{"id":320783,"date":"2025-11-07T16:03:35","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T21:03:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/?p=118756"},"modified":"2025-11-07T16:03:35","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T21:03:35","slug":"heres-why-spectrums-new-streaming-service-is-worth-a-look","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/entertainment\/streaming\/heres-why-spectrums-new-streaming-service-is-worth-a-look\/","title":{"rendered":"Here’s Why Spectrum’s New Streaming Service is Worth a Look"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In February, Charter announced<\/a> a $15\/month, streaming-only package for Spectrum Internet customers in the live TV streaming<\/a> market. The service launched as \u201cSpectrum TV Essentials,\u201d but Spectrum now indicates TV Essentials is no longer available for new subscriptions; existing customers may keep it (see Spectrum\u2019s support page<\/a>). For historical context, Cord Cutters News<\/a> reported the initial rollout in select markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s available only to Spectrum Internet customers, and Spectrum no longer accepts new sign-ups for TV Essentials. Existing subscribers typically see pricing in-account (widely reported around $24.99\/month), and the channel lineup can vary by market and change over time. Use Spectrum\u2019s lineup lookup<\/a> to verify what\u2019s included for your address. Here\u2019s how it stacks up conceptually to other skinny bundles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Image: Spectrum<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Great if you don\u2019t care about sports<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reason Spectrum TV Essentials and similar skinny bundles can cost less is that they omit local broadcast stations and regional sports networks \u2014 most national sports channels are excluded, and many major cable news networks aren\u2019t included either \u2014 while focusing on entertainment and lifestyle networks. For eligibility and product details, see Spectrum\u2019s official support page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If these things aren\u2019t crucial viewing to you, a skinny bundle is by far your best option. You can also supplement it with a\u00a0TV antenna, which costs around $30, has no monthly fees, broadcasts in HD, and picks up your local ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC channels. That way, you can still see the biggest games and events without paying a colossal monthly fee. (There are also a number of excellent\u00a0free streaming services<\/a>\u00a0that can help fill that sports-filled hole in your TV schedule, and ad-supported viewing has grown significantly, per Comscore<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How it compares to other skinny bundles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Spectrum TV Essentials\u2019s closest current competitors by philosophy are Philo<\/a> (entertainment-first, $28\/month) and Frndly TV<\/a> (lower-priced, family-focused). Sling TV<\/a> offers modular mid-priced bundles that include sports and, in some markets, locals \u2014 a different scope than Essentials. TV Essentials historically carried 60+ entertainment\/lifestyle channels, but lineups can change and vary by ZIP; confirm your exact list with Spectrum\u2019s channel lineup tool<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to the channels people actually want, AT&T WatchTV no longer factors into the decision \u2014 it was discontinued in 2021 (details<\/a>). Historical lists like TiVo\u2019s 2017 Video Trends Report<\/a> were once used to gauge demand, but today it\u2019s more practical to compare entire channel families (A&E, AMC Networks, Warner Bros. Discovery lifestyle, Paramount\u2019s entertainment\/kids) and to verify your local Essentials lineup via Spectrum\u2019s lineup tool<\/a>. At a macro level, recent viewing data like Nielsen\u2019s The Gauge<\/a> shows YouTube and other major streamers (including FASTs) dominate TV time, shaping how low-cost bundles position themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s where the skinny bundles don\u2019t line up (channel availability changes frequently; always verify on provider sites):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/th>Spectrum<\/th>WatchTV (discontinued)<\/th>Philo<\/th>Sling Orange<\/th>Sling Blue<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Nick<\/td>\u2714<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td><\/tr>
Hallmark<\/td>\u2714<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td><\/tr>
Cartoon Network<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr>
CNN<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr>
Nat Geo<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr>
Disney<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td>–<\/td><\/tr>
Animal Planet<\/td>\u2714<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td><\/tr>
Syfy<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr>
ESPN<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td>–<\/td><\/tr>
USA<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr>
TBS<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr>
TNT<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr>
FX<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr>
NBC<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr>
Fox<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, AT&T\u2019s WatchTV has been discontinued; if you\u2019re not already on TV Essentials, the closest low-cost alternative available to anyone is Philo<\/a>, while Frndly TV<\/a> is even cheaper for Hallmark\/A&E\u2011centric viewing. TV Essentials remains limited to Spectrum Internet customers and is not offered to new subscribers (details<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compatible devices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Spectrum TV Essentials runs through the Spectrum TV app, so it works with all of the same devices and smart TVs. Supported platforms include Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TVs, mobile apps, web (SpectrumTV.com), and Spectrum\u2019s Xumo Stream Box<\/a>; Spectrum does not list PlayStation or Xbox as supported, and there\u2019s no broad native app for general Android TV\/Google TV sets (use a supported streaming device instead). See the current list on Spectrum\u2019s supported devices<\/a> page. Here\u2019s how it compares to the other skinny bundles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/th>Spectrum<\/th>WatchTV (discontinued)<\/th>Philo<\/th>Sling<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
PlayStation<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td><\/tr>
Xbox<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr>
Chromecast<\/td>\u2714<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr>
Apple TV<\/td>\u2714<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr>
Fire TV<\/td>\u2714<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr>
Roku<\/td>\u2714<\/td>–<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While Spectrum TV Essentials now appears to be limited to existing Spectrum Internet customers, it\u2019s still a solid deal if you already have it and don\u2019t need sports or local broadcast channels. Pricing for grandfathered subscribers is shown in-account (commonly reported around $24.99\/month), and optional Cloud DVR via the Spectrum TV App is available for an added monthly fee (Cloud DVR details<\/a>). If you\u2019re starting from scratch, Philo<\/a> offers a similar entertainment\u2011focused lineup at a low price, and Frndly TV<\/a> can be even cheaper for Hallmark\/A&E\u2011centric viewing; always confirm exact TV Essentials channels for your address using Spectrum\u2019s channel lineup tool<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In February, Charter announced a $15\/month, streaming-only package for Spectrum Internet customers in the live TV streaming market. The service launched as \u201cSpectrum TV Essentials,\u201d but Spectrum now indicates TV Essentials is no longer available for new subscriptions; existing customers may keep it (see Spectrum\u2019s support page). For historical context, Cord Cutters News reported the initial rollout in select markets. It\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":345,"featured_media":118807,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1315],"tags":[],"post_author":[],"yoast_head":"\nHere's Why Spectrum's New Streaming Service is Worth a Look - Reviews.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here's Why Spectrum's New Streaming Service is Worth a LookHere's Why Spectrum's New Streaming Service is Worth a Look\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/entertainment\/streaming\/heres-why-spectrums-new-streaming-service-is-worth-a-look\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Here's Why Spectrum's New Streaming Service is Worth a Look - Reviews.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Here's Why Spectrum's New Streaming Service is Worth a LookHere's Why Spectrum's New Streaming Service is Worth a Look\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/entertainment\/streaming\/heres-why-spectrums-new-streaming-service-is-worth-a-look\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Reviews.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Reviewscom\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-11-07T21:03:35+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/spectrum_streamer.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"818\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Reviews Staff\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Reviews\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Reviews\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Reviews Staff\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/entertainment\/streaming\/heres-why-spectrums-new-streaming-service-is-worth-a-look\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Here’s Why Spectrum’s New Streaming Service is Worth a Look\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/\",\"name\":\"Reviews.com\",\"description\":\"Your Guide to the Best Services\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Here's Why Spectrum's New Streaming Service is Worth a Look - 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