Find TV Providers in your area
Compare the best TV services from cable to satellite to streaming, all in one place.
Our top categories
Cable TV
Cable TV alternatives
Satellite TV
Fiber TV
Summary of top TV packages
Compare details like contract agreements, installation fees and channel lineups when considering your TV provider. Our experts have done in-depth research for you to make your TV decision easy.
Compare top TV providers
| Provider | Starting monthly price* | Channel range | Simultaneous DVR recordings | Contract | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $72.99 | 100+ | Up to 3 | None | Streaming |
| DIRECTV | $69.99 | 75 – 150+ | Up to 5 | Two years | Satellite, internet |
| Xfinity | $20.00 | 10 – 260+ | Up to 4 | None required for TV only | Cable, fiber |
| Spectrum | $29.99 | 15 | Up to 6, depending on DVR model | None | Cable, fiber |
| DISH | $84.99 | 190 – 290+ | Up to 16 | Two years | Satellite |
| Verizon | $75.00 | 125+ – 425+ | Up to 12 | None | Fiber, streaming |
| Optimum | $85.00 | 220 – 420+ | Up to 15 | One year | Cable, fiber |
| Cox | $56.00 | 75 – 250+ | Up to 6 | Varies by plan | Cable, fiber |
Cheap TV 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
| Provider | Price | Channel count |
|---|---|---|
 | $56.00/mo. | 75+ |
 | $29.99/mo. | 15 |
 | $20.00/mo. | 10+ |
These prices are low, especially for cable TV plans, but consider the additional monthly charges that you may incur with service.
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.
What 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 your location. 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.
Streaming TV service
To find all the channels and movies you want, consider a combination of traditional TV service plus a streaming provider (or two). With almost a dozen live TV streaming services to choose from, streaming can be a great option to supplement all your household’s TV needs.
Availability – Streaming TV is available everywhere.
Price – Plans starting at $9/mo., depending on the provider.
Flexibility – Switch between multiple user profiles.
Sports – Fewer live sports options available.
Internet – Requires a stable internet connection with plenty of data.
Popular streaming companies: DIRECTV, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV and Philo TV
Cable TV services
Many people use “cable” in reference to TV services in general, but cable TV is a specific type of TV service that uses coaxial cables. Since coaxial cable networks are nearly as commonplace as phone lines, cable TV is readily available in many areas.
Availability – Cable TV is available to roughly 89% of U.S. residents
Convenient bundling – Most cable TV companies also offer internet, home phone and home security services
Reliability – Cable TV is less susceptible to service interruptions due to inclement weather
Cost – Standalone TV packages may be higher priced than satellite TV packages with similar channel lineups.
Specialty channel options – Compared to satellite TV, cable often will not have as many regional sports networks, international channels or other add-on options.
Popular cable TV companies: Cox, Mediacom, Optimum, Spectrum and Xfinity
Fiber-optic TV service
Fiber optic TV service is becoming more popular as fiber optic networks are expanded. Currently, fiber optic TV is primarily available in metro areas and less than a third of U.S. residents are eligible for service.
Package options – Like satellite TV, fiber optic TV has a high bandwidth that will support many channels and high picture quality.
Bundle options – If fiber optic TV is available, it’s likely that you’ll be able to bundle with fiber optic internet service, an emerging internet connection type.
Reliability – Fiber optic cables are more durable and resistant to interference than coaxial cables, giving fiber optic TV superb reliability.
Availability – Fiber optic TV is currently one of the least-available types of TV service.
Cost – Standalone fiber optic TV package may cost more than satellite or cable TV options. Plus, you may have to bundle with internet to qualify for certain TV packages or pricing.
Popular fiber optic TV companies: Frontier and Verizon Fios
Satellite TV service
Satellite TV service is one of the most popular and readily-available alternatives to cable TV. Satellite TV is available throughout all 50 states, but you will need a clear view of the southern sky and a place to mount a satellite dish to receive service.
Availability – Satellite TV is available nearly everywhere, making it an excellent TV option in suburban and rural areas.
Package options – Satellite TV gives you numerous base package options and lots of add-ons for premium channels, sports and more.
Picture quality – Satellite TV technology supports higher bandwidth than cable, which means you’re likely to get more HD and 4K programming with satellite TV.
Signal interference – Inclement weather, snow and heavy cloud cover can result in signal loss.
Contract obligations – Satellite TV is likely to come with a two-year service agreement, a longer commitment than most cable or fiber optic TV providers require.
Popular satellite TV companies: DIRECTV and DISH
Bundling TV and internet
Regardless of what type of TV service you end up with, you almost always have the option to bundle other services, such as internet or home phone, with your TV subscription. Bundling services together is not only convenient, but it can also save you money with certain providers. While nearly all internet and TV providers offer a bundling option, this is not always the case for streaming providers.
Xfinity offers some of the most combinations for cable and internet bundling, at several price points. You also get a discount of $10 or more a month by bundling with Xfinity. Spectrum doesn’t have bundle savings, but its plans are attractive because it has no contracts and no data caps. Both providers also offer mobile phone bundles.