Ranging from $85–$105 per month, you’ll get one of the highest channel counts in the industry (seriously) with the Select TV and Premier TV plans. And you’ll love its Multi-Room DVR, which can record up to 15 programs at once. Say goodbye to family conflicts! Even though the DVR is highly capable, you only get 25–150 hours of DVR storage. And you’ll also have to watch out for Optimum’s hidden fees. Xfinity’s dollar-to-channel ratio is about .46 cents, while Optimum’s is about .30 cents! Optimum hands out a huge number of channels, so if you live in one of the areas it’s available, you’re one of the lucky ones. Optimum could be our favorite cable provider if it were more widely available (just sayin’). The DVR fee is pretty pricey for the amount of (or lack thereof) storage hours you receive. An $11 per month fee for each set-top box is pretty standard, and they give you the option to rent a modem for $10 per month. Oh, and we almost forgot to mention–there are hidden fees. At checkout, Optimum’s disclaimer says, “Depending on location, some or all service and equipment rates, plus certain add’l charges, are subject to state and/or local fee. A Network Enhancement Fee of $3.50, all other fees, equipment charges, surcharges, and taxes will be added to the monthly bill.” Geez, Optimum. If you get the Select or Premier package, the installation is included. But whichever package you get, plan on spending–at the minimum–$21 in fees. The Optimum 300 and Basic TV bundle is a great option for those looking to save money and who only need 50+ channels. When you get a bundle, we recommend you get the “Altice One”, which combines your TV box, modem, and router into one device for just $20 per month. Now that’s a solid deal. And if your daughter wants one in her bedroom, it’s only $10 per month for the additional Altice Mini’s. While Optimum’s prices may change over time, the good news is that you can cancel anytime you want. And a bonus is that about 30% of each package’s channels are in HD. The Core TV plan includes the following channels: The Select TV plan includes the following channels: A subscription to HBO Max through Optimum also includes a subscription to HBO channels and HBO On Demand (and we definitely recommend it). The Select TV plan gives you eight STARZ channels, including STARZ Encore Action, STARZ Encore Classic, and STARZ Encore Family. And the Premier package includes HBO Max and seven HBO channels, eight SHOWTIME channels, and 14 STARZ channels. The NFL RedZone Channel, our favorite sports channel, will show you all of the exciting moments in real-time of every Sunday morning and afternoon game during the regular season. NFL RedZone will jump to whichever team is inside the 20-yard line with a chance to score, and it’ll also show replays of phenomenal pick-6s, tackles, one-handed catches, and Hail Marys. Optimum says the Sports Pack has 24 sports channels, including the following:
Antena 3 CNN en Español ESPN Deportes Fox Deportes History en Español Universo
You’ll get 23 sports channels and front row seats on your couch. The Core TV plan includes the following sports channels:
beIN Sports BeIN Sports Español World Fishing Network
You know you’ll need to watch the Hallmark Channel while you’re on the train, the Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs game while you’re at work, or the Disney Channel to distract your little one. If you want to use the Optimum TV to GO app, Optimum lists the following streaming devices as compatible:
iPhones, iPads Android smartphones and tablets Kindle Fire
Think about it: 25 hours lets you record 10 TV show episodes and seven movies. It might sound like enough (and it may very well be for you), but if you want to save those movies to watch them at any time in the future, the hours add up. And we have to mention how important it is for families–you can record 15 shows at once. But if you want to refrain from any family drama (because your storage space is full but you want to record the new Celebrity Wheel of Fortune episode and your spouse claims you can’t delete the eight This Is Us episodes), get more storage space. But Optimum doesn’t require a contract, each plan has lots of channels for fair pricing, it offers most of the premium channels, and you get exclusive New York programming. It’s perfect for families, sports lovers, and entertainment & movie buffs. If Optimum isn’t available in your area or doesn’t have the channel lineup you need, check out our top cable TV providers for other options. Keep in mind, Optimum tv can also be bundled with Optimum mobile.
