Four lineups, from lean to everything
Every package includes cloud DVR and the provider's streaming app, so you can watch on a phone or laptop away from home.
- All major local broadcast networks
- Local news and weather
- 20 hours cloud DVR
- Stream on 2 devices
- On-demand library access
- Everything in Local, plus
- Popular entertainment networks
- Kids and family channels
- 100 hours cloud DVR
- Stream on 4 devices
- Everything in Select, plus
- Regional sports networks
- National sports channels
- 200 hours cloud DVR
- Stream on 6 devices
- 4K content where available
- Everything in Choice, plus
- Premium movie networks
- Specialty and international tiers
- Unlimited cloud DVR
- Stream on unlimited devices
- 4K and Dolby Atmos where available
Reference pricing for the first 12 months, excluding taxes, regional sports fees, broadcast surcharges and receiver equipment. Channel counts and specific networks vary by provider and market. We confirm the exact lineup for your address before you order.
What's in the packages, by category
Specific networks depend on the provider and your market — this is the shape of a typical mid-tier lineup.
Entertainment
Sports
News
Kids & Family
Learning
Music & Lifestyle
Channel names are shown for identification only and are trademarks of their respective owners. Availability varies by package, provider and market.
Build the lineup you actually want
Premium movie networks
Add one or more premium movie and original-series networks to any package. Most providers offer an introductory rate for the first few months.
Sports packages
Out-of-market league packages, college conference networks and specialty sports tiers for fans who follow a team from another state.
International tiers
Spanish-language, South Asian, Filipino, Arabic and other international channel packages, available as standalone or add-on tiers.
Extra receivers
Additional set-top boxes or wireless mini-receivers for bedrooms and other rooms, typically a small monthly charge per unit.
DVR, streaming and watching on whatever screen is nearest
Modern TV packages aren't just a box under the television anymore. Here's what's included on most of the lineups we place, and what tends to cost extra.
- Cloud DVRRecordings live on the provider's servers rather than a hard drive, so a failed box doesn't wipe your season passes. Storage scales from 20 hours to unlimited by tier.
- Watch anywhereThe provider app streams live and recorded content to phones, tablets and laptops. Some content is limited to your home network by the network's own licensing rules.
- 4K and on-demandSelect live events and a growing on-demand catalog stream in 4K on higher tiers, provided your Internet plan has the headroom.
- Multiple simultaneous streamsHow many screens can watch different things at once is set by your package — two on entry tiers, unlimited at the top.
- Unified search and voiceSearch across live TV, DVR recordings and on-demand at once, with voice remotes standard on most current receivers.
Typical package comparison
If you record a lot of series, DVR hours are usually the feature worth paying up for — more than raw channel count.
Cable, satellite or streaming — which suits your home?
| Cable TV | Satellite TV | Streaming TV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it arrives | Coax line already in the wall | Small dish with clear southern sky view | Over your Internet connection |
| Best for | Apartments and urban homes | Rural properties, wide channel selection | Households that want no contract |
| Weather sensitivity | — | Heavy storms can interrupt | — |
| Requires good Internet | Not for TV itself | Not for TV itself | Yes — 25+ Mbps per 4K stream |
| Local channels included | ✓ | ✓ | Usually |
| Typical contract | 0–12 months | 12–24 months | Month-to-month |
| Equipment | Set-top box per TV | Receiver plus dish | App on existing device |
| Regional sports access | ✓ | ✓ | Varies by service |
From households that switched
“The sports package question is what sold me. I follow a team two states away and nobody could tell me straight whether I'd get the games. Aruldass checked the actual market lineup and confirmed it before I signed.”
“We cut down from 200 channels to the 125 tier after they asked what we actually watched. Saved about $22 a month and honestly haven't missed a thing. Appreciated that they talked me out of the bigger package.”
“Satellite was the only option out here and I was worried about storms. They were upfront that heavy weather can interrupt it, which happens maybe twice a year. Nice to be told the downside in advance for once.”
TV questions, answered plainly
Can I watch on my phone or laptop away from home?
Yes. Every package includes the provider's streaming app, which handles live channels, your DVR recordings and on-demand content. A handful of networks restrict certain live content to your home network because of their own licensing agreements, and that's set by the network rather than the provider.
How does cloud DVR work?
Recordings are stored on the provider's servers instead of a hard drive in your house. You schedule them from the box or the app, watch from any device, and a hardware failure doesn't cost you your recordings. Storage ranges from about 20 hours on entry packages to unlimited on top tiers.
Why are there fees on top of the advertised price?
TV bills commonly include a broadcast TV surcharge and, if your package has regional sports, a regional sports fee. These pass through what the provider pays networks for carriage rights, and they're separate from the package price. Add receiver rental for each additional TV. We quote all of it up front so the first bill isn't a shock.
What happens if a channel disappears from my lineup?
Carriage disputes between providers and networks occasionally pull a channel temporarily. Providers generally restore service once a new agreement is signed, and some offer a bill credit for extended outages. It's worth knowing this can happen with any provider — it isn't specific to one.
Can I add premium channels later?
Yes. Premium movie networks, sports packages and international tiers can be added or removed at essentially any time, usually effective on your next billing cycle. Most providers run introductory rates for the first few months on premiums.
Do I need a receiver for every television?
Generally yes for cable and satellite — each TV needs its own receiver or a wireless mini-box, and each carries a small monthly charge. Streaming-based packages avoid this by running as an app on a device you already own, which is a real cost difference across three or four TVs.
Is satellite affected by weather?
Heavy rain or snow can briefly interrupt a satellite signal, typically for minutes rather than hours, and usually only during severe weather. For most customers it amounts to a couple of short interruptions a year. If you're in an area with frequent severe storms and cable is available, that's worth weighing.
Do I need fast Internet for a streaming TV package?
Yes, and it's the most commonly overlooked requirement. Budget roughly 25 Mbps per simultaneous 4K stream and about 8 Mbps per HD stream, on top of everything else your household is doing. If you're considering streaming TV on a 100 Mbps connection with several TVs, we'll talk through whether the Internet plan needs to move first.
Not sure which package has the channels you watch?
Tell us your five must-have channels and your market. We'll tell you the cheapest package that carries all of them.