Cox Cable TV 2026: Plans, Prices, Channel Lineup & Review

Customers served: 6.5 million ·
Years in operation: Since 1962 ·
Starting TV price (Cox TV Lite): $30/month ·
Contour Starter channels: 75+ ·
US ranking (cable TV): 3rd largest

Six key facts sum up what Cox TV offers and where it fits in the market:

What is Cox TV?

Cox TV is the cable television arm of Cox Communications, which has been serving residential customers since 1962. It ranks as the third-largest cable TV provider in the United States, behind only Xfinity and Spectrum.

How does Cox Contour TV differ from traditional Cox cable?

• Contour TV is the latest platform that blends live cable channels with streaming apps. According to Cox’s official TV page, it includes integrated access to Netflix, Prime Video, and Peacock on the same interface.
• Traditional Cox cable relied on a set-top box; Contour TV can be accessed via the Contour app without a box.
• Three tiers: Starter ($80/mo, 75+ channels), Preferred ($140/mo, 140+ channels), Ultimate ($184/mo, 250+ channels) – all per Cox Residential TV.

What is Cox TV Lite?

• Cox TV Lite is a streaming-only plan at $30/month with 60+ live channels and on-demand content. Cox describes it as “available with no term agreement with internet” and streamable on the Xumo Stream Box or Contour app.
• It does not require a traditional set-top box, making it the cheapest entry point for cord-cutters.

The pattern: Cox is hedging its bets by offering a hybrid – traditional cable with streaming bells for those who want it, and a pure-streaming option for those who don’t.

What are the pros and cons of Cox TV?

Pros: channel variety, Contour app, no contract options

• Wide range of channels: Starter includes CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS; Preferred adds ESPN, HGTV, USA; Ultimate includes NFL Network, Disney Junior, Cleo TV (Cox Residential TV).
• Contour TV app works on Samsung and LG smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV, and mobile devices – watch anywhere on your account.
• Cox TV Lite has no long-term contract required (Cox Residential TV).

Cons: price increases, limited availability, equipment fees

• Prices do not include taxes, surcharges, or equipment fees – and promotional rates eventually end (Cox TV Packages page).
• Service is only available in 18 states where Cox operates, mostly in the South, Midwest, and California.
• Equipment fees for Contour boxes can add $10–$20/month if you don’t use the app.

The trade-off: Cox offers more flexibility than many traditional cable providers, but the true monthly cost after promotional periods can be a surprise for budget-minded households.

How do I get Cox on my smart TV?

Using the Cox Contour TV app on smart TVs

1. Make sure you have an active Cox TV subscription (any plan except maybe the most basic).
2. On your Samsung, LG, or other supported smart TV, go to the app store and search for “Contour TV”.
3. Download and install the app, then sign in with your Cox user ID and password.
4. You can now watch live channels and on-demand content without a set-top box.

Cox’s official site confirms the app is available on select smart TV brands, Roku, Apple TV, and mobile devices. A Cox TV subscription is required.

Streaming Cox TV without a set-top box

• Use the Contour app on a streaming device (Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV) or on a smartphone/tablet.
• Cast to your TV via Chromecast or AirPlay if supported.
• Cox TV Lite is designed specifically for box-free streaming – you get access via the Contour app or Xumo Stream Box.

Connecting your TV to Cox cable

• If you prefer a traditional setup, connect the coaxial cable from your wall outlet to the Cox-provided set-top box, then connect the box to your TV via HDMI.
• For Contour TV, you can also connect the box via HDMI and use the voice remote.

Why this matters: The whole process takes about 10 minutes, and the app method eliminates the need for extra hardware – a real advantage for households that want a clean setup.

Can I watch Cox TV without a box?

Streaming on mobile devices

• Yes – the Contour TV app lets you stream live TV and recordings on your smartphone or tablet anywhere you have internet.
• According to Cox, you can watch on up to two devices simultaneously (may vary by plan).

Using the Contour TV app on a computer

• Go to contour.cox.com and log in with your Cox account. You can watch live and recorded shows directly in a web browser.

Cox TV Lite and box-free options

• Cox TV Lite is entirely box-free – you stream via the app or use the Xumo Stream Box (which is more of a streaming stick than a traditional cable box).
• For other plans, you can choose to use only the app and forgo the rented box, saving on equipment fees.

The implication: For the first time, Cox customers can completely cut the cord (and the box rental fee) while keeping their cable subscription.

What is the cheapest way to get TV without internet?

Cox TV Lite as a standalone option

• Cox TV Lite costs $30/month and does not require an internet subscription from Cox (though you need internet to stream). Over-the-air antenna is cheaper initially, but Cox TV Lite gives you 60+ channels including entertainment and news.

Antenna vs. Cox TV Lite

• An antenna costs a one-time fee of $20–$50 and delivers local channels only (CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, PBS).
• Cox TV Lite adds cable channels like CNN, HGTV, and Food Network, plus on-demand content, for $30/month.

Cost comparisons of TV-only plans

The table below compares the costs and channel counts of different TV options.

The pattern: Cox TV Lite is the cheapest way to get a cable-style lineup without internet – but an antenna is still king for budget-only local TV.

What are Cox cable TV packages and prices?

Cox Contour TV package details

Cox’s Contour TV comes in three tiers: Starter at $80/month with 75+ channels, Preferred at $140/month with 140+ channels, and Ultimate at $184/month with 250+ channels. Each tier includes access to the Contour app and integrated streaming apps like Netflix and Prime Video on the Preferred and Ultimate plans.

Cox TV Lite pricing

Cox TV Lite is the entry-level streaming-only plan at $30/month with 60+ live channels and on-demand content. It is designed for cord-cutters and does not require a long-term contract when bundled with internet.

Channel lineups for each package

Channel lineups vary by market. Cox provides location-specific PDFs updated as of March 2024. Starter includes locals like CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS; Preferred adds ESPN, HGTV, USA; Ultimate includes NFL Network, Disney Junior, Cleo TV. Exact counts and specific channels depend on your address.

The takeaway: Pricing and channel availability are location-dependent, so verifying your address on Cox.com is essential before choosing a plan.

“Cox TV gives you full access to live network television, premium channels and On Demand content.”

Cox Communications (official website)

“Cox offers customizable TV plans with over 75 channels starting at $80/month.”

SeniorLiving.org (senior-focused review site)

“Cox Communications is the third-largest cable television provider in the United States, serving approximately 6.5 million customers.”

Wikipedia

For budget-conscious households, the decision comes down to how much content you want and whether you’re willing to commit to internet. Cox TV Lite gives you a middle path – real cable channels without the hardware rental. For seniors and light TV viewers, that $30/month plan is the strongest value in Cox’s lineup. For everyone else, Contour TV with its hybrid app approach is a solid upgrade over the old box-and-coax days. The implication for budget-conscious households: if you can stream, you can save with Cox’s box-free options.

Frequently asked questions