Mediacom TV Review (2026): Does Bundling Guarantee Savings?

Mediacom TV includes various popular networks, but you must purchase the most expensive tier, Variety TV, to get those channels. I used Zip code 52403 for Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to unlock pricing, and the base cost was $116.02 per month for Variety TV. If I opted for the lower-tier plan, Local TV, the cost was $39.35 per month. Worse yet, Mediacom cable charges a costly monthly local broadcast station surcharge, plus monthly costs for regional sports networks, not to mention modem rental and activation fees. You can avoid the modem fee if you bring your own, but it must be compatible with Mediacom’s tech.

It’s tough to see the value in either package’s channel lineup. For instance, the Local TV package includes mostly local networks. The Variety TV plan is robust, but it’s missing channels available in most premium streaming services, like ESPNU, NFL Network, and Nat Geo Wild. Mediacom is phasing out TiVo physical DVRs in favor of its Xtream1 streaming box. Customers receive one per account, but you can purchase another for a monthly charge.

Overall, reliability is average, maybe even a little better, based on the experiences of Mediacom cable TV users who speak out online. Most frustrations center around pricing, internet outages, or lack of support from the company. That isn't the case with using the platform itself.

“While Mediacom's customer service is still trash, their service is actually pretty reliable. Way better than it was a decade ago,” said one Redditor about their experience with the platform. Your experience may be different if internet service is unreliable, but users report that Mediacom cable is generally dependable. 

Mediacom cable TV is feature-rich with various tools to help manage your subscription. Unfortunately, you must pay for some of those capabilities. Subscribers can have up to 11 user profiles, and the company states you can have up to five simultaneous streams, though the exact number depends on your hardware and account. Mediacom also supports TV Everywhere, letting subscribers stream live and on-demand channels through the provider's app using their account login.

The company is discontinuing TiVo physical DVRs in favor of the Xtream1 box that supports streaming. Additionally, Mediacom includes one free Xumo Stream Box per account.

There are only two Mediacom cable packages: Local TV and Variety TV. Local TV offers roughly 50 channels, largely consisting of local networks and digital music. If you want a broad range of sought-after cable networks, you must select the Variety TV tier, which also includes everything from the Local TV tier. If you purchase the Variety plan, the Mediacom channel lineup includes over 170 networks.

While Variety TV offers some popular channels, there are some areas where it’s lacking. First, if you want ESPNU, ESPNEWS, NFL Network, ACCN, or SECN, you must purchase the sports add-on. Other platforms often include many of those channels without an add-on. As an avid sports fan, I would not be satisfied with that coverage. Second, although there are some add-ons, Mediacom offers fewer than other companies, like Cox TV. Mediacom also offers a selection of premium movie channel add-ons for film aficionados.

Variety TV offers the following channels: