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr 1. 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.