Sparklight TV Review
Formerly known as Cable One, Sparklight TV offers cable TV, internet, and phone services in 20 states across the US. Sparklight TV features two channel lineups to: the economy cable TV package with 20 basic cable channels and the standard TV package with up to 100 channels.
Sparklight requires no contracts (other TV providers can require contracts for one year or more), but they include data caps on almost all of their plans. If you want unlimited data, you will have to pay extra. They also allow you to watch your favorite shows on almost any device including Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Google-powered smart TVs, phones, tablets, and more.
So, is Sparklight TV worth investing in and what does it offer potential customers? Let’s find out.
- Who is Sparklight TV for?
- Key considerations
- What others say about Sparklight TV
- How does Sparklight TV compare to other providers?
Who is Sparklight TV for?
Sparklight TV offers two major packages: the economy package and the standard package.
If you want to keep your monthly expenses low and access basic channels for news and some sports coverage, the economy package is the ideal choice for you.
The standard package is the most popular option if you’re willing to spend a bit extra for an entire channel lineup with local channels, kids’ shows, movies, and sports channels.
Only Sparklight customers who are subscribed to the standard TV package can access TV Everywhere programming. Customers who subscribe to the economy package or a high-speed internet only plan are not eligible for TV Everywhere content.
Key considerations
Before deciding to subscribe to Sparklight TV, it’s important to consider factors such as available plans, contracts, extra fees, discounts, and so on.
What TV packages and plans are available?
If Sparklight is the top choice in your area, you’ll get to choose from two main packages: economy and standard. The plans are competitively priced based on the channels they contain.
The Economy TV package: Costs $54/month and includes local broadcast channels, news, sports, and weather channels.
The Standard TV package: Costs $112/month and you can access up to 100 channels, cable networks such as ESPN, CNN, HGTV, MSNBC, History, etc., plus all the Economy TV package channels. You also get a free Amazon Fire TV stick valued at $49 and 200 hours of Cloud DVR.
When you sign up for both standard cable TV and Sparklight internet plans, you also get access to the Digital Value Pack. It’s an add-on online streaming service that costs $16/month with access to about 24 channels including Disney Junior, ESPNU, and the Big Ten Network. This package uses internet data though, so watch out for Sparklight’s overage fees.
How long is the contract price locked in?
Sparklight doesn’t require a contract which means you have the freedom to stay and leave at any time without paying an early termination fee.
They are confident about their service to customers so they also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee to ensure users are satisfied.
Does Sparklight TV have extra fees?
Sparklight TV includes some fees for renting a set-top box and DVR service. The equipment varies by location and you can use either TiVo or an HDTV box. Both the Sparklight HD DVR and TiVo cost about $15/month in lease fees.
You will need a DVR if you want to record a whole football game and you when you opt for the Sparklight TV HD DVR you get 200 hours of cloud DVR storage to record anything you want.
If do not have an active subscription to Sparklight internet service, you can lease a TV modem for $10.50/month to enjoy Sparklight TV service.
Are there discounts if I bundle my TV packages with internet or phone?
Sparklight TV offers several bundles that can help you save some money on internet and phone too. However, be on the lookout for internet data caps and overage charges, which might end up costing a lot.
The two most common Sparklight TV combos include:
Internet + TV: Includes the Internet 200 plan with Sparklight TV Plus and Standard TV that starts at $171.75/month. In this package, you get download speeds up to 200Mbps and upload speeds up to 20Mbps with a 700GB data plan. Additionally, you get up to 100 channels that you can watch on six screens at the same time, and 200 hours of DVR recording.
Internet + TV + phone: Features the Internet 200 plan, standard phone, and Sparklight TV Plus with Standard TV at $191.75/month. The package offers upload speeds of up to 20Mbps and download speeds of up to 200Mbps including a 700GB data plan. You also get up to 100 channels streaming on six screens simultaneously and 200 hours of recording on DVR. The package also includes unlimited local and long-distance phone calls.
What others say about Sparklight TV
Customer reviews of Sparklight TV and internet services are fairly positive and the provider is seen as a favorable option in several different categories.
The most recent US Residential ISP Satisfaction study by J.D Power, “Sparklight appears in two of the four regions being tracked. In the west, Sparklight scored 700 points out of 1,000, while in the Southern region, it earned a score of 716, an increase from the previous year.”
Sparklight fared well in PCMag’s Readers’ Choice awards of 2021 with a score of 7.7 out of 10 which is above the average of 7.1. It ranked seventh among 24 listed internet service providers.
Sparklight TV and internet service earned an A+ grade according to Better Business Bureau ratings.
How does Sparklight TV compare to other providers?
When it comes to available options, Sparklight TV is a little expensive compared to competitors such as Verizon Fios, Spectrum TV, and Optimum TV.
The standard package for Verizon TV (Your Fios TV) is priced at $70/month for over 125 channels, Spectrum TV is $49.99/month for 125+ channels, and Optimum Core TV is priced at $75 for 220+ channels. Compare this to Sparklight TV Plus at $111.75/month for up to 100 channels, and you realize Sparklight’s plan is $20 to $30 more than other TV providers’ plans which feature more channels.
That said, Sparklight TV offers more Cloud DVR levels ranging up to 200 hours of storage and it’s a more reliable option. While Sparklight has a good channel lineup to keep you and your family entertained, their TV package prices are a bit higher, with fewer channels compared to its competitors. Therefore, budget accordingly.
*Pricing varies by location and availability. Speeds may vary. All prices subject to change; for current pricing and availability visit our TV service page. Prices as of 6/13/22.
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Disclosure | Updater articles are based on our own data and research, independent from partner relationships. We are not compensated by partners for information and opinions presented here. Our Editorial Terms of Service can be found here.
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