To get local and cable TV channels in New York City, NY, you may be considering traditional cable services. However, most New Yorkers now have less expensive cable TV options. Here are the best cable TV providers in New York City, NY, including streaming options that could save you money.
Do You Really Need Cable in NYC?
Thanks to its location, you can get tons of free channels in NYC if you use a digital HDTV antenna. Traditional cable TV services also offer local broadcast networks, although they often degrade the signal. Still, you won’t get premium channels like HGTV, Food Network, ESPN, and more from an antenna.
A happy medium exists with cord-cutting TV services that you can stream online. Popularized by services such as Sling TV, Philo, and Hulu + Live TV, these services provide a large package of cable and local broadcast networks at a much lower cost than traditional cable.
Get NYC Cable Channels on Philo
You can’t go wrong with Philo, especially if you’re not a big sports fan. Instead, it offers a large selection of entertainment and lifestyle networks, with a smattering of news networks thrown in as well. Philo is also the lowest-cost cable TV provider in New York City, NY, for 2020.
Philo Pricing and Packages
Philo’s $20 price tag is impressive in today’s market. Whereas traditional cable services can easily cost $100 or more per month, Philo slims the package down to give a better value.
| 64 Channels 7-day free trial $25.00/ month | 60+ channels Starz and Epix add-ons 3 simultaneous streams Unlimited DVR | Try Free |
Philo also offers add-ons for movie lovers. You can select to add Epix or Starz to your streaming package with Philo.
Learn more about Philo’s plans and pricing here.
Philo Channels
There are 59 channels available through Philo. As noted, these are primarily entertainment and lifestyle cable TV networks. Philo carries a large set of popular cable TV networks within this genre, including Paramount Network, HGTV, Food Network, History Channel, Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, and others. BBC America is also available, as is BBC World News.
The biggest channel options you may want that aren’t available are local broadcast networks and sports. Philo won’t help you compensate for sports, but you may want to consider individuals sports streaming services, HDTV antennas, or even Locast.
You can learn even more about Philo’s channel lineup here.
Philo Supported Devices
Philo offers streaming apps for the most-used devices on the market. These include:
- Living room devices: Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku.
- Smart TVs and Blu-ray players: Televisions based on Fire TV, Android TV and Roku.
- Mobile devices and tablets: Android and iOS.
- Game consoles: None.
- Desktop browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari.
You can learn more about Philo’s device support here.
Philo Simultaneous Streams
This service offers simultaneous streaming on up to 3 devices at once. Your Philo account will also work to stream directly through individual channels’ TV Everywhere apps, which can bypass simultaneous streaming restrictions.
Learn more about simultaneous streaming on Philo here.
Philo DVR
You can store an unlimited number of TV shows or movies with Philo. Each individual profile user can store their own content, and all content remains in your DVR for 30 days.
You’ll find more details about Philo’s cloud DVR here.
Philo On-Demand Library
Philo’s long list of channels results in a large on-demand library. Almost every channel in the package provides on-demand content from current and past seasons or movies where available.
Learn more about Philo’s on-demand library here.
Get NYC Cable Channels on Sling TV
It comes in at a slightly higher price and with slightly fewer channels than Philo, but Sling TV offers a nice mixture of sports, entertainment, and local broadcast networks. It also has the largest selection of optional add-on channels of any cord-cutting cable TV provider in New York City, NY.
Sling TV Pricing and Packages
You have two package options with Sling TV: Orange and Blue. Each costs $30/month. They offer a varied selection of channels, which you’ll want to explore before signing up. If you have a hard time choosing, Sling TV allows you to get both at a discounted price.
| Sling Orange Great Value $40.00/ month | 30+ channels ESPN New subscriber special 1 simultaneous stream | Try Sling |
| Sling Blue Great Value$40.00/ month | 40+ channels Fox, NBC, CNN, MSNBC New subscriber special 3 simultaneous streams | Try Sling |
| Sling Orange + Blue Best Value $55.00/ month | 45+ channels ESPN New subscriber special 4* simultaneous streams | Try Sling |
Learn more about Sling TV’s pricing and packages here.
Sling TV Channels
The key difference between Sling Orange and Sling Blue is the anchor channel available in each. Sling Orange features Disney-owned channels at its core, including Disney Channel and ESPN. Sling Blue offers Fox-branded networks, such as Fox Sports and FX. There is some cross-over between the two packages, however, so they aren’t completely unique.
The large selection of optional channel packages allows your to add more sports, entertainment TV, news, and movie networks.
Learn more about Sling TV’s channel lineup here.
Sling TV Supported Devices
This service has apps for almost any device you might currently own for streaming purposes. It also has apps for devices most other services don’t support, such as Facebook Portal and Oculus Go.
The full list of supported devices includes:
- Living room devices: Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Facebook Portal, Roku and TiVo Stream
- Smart TVs and Blu-ray players: Models based on Android TV, Amazon Fire TV and Roku. Also, certain models from LG and Samsung.
- Mobile devices and tablets: Amazon Fire tablets, Android and iOS.
- Game consoles: Xbox One and Oculus Go.
- Desktop browsers: Chrome and Edge.
For more information about Sling TV device support, click here.
Sling TV Simultaneous Streams
The Orange package restricts you to just 1 stream at time due to contractual agreements with ESPN. Meanwhile, Sling Blue offers up to 3 device streams per account. You can bypass simultaneous streaming restrictions if you use TV Everywhere apps for indii
Learn more about Sling TV’s simultaneous streaming here.
Sling TV DVR
A 10-hour cloud DVR comes standard with your subscription. You can update the storage space to 50 hours with an add-on.
Learn more about Sling TV’s DVR here.
Sling TV On-Demand Library
Most channels in the content library offer on-demand content for older and newer TV shows and movies. The service offers thousands of hours of on-demand video, depending on your exact package.
Learn more about Sling TV’s on-demand library here.
Top Cable Providers in New York City, NY
Cable companies are bleeding customers left and right with lower-cost competition from streaming services and live video streaming cable provides like Philo and Sling TV. However, you may still need a traditional cable provider for some networks, particularly certain regional sports networks (RSNs). If a traditional cable package is your only option, here are the best cable TV providers in New York City, NY.
RCN in New York City, NY
RCN is not a big name in cable TV nationwide, but its widely available in New York City and one of the best options due to price, package options, and contract offers.
Charter Spectrum Contract Terms
RCN has just one channel package to offer. It specifies that it delivers its single package offer with no contract. According to RCN, the listed price for the package does not include taxes, franchise fees, or other surcharges. Prices are also subject to change, and the listed price on the website is only for new customers.
RCN Spectrum Plans and Pricing
As noted, there’s just one package of channels to choose from. RCN is also an internet provider, so if it services your address, you may be able to bundle internet and TV to save money.
Signature TV: This plan costs $59.99 per month for the first 12 months (taxes and frees not included) and carries 297+ channels.
Charter Spectrum in New York City, NY
Charter Spectrum is one of the most recognizable options for New York City residents. It’s a common go-to option for New Yorkers who want to bundle internet and TV.
Charter Spectrum Contract Terms
Spectrum relies on 12-month contracts for its cable TV subscriptions. You’ll need to purchase or rent equipment, as well, at an additional cost. The price does not include activation fees, broadcast network surcharges, and taxes, which will be reflected in the monthly bill but not on the list price on the website. You’ll likely also incur an early termination fee if you cancel before the contract ends.
Charter Spectrum Plans and Pricing
Spectrum’s plans are fairly straightforward in New York City. However, the available channels varies in New York City compared to other cities where Spectrum is available.
Spectrum Select: This plan costs $44.99 per month for the first 12 months and offers 125+ channels and on-demand streaming.
Spectrum Silver: This plan costs $69.99 per month for the first 12 months and offers 175+ channels. HBO MAX, Showtime, and NFL Network are included in this package.
Spectrum Gold: This plan costs $89.99 per month for the first 12 months and offers 200+ channels. Alongside everything in the Silver package, you’ll also get Starz, Starz Encore, and TMC.
Verizon Fios in New York City, NY
Verizon is one of the largest cable TV providers in the US. Its Fios TV services are available throughout most residential areas of New York City. It’s often a comparable choice to Spectrum, with noticeably different pricing, package options, and contract terms.
Verizon Contract Terms
Verizon now offers its Fios TV with no contract. You can select your Fios TV package and drop it at any time without incurring a penalty. However, you will still need to pay applicable taxes and fees on most plans, as well as the price for the equipment and installation.
Verizon Fios TV Plans and Pricing
Fios TV has some interesting plans and offers, especially for new customers. Prices and package options are notably different than what you’ll find with RCN or Spectrum.
Fios TV Test Drive: For $50 per month, you’ll get 425+ channels for 60 days. Verizon will then require you to select a different plan.
Your Fios TV: This plan costs $50 per month for 125+ channels.
More Fios TV: This option costs $70 per month for 300 channels and does not include equipment charges on the first set top box. This option includes regional sports networks.
The Most Fios TV: For $90 per month, Verizon gives you 425+ channels, won’t charge extra for the first set top box, and gives you basic DVR storage. Everything in More Fios TV is included, but you’ll also get movie channels.
Satellite TV in New York
Cable TV providers aren’t the only option for New York residents. You can also explore satellite TV providers. Prices and packages for satellite TV are considerably different than streaming options and traditional cable, as are contract terms and equipment charges.
Dish Network in New York City, NY
Dish Network, which owns Sling TV, has a selection of surprisingly low-cost satellite TV packages. As with other cable offers, a contract is required, and you’ll incur additional costs with set up and equipment.
Dish Network Contract Terms
This satellite TV service requires you to sign up for 2-year contract agreements. However, Dish promises the lock in the price you pay for those two years. If you wish to renew at the end of the term, the price will likely increase.
The price you see listed on the Dish Network website does not include taxes, broadcast fees, equipment fees, set up costs, and other fees that Dish charges for accounts.
Dish Networks Plans and Pricing
Every Dish Network plan includes HD channels, access to local broadcast networks, and on-demand content.
America’s Top 120: This package costs $59.99 per month for the first 24 months. It includes 190+ channels, 28,000+ on-demand titles, ESPN, Disney, and more.
America’s Top 120 Plus: This package costs $74.99 per month for the first 24 months. You’ll get 190+ channels, similar to America’s Top 120, but some channels are switched out for regional sports networks.
America’s Top 200: This package is $84.99 per month for the first 24 months. It offers 240+ channels, 35,000 on-demand titles, and sports channels that cover every major US league (MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL).
America’s Top 250: This package is $94.99 per month for the first 24 months. You’ll get 290 channels, access to 36,000 on-demand titles, regional sports networks, sports channels, and many international channels.
DirecTV in New York City, NY
AT&T’s DirectTV service may be a desirable option if you’re comfortable with long-term contracts. The company has long-term contracts with the NFL that help deliver a wide selection of content through NFL Sunday Ticket.
DirecTV Contract Terms
DirecTV requires a 12-month contract term. In most cases, your price will increase after the end of the contracted term. The base price does not include required taxes, fees, equipment costs, or installation. The company offers monthly discounts for doing autopay and paperless billing.
DirecTV imposes an early termination fee of $20 for each month remaining on the contract.
DirecTV Plans and Pricing
There are a wide range of package options available through DirecTV. Prices range from $60 per month up to nearly $200 per month.
Select: This base package is available at $59.99 per month for the first 12 months and carries 155 channels. Featured channels include CNN, TBS, Disney, and Nickelodeon.
Entertainment: This package is $64.99 per month for the first 12 months and carries 160+ channels. Fox Sports is included in this package.
Choice: This package is $69.99 per month for the first 12 months. You’ll get 185+ channels that include ESPN and ESPN2 and a free year of HBO MAX.
Xtra: This package comes in at $79.99 per month for the first 12 months. It offers 235+ channels, with FXM, NHL Network, and the DIY channel included.
Ultimate: This package is $84.99 per month for the first 12 months with 250 channels in the package. You’ll get Starz Encore channels, NFL Sunday Ticket, HBO MAX.
Premier: This all-included package comes in at $135 for the first 12 months. You’ll get 330 channels, including full access to regional sports networks and major premium channels including HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, and Starz.
Sam Cook is a full-time content strategist by day, a part-time freelance content writer since 2015. In another life, he was a high school English teacher for nearly a decade. Based in sunny New Orleans, he writes long-form educational content on technology, including Insurtech, Fintech, HRtech, and content streaming. He loves whittling down complex ideas within these areas that make decisions easier for buyers. When he’s not reading books with his son Miles and playing video games with the family, you can find him immersed in his growing collection of Euro-style board games.
