Spectrum's TV packages look reasonable until the line items stack up: the Broadcast TV fee (~$25/month), box rentals per TV, and post-promo pricing that pushes a TV + internet bundle past $140/month. The fix isn't dropping TV — it's separating it: keep Spectrum's internet (it's good), and move TV to SMART OTT for $60/year.
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Real savings — annual math
| Spectrum TV (USA) | Locally | SMART OTT |
|---|---|---|
| Spectrum TV Select (post-promo) | ~$85 / month | — |
| Broadcast TV fee + box rentals | ~$35 / month | $0 |
| Yearly TV total | ~$1,400+ | $60 (Elite) |
How to cancel Spectrum TV (the right way)
- Confirm you're keeping internet-only service — Spectrum internet has no contract, so downgrading is penalty-free.
- Run the SMART OTT free trial on your Spectrum line first — confirm locals, RSNs and your regular channels.
- Call Spectrum (1-833-267-6094) and drop the TV portion only. Retention will offer a 12-month promo; remember it resets afterward.
- Return cable boxes to a Spectrum store or via UPS within 15 days to stop rental charges.
What you keep when you switch
- Local ABC / CBS / NBC / FOX affiliates
- ESPN, FS1, TNT, NFL Network, RedZone and every national sports channel
- Regional sports networks — the fee Spectrum charges extra for
- The full cable entertainment line-up
- Your Spectrum internet — unchanged, and now the only line on the bill
What you give up (and how to replace it)
- The Spectrum TV app integration — IPTV apps (TiViMate, IPTV Smarters) replace it with faster guides and better favorites.
- Bundle discount on paper — Do the math: the 'discount' bundle still costs ~$1,300/year more than internet + SMART OTT.
Cancelling Spectrum TV — questions people ask
Yes — Spectrum internet is contract-free and sold standalone. Dropping TV doesn't affect your internet speed or price tier, and IPTV runs perfectly on Spectrum broadband.
Yes — that ~$25/month line item (about $300/year by itself) disappears entirely. Local affiliates are included in SMART OTT.
Yes — RSN feeds are included, which on Spectrum cost extra through the RSN surcharge.
A $40–50 Firestick per TV, one-time — versus $10+/month/TV in perpetual box rentals. Setup takes about five minutes per TV.
Yes — run the 24-hour free trial first. Spectrum broadband handles HD and 4K IPTV without issues.
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