
Spectrum TV Packages for Seniors

Spectrum is a great choice for cable television, offering over 160 channels and ample on-demand content, starting at just $40 per month. While the company doesn’t offer specific plans or discounts for seniors, it’s a solid option for cable with streaming capabilities.
In this review, we’ll break down each Spectrum TVⓇplan, explain the real costs, including fees, share our hands-on setup experience, and help you decide if Spectrum’s approach to cable TV is right for your needs and budget.
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
Simple plan structure: Instead of confusing channel tiers, Spectrum offers three simple plans with optional add-ons.
Affordable bundles: You can get discounts when you pair Spectrum cable with internet or home phone service.
Contract buyout: Spectrum pays up to $500 for early termination fees if you’re switching from another cable TV provider.
Streaming included: All plans include the Xumo Stream Box for $5 per month so you can stream Netflix and Hulu directly on your TV.
Free streaming subscriptions: Top-tier plans include Disney+ Basic, ViX Premium, and ESPN+ at no additional cost.
Cons
DVR costs extra: DVR service starts at $4.99 per month, while other providers offer it free.
Hidden fees: Plans include a $25.75 monthly broadcast fee plus installation, activation, and equipment charges.
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+ |
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Spectrum TV Select Plus |
$105 per month | 160+ |
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Spectrum TV Stream Latino |
$25 per month | 45+ |
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Spectrum TV Stream
At $40 per month, TV Stream is Spectrum’s most basic package. This plan requires no long-term contracts, and it includes 85+ channels like AMC and HSN.
For an extra $5 per month (free when you bundle with internet), you can add a Xumo Stream box to access services like Netflix and Hulu.
Spectrum TV Select Signature
At $95 per month, TV Select Signature is Spectrum’s mid-tier cable streaming plan. This plan requires an annual contract and nearly doubles the number of channels compared to TV Stream, offering 150+ options.
The plan includes two streaming subscriptions: Disney+ Basic (with ads) and ViX Premium With Ads, which features Spanish-language shows and is the world’s largest streaming platform for Spanish content.
Spectrum TV Select Plus
At $105 per month, TV Select Plus is Spectrum’s premium package with an annual contract required. This plan provides over 160 channels and adds ESPN+ to the Disney+ Basic and ViX Premium subscriptions.
The plan also includes regional sports networks, making it ideal if you don’t want to miss local games in your area.
Spectrum TV Stream Latino
At $25 per month, TV Stream Latino is designed for Spanish-speaking households. This flexible plan requires no long-term contract and offers 45+ Spanish channels including Bandamax and Antena 3.
If your household includes both English and Spanish speakers, consider TV Select Signature or Select Plus instead, as both include the ViX Spanish streaming service.
Spectrum TV Senior Packages and Discounts
Although low-income seniors can receive discounts on select Spectrum Internet plans, there are no senior-specific discounts for its TV plans. If you’re looking for an affordable cable TV plan, we’d recommend Spectrum TV Stream due to its affordable $40 monthly price.
Spectrum’s channel count offers good value, even without paperless billing discounts. Plus, Spectrum reimburses early termination fees up to $500 for new customers.
Extra Features
Spectrum offers a number of extra features you can add to your TV plan.
Live sports: Spectrum offers a number of live sports packages that start at $10 per month,
Entertainment View: For $15 per month, you can get 70 additional channels, including options like the NFL Channel and the Cooking Channel.
Premium channels: Prices for these channels range from $5 for The Movie Channel up to $16 for Max.
Spectrum Originals: Any Spectrum TV plan includes free access to Spectrum’s original series like “Curfew” and “Side Games.”
Spectrum TV app: Access live TV on the go from your phone, tablet, or other devices, at no additional charge.
DVR service: Cloud DVR is available for $4.99 per month, allowing you to record 50 shows and store them for 90 days. For more recording capacity, Cloud DVR Plus costs $9.99 per month, offering 100 shows and storage for one year.
Spectrum Bundles
Spectrum’s new residential customer bundle includes internet, mobile phone, TV, and a landline for $190 per month for the first year. Customers who include both TV and mobile in the bundle can lock in this price for three years.
This offer is exclusively for new residential customers who have not subscribed to 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 |
While this bundle might sound like a compelling deal, it’s actually more expensive than competitors’ offers. Xfinity, for example, offers an internet, mobile, TV, and home phone bundle for $120.20 per month.
That said if we’re just comparing TV pricing, Spectrum’s plans are slightly more affordable. The company’s prices start at $40 per month for Spectrum TV Stream, compared to $45.20 per month for Xfinity’s most basic plan, which only includes 10 channels.
Spectrum TV Contracts and Fees
In terms of contracts, only the TV Stream and TV Stream Latino plans are month-to-month; the Select Signature and Select Plus plans require a year-long contract.
If you cancel early, you’ll be responsible for any pending or outstanding balance. Additionally, if you don’t return your rented or leased equipment, you may incur an unreturned equipment fee.
Extra Fees
Here’s what you can expect to pay beyond your monthly plan (pricing may vary by location):
Entertainment View: $15 per month, or $25 per month if you bundle it with Max.
Sports View: $10 per month for live sports (if available in your area).
Premium channels: Costs range from $5 for The Movie Channel up to $16 for Max. MGM+ costs $7, while STARZ, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, and Cinemax each cost $9-10.
Installation: $65 if a technician needs to visit your home.
Activation: $30 when you start service.
Broadcast TV fee: $25.75 per month for local channels like ABC, NBC, and CBS.
Equipment rental: $13.50 per month for the receiver and remote, plus $5 per month for the Xumo Box. You’ll be charged $97 if you don’t return the receiver when you cancel.
What Others Are Saying
The Better Business Bureau gave Spectrum an A+ rating, though the company isn’t officially accredited. Actual customers tell a different story. Spectrum has a 1.09 out of 5 rating on the BBB customer reviews and 1.5 out of 5 on Consumer Affairs.
Some customers do appreciate Spectrum’s flexible contracts and pricing. Janice from Saint Cloud, Florida, wrote a five-star review saying: “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.”
Many customers, however, complain about limited availability and billing issues. Cindy from St. Petersburg, Florida, was frustrated that existing customers can’t get the same deals as new ones: “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.”
Final Thoughts
For straightforward cable and streaming, we recommend the Spectrum TV Stream plan. It’s just $40 a month and doesn’t require long-term contracts. While bundles can be a bit pricey, if you want a simple and hassle-free cable TV experience, Spectrum could be a good choice.
To learn more about our favorite cable providers for seniors, be sure to check out our additional guides:
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the cheapest Spectrum TV plan?
Spectrum TV Stream is the most affordable option at $40 per month with no long-term contract required.
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Does Spectrum require long-term contracts?
Spectrum only requires long-term contracts for its TV Select Signature and TV Select Plus plans. The TV Stream and TV Stream Latino plans are month-to-month, so you can cancel anytime.
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Do Spectrum TV plans rise in price?
Yes, you might see your cable TV plan increase in price after the promotional period ends, which is usually 12 months. Additionally, you may see increases in broadcast and other fees over time.
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Where is Spectrum available?
Spectrum is currently available in 41 states across the U.S.
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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.