Cheap Cable TV For Low-Income

Having access to TV channels is no longer a luxury. To be completely honest, it is basically a necessity for most households as it represents the main source of information and entertainment. Despite the fact that every household deserves to have access to a variety of TV channels, many TV deals still cost unreasonably large amounts of money, more than many low-income families can afford it.

As such, we decided to perform extended research and present you with cheap cable TV for low-income options. In this article, you will learn up to date information about what are your option if you are looking for cheap cable TV for low income seniors or other families and individuals.

The content presented herein will enable you to find and select the best cable deals for your needs, and most importantly, for your budget. Luckily for you, there are quite many relatively affordable options available these days, when many households are struggling financially and thus even more so in need of cheap cable TV for low income.

In addition, we will present you with some valid TV channel alternatives to cheap cable TV for low income, which may cost even less and provide you with all you need. Some are even available for free, but you will need internet access for those.

If you are ready, let’s dig in.

Things To Keep In Mind About The Cheap Cable TV For Low Income

As you can imagine, most Cable TV companies would rather see you choose the most expensive of their deals or packages. Thus, it is not common for them to broadcast their cheap cable TV for low income deals loudly. It often requires quite a lot of digging and searching to find the best cheap cable TV for low income deals. With some online searching skills, you can do it yourself. Also, don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and call the cable companies to ask about their cheap cable TV for low income options. That is exactly what we did for you.

Also, keep in mind that offers vary depending on your location. Certain companies are not available in all parts of the country, which means you will have to get the best possible cheap cable TV for low income deals from those providers that operate in your region.

Caution: Many local packages seem extremely affordable, however, they have only 15 channels or so. That means that you could pay very little but end up with channels that you don’t watch. In which case, you’d be paying little for nothing, and paying little for nothing is always expensive. Moreover, any time these ultra-cheap packages come with relatively high equipment fees, which adds up quickly.

If you need only local channels, a smart alternative is over-the-air (OTA) TV (a.k.a. a digital antenna). If you need only a few local channels, over-the-air (OTA) TV is a cheaper and smarter alternative—and you’ll probably pick up 30 to 50 free channels, including local affiliates like NBC and The CW.

Moreover, keep in mind that you may meet the Lifeline Assistance criteria, which means that you can apply for the monthly discount and use it on your bundles, which may include TV deals.

That said, let’s take a closer look at the cheap cable TV for low income.

Cheap Cable TV For Low Income Top Companies

There are many cable companies all across the USA, however, not all operate in all regions. In some remote locations, you may be lucky to get a single provider. Even though, we decided to present you with the ones that offer the most affordable deals.

Xfinity

Xfinity cable is devoted to serving low-income families. They do so via many package options. Families can get up to 100 channels through the Comcast affiliate, starting at just $24.99 per month. Since Xfinity and Comcast merged, Comcast cable deals are now offered through Xfinity.

Don’t forget that Xfinity cable deals are not available in all areas. Moreover, we must note that prices and packages vary depending on the area as well. As such, make sure to visit the company’s website or contact their support to get the latest information that applies to your location.

DISH

DISH is one of the extremely popular cable companies. Dish offers four different packages:

• America’s Top 120 ($59.99/month): This basic package has 190 channels, including local channels like CBS, ABC, NBC, and FOX.
• America’s Top 120 Plus ($69.99/month): You get over 190 channels, including NFL Network and Regional Sports.
• America’s Top 200 ($79.99/month): More than 240 channels with premium options available.
• America’s Top 250 ($89.99/month): This is the ultimate package, with over 290 channels, including movie channels.

Compared to Xfinity, Dish prices are a lot higher, however, their packages include more programs. As such, always check the details to ensure that the channels, which you consider essential are included in the package.

Note: The above-listed DISH network deals and prices represent two-year contract deals and may fluctuate depending on the area in which you live. Not included in the above prices are equipment fees and DVR service fees. To get the most accurate info, contact the company or visit their website.

AT&T/DirecTV

You all know AT&T as one of the leading wireless providers, right? Well, they also offer bundle deals and TV deals. Keep in mind that AT&T deals are often one and the same with DirecTV deals since the two cable giants’ merged back in 2015. To get the best cable TV deals, you will want to explore the bundle deals, which include the internet. DirecTV offers several internet bundles worth mentioning, which are presented below.

You can get the “Select” cable package as well as AT&T internet for $65 per month. This package includes 150 channels, including Comedy Central and Food Network. For additional savings, you can merge your internet and TV bill together to get free unlimited data.

Note: AT&T internet deals are not available everywhere. You will need to check with the provider to see if your area is covered.

Cable and Satellite TV Providers List

The above three cable providers are in our opinion the most affordable and overall highly reliable options. However, since we want to present your with as many options as possible, we decided to share with you a more extensive list of cable and satellite TV providers. We have also included prices, though, you should keep in mind that companies often change their offers, so use the prices provided only as a reference.

• RCN—Cheapest ($29.99–$119.99/mo.)
• Suddenlink—No contracts ($54.99–$139.99/mo.)
• AT&T TV—Includes streaming device ($49.99–$174.97/mo.)
• Cox—Excellent DVR ($25.00–$69.99/mo.)
• Spectrum—Includes premium channels ($44.99–$89.99/mo.)
• Verizon Fios—Most channels ($50.00–$90.00/mo.)
• Optimum—No contracts ($74.99–$129.99/mo.)
• Xfinity—X1 DVR ($20.00–$89.99/mo.)
• Frontier—Bundles with fast FiOS internet ($64.99–$137.99/mo.)
• DIRECTV—NFL SUNDAY TICKET ($39.99–$114.99/mo.)
• DISH—Hopper 3 DVR ($59.99–$94.99/mo.)
• Mediacom ($48.98 – $129.98/mo )

Cheap Cable TV For Low-Income Alternatives

Sometimes it is important to broaden your horizon. If you focus only on cheap cable TV for low income seniors or families, you may miss out on alternatives to cable TV. Of course, there is satellite TV, which is the most obvious one but also relatively expensive, thus not the one we will focus on.

The most affordable TV options come with OTA TV and internet TV providers.

Over-the-air (OTA) TV

If you live in an urban place where the signal from the local tower is strong, you can get by with a simple indoor antenna that will cost you less than $40. The installation is very simple with those and there are even free HD channels available these days. Of course, these may not get you all the channels you long for, however, in many areas local selection of channels is more than enough to keep you entertained. And the best part about the OTA is that aside from purchasing the antenna you will have zero expenses. Yes, it is free.

If you live in an area that offers a weaker signal, you will need to get an outdoor antenna. Those cost more than the indoor ones and also include a slightly more complicated installation process. However, if the local channels will meet your TV needs, it is worth it as it is also free to use.

Three antenna suggestions:

• Best for cities: Mohu Leaf Metro:
  • 25-mile range
  • Indoor mounting
  • Support for 1080p HD
• Best for suburbs: Mohu Leaf 50
  • 50-mile range
  • Indoor mounting
  • Support for 1080p HD
• Best for rural areas: 1byone Foldable
  • 120-mile range
  • Indoor mounting
  • Support for 1080p and 4K Ultra HD

If you decide to give OTA TV a try, make sure to check the signal in your area before purchasing the antenna. The FCC offers an online tool (https://www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps) that you may use to check local stations. This tool will help you determine what kind of range you need. If you do not want to deal with the process yourself, make sure to find a local expert.

Internet TV

Another great option, especially for those that already have internet access, is internet TV. There are countless internet TV providers, many offering very affordable plans. Moreover, there are even some free options.

When it comes to internet TV, there are two main options: Live Streaming TV and On-Demand TV. The LIVE streaming TV option provides you with live channels, while the on-demand option lets you choose specific shows, movies, and other content and watch it whenever you please. Many internet TV providers combine both options.

Here is a list of best live streaming TV options:

• Hulu Live—Best overall ($54.99–$60.99/mo.)
• Sling TV—Best for sports ($30.00–$45.00/mo.)
• AT&T Watch TV—Cheapest ($15.00/mo.)
• YouTube TV—Excellent DVR ($49.99/mo.)
• Philo—Good for lifestyle and entertainment channels ($20.00/mo.)
• fuboTV—Best soccer channels ($59.99–$79.99/mo.)
• AT&T TV NOW—Good for premium channels ($55.00–$135.00/mo.)

Free internet options include Pluto, Xumo, Tubi, or Flex.

Note: Keep in mind that all free internet TV alternatives come with commercials.

If you want to know about TV Antenna visit TV Antenna that Picks Up Cable Channels

How To Secure Cheap Cable TV For Low-Income Deals

Considering that cable TV networks do not always reveal their best package, looking for the most affordable cable TV deals can turn into a long process. You have to sort through tons of hidden costs in the package, which can be very high sometimes. However, even though it may take some digging, cheap cable TV for low income is available.

The best way to find cheap cable TV for low income seniors and families is to use different sign-up methods. Below are the steps you should follow.

Research: We always recommend you start by doing your research on the companies offering the service in your area. Don’t forget to compare the packages, charges, and options across all the providers. This may take some time but it will enable you to get the most affordable deal.

Gather Information from Online Forums: After your own research from the providers, visit some online deal forums. Other people have already gone through the process of finding the best deal and many are kind enough to share their findings. Keep in mind that they may not have been very successful and that their deal is not actually the most affordable one. As such, compare it with your research results. The threads on forums are often a true goldmine for the latest discounts and deals, which can be valuable in finding the best prices and price-cuts.

Check Providers’ Websites: Once have narrow your selection down to those providers you might want to go with, visit their websites. Check for the best deals they are currently offering. Take notes about equipment charges, contracts, as well as service fees so you can compare the data.

Call the Cable Companies: To get the best deal, you often need to call the company. This shows them that you are seriously considering their offer and often gives you leverage to negotiate an even better deal. Don’t be afraid to ask for special deals and discounts.

Negotiate Prices via Online Chat: These days most companies offer online chats. You may start chatting with their bot, but during the normal working hours, you should (at least eventually) get to a real person. Try getting the agent to offer you a lower deal than the representative gave on the phone.

If you want to know about local channels without cable visit How to Get Local Channels Without Cable

Cheap Cable TV For Low Income Options FAQ

Can I get basic cable for free?

No, basic cable isn’t free. You can get a basic cable package for anywhere from $20 to $40 per month, depending on the provider and availability in your area. For free TV channels, you may want to explore OTA (Over-the-air) TV options.

What is the cheapest cable company?

Xfinity is the most affordable option, however, it may offer you less than some other options.

Suddenlink’s Value TV + Internet is also a solid alternative. It provides you with 200+ channels and internet speeds up to 100 Mbps for $54.99 a month for the first 12 months.

Another affordable alternative is the RCN’s Digital Basic TV + 155 Mbps Internet. This one offers 70+ channels and speeds up to 50 Mbps for as little as $29.99 a month for the first 12 months.

What is a cheap alternative to cable TV?

The most affordable alternative to cable TV is either OTA TV, where you use the antenna to capture local channels for free. Other valid choices are offered by internet on-demand TV providers, many of which offer live TV options as well. For instance, Xumo and Pluto both offer 100+ live and on-demand channels for free. Moreover, Sling TV gives you 30–50 channels starting at $25 a month. There are many options these days.

How can I watch cable TV for free?

There are no legal ways to watch cable or satellite TV for free that we know of. However, you can get 100+ channels from both Xumo and Pluto for absolutely nothing. These do not give you access to your local channels. You will also need internet access.

If you want to watch local channels or avoid the need for the internet, you can decide to go with an inexpensive over-the-air (OTA) antenna. You can get solid indoor antennas for roughly $35.

What is the cheapest internet-and-cable TV bundle?

RCN has a cheap internet-and-cable TV bundle, however, it may not be available in your area.

How can I reduce my cable bill?

There are several methods to lower your cable bill.

• Drop down to a cheaper package
• Call your provider’s customer retention department and see if you can negotiate a discount—especially if you’ve been a good customer.
• If you can handle commercials, drop cable altogether and use only free, ad-supported services like Pluto, Xumo, Tubi, or other similar alternatives.
• If you mainly focus on local channels, replace your cable with OTA.
• Xfinity internet-only customers should check out Xfinity Flex, the provider’s content-rich combination streaming device and service.

Do cable companies offer senior discounts?

Yes, many cable companies provide discounts to senior citizens. If you are in the 50+ age group, it pays to check for senior discounts.

Does Comcast have a program for low income?

Yes, Comcast runs a special low-income program for seniors above 62 years.

What is the best alternative for cable TV?

Internet streaming is the most popular cheap alternative to traditional cable TV contracts. Another alternative is OTA TV.

If you want to know about Free Satellite TV visit How To Get Free Satellite TV