After staying at home for almost 18 months during the pandemic we realized how much we need our TV and how comforting it is. What isn’t as easy or comforting is figuring out how much cable TV costs and what is included. Once you start looking at the packages, bundles, and other add-ons it can become an absolute minefield to figure out what is happening.
To help you with this we’ll give you a short answer to give you an idea of how much it costs. Right now, cable TV (without any internet) generally ranges from about $40 to $135 for new customers who sign up. The number of channels and the provider will determine exactly how much you must spend.
The price range is from Xfinity, Spectrum, and Cox. Where you live will depend on which services you can get.
What Cable Bundles and Packages Are Available?
The figure that we quoted above – $40 – $135 is purely for cable and does not include other services on top like streaming services, including Disney+ or satellite services like DirecTV. You can also increase your monthly subscription cost by adding extra channels on top of the base price. Cox’s mid-tier TV plan costs about $90 per month and includes basic cable and local channels. If you wanted to add sports channels on top you would then need to pay an additional $10 per month.
Most providers offer bundles which means you can get internet and cable for one monthly cost instead of setting up multiple providers. You would usually get an introductory promotional price. If you sign up with Spectrum they’ll give you a discounted rate in the first year when you bundle TV and Internet. With this bundle, you’ll save about $5 per month in your first year of subscription.
How Can I Save Money On My Cable Bill?
When you are signing the original agreement then make sure you read them carefully. If you are getting a deal with a provider then make sure you know how long the special price will last and what you will pay when the deal ends. Keep an eye out for extra fees like installation.
Before you sign up for a cable deal think about how does cable fit into my budget? You want to ensure that it follows the 50/30/20 rule of budgeting and that you’re not spending more on cable than you need to. We believe cable is a want and not a need but different people might put it in different categories.
Have a look at DecisionData.org to help understand how different terms and conditions will impact you and how they compare across cable providers.
Once you’ve done your research about the different providers you can talk to the customer service line of your chosen cable provider and ask some questions. This will give you a good insight into how they deal with their customers and you might also be able to negotiate a better deal.
