We all want to find ways to pay our bills for less, but that can be hard to do. Having cable TV is important for staying informed and enjoying life, but the costs can pile up very quickly. How do you have the TV service you want while still making it affordable? Thankfully, we have the answer! We’ve researched the topic deeply, and found the best cable TV services that will truly get you the best bang for your buck.
Why Do You Need Cable TV?
In 2021, finding the best cable service deals is all-important for seniors. Fifty-eight percent of seniors get their news exclusively from cable TV. As such, cable TV is an all-important service for staying informed. With news updates, entertainment and education all provided with this service, it’s easy to see how important it is for seniors, particularly those who may be housebound or otherwise have trouble leaving the house for what they used to enjoy.
Most basic TV packages will cost you around $50 per month. But this will only get you local and national news stations. More robust packages are more expensive than this, and cable companies will often raise their prices after the first 12 months with them. Because of this, it’s all-important to find a TV service for seniors that works for you.
Finding The Best Cable TV Packages
To judge whether cable TV options for seniors are good deals, it’s important to look at a number of factors. Our judgement criteria focuses on three things: bundling options, deals and discounts, and channels. Bundling options cover things like internet service and other digital services being included with your cable TV service. Since having good internet is so important nowadays, it’s vital to ensure that your cable TV service includes high-speed internet.
Keeping an eye on deals and discounts is also important. Depending on the time of year, you could get your cable TV service for less. Some services even specifically offer cable deals for senior citizens. We also took into consideration what kind of channels are offered in the following cable TV services. Local and national TV channels are all-important, as are a wide selection of popular entertainment channels.
We’ve given you a run-down of what makes cable TV services great. Now let’s look at the best ones on the market.
1. Spectrum TV
This is a new name on the scene, made up of the merger of Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, and Charter Communications. It’s one of the best cable options for seniors overall. Available in 41 states, it offers a wide selection of HD channels even at the lowest tier as well as some impressive bundling deals. While they don’t have deals specifically for seniors, they do offer low prices all round. There’s also no contract required, making it easy to opt in and out. The only other disadvantage is that there isn’t a lot of DVR equipment included.
2. Cox
With over 2.9 million cable subscribers, this company has built an impressive amount of satisfied customers over its sixty years in business. Cox stands out for its flexibility and wide array of plans for any budget. Its cheapest plan comes at just $25 a month, and offers over 75 channels. Commercial-free music channels and customizable packages that offer more sports or movie channels are also available. However, Cox is only available in 18 states, and requires a two-year commitment up-front. If you want to shop around, this probably isn’t the cable package for you.
3. Xfinity
With 41% of adults aged 65 to 69 owning a tablet, and 77% of seniors using a smartphone, multiple devices is no longer just for the young. That means your cable TV package needs to keep up with you. As the largest broadband provider in the United States, Xfinity is perfect for this. While Xfinity does not have a senior citizen discount, they do have an internet plan specifically for low-income customers. Their biggest perks include the ability to download shows and movies that can be watched on any device. However, some of their packages have hidden fees.
4. AT&T TV
While this isn’t a traditional cable service, it’s great for seniors who want to stream their TV and movies over the internet. They’re notable for offering discounts to those over 55 and with AARP memberships on their phone plans. Other advantages include 500 hours of cloud DVR storage, a year of HBO Max included with most packages and bundling with AT&T internet. However, they require a two-year agreement, a $20 activation fee and high-speed internet to use.
5. Mediacom
Founded in 1995, this company has offered inexpensive cable TV and internet to customers for almost thirty years. While they don’t currently offer any senior discounts, they definitely help you get bang for your buck. Even their lowest priced package offers over 60 channels and internet speeds of 60 Mbps, perfect for video chatting with your grandkids. You’ll also get a voice remote with a Mediacom package, meaning all you’ll have to do to change a channel is speak. However, it’s important to note that you won’t be able to buy a standalone cable TV package. If you want TV, the internet comes with it.
Some Extra Tips & Tricks
Having more generalized tips and tricks under your belt is also all-important when finding cable TV options for seniors. One of your biggest questions might be, ‘is it really better for my budget to bundle my cable TV and internet’? The answer is a resounding yes. Most companies will give you a better monthly rate overall when you buy them both together, saving you cash on both your cable TV subscription and your internet bill.
There are other great ways to save money as well. Cable deals for senior citizens are everywhere these days. Make sure you ask about them when buying, and you could cut your bill even further. Military discounts are also available, as are seasonal discounts like Black Friday or New Years’ sales. Most importantly, make sure you sign a contract when signing up for cable TV. Although it may seem like an intimidating commitment, it will actually make the monthly fees cheaper in the long run.
Conclusion
Of course, when it comes to financial decisions, it’s always best to do your own research. Use this information as a launchpad, so you know where to go for more in-depth research and what to look for. You’ll be able to find inexpensive cable TV and internet in no time. The best cable TV service deals are just waiting for you to find them. We hope you find the best one for you, and get to watching some great shows.
References:
- “Best Cable TV For Seniors”, Senior Living, accessed 24th June 2021, https://www.seniorliving.org/cable/best/.
- “Cox Cable for Seniors”, The Senior List, accessed 24th June 2021, https://www.theseniorlist.com/cable/cox/.
- “Xfinity service guide: Packages, pricing and more”, Xfinity, accessed 24th June 2021, https://www.allconnect.com/providers/xfinity.
- “Senior? You Might Be Eligible For Cable Discounts”, SmartMove, accessed 24th June 2021, https://www.smartmove.us/blog/lifestyle/senior-you-might-be-eligible-for-cable-discounts.