TV and Internet Providers in Austin, Texas

Cable TV and internet in Austin, TX

Live music, microbreweries, food trucks—Austin is blessed with more cultural comforts than most major American cities, if not some entire states. The capital of Texas is also a long-established tech hub, nicknamed “Silicon Hills” in the ‘90s, though that doesn’t quite have the same ring as “Keep Austin Weird,” a catchphrase coined by locals.

The city has several TV and internet providers to choose from, ranging from fiber-optic big guns like Google Fiber to homegrown cable companies like Grande Communications. Getting connected in Austin is as easy as finding a killer taco on Sixth Street.

What are the best TV and cable companies in Austin?

• AT&T TV—Large channel counts
• DIRECTV—NFL SUNDAY TICKET
• DISH—Powerful Hopper 3 DVR
• Grande Communications—TiVo DVR
• Spectrum—Included premium channels
• Suddenlink—Channel-loaded plans

What are the best internet providers in Austin?

• AT&T Internet—Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
• EarthLink—Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
• Google Fiber—Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
• Grande Communications—Speeds up to 600 Mbps
• Spectrum—Speeds up to 940 Mbps
• Suddenlink—Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
• Viasat—Speeds up to 100 Mbps

Austin’s TV services come in cable, satellite, and fiber internet flavors, served up by AT&T, DIRECTV, DISH, EarthLink, Google Fiber, Grande Communications, Spectrum, Suddenlink, and Viasat. With the exceptions of DIRECTV and DISH, those same companies also offer internet service.

AT&T’s fiber (and, to a smaller extent, DSL) internet service covers the majority of Austin, followed by the cable reach of Grande Communications, Spectrum, and Suddenlink. There are also a handful of DSL-only and fixed-wireless internet providers in the area, but we recommend the faster options of fiber and cable that are available most everywhere within Austin city limits.

Cable TV and internet bundles in Austin

Bundling TV and internet service can cut down paperwork—digital or physical—and costs. Fortunately, AT&T, Google Fiber, Grande Communications, Spectrum, and Suddenlink offer TV and internet bundles.

If you opt for DIRECTV’s TV service (to get its exclusive NFL SUNDAY TICKET) or DISH (for its excellent Hopper DVR), you’ll have to get internet service from elsewhere.

Likewise, EarthLink and Viasat don’t do TV, just internet.

Top TV and internet bundles in Austin

• AT&T TV + Internet—Large channel counts + speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
• Suddenlink—Pristine HD picture + speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
• Spectrum—Channel-loaded plans + speeds up to 940 Mbps

Data effective as of 05/15/2020. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Most popular TV channels in Austin

Like the rest of the country, Austin loves Below Deck, Southern Charm, and those shows about Housewives who are ostensibly Real—yes, we’re talking reality-TV monster Bravo. Austinites are also into Comedy Central and USA Network, balancing the laughs and the drama.

Though Austin doesn’t have a pro team of its own, residents still root for Texas teams through NBC Sports Network, ESPN2, and ESPN—the Lone Star State is home to a whopping 10 professional sports franchises, after all. And Austin isn’t completely jock-free: ever heard of a little University of Texas football team called the Longhorns?

Austin’s most popular TV channels

Based on research conducted by CableTV.com.

TV packages featuring Austin’s most popular channels

Data effective as of 05/15/2020. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. *For 12 mos plus taxes. w/24-mo. agmt. Prices higher in 2nd year. Only available in select markets. †For 12 mos plus taxes. Autopay & Paperless bill req’d. Prices higher in 2nd year. Regional Sports Fee up to $9.99/mo. is extra & applies. ‡For 24. months. New customers only. All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutopay. Price includes Hopper Duo for qualifying customers. §For the first 12 months. °For the first 12 months when bundled. •For the first year

AT&T TV’s Entertainment plan, the cheapest listed above, offers plenty of channels and bundling options, but the downside is availability: AT&T TV covers only about half of Austin.

Cable provider Spectrum, on the other hand, services the entirety of Austin. Same goes for DIRECTV and DISH, since both need only a clear view of the southern sky to receive a satellite signal. Satellite is a more expensive option but also more widely available in Austin.

Austin sports coverage

Texas boasts a total of 10 pro sports franchises from the NFL (Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans), NBA (Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs), MLB (Houston Astros, Texas Rangers), MLS (FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo), and NHL (Dallas Stars).

Not to be left off the field, Austin’s University of Texas is home to the Texas Longhorns, one of college football’s top teams.

How to watch Austin sports

Our preferred Austin TV packages from AT&T TV, DIRECTV, and Spectrum cover Texas sports well. Depending upon the channel and team, some games may be subject to Austin cable blackouts (to provide fair time for regional broadcasters), but these three providers carry the most sports channels overall.

If you’re looking for the least expensive packages to get local Austin channels (or just the least expensive packages, period), these will cover you:

• AT&T TV—Entertainment: $49.99/mo.
• DIRECTV—Select: $49.99/mo.
• DISH—America’s Top 120: $64.99/mo.
• Google Fiber—TV: $50.00/mo.
• Grande Communications—Preferred: $54.99/mo.
• Spectrum—Select: $44.99/mo.
• Suddenlink—Value: $54.99/mo.