- Spectrum TV Essentials is a new live TV streaming service for only $14.99 per month.
- The service will be available by the end of March, but you must be a Spectrum internet customer to sign up.
- The channel lineup includes more than 60 popular entertainment and lifestyle networks.
- Philo is available nationwide and offers a similar TV bundle and cloud DVR for $16/month.
Charter Communications is launching Spectrum TV Essentials, a new live TV streaming service that will include more than 60 channels for just $15 a month!
Spectrum’s offering looks a lot like Philo’s $16/month plan. Here are five things you need to know…
Spectrum TV Essentials: What You Need to Know
1. Spectrum TV Essentials Is Not for Everyone
When it launches in March, Spectrum’s new streaming TV service will only be available to Spectrum internet customers who don’t already subscribe to Spectrum video services.
However, Philo and AT&T WatchTV are two affordable streaming services that are offered nationwide. Learn more here!
2. The Streaming TV Service Costs $14.99/Month
At launch, Spectrum TV Essentials will be available for $14.99/month plus tax, with no additional fees or installation charge.AT&T WatchTV is $15 a month and Philo starts at $16 a month.
3. Lifestyle and Entertainment Networks Dominate the Lineup
Spectrum TV Essentials will carry more than 60 networks, mostly lifestyle and entertainment channels. The price is so low because cable sports networks and local channels are not included.
Spectrum TV Essentials list of channels:
A&E, AMC, American Heroes Channel, Animal Planet, AXS TV, BBC America, BBC World News, BET, BET Her, BET Jams, BET Soul, Bloomberg, Cheddar, CLEO TV, CMT, CMT Music, Comedy Central, Cooking Channel, Destination America, Discovery, Discovery Family, Discovery Life, DIY, Food Network, FYI, Game Show Network, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, HDNet Movies, HGTV, HISTORY, IFC, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, Lifetime Movie Network, Logo, MotorTrend Network, MTV, MTV2, MTV Classic, MTV Live, MTVU, NewsmaxTV, Newsy, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Nick Music, NickToons, Outdoor Channel, OWN, Paramount Network, Science Channel, Sundance TV, Teen Nick, TLC, Travel Channel, TV Land, VH1, Viceland, The Weather Channel and WEtv.
See AlsoSpectrum TV Packages
4. Roku Is Among the Supported Streaming Devices
Spectrum TV Essentials will be available through the Spectrum TV app on supported mobile and connected devices, which means you can watch on your phone, tablet or stream to your TV.
Supported Devices:
- iOS and Android phones and tablets
- Apple TV
- Roku
- Xbox One
- Amazon Kindle Fire
- Samsung Smart TVs
- SpectrumTV.com
5. Cloud DVR Is Not Available at Launch
It doesn’t sound like cloud DVR will be an option when Spectrum TV Essentials launches, but Charter plans to introduce that feature in the coming months.
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Final Thought
If you mostly watch cable TV for entertainment networks and not sports or news, Spectrum’s new service may be worth looking into when it goes live before the end of March.
In the meantime, you may also want to tryPhilo’s $20/month service, which has many of the same channels and includes DVR.
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