Cox Cable TV for Seniors in 2024

Cox Cable TV Nationwide Availability

Before researching Cox, you’ll want to ensure you live in their service area. Interestingly, while Cox has service nationwide, it’s spread out and isolated. Most cable companies only cater to a particular region, whereas Cox offers cable in seemingly random pockets across the continental United States. This unique range makes Cox accessible, albeit unreliably.

Cox currently provides service in the following 18 U.S. states:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Rhode Island
• Virginia

Cox Cable TV Package Details

Cox does a great job outlining the details of their three cable TV packages. We didn’t have to dig too deep to get information, which we appreciate. Some providers hide exact prices or extra fees until you’ve input your address and selected a package. We are big fans of transparency!

When we had some questions, we called customer service and were connected in under five minutes. We also used the online chat feature, and after fielding questions from the bot, were connected to a live agent in under two minutes. You can also use Cox’s mobile app to chat with an agent, so getting in touch is easy.

Cox offers a cable TV package starting at $61 monthly. It can exceed $200 per month, depending on your customized package. Unlike Xfinity, there isn’t a month-to-month option on some packages. Remember that prices will also vary by your location. If you’re an absolute TV lover or prefer to watch the news for a few minutes daily, selecting a Cox package that fits your TV viewing habits is pretty straightforward. Plus, every package comes with a voice remote. Even though the voice remote didn’t always understand what we said, it took us to the right place the majority of the time we tested it out.

Cox Contour TV Starter: The Basic Cable TV Package

Starting at $61 per month, Cox TV Starter is the provider’s least expensive package. It’s not as low as Spectrum’s TV Essentials plan, but is about half the cost of starter packages from other major cable TV providers we’ve reviewed, like Xfinity or Mediacom. Remember, this bare-bones option only offers 75 channels, 50 of which are music channels, so it’s ideal for budget-conscious older adults who just want a few common networks. If you wish to get the latest news, listen to commercial-free tunes, and access broadcast television, the Cox TV Starter package will be right up your alley. On the other hand, Cox Contour TV is the better option if you’re looking for more channels and bells and whistles.

Cox Contour TV Preferred: The Entertainment Upgrade

Starting at $115 per month with 140+ channels, Cox Contour TV is a bit pricey. For comparison, Xfinity offers a similar package for about the same monthly price as Cox. Still, this package comes with some great perks. You can stream your favorite shows and movies directly from your tablet or smartphone with Cox’s Contour TV. Since 62 percent of Americans over the age of 70 use a smartphone, being able to watch TV on a handheld device is perfect for on-the-go seniors.1

In addition to a robust channel lineup, we also like how this package is customizable. Cox offers “packs” that cater to customers with specific needs and viewing preferences. For super-fan seniors, a sports package is a perfect add-on, while the movie buffs can break out the popcorn and add exclusive channels like Showtime and HBO. Lights, camera, action! These add-on channels and packs can cost you anywhere from $9 to $15 extra per month, depending on what you select.

Cox Contour TV Ultimate: The Ultimate TV Package

Starting at $152 a month, Cox adds this option to take your viewing experience to the next level. With more than 250+ channels and premium options like HBO, Showtime, and Starz, this package is a great fit for older adults that like a wide range of sports, movies, live TV, and on-demand content. It integrates with streaming apps and has voice control and cloud DVR to customize your viewing experience to your liking.

Comparing Cox Packages at a Glance

*Prices vary by location

Customizing Your Package and Equipment

Once we selected our TV plan and added it to our cart to begin the checkout process, we could add additional channels, TV boxes, and DVR service.

Under “Add your TV boxes” we could choose from a Wireless 4K Contour box, Contour HD box, or a CableCARD. Each TV in your home requires a box to access channels. Your first Contour HD box is included for free, and adding or changing equipment may require a deposit.

Next, we were prompted to “Add DVR Service” to record and watch shows. Cox offers three DVR service options: Ultimate, Preferred, and Essential. The main difference between the three DVR services is the hours they can store and the number of shows you can record simultaneously.

The Essential DVR service allows you to record up to two shows at the same time with 250 hours of storage for $13.50 per month. The Preferred DVR service lets you record up to six shows at the same time with 250 hours of storage for $20 a month. The Ultimate DVR service lets you record up to 24 shows simultaneously with 1,000 hours of DVR storage for $30 a month.

You can also select no DVR service. We liked that if you already have a CableCARD-ready DVR, you can make it work with your Cox plan for only $4 a month.

Perks of Cox Cable TV

In addition to their customizable packages and state-of-the-art equipment, a few extra perks make Cox cable TV stand out from the competition.

• Cox complete care: Though this add-on service will cost you an extra $10 per month, we highly recommend it for older adults who want added support. You’ll get advanced 24/7 technical support; it’s like having a personal tech team at your beck and call. From connecting printers to virus removal, the Cox Complete Care team supports any technical issue you encounter. Their techs will even come to your place to repair damaged wires, replace worn-out outlets, and resolve any bad connections.
• Easy moving: If you move, Cox makes setting up service in your new home as painless as possible; they don’t charge any activation or installation fees. For seniors who see a downsize in their future, that’s a huge plus.
• Friend referrals: You can get up to $125 via prepaid Mastercard for each friend you refer to Cox. You will get $25 for each qualifying Cox service your friend signs up for, up to $600 a year.
• 30-day money-back guarantee: If you want to try Cox but don’t want to get locked into a contract instantly, you’re in luck. Cox offers a 30-day free trial period, so you can decide if they’re the right provider for you without losing any money.

Cox Bundles: The Most Bang for Your Buck

Cox shines when it comes to bundles. They offer some of the industry’s most comprehensive bundles, providing Cox internet, phone, home security, and cable TV services. If you’re searching for the best deal and love simplicity like us, Cox is an excellent choice with several bundling options. They even let you make a personalized bundle just for you! But to narrow it down, we’ll cover a few bundles that may fit seniors’ needs the most.

Go Fast + Contour TV Preferred

This bundle is excellent for older adults who spend a fair amount of time online and want a diverse TV package, as it offers 140+ channels and fast speeds of up to 100 Mbps. It will cost you $165.00 per month, but if you host family gatherings, the internet speed can support tech-obsessed grandkids, and Contour TV Preferred lets you tune into the big game or have a movie night with friends and family.

When we tested the Go Fast internet plan, we experienced reliable, fast speeds. In fact, we recorded average download speeds of 114 Mbps, which is faster than the plan’s advertised 100 Mbps speeds. That’s something we don’t see very often, so we appreciate the added bang for your buck.

Go Super Fast + Contour TV Preferred

This bundle is great for older adults who want the fastest speeds and the most popular cable TV channels. It provides 140+ channels and up to 1 Gbps download speeds for $225 a month, which is more than enough speed for the average household. These speeds are suitable for 4K streaming on multiple devices, heavy gaming, and working from home on several computers. The plan also comes with 1.25 TB (1280 GB) monthly data included, which is plenty of data for most users. We could easily track our monthly data usage using the Cox mobile app.

The Fine Print and Additional Fees

If you’re considering switching to Cox, keep the following in mind.

1. Look out for long-term contracts: Similar to other popular providers we've reviewed, like Spectrum, Cox requires customers to enter a one-year contract with some bundles and plans. However, if you cancel within your first 30 days, you won’t be charged an early termination fee. Many Cox plans don’t require contracts, so there are plenty of options if you don’t want to be locked in.
2. Your monthly price will increase after one year. Cox offers new customers a hefty discount, which is nice until you’re no longer “new.” After one year, your monthly cost will increase by up to 30 percent. It’s a bummer, but price hikes are pretty typical with cable TV providers.
3. They charge installation fees. When purchasing your TV package, don’t be surprised to see charges up to $100 for professional installation. Some packages waive the installation fee, or you can choose self-installation, so be on the lookout for those options.

Cox TV vs. the Competition

Let’s take a look at how Cox compares to other popular cable TV providers.

Cox TV vs. Xfinity

Xfinity is the largest cable provider in the country and offers contract-free packages. With the Xfinity Stream app downloaded on your phone or tablet, you can watch shows and movies anywhere you go. Like Cox, Xfinity offers a voice remote that lets you open apps and pull up your favorite shows using your voice. But you will have to pay fees for add-ons such as for equipment, channels, and bundling services.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

I’m a big fan of voice remotes for older adults. If you have arthritis, other mobility issues, or vision loss, a voice remote makes it easy to navigate your TV without much effort. It’s also great for tech-averse seniors who don’t want to navigate channel menus or On Demand content.

Cox TV vs. DIRECTV

DIRECTV offers satellite and streaming packages, unlimited Cloud DVR storage, excellent channel variety, and on-the-go streaming with the DIRECTV app. The brand’s satellite packages are a good option for those who live in rural areas, but they require a two-year contract, and plans are more expensive than Cox.

Cox TV vs. Spectrum TV

Spectrum is a popular TV provider with no long-term contracts. The company’s TV packages are widely available in 41 states, compared to Cox’s more limited availability in 18 states. Spectrum TV will buy out an existing contract with another cable provider for up to $500 for new customers who make the switch, which is a unique perk. They also have packages with Spanish-language channels, such as their Mi Plan Latino that starts at $39.99 for 12 months and has 145+ Spanish-language and English channels and on-demand options.

The Bottom Line

If you’re a senior living in one of the 18 states where Cox offers service, they are worth considering for cable TV or a bundled deal. We aren’t big fans of the price increase after one year, but unfortunately, that’s pretty typical among all cable TV providers. On the other hand, we love Cox’s 30-day money-back guarantee, excellent DVR equipment, and customizable TV packages and bundles. Plus, Cox has solid starting prices for those on a tight budget.

Our Methodology: How We Tested Cox

Our tech experts spent 50 hours researching and testing Cox cable packages. When evaluating Cox, we considered package cost, features and value, customer service, ease of use, equipment and activation costs, customer feedback, and more. Here’s a closer look at how our team evaluated Cox:

• Pricing: We evaluated the price and value of Cox cable TV packages, considering monthly costs, any hidden fees, seasonal promotions, and bundles. We also looked at what was included with the package, such as remotes or other equipment, and the value that they added.
• Features: We considered plan features and perks, such as plan variety, on-demand content, TV streaming, DVR service, customizable options, and more.
• Customer support: We reached out to customer service via phone and chat to get our questions answered. We also looked at their availability and response times in assisting customers.
• Availability and coverage: Our team researched Cox’s availability nationwide compared to other cable providers.