Charter Spectrum TV Service Review 2023
Pricing | Device Options | Features | Customer Service | Final Recommendation
- Spectrum TV Review Highlights:
- No contracts and 30-day money-back guarantee
- Widely available across U.S.
- Ready availability for premium channels
Charter Spectrum is a telecom company with very wide availability across the U.S., currently an option for customers across 41 states. Outside of their internet and phone services they also provide TV, boasting several packages with a large variety of HD content as well as convenient contract options. While there are some drawbacks to their TV service, there are still many benefits that make Charter Spectrum a very appealing option.
Ready To Try Spectrum TV or Want to Learn More?
Pricing and Packages
Spectrum’s options on channels and packages hold up well, especially when it comes to the promotions they offer. Their TV packages begin with a good amount of channel options including premium movie networks, although package availability may vary based on location.
| Packages | Price | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| Spectrum TV Essentials | From $24.99/month | 65+ |
| Spectrum TV Select Signature | From $59.99/mo. for 12 month | 150+ |
| Mi Plan Latino | From $39.99/mo for 12 months | 75+ Spanish & 70+ English |
Spectrum TV Essentials
Spectrum offers a comprehensive but affordable option in their TV Select package. This option is available starting at just $24.99 per month and includes the Spectrum Broadcast Basic channel set as well as 65+ major networks, from news and weather to entertainment, sports, and lifestyle channels.
Spectrum TV Select Signature
For those looking for a more complete channel lineup, Spectrum’s TV Select Signature package is for you. Offering more than 150 channels for just $59.99 a month for 12 months, this package offers some the best value across all TV plans we’ve reviewed.
Spectrum Mi Plan Latino
Device Options
There isn’t a lot of Information available on Spectrum’s DVR. Their packages include a unit either from Motorola or Cisco/Scientific Atlantic. The available ~21 hours of HD content that can be recorded (with only 2 simultaneous recordings) pale in comparison to other TV providers such as DISH, whose Hopper 3 lets you record around 500 hours of HD programming with up to 16 shows at once.
The DVR will cost you $12.99 per month, and the receiver needed for every TV will cost $6.99 each. Again, the cost and value compared to rival TV providers does not hold up in Spectrum’s favor here.
Features and Benefits
The Spectrum TV app is a nice feature of the service included at no extra charge. You can choose from 170 live channels at home or 60 on-the-go to browse, watch and schedule recording on just about any device or tablet.
But the flexibility of some of Spectrum TV’s terms are some of its biggest benefits. As mentioned previously, the service does not require a contract, so if you need to switch out from Spectrum, you won’t have to worry about fees or penalties. If you’re unhappy with the service or just have a fluid living situation, this can make Spectrum a favored choice.
Not only that, but you can cancel within 30 days of signing up, so if you’re unsatisfied with their service you can get your money back. And lastly, if you want to switch to Spectrum but are locked into a contract with another provider, Spectrum will cover termination fees and a contract buyout from your current servicer for up to $500 (however you do need to qualify for the Double Play or Triple Play packages to receive this benefit).
Ready To Try Spectrum TV or Want to Learn More?
Customer Service
Charter Spectrum has several options for customers to reach them:
- The Ask Spectrum virtual assistant helps with simple issues. After providing your ZIP code you can write in your questions. However if the chatbot doesn’t resolve your problem, the issue will be escalated to a customer support agent.
- Users can call customer support directly: (833) 267-6094.
- Support is also available at Spectrum’s in-store location.
- Spectrum actively posts product and service updates on social media, so following them on Twitter (@Ask_Spectrum) would be good if you’re a customer.
These resources are very helpful, although the feedback on their customer service is rated to be mixed overall. User ratings of their customer service, reliability and installation process are lower than average across most of their markets. Users along the West coast tend to rate the customer service higher however, but markets in the East, North and South markets see much lower customer satisfaction ratings.
Ways to Save on Charter Spectrum TV
While the fees for signing up with Charter Spectrum can add up, it’s at least helpful to know what kind of extra cost to expect.
Beyond the $12.99 per month you’ll be paying for the DVR, you’ll also need a cable box for every TV you hook up (which runs $6.99/month each). So you’ll be paying a minimum of $20 a month just for those items, not to mention the general package costs you’ll be paying too. Also if you’re subscribing to other Spectrum services like their internet, then you’ll be paying monthly for their router equipment fees too, along with the cost of an internet plan.
Make sure you know what you’ll be getting into when signing up for Charter Spectrum. They offer some helpful promotions, but the up-front fees do hurt the value proposition of their services somewhat. It is worth noting, however, that premium movie channels are available in lower-tier packages with Spectrum than they are with most competitors, which is a definite advantage.
Our Recommendation
The ultimate value of a Charter Spectrum TV package will come down to the service available for your specific location and how important flexibility is to you. If your address has more channels available to it through Spectrum and the no-contract, 30-day money-back freedom are important factors for you, you wouldn’t risk much in giving Charter Spectrum a try.
But the value and DVR hardware offered by Charter Spectrum don’t hold up to competitors like DISH, DirecTV or Xfinity. Also their customer service is also roundly more criticized than those other providers, so it’s worth considering depending on your individual situation.
Is Spectrum TV Right For You?
* Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Charter. SPECTRUM TV ESSENTIALS: Price subject to change. Taxes, fees, surcharges extra and subject to change during and after the term; additional services are extra. Spectrum Internet required. Channel availability based on level of service and not all channels available in all markets or locations. Additional equipment may be required to access PEG channels. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2023 Charter Communications.
* Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum TV Select Signature promotion price is $59.99/ mo ; standard rates apply after yr 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges (broadcast surcharge up to $23.20/ mo ) extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: TV: TV equipment required, charges may apply. Channel and HD programming availability based on level of service and location. Account credentials may be required to stream some TV content online. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability. ©2023 Charter Communications.
* Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum Mi Plan Latino: Price is $39.99/ mo for yr 1; standard rates apply after yr 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges (broadcast surcharge up to $23.20/ mo ) extra and subject to change during and after the term; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: TV: TV equipment required, charges may apply. Channel and HD programming availability based on level of service and location. Account credentials may be required to stream some TV content online. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability. ©2023 Charter Communications.
