Spectrum TV Packages for Seniors
|
October 3, 2024
|
Spectrum offers cable TV plans for seniors starting at just $40 per month. Featuring more than 160 channels, on-demand offerings, and discounts for bundling, Spectrum is a great choice for television.
If you’re looking for a senior discount or plan, you’re out of luck with Spectrum TV. That said, after testing out this service, we recommend it if you want straightforward cable plus streaming. Of course, every rose has its thorn — Spectrum has some hidden fees you should know about. Let’s take a closer look at how this provider works.
FYI: To learn more about our favorite cable providers, check out our rundown of the best cable TV plans for seniors.
Spectrum Cable Pros and Cons
Pros
- Straightforward cable TV plans: Unlike other providers, which offer several packages and channel tiers to choose from, Spectrum has just three main options. It also has a few optional add-ons, such as live sports and premium channels like Max.
- Affordable bundles: When you pair cable with internet or home phone service, Spectrum offers a discount.
- Contract buyout: If you’re stuck in a contract with another cable TV provider, Spectrum will pay up to $500 for early termination fees (ETFs).
- Streaming box: Spectrum now offers the Xumo Stream Box on all of its plans. This means that you can stream straight on your TV — not just on your phone (although it costs an additional $5 per month).
- Streaming subscriptions included: The two top-tier plans gave us Disney+ and ViX Premium. For sports lovers, get the top-tier plan; it also adds ESPN+.
Cons
- DVR service not free: While other cable TV providers offer free DVR service, Spectrum doesn’t. Instead, we had to pay to add DVR service, which starts at $4.99 per month.
- Hidden fees: Some Spectrum cable TV plans include a $25.75 per month broadcast fee and additional fees for installation, activation, and equipment.
Spectrum TV Plans and Pricing
| Spectrum Plan | Price | Channels | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum TV Stream | $40 per month | 85+ |
|
|
Spectrum TV Select Signature |
$95 per month | 150+ |
|
|
Spectrum TV Select Plus |
$105 per month | 160+ |
|
|
Spectrum TV Stream Latino |
$25 per month | 45+ |
|
Spectrum TV Stream
The most basic cable/streaming package is TV Stream for only $40 per month. This is the only English-language month-to-month contract for you commitment-phobes out there. Plus, Spectrum now includes the Xumo Stream Box for an extra $5 a month with all of its plans. This means we can stream our favorite services like Netflix and Hulu straight from our TV — after we’ve run through the 85 channels, that is.
Spectrum TV Select Signature
The mid-tier cable streaming plan, for $95 a month with an annual contract, nearly doubles the number of channels of TV Stream. In addition, it throws on two streaming subscriptions: Disney+ Basic, meaning that it has ads, as well as something called ViX Premium With Ads. We had never heard of this streaming service before. However, upon trying it ourselves, we saw that it includes Spanish-language shows like “Lalola” and “Es Por Su Bien.” According to Verizon, the company behind ViX, it's the largest streaming platform for Spanish content in the world. Plus, it really helped us brush up before a trip to Barcelona.
Spectrum TV Select Plus
Finally, the créme de la créme of Spectrum is the TV Select Plus plan. It provides over 160 channels for $105 a month — annual contract required. Not only does this add on ESPN+, but it also includes regional sports networks if you don’t want to miss the local games.
Spectrum TV Stream Latino
The last option is for Spanish-speakers. For $25 a month on a flexible basis, you can get more than 45 channels, completely in Spanish, such as Bandamax and Antena 3. This is a good option if there are no English speakers in your house. But, if it’s a mix, we’d recommend either TV Select Signature or Select Plus; both include the Spanish streaming service ViX.
Spectrum TV Senior Packages and Discounts
Although seniors can receive discounts on select Spectrum Internet plans, there are no senior-specific discounts for cable TV. If you’re looking for an affordable cable TV plan, then we’d recommend Spectrum TV Select Signature. It starts at $95 per month for 12 months and has the option of adding more channels to suit your entertainment preferences.
Spectrum doesn’t have paperless billing discount incentives like Xfinity and other providers. However, we still think the price point is great for the number of channels you’re getting (over 150). Plus, Spectrum will even reimburse you up to $500 if you switch providers and show proof that you were charged an ETF.
Our Experience With Spectrum TV
We decided to set up our own Spectrum Receiver. The first step was downloading the My Spectrum app and signing in. Once we got that set up, the app notified us that we had new equipment. We clicked “Set Up Equipment” and clicked again on the Receiver. From there, the app told us exactly how, step-by-step, to set it up. This included connecting the receiver to a cable outlet via a coax cable, connecting the HDMI cable from the receiver to the TV, plugging in the receiver to an electrical outlet, and putting the batteries in the remote. From there, all we had to do was turn on the TV, select the proper HDMI source, and activate the receiver on the app. All in all, it only took us a few minutes and our TV was running — with no lag or delays.
Extra Features
Spectrum offers extra features such as additional TV boxes and add-on channels.
- Live sports: If live sports are available in your area, you can watch them for an extra $10 a month.
- Entertainment View: Entertainment View adds on more than 70 channels — in the genres of family, cooking, reality, and sports — for an extra $15 a month. We love to settle into bed with a cooking show, so we made this upgrade.
- Premium channels: Starting at $5 a month, add premium channels like Max, TMC, and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME.
- Spectrum Originals: Spectrum has its own premium original series, such as “Curfew” and “Side Games.” Spectrum TV subscribers have free access to these titles, which are on demand and ad-free.
- Spectrum TV app: When you’re on the go or want to stream content on your mobile device at home, you can do so through the Spectrum TV app. This free app lets you stream live TV wherever you are. The app is compatible with smartphones, tablets, and other smart devices. We certainly enjoyed it when we were stranded at Heathrow Airport, which has few entertainment options beyond the airport bookstore (we’re not huge fans of Colleen Hoover, no offense).
- DVR service: Although Spectrum doesn’t offer free DVR service like other providers, it does give us the option to purchase Cloud DVR or Cloud DVR Plus. These are $4.99 and $9.99 per month, respectively. While Cloud DVR lets us record up to 50 shows at a time, saved for up to 90 days, Cloud DVR Plus lets us record up to 100 shows at once, stored for up to one year.
Spectrum Bundles
Spectrum offers a bundle that could include internet, mobile phone service, cable/streaming, and a landline. Altogether, it would cost $190 a month for the first year, although we could have gotten a three-year price lock if we had included both TV and mobile. This offer is only available to new residential customers — meaning you haven’t had Spectrum service within the past 30 days.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| 500 Mbps internet | $50 per month for 1 year |
| Unlimited mobile | $30 per month per additional line |
| TV Select Signature | $95 per month for 1 year |
| Home phone | $15 per month for 3 years |
| Total | $190 per month |
How does that compare to competitors like Xfinity and T-Mobile? Well, Xfinity offers an internet, mobile, TV, and home phone bundle for $123 a month — $7 a month cheaper than Spectrum. T-Mobile, on the other hand, only offers internet and phone plans for $30 to $50 a month. However, we’d have to go elsewhere for a landline and TV deal. Overall, while Xfinity may be slightly cheaper than Spectrum, $7 a month is a negligible amount when you’re paying this much. We’d say if you want actual cable, go with Spectrum. Xfinity offers only streaming using the same Xumo Stream Box included with all Spectrum TV plans, which may not be ideal for someone who wants live TV.
Spectrum TV Contracts and Fees
When you purchase Spectrum TV, make sure you read the fine print and go over all the service rates and disclosures. First, note that only the TV Stream and TV Stream Latino plans are month-to-month. With Select Signature or Select Plus, you’ll have to sign up for a year. So, even if you cancel early, you’ll have to pay any pending or outstanding balance. Plus, if you don’t return your rented or leased equipment, you may be charged an unreturned equipment fee, as well.
Extra Fees
Here’s the breakdown of extra fees from Spectrum (pricing might depend on your location and cable TV plan):
- Entertainment View: Entertainment View, which adds those extra lifestyle and sports channels, costs $15 a month or $25 a month if you want to add Max.
- Sports View: Sports View, which adds live sports, costs $10 a month.
- Premium channels: Premium channel costs vary by channel. From low to high, here’s how much they’ll add to your bill each month:
- The Movie Channel (TMC): $5
- MGM+: $7
- STARZ and STARZ ENCORE: $9
- Paramount+ with SHOWTIME: $10
- Cinemax: $10
- Max: $16
- Primary installation fee: If your installation requires a truck roll, you must pay $65.
- Service activation fee: You’ll also have to pay $30 for activation.
- Broadcast TV service charge: We had to pay an extra $25.75 per month for the broadcast TV stations ABC, NBC, and CBS.
- Equipment rental fee: The receiver and remote cost $13.50 per month per outlet. The Xumo Box fee is another $5 per month. If we hadn’t returned our receiver, we would’ve had to pay $97.
What Others Are Saying
The Better Business Bureau did give Spectrum an A+, despite it not being accredited. But, generally, the company did not fare well with consumers — either on the BBB or Consumer Affairs. The company has a 1.09 out of 5 rating from customers on the BBB, and a 1.5 rating from customers on Consumer Affairs. That’s an average of 1.3 — not great by any standard.
In more positive reviews, people loved the lack of long-term contracts, with some plans, as well as the price ranges. There were even some reviews praising the company’s customer service. Janice from Saint Cloud, Florida, wrote in a five-star review, “The customer service is great. Everyone is very nice … You can call them anytime and they will help you with tech support and take the time to talk to you. You can change your plan at any time … They're great and would recommend to everyone.”
However, not everyone was as pleased with their experience as Janice. Many people were upset that Spectrum wasn’t available in their state. Others complained of bloated bills. Cindy from St. Petersburg, Florida, was angry that she didn’t qualify for a bundle. “My bill continues to increase. They are advertising $29.99 bundles. I currently have basic Cable with Phone and Internet. My bill is over $200 per month. I called about the bundles they are advertising and was told the promotion is not for existing customers. Only new customers qualify. I don't understand. I've been a customer for 13+ years but yet I don't qualify for a bundle or promotion? I asked if there was anything that could be done for their loyal customers and was told there is nothing.”
Customers on the BBB are irate, as usual. Many people, like Rona P, claimed that they were still charged after they canceled their plans. “They deserve no stars! I called to disconnect service as we sold our home. I followed all instructions the representative provided. Then I received a bill for a huge amount. I called and asked what was going on. They said I have to pay for the whole month even though we only had service September 1 to September 12. So I am paying for service I didn't receive.”
All that said, it’s important to read the fine lines before signing any contract, and Spectrum is no exception.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for cable and streaming and not much else, we’d recommend the Spectrum TV Streamplan. It costs only $40 a month and doesn’t include long-term contracts. For a simplified and hassle-free cable TV selection process, Spectrum might be worth considering.
To learn more about our favorite cable providers for seniors, be sure to check out our additional guides:
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is the cheapest Spectrum TV plan?
Spectrum TV Stream is the most affordable Spectrum cable TV plan; it starts at $40 a month with no long-term contract.
-
Does Spectrum require long-term contracts?
Spectrum only requires long-term contracts for its TV Select Signature and TV Select Plus plans. Its TV Steam and TV Stream Latino plans, however, are month-to-month.
-
Do Spectrum TV plans rise in price?
Yes. You might see your cable TV plan increase in price after the promotional period ends: usually 12 months. Additionally, you may see increases in broadcast and other fees.
-
Where is Spectrum available?
Spectrum is currently available in 41 states across the U.S.
-
If I move, can I keep my Spectrum cable TV?
You can keep your Spectrum cable TV service if you move. However, your new address must be in a Spectrum service area. Use Spectrum’s online moving resource to easily transfer your Spectrum services to your new address.
-
Does Spectrum have a cable plan for seniors?
Spectrum does not offer a senior-specific cable TV plan. However, we’d recommend starting with Spectrum TV Stream for $40 per month, with no annual contract required.