Basic Cable Package and Channel Guide

Basic Cable Package and Channels Guide

Basic cable Package plans provide a cost-effective method to activate significant TV channels, usually between $20 to $70 per month. These plans usually include local broadcast channels such as NBC, CBS, ABC, and PBS, along with some extra choices. For example, Xfinity Choice TV begins at $20 per month for more than 10 channels, whereas Cox’s Contour TV Starter provides more than 75 channels for $61 per month. Basic cable is perfect for watchers looking for a budget-friendly choice without widespread channel options. Don’t worry! In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with some of the best cable plans like Xfinity, Optimum, Cox, etc., and channels that assist you in making calculated decisions.

How Do You Obtain A Basic Cable Package?

You don’t have to submit a premium for cable. State-approved local franchising organizations need cable agencies to provide low-valued basic cable Packages with only local streaming channels and subchannels like Spectrum basic cable channels. You can perform excellent compared to basic cable when you look to secure funds. Achieve all of the similar channels with an over-the-air antenna. It’s simple to establish and more cost-effective at a one-time price of $30 to $70 than $20 to $70 monthly. Streaming services are a competitively cost-effective option to basic cable with maximum live cable channels and loads of on-demand content.

Best Basic Cable Packages 2024

PackageCostChannel CountDownload Speeds
Astound Broadband powered  by RCN Basic TV$28.70 to $38.88 per month70+
Astound Broadband powered by RCN Basic TV + Paramount+ with Showtime$28.37 per month74+ and on-demand content of 31000 hours
Cox Contour TV Starter$61 per month75+
Dish Latino$61.99 per month55+
Optimum 300 Mbps Internet + Basic TV$80 per month50+300 Mbps
Sparklight Economy Cable$42 per monthUp to 20
Verizon FiosFios Local TV$69 per month60+
Xfinity Choice TV$20 to $25 per month10+

Basic cable TV plans will involve Fox, CBS, PBS, ABC, and other public-access local channels. A few widespread packages arrive with favorite cable channels such as ESPN. MTV, Disney Channel, or Fox News Channel but they are still summarized than publicized cable plans. We don’t refer to basic Cable TV packages but you will explore short editorial suggestions for each basic package given in this article.

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Per Month Cable Price in 6 United States Cities

Internet OnlyBasic TV+ InternetPremium TV+ Internet
Grantville, Kansas (Cox)$50$159$219
Houston (Xfinity)$76$134$194
Staten Island, New York (Fios)$60$155$200
Atlanta (AT&T/DirecTV)$60$145$270
Kalamazoo, Michigan (Spectrum)$85$125$206
San Francisco (Xfinity)$90$147$214
Average$70$144$217

The starting figures may look low because they eliminate charges and taxes, which importantly affect the per-month price of cable. These extra prices differ depending on equipment, location and service type (like regional sports networks), making it complicated to involve them appropriately in the starting procedures.  Our calculations have relied on costs for basic Internet, usually between 200 Mbps to 400 Mbps in maximum cities tailored in this analysis.

However, our exploration signifies that charges and taxes can attach between $30 to $50 per month bill. Likely, Xfinity requires charges for broadcast TV up to $25 monthly, $5 for each extra Flex TV box, and $19 for regional games. Verizon Fios costs set-top boxes up to $6 each and DVR service starting at $12 per month. Spectrum’s charges involve a broadcast TV charge of around $23, DVR services starting at $5, and a remote and box at $12.50. DirecTV/AT&T and Cox have equal fee structures with local taxes differing by provider.

HD Streaming vs Cable TV – Which One is Budget-Friendly?

Selecting between cable TV and HD streaming largely relies on your watching habits and priorities, but usually, streaming can secure you maximum funds. Streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix, and Disney+ usually price between $5 to $20 monthly each, enabling modified subscriptions that fulfills your necessities. However, cable TV plans are often available between $50 to $100 monthly, involving multiple channels you might not view. Plus, streaming doesn’t need to rent devices such as cable boxes, further decreasing prices. However, if you sign up for different streaming services, the overall price can reach parallel to a cable subscription, so it’s significant to monitor your special necessities and usage.

Cable TV vs Streaming vs Live TV

ServiceAverage Per Month Price
Basic Cable TV and Internet$144
Basic Streaming With Ads (No Internet)$33
Superb Cable TV and Internet$217
Superb Streaming Without Ads (No Internet)$71
Live TV and Internet Streaming$135

What is the Benefit of Switching to a TV Streaming Service?

Streaming services are obtaining maximum price, but they still have a few large benefits. Such no hidden taxes or charges, and you need not worry about investing in the device, registering long-term contracts unless you select an annual package, or waiting for someone to arrive and establish or troubleshoot things. You can move commercial-free and only fund for channels you usually love to view.

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Since you fund per month, there are no fines for eliminating early. You can view movies and shows whenever you need to and even share your account with others to divide the price. Additionally, there’s no credit examination required.

Is Basic Cable Value?

Basic Cable values it because basic cable offers arrive with only local channels and some cable TV choices and they are priced at $20 to $70 monthly. Be aware of any charges connected to the basic cable package. Basic Cable is not the only pattern to achieve cost-effectiveness like Spectrum basic cable. A few streaming TV services are free of charge. You invest in an over-the-air (OTA) TV antenna only once and basic cable as a monthly investment.

Pros

  • Cost-effective costs
  • Local channels

Cons

  • Some stretched cable channels
  • Per month bill
  • Hidden charges

Basic Cable Channel List 2024

Basic Cable Channel Lineup

  • CBS
  • Fox
  • ABC
  • PBS
  • Univision
  • Telemundo
  • Extra government and public-access channels

Expanded Basic Cable Channel Lineup

  • ESPN
  • MTV
  • Disney Channel
  • Food Network
  • Fox News Channel

You will obtain multiple channels located on where you reside and the cable agency you select. Remember the most basic cheap cable TV plans that don’t involve real cable channels just local over-the-air channels.

Basic Cable Internet and TV Providers

Xfinity – Choice TV

Xfinity Cable TV Price – $20 to $25 per month

Channels – 10+

The channel count of Xfinity Basic TV is 10+. If you don’t look why anyone will invest any per month amount for Cox’s 75+ channels? We suggest the OTA antenna over this Xfinity plan. We include various cable TV prices for Xfinity cable plans because Xfinity cost is separate in each of its three areas. We have details for each area and its cost in our Xfinity TV review.

Astound Broadband Powered by RCN – Basic TV (All Areas Except New York)

Price – $28.70 to $38.88 per month

Channels – 70+

If you reside in Astound Broadband powered by RCN’s Chicago, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, or Lehigh service regions, you can achieve Astound’s package that has 70+ channels for $28.70 to $38.88 per month. That’s an amazing deal – but the offer in the Astound New York service region is better.

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Astound Broadband Powered by RCN – Basic+ Paramount+ With Showtime (For New York Only)

Spectrum Cable TV Price – $28.37 per month

Channels – 74+

On-Demand Library – 31000 hours

If you are not a resident of such regions other than New York, Astound Broadband provides a wonderful basic cable plan. You can watch 70+ channels and Paramount+ with Showtime for $28.37 per month which has 4 more live channels and on-demand shows and movies of 31000 hours. That’s an incredible value.

Cox – Contour TV Starter

Price – $61 per month

Channels – 75+

Firstly, 75+ channels in a Cox cable TV package might look pretty good. Get a similar channels over-the-air (OTA) antenna and you have to pay only a single time more than monthly.

Optimum – 300 Mbps and Basic TV

Optimum Cable TV Price – $80 per month

Channels – 50+

Maximum Download Speed – 300 Mbps

This Optimum TV and Internet bundle is one of the only methods to attain a basic cable plan from Optimum since the provider doesn’t sell standalone TV packages. You can perform excellently though $80 is the regular rate for 300 Mbps internet speeds and a cheap cable TV plan. We refer to receive only an internet package – Optimum cable package at $30 per month for 12 months with 300 Mbps speed. You have to pay $30 to $70 only once to buy an OTA antenna for viewing local and sub-local channels if you wish a basic cable plan.

Verizon Fios – Fios Local TV

Price – $69 per month

Channels – 60+

With a basic Verizon cable plan, Local TV is quite expensive at $69 per month for 60 channels. Verizon Fios TV offers channels with great picture quality. Verizon has a few consumer offers. If you also require high-speed internet service, group Local TV with Verizon’s 300 Mbps internet package for $49.99 per month with a wonderful little bundle costs up to $118.99 per month. The Verizon internet package is only $24.99 per month, falling the Verizon bundle costs up to $94 per month if you’re already a Verizon mobile consumer. If you select a quicker internet package, you have to pay $20 or $40 per month for 500 Mbps respectively.

Dish Latino

Price – $61.99 per month

Channels – 55+

Dish Latino Spanish language is present almost everywhere in the United States. Dish Latino Basic is a wonderful satellite TV basic cable plan at $61.99 for 55+ channels. You have to pay $5 to $10 per month for a DVR or receiver.

Conclusion

The structure of basic cable package has emerged providing multiple choices for customers in the network of TV entertainment. The cheapest cable TV usually involves local channels and a few cable TV choices valued between $20 to $70 per month. While basic cable may not provide as many channels as higher-tier packages, it can still be an affordable option for those interested in local programming. Streaming services and over-the-air antennas are also perfect options to basic cable offering access to on-demand content and live TV at reasonable rates. To know more about TV Packages, connect with Club HDTV customer care number – +1(855)-352-5313.

FAQ’s

  1. Q. What are the best cable TV packages in 2024?

    A. The best basic cable TV packages involve local broadcast channels like NBC, PBS, Fox, ABC, and CBS and a choice of famous cable channels such as Fox News, CNN, ESPN, and HGTV. Costs for these basic plans are $20 to $70 per month based on one location and the provider. A few top choices involve Xfinity Basic, Spectrum TV Select, and Optimum TV Select.

  2. Q. How to get basic cable channels without a complete cable subscription?

    A. If you only need to view local broadcast channels, you can achieve them free of cost using a digital TV antenna. Such antennas enable you to choose over-the-air (OTA) signals and view channels such as CBS, ABC, Fox, NBC, and PBS without paying a monthly cable bill. 

  3. Q. What are your most favorite basic cable channels in 2024?

    A. The most prominent basic cable channels in 2024 include Fox News, ESPN, HGTV, TNT, TBS, USA Network, Food Network, and Discovery Channel. Such channels are usually involved in the most basic cable TV plans from providers such as Spectrum, Optimum, and Xfinity.

  4. Q. What is the price of basic cable in 2024?

    A. Basic cable plans in 2024 usually price between $20 to $70 monthly depending on the location and provider. The cost-effective choices are typically just for local broadcast channels while premium basic packages can price up to $70 per month. Playing services such as Sling TV provide basic channel lineups beginning at $40 monthly as well.

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About Kendry Perl

Kendry Pearl is an experienced telecom writer and Internet enthusiast having more than a decade of expertise in the telecommunications industry. Being a responsible resident of San Francisco, Kendry loves to explore various phones, Internet and TV products and plans based on new technologies, regulatory changes and industry trends that feature the telecom structure. Coming from an Tech background, she is passionate about writing various stories regarding Internet and TV features, deals and offers. More than hundreds of Kendry’s works deliver complete information to Internet users based on their choices and experiences.

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