Best TV Services of 2023 | Cheap TV Plans Starting at $20

Best TV services of 2023

No matter what’s on your TV wish list, we’ve put together a list of reliable, local TV companies that may be available in your area. Find the TV service best suited for your address!

Best TV providers of 2023

• YouTube TV – Best channel lineup
• DIRECTV STREAM – Best new streaming service
• DIRECTV – Best sports package
• Xfinity – Best bundle deals
• Spectrum – Best skinny packages
• DISH – Best hi-tech DVR
• Verizon Fios – Best customization
• Optimum – Best basic plan channel count
• Cox – Best cheap TV plan

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• Provider
• TV Start Price
• Channel Count
• Streaming Access
• TV Contract Terms
• Monthly price range*
• Technology

Provider

YouTube TV

Best channel lineup

YouTube TV has your favorite channels, unlimited DVR space and no contracts.

Learn more

TV Start Price

$64.99

Channel Count

100+

Streaming Access

YouTube TV

TV Contract Terms

None

Monthly price range*

$64.99

Technology

Streaming

Provider

DIRECTV STREAM

Best new streaming service

DIRECTV STREAM lets you stream 140+ channels in high-quality resolution.

Learn more

TV Start Price

$74.99/mo.

Channel Count

75+ to 150+

Streaming Access

DIRECTV App

TV Contract Terms

None

Monthly price range*

$74.99-$154.99

Technology

Streaming

Provider

DIRECTV

Best sports package

DIRECTV comes with HD programming, thousands of on-demand titles and a Genie DVR.

Learn more

TV Start Price

$64.99/mo.

Channel Count

165+ – 340+

Streaming Access

DIRECTV App

TV Contract Terms

Two years

Monthly price range*

$64.99 – $154.99

Technology

Satellite

Provider

Xfinity

Best internet bundle option

Save $10/mo. per service when you bundle Xfinity TV with Xfinity internet, voice and/or security.

Learn more

TV Start Price

$20.00/mo.

Channel Count

10+ – 185+

Streaming Access

Xfinity Stream

TV Contract Terms

None or one year

Monthly price range*

$20.00 – $89.99

Technology

Cable, streaming

Provider

Spectrum

Best for premium networks

Spectrum offers a basic plan which allows for a variety of add-ons to create a package that includes your favorites shows, premium channels and sports.

Learn more

TV Start Price

$59.99/mo.

Channel Count

125+ – 200+

Streaming Access

Spectrum TV App

TV Contract Terms

None

Monthly price range*

Starting at $59.99

Technology

Cable, streaming

Provider

DISH

Best hi-tech DVR

DISH customers can enjoy the Hopper3 DVR, one of the most advanced devices on the market.

Learn more

TV Start Price

$74.99/mo.

Channel Count

190 – 290+

Streaming Access

DISH TV Anywhere App

TV Contract Terms

Two years

Monthly price range*

$74.99

Technology

Satellite

Provider

Verizon

Best customization

Verizon provides easy channel customization and no long-term contracts.

Learn more

TV Start Price

$70.00/mo.

Channel Count

125+ – 425+

Streaming Access

Fios TV App

TV Contract Terms

None

Monthly price range*

$70.00 – $110.00

Technology

Fiber-optic and TV streaming

Provider

Optimum

Best basic plan channel count

Get hundreds of HD channels and the Altice One device for HD streaming.

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TV Start Price

$65.00/mo.

Channel Count

220+ – 420+

Streaming Access

Optimum TV to GO

TV Contract Terms

One year

Monthly price range*

$65 – $105

Technology

Cable

Provider

Cox

Best cheap TV plan

Cox offers one of the most affordable basic TV plans available.

Learn more

TV Start Price

$56/mo.

Channel Count

75+ – 250+

Streaming Access

Cox Contour Stream Player

TV Contract Terms

One year

Monthly price range*

$56.00-$145.00

Technology

Cable

Search TV providers for plans in your area

Check availability

Or call us today:
(844) 451-2720 (844) 451-2720

Summary of top TV companies

Compare details like contract agreements, installation fees and channel lineups when considering your TV provider. Our experts have done the in-depth research for you to make your TV decision easy.

Top TV companies at a glance

ProviderStarting monthly price*Channel rangeSimultaneous DVR recordingsContractTypeYouTube TV$64.99100+Up to 3NoneStreamingDIRECTV STREAM$74.9965 – 140+UnlimitedNoneStreamingDIRECTV$64.99165 – 340+Up to 5Two yearsSatelliteXfinity$20.0010 – 260+Up to 4None required for TV onlyCable, fiberSpectrum$59.99125 – 200+Up to 6, depending on DVR modelNoneCable, fiberDISH$74.99190 – 290+Up to 16Two yearsSatelliteVerizon$70.00125+ – 425+Up to 12NoneFiber, streamingOptimum$65.00220 – 420+Up to 15One yearCable, fiberCox$56.0075 – 250+Up to 6Varies by planCable, fiber

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of the contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices are subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 02/07/23.

TV channels and Premiums

Click the links to learn more about each provider’s channel lineup. 

• Cox TV – Free premium channels included with Cox Ultimate TV plan ($69.99/mo.) include HBO®, SHOWTIME®, STARZ®, CINEMAX® and EPIX®.
• DIRECTV – Free premium channels included with DIRECTV Ultimate TV plan ($99.99/mo.) include The Movie Channel and STARZ ENCORE®.
• DIRECTV STREAM – HBO Max included with CHOICE ($89.99/mo.), ULTIMATE ($94.99/mo.) and PREMIER ($139.99/mo.) plans.
• DISH – Free premium channels with DISH’s America’s Top 250 TV plan ($99.99/mo.) include STARZ®, STARZ ENCORE® and The Movie Channel.
• Frontier – Free premium channels with Frontier’s Premier TV plan ($119.99/mo.) include Cinemax, EPIX®, HBO®, SHOWTIME® and The Movie Channel.
• Mediacom – No free premium channels included but you can add any or all premium channels to an Mediacom plan for an additional monthly fee.
• Optimum – Free premium channels with Optimum’s Premier TV plan ($124.99/mo.) include HBO® networks, SHOWTIME® networks, STARZ® and STARZ Encore®.
• Spectrum – You can add any premium channels to your TV Select package.
• Verizon – Free premium channels with Verizon’s The Most Fios TV plan ($90/mo.) include SHOWTIME®, STARZ®, STARZ Encore® and The Movie Channel.
• Xfinity – Free premium channels with Xfinity’s Premier TV plan ($84.99/mo.) include HBO®, SHOWTIME®, STARZ®, STARZ Encore and The Movie Channel.
• YouTube TV – You can add any premium channels to your YouTube TV experience for $3 to $40/mo.

See how top providers compare

Take a closer look at how TV companies in your area stack up by clicking on a comparison below. Find nationwide availability, package deals, add-on options and more from TV and internet providers in your area.

Which cable TV provider do we think is best? Spectrum offers great values 

Spectrum offers TV Select with 125+ channels. Spectrum’s main plan, TV Select, is a particularly good deal as it offers 125+ channels, including five or more sports channels, for $59.99/mo. We are rating Spectrum first because it is one of the few providers that offers over 100 channels for under $60/mo.

Expert tip: Build a Spectrum TV and internet bundle to simplify your bills.

Top cheap cable providers near you

TV service doesn’t have to be expensive. Many popular providers offer basic cable service that includes local channels and major networks between $50 to $65/mo. for an average of 100 channels. If you’re looking for the best value for your money and only need the most basic of channels, Xfinity is the cheapest option – if they are available in your area – with starting prices of $40/mo. for 10+ channels.

Here’s a list of TV companies that offer cheap TV services:

Cheap TV packages

ProviderPriceChannel count$56.00/mo.75+$59.99/mo.125+$70.00/mo.125+$20.00/mo.10+

Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 02/07/23.

These prices are low, especially for cable TV plans, but consider the additional monthly charges that you may incur with service. Cox TV Starter, for example, starts at $25/mo.* but increases as you add things like TV receivers ($10/device), DVR service ($12.99/mo.) and Complete Care protections ($10/mo.) 

Things get more expensive as you add premium channels and channel paks to customize your service. Personalizations and equipment fees are common among major providers, so consider your plan price as a starting point.

Cox TV Starter is best for cheap cable TV

If you are looking for cheap cable TV, but still want a good selection of channels, go with Cox TV Starter. Although Xfinity offers a slightly cheaper cable TV plan at $20/mo. for 10 channels, the Cox TV Starter is only $5/mo. more and you get access to significantly more channels.

Search TV providers for plans in your area

Check availability

Or call us today:

(844) 451-2720

(844) 451-2720

What types of TV services are available near me?

Cable TV service is the most popular connection type, however, your address may also be eligible for fiber or satellite TV plans depending on where you’re located. Residents in rural areas, for example, can shop satellite TV providers which offer service in places that other providers do not. Take a look at some of the pros and cons of the TV connection types that may be available in your area.