For most residents of the Buckeye State, finding cable TV means choosing between two main providers: Spectrum and Cox. Whether you’re in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, or Dayton, you’re likely comparing plans from these giants.
But as contracts get longer and hidden fees pile up, finding the “best” cable plan feels like a losing battle. You’re forced to pay a premium for sports you may not watch and channels you’ll never see.
Let’s break down the real costs of Ohio cable and introduce a smarter alternative that gives you more for your money.
Top Cable TV Providers in Ohio (2026)
Your exact provider is tied to your address, but here’s what you can expect.
1. Spectrum (Charter)
- Where: The most dominant provider in Ohio, covering Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and most of the state.
- The “Pro”: Their main selling point is “no contracts,” which offers you flexibility.
- The “Con”: The price you see is not the price you pay. Their standard “TV Select” plan (around $70/mo) is a 12-month promotional rate that will jump. More importantly, to get Bally Sports Ohio (for the Guardians, Cavs, etc.), you’ll be hit with a mandatory “Regional Sports Fee” that adds $15-$25+ to your monthly bill.
2. Cox
- Where: Primarily available in the Cleveland suburbs (like Parma, Lakewood) and other parts of Northeast Ohio.
- The “Pro”: Cox offers a variety of “Contour” TV and internet bundles that are competitively priced at first.
- The “Con”: Contracts. To get the best pricing, Cox will lock you into a 12 or 24-month agreement. Like Spectrum, their bills are loaded with “Broadcast Fees” and “Regional Sports Fees” that inflate your bill far beyond the advertised price.
The “Gotcha”: Ohio’s Hidden Cable Fees
Why does your $70/month cable package cost $130 at checkout?
- Regional Sports Fee (RSN Fee): This is the biggest one. You are forced to pay a monthly fee for Bally Sports Ohio and other regional networks. This fee is non-optional and adds a huge cost.
- Broadcast TV Fee: A separate, mandatory fee just for your “free” local network channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX).
- Equipment Rental: Expect to pay $10-$15 per month for every single TV that needs a cable box.
It’s a frustrating system where you’re locked in, overpaying for bloated packages, and penalized with fees for the most popular channels.
A Smarter Way: Why Ohioans Are Switching to IPTV
What if you could get all the Ohio sports channels, plus the NFL Sunday Ticket, plus every premium movie channel, and thousands of other channels for one low price?
This is what IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) does. It uses your internet connection to stream a massive world of content to your TV, without the cable company’s rules.
Meet TVPLUSSTREAM: The Best Cable Alternative in Ohio
TVPLUSSTREAM is the premium IPTV service designed for people who are done with cable. We offer more content, more flexibility, and more value than any plan from Spectrum or Cox.
Why is TVPLUSSTREAM the clear choice for Ohio?
- All Ohio Sports, No Fees: Get Bally Sports Ohio and all other national sports networks (ESPN, FS1, Big Ten Network). Plus, get every NFL, NBA, and MLB package. All included. No “RSN Fee.”
- 20,000+ Channels: Get every channel from Spectrum’s and Cox’s most expensive plans, plus thousands more.
- 60,000+ VOD Library: Get a massive on-demand library of movies and shows.
- No Contracts, No Hidden Fees: One simple, transparent monthly price. Cancel anytime.
- Works on All Your Devices: Stop paying $15/mo for a cable box. Use our service on your Firestick, Smart TV, or smartphone.
Before you lock into another contract with Cox or get hit by Spectrum’s price hikes, try TVPLUSSTREAM and see the difference.
