If you’re looking for cable TV in New York, you know the choices are tough and the prices are high. Whether you’re in one of the boroughs, Long Island, or upstate, your options are likely limited to Spectrum, Optimum (Altice), and (if you’re lucky) Verizon Fios.
Choosing the “best” plan isn’t easy. You’re balancing promotional pricing, channel lineups, and long-term contracts. But what if the entire model is broken?
Let’s review the main NY providers and then show you a powerful alternative that’s changing the game.
Top Cable TV Providers in New York (2026)
Here’s the breakdown of the “Big 3” in the Empire State.
1. Spectrum (Charter)
- Where: The main provider for most of Manhattan and large parts of NYC, as well as upstate areas.
- The “Pro”: No-contract plans are their biggest draw. You can leave when you want.
- The “Con”: High prices after the 12-month promo. Their “TV Select” plan (around $70/mo) is just the start. To get YES Network (Yankees) or MSG (Knicks, Rangers), you’ll pay a sky-high “Regional Sports Fee” on top of your plan.
2. Optimum (Altice)
- Where: Very common in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and across Long Island.
- The “Pro”: Optimum often has competitive “triple play” bundle pricing to lure you in.
- The “Con”: Their customer service is notoriously poorly-rated. Like other providers, their advertised prices are misleading, and your bill will be inflated with “Broadcast Fees” and RSN fees.
3. Verizon Fios
- Where: Available in many parts of the NYC metro area, but not everywhere.
- The “Pro”: Fios is a 100% fiber-optic network, meaning it’s incredibly fast and reliable for internet. Their “Test Drive” and “Your Fios TV” plans are more flexible.
- The “Con”: It’s not “cable,” it’s fiber, and its availability is limited. While more transparent, it’s still expensive if you want all the sports and movie channels.
The New York Problem: Sky-High Sports Fees
The single biggest complaint from New York cable subscribers is the Regional Sports Fee (RSN Fee).
To get channels like YES Network, MSG, and SNY (Mets), providers charge you a mandatory monthly fee. This fee can be $20, $30, or even more per month and is not included in your advertised package price.
You’re forced to pay over $300 a year just for the option to watch your local teams, on top of your already expensive bundle.
A Smarter Way: Get All of NY Sports & More with IPTV
What if you could get YES, MSG, and SNY, plus the NFL Sunday Ticket, plus NBA League Pass, plus 20,000 other channels, all for one low price with no fees?
That’s the power of IPTV. It uses your internet connection to deliver a complete world of content without the cable company’s rules.
Meet TVPLUSSTREAM: The Best Cable Alternative in NY
TVPLUSSTREAM is the premium IPTV service built for New Yorkers who are tired of being overcharged. We provide more content than Spectrum, Optimum, and Fios combined, for a fraction of the cost.
Why TVPLUSSTREAM is the clear winner:
- All NY Sports Included: Get YES, MSG, SNY, and all other sports channels. Get every MLB, NBA, and NFL package. No “RSN Fee,” ever.
- 20,000+ Channel Lineup: Get every channel from the most expensive cable plans, plus thousands of international and 24/7 channels.
- 60,000+ VOD Library: All the latest movies and complete TV series are included on-demand.
- No Contracts, No Hidden Fees: Just one simple monthly price. Cancel anytime.
- Works on All Your Devices: Stop paying $15/month for a cable box. Use our service on your Firestick, Smart TV, or Apple TV.
Before you lock into a 2-year deal with Optimum or pay Spectrum’s insane sports fees, give TVPLUSSTREAM a try.
