Frontier TV Review

Frontier’s Vantage TV and FiOS TV keep you on top of all the adrenaline-filled action with access to NFL RedZone or the latest episode of The Walking Dead. And your Netflix account is fully integrated, meaning you can view your list of shows with one press of the remote. (If you have FiOS internet too—but why wouldn’t you bundle up?)

Plus, Frontier offers DISH satellite TV packages that you can bundle with its Vantage internet.

But is the price worth the 400+ channels you get with Frontier TV? Let’s find out.

Frontier TV packages and pricing

You’ll need to do some digging to find a good mix of channels at a good price.

Frontier’s Vantage TV and FiOS TV seem to have more similarities than differences. But there definitely are a few differences you should pay attention to before you grab one of these TV services.

Frontier Vantage TV

Most Frontier Vantage TV packages cost more than similar DIRECTV packages—and you get fewer channels.

But the Vantage TV Extreme package brings the value with a lower price and more channels than the DIRECTV PREMIER™ package, which offers 330+ channels for over $100 a month.

Frontier’s Vantage TV also lets you integrate your Netflix account, so you can catch up on Mindhunter without trying to press the right buttons on your remote. (Up, down, left, right, B, A—wait, wrong remote.)

Frontier FiOS TV

If you’re more inclined to grab a lower-tier package, Frontier FiOS TV gives you more bang for your buck than its Vantage counterpart. The FiOS TV Custom Essentials and Prime HD packages have more channels than the comparable Vantage TV Custom Essentials and Prime packages.

But in terms of sheer channel count, FiOS TV does fall a bit behind. Unless you get lucky with that 400+ channel count for the Ultimate HD package and land more than the 460 channels Vantage TV Ultimate gets you.

You’ll also still get that rad Netflix integration with FiOS TV. So next time you want to binge watch all the live seasons of The Blacklist, you’ll just press a button on your FiOS remote to bring up your Netflix account. #EasyButton

Frontier TV bundles

A bundle can save you an armload of money if you choose the right one.

Those aren’t all the bundling options you get, but it’s still pretty clear you save a handful of cash if you bundle your Frontier internet with TV service—whether it’s Vantage or FiOS.

Personally, we prefer the FiOS bundles, since you’ll get those blazing fast download and upload speeds and all the awesome perks of fiber internet. But if surfing the web isn’t your jam, the Vantage internet and TV bundles offer plenty of savings too.

Our package recommendation: FiOS 200/200 + FiOS TV Ultimate

Why’d we pick this plan? Well, for starters, you get a boatload of channels, that sweet, sweet Netflix integration, and a killer 200 Mbps of internet speed. What’s not to love there?

The icing on top is the savings, though. Alone, this internet plan costs $50 a month, and the TV plan costs $110 a month. That’s about $160 a month if you were to buy these two packages separately—but by bundling, you’ll save $40 a month. Now that’s an easy decision.

Frontier TV channels

FiOS and Vantage TV are pretty similar until you try to add premium channels.

Channel counts are cool and all, but will you actually watch all 400 of them? Probably not, but here’s how FiOS TV and Vantage TV stack up when it comes to popular channels, premium channels, and sports channels.

Frontier FiOS TV channel lineup

If you want to channel surf between most or all of the most popular channels, you’ll likely want to grab the FiOS Prime HD package or higher.

A few channels are broadcasted locally or come with the Custom Essentials package, but you’ll still be missing key channels like ESPN, TBC, and more.

• The CW: Broadcast on local channel
• ESPN: Prime HD and above
• FOX NEWS: Custom Essentials and above
• HGTV: Prime HD and above
• MSNBC: Custom Essentials and above
• TBS: Prime HD and above
• Telemundo: Broadcast on local channel
• Univision: Broadcast on local channel
• USA: Prime HD and above

Frontier FiOS premium TV channels

What’s TV without premium channels? If you gotta have ‘em, you’ll get all of them in the Fully Loaded Entertainment Pack, which rings in at about $50 a month.

But if you prefer to pick and choose, FiOS TV offers a few other options to get one or two premium channels at a lower monthly cost.

^{Data effective 10/30/2018. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.}

In our opinion, this is still better than how you get premium channels with Vantage. There you’ll have to sign up for one of the highest-tier plans, which means you’re probably getting a lot of channels you’ll never watch too.

Best Frontier FiOS TV packages for sports

If ESPN doesn’t quite cut it, FiOS TV lets you catch up on all the action from the court, green, or field with the Sports Pass add-on.

• Sports Pass/Premium Sports Package: $9.99–$14.99/month, depending on your location. Includes CBS Sports Network, Golf Channel, MLB Strike Zone, NBA TV, Outdoor Channel, and more.

Frontier FiOS TV video on demand

Need to keep the kids entertained during a sleepover? FiOS TV’s on-demand content should help.

• Free On Demand: Includes movies and shows from categories including kids, music, and entertainment.
• Movies: Keep up with the watercooler gossip at work and watch the latest releases. Or go old school with classics.
• Premium Subscriptions: If you’re subscribed to FiOS TV premium channels, you’ll find plenty of free on-demand content. You can also subscribe to Disney Family Movies and other premium on-demand content.
• Events: Don’t miss out on concerts, sporting events, or uncensored shows. So if your friends go to a Metallica concert without you, it’s almost like you were there.

Frontier Vantage TV channel lineup

Frontier Vantage also has most of the popular channels, but again, you may not be able to find some in the basic Custom Essentials package.

Here’s how you can get your hands on some of the more popular channels, though the package and availability will depend on where you live too.

• The CW: Broadcast on local channels
• ESPN: Vantage TV Prime and above
• FOX NEWS: Vantage Custom Essentials and above
• HGTV: Vantage TV Prime and above
• MSNBC: Vantage Custom Essentials and above
• TBS: Vantage TV Prime and above
• Telemundo: Vantage TV Prime and above (depends on location)
• Univision: Vantage TV Prime and above (depends on location)
• USA: Vantage TV Prime and above

Frontier Vantage premium TV channels

To get most of your favorite premium channels, you’ll have to upgrade to Vantage’s top-tier package, Vantage TV Ultimate.

This is a pretty pricey upgrade, especially considering most other TV providers simply let you add each premium channel onto your plan for an extra $10 to $15 a month.

^{Data effective 10/30/2018. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.}

Best Frontier Vantage TV packages for sports

You won’t have to fork over an arm and a leg to get ESPN, but what about other sports channels? Well, Frontier has a couple of add-on options for you.

• The Sports Package add-on: $10/month or included in the Vantage TV Ultimate package. Includes beIN Sports, CBS Sports Network, Fox College Sports, Fox Soccer Plus, and more.
• HD Premium Tier: $7/month plus a $10/month HD fee ($17/month total). Includes NFL Network HD, NFL RedZone HD, MLB Strike Zone HD, and more.

Frontier Vantage TV on-demand content

If you’d rather snuggle up on the couch than go to the movie theater, Frontier’s Vantage TV service has a few on-demand options.

• Free On Demand: Includes TV programs and movies—plus a wide selection of kid-friendly programs.
• Premium Video On Demand: If you’re subscribed to premium channels like HBO, CINEMAX, or SHOWTIME, you’ll also get to watch premium videos on demand and at no additional cost.
• Transactional Video On Demand: Catch the latest movies for less than the cost of a movie ticket or keep your eyes on the prize with on-demand sports. Heads up—the prices can change.

Frontier TV DVR

We think Frontier’s DVR deserves a gold star.

^{*Frontier Vantage TV has access to only the Whole Home DVR and not the Quantum Enhanced Experience or Premium Experience services.}

^{**Requires two DVRs.}

Frontier’s DVR gives DIRECTV’s Genie and DISH’s Hopper DVRs a run for their money. While the Genie and Hopper still manage to offer more compelling features, the Frontier DVR holds its own with certain features.

Frontier Whole Home DVR features

• You can record up to four HD shows at a time on one DVR.
• You’re able to pause a recorded show in one room and continue watching it in another.
• You’ve got the power to pause, rewind, and fast forward.

FiOS TV also gets access to the Quantum Enhanced Experience and Quantum Premium Experience services. (Sorry Vantage TV users, these aren’t available to you yet.)

The Quantum Experience services beef up the Whole Home DVR features something fierce. We’re talking recording up to 12 shows at once and going ham with two whole terabytes of storage.

Frontier TV contract

There’s no contract for Vantage or FiOS TV—what up!

If you’re just grabbing a FiOS or Vantage TV package, you won’t need to worry about signing a contract. Now that’s refreshing.

Of course, if you go all out and choose DISH for your TV service, you’ll have to sign a two-year contract. That contract is more a DISH requirement than a Frontier requirement, though, so we don’t like to ding Frontier for it.

Early termination fees

Since there’s no contract for FiOS or Vantage TV, you won’t need to worry about early termination fees (ETFs). Even if you bundle with internet.

But if you grab a DISH package but decide it’s not for you before that two-year contract is up, you’ll have to pay an ETF.

Depending on how much time is left on your contract, that DISH ETF could be up to $480.

Frontier TV customer service

To Frontier’s customer service: we’re not mad, we’re just disappointed.

If you consult the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), Frontier rates second-to-last for customer service.¹ That’s pretty shabby—and its score of 56 out of 100 leaves a lot to be desired.

Our experience chatting with Frontier customer service about the DVR wasn’t the worst—but it also wasn’t the best. The service rep was responsive but got a few details mixed up and had to re-clarify for us later.

Of course, this would have been less of a problem if Frontier was more transparent and displayed features and prices on its website. Oh, and if it didn’t require your name, phone number, and email to chat with customer service. (Can you tell that’s a pet peeve of ours?)

Frontier TV recap

Frontier TV is a mixed bag, but there’s a clear path to getting a great deal here.

That’s the nuts and bolts of Frontier FiOS and Vantage TV, but if you just want the TL;DR, here it is.

• Packages and pricing: Frontier’s Vantage and FiOS TV offer up to 400+ channels depending on which package you choose, but heads-up—either one could be on the pricier side.
• Bundles: Bundling Frontier internet with TV lowers the price and raises the value, which is why we recommend grabbing internet with your TV.
• Channels: FiOS and  Vantage TV have a great selection of popular and premium channels, including HBO, SHOWTIME, and CINEMAX. Depending on the channel and your location, you may have to pay for an add-on or the next highest package.
• DVR: We think Frontier’s DVR belongs in the winner’s circle. It’s got lots of great features, plus your shows stay stored until you run out of space.
• Contract: There’s no contract for Frontier’s Vantage or FiOS TV. Winning!
• Customer service: Frontier’s customer service doesn’t get great ratings, and our own experience was pretty “meh.” Long story short, get ready to power up your patience.

Have you tried Frontier Vantage or FiOS TV? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Sources

^{1. American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), “ACSI Telecommunications Report 2018”}