Sparklight TV Review

Sparklight has a great list of local channels, but it’s pricier compared to other cable TV providers.

Sparklight
Sparklight TV
2.3 out of 5 stars
2.25
  • pro
    27–100+ channels
  • pro
    No contracts
  • con
    Limited availability
  • con
    Pricey for what you get
Chantel Buchi
Oct 31, 2024
Icon Time To Read4 min read

Sparklight TV has two channel lineups for your home: one package has great basic cable channels, and the other has a solid mix of popular channels.

Although Sparklight doesn’t require you to sign a contract, both TV plans’ dollar-to-channel ratios are on the pricier side compared to the competitors. Sparklight is also only available in 21 states and only in select areas.

Suppose Sparklight is one of the only cable TV providers in your area. In that case, this provider is still a reliable option to enjoy staying up-to-date on the news or watching sports, lifestyle, and entertainment shows.

Before you knock it, let’s dive into the details to see if this is your next provider.

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See if Sparklight is available in your area.

How much does Sparklight TV cost?

The price can be hard to justify if you have other affordable cable providers in your area.

If Sparklight is one of the only choices in your area, you’ll get to choose from two packages: the local channel lineup package or the popular channel lineup package.

It’s about $1.55 per channel for the Economy package and $1 per channel for the Standard package. Unfortunately, Sparklight has one of the biggest dollar-to-channel ratios in the industry. 

But if you order, Sparklight promises your money back as long as you cancel within the first 30 days of your new service if you don't enjoy it.

How much are Sparklight's TV plans?
Plan
Price
TV channel count
Details
Economy Sparklight TV Plus$54/mo.*27+
Standard Sparklight TV Plus$131.75/mo.*Up to 100
* Taxes, fees and surcharges extra. Services may not be available in all areas and programming is subject to change. Rates subject to change. A $10.50/mo Sparklight TV Modem lease is required to get Sparklight TV if you do not have an active subscription to Sparklight Internet Service.

Let us compare Sparklight’s monthly pricing and channel count to other providers that don’t require a contract as well (Spectrum TV, Verizon Fios TV, and Optimum TV.)

As you'll see in the table below, Sparklight’s 100-channel plan is upwards of $50 more expensive than other cable providers’ 100-channel TV plans and with fewer channels.

If Sparklight is your only cable option, just budget accordingly for your entertainment. (Or you could always try out a live TV streaming service for $40–$95 per month).

Other cable television providers plans
Service
Plan
Price
TV channel count
Details
Sparklight TVStandard Sparklight TV Plus$131.75/mo.*Up to 100
Spectrum TVSpectrum TV® Select Signature$95/mo. for 12 mos.155+
Verizon TV - Fios GigYour Fios TV$85/mo.125+
Optimum TVCore TV$95/mo.^125+
* Taxes, fees and surcharges extra. Services may not be available in all areas and programming is subject to change. Rates subject to change. A $10.50/mo Sparklight TV Modem lease is required to get Sparklight TV if you do not have an active subscription to Sparklight Internet Service.
Standard rates apply after promo period. TV equipment may be required, charges apply. Channel availability based on level of service and not all channels available in all markets or locations. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply.
Price with Auto Pay + taxes & equip. charges
^ Offer for new residential customers. Advertised price OFFER for new Optimum residential customers with eligible Internet plan. Rates are subject to change at any time with advanced notice. Advertised price reflects $5 discount for enrolling in Auto Pay & Paperless Billing, must maintain both to keep discount.

Does Sparklight have a contract?

Sparklight doesn’t require a contract! You have the freedom to stay and go as you please.

Does Sparklight have fees?

Like other cable TV providers, Sparklight TV charges fees for renting a set-top box and DVR service.

You’ll want a DVR if you need to record the Sunday morning football game while you’re at church. Or maybe you’ll need to record 90 Day Fiancé while you’re working the night shift. Either way, you’ll get 200 hours of cloud DVR storage to record anything your heart desires.

If you want your sports networks and local news stations to be up and running, you’ll have to face surcharges for those. This isn’t uncommon. (We have some other affordable suggestions if you're looking for only local channels.)

According to Sparklight’s site, they’ll waive your installation fee if you enroll in the “Sparklight Easy Pay” program, which is automated payments from your bank account. (This just makes life easier, so why not?)

How much are Sparklight TV's fees?
Fee
Monthly price
HD set-top box$10.50/mo. each
HD set-top box with DVR$10.50/mo.
Sports surcharge$9.20/mo.
Broadcast TV surcharge$14.44–$30.54/mo.

Data effective 9/10/2024.

Which channels does Sparklight have?

There’s a package full of local channels and a package with a mixture of everything.

If you want to save money and only need basic cable channels for news and some sports coverage, the Economy package is for you.

The Standard package is the better choice if you are willing to spend more for a complete channel lineup with local, kids, movies, and sports channels.

Scroll down a little further for the good stuff, up to and including the sports channels.

Sparklight’s Economy package includes the following channels:

  • ABC
  • CBS
  • The CW
  • C-SPAN, C-SPAN 2
  • Daystar Television Network
  • FOX
  • HSN
  • ION
  • My Network TV
  • NBC
  • PBS
  • Shop HQ
  • TBN
  • Telemundo
  • True Crime Network
  • QVC

Sparklight’s Standard package includes some of the following channels:

  • ABC
  • AMC
  • Animal Planet
  • BBC America
  • Bravo
  • BYU TV
  • Cartoon Network
  • CBS
  • CNN
  • Discovery Channel 
  • Disney Channel
  • ESPN
  • Food Network
  • FOX News
  • Hallmark Channel
  • HGTV
  • Investigation Discovery (ID)
  • Lifetime
  • National Geographic
  • TBS
  • TNT
  • Universal Kids
  • USA Network
  • The Weather Channel

Which premium channels and add-ons does Sparklight TV have?

It might come as no surprise that Sparklight is also on the pricey side with its premium channels. C'mon Sparklight.

For example, Xfinity TV charges $9–$15 for its premium channels, and Spectrum TV charges $6–$15.

If you like the idea of getting Succession and Warrior in your channel lineup, by all means. Otherwise, if you order Sparklight TV, we recommend you save a few dollars by ordering Max, STARZ, CINEMAX, and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME® as a standalone service through their app.

The best deal Sparklight offers is the Digital Value Pack add-on, which lets you add up to 27 channels for $16 per month.

The Digital Value Pack gives you extra channels, including Lifetime Movie Network, CBS Sports, NFL Network, Disney Jr., Disney XD, Big Ten Network, ESPNews, ESPNU, and POP.

The Hispanic Tier includes 9–19 channels (depending on your location), such as Cine Mexicano, Fox Deportes, and NBC Universo.

How much are Sparklight TV's premium channels?
ChannelAdd-on monthly price
Max$19.00/mo.
STARZ/Encore$17.00/mo.
CINEMAX$19.00/mo.
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®$10.99/mo.
Two Movie Services$32.00/mo.
Three Movie Services$42.00/mo.
Digital Value Pack$16.00/mo.
Hispanic Tier$6.00/mo.

Data effective 8/17/2023.

Which Sparklight package is best for sports?

Sparklight’s $54 per month package is a little scarce in the sports channel lineup.

If you’re a sports fan, you were already considering the $132 per month plan. With this plan, you’ll be able to watch talk shows on ESPN and FS1, and replays of Roger Federer take on Rafael Nadal in the Opens.

Sparklight’s Economy TV plan includes the following channels for some sports coverage:

  • ABC
  • CBS
  • FOX
  • NBC

Sparklight’s Standard TV plan includes the following sports channels:

  • Bally Sports South (regional)
  • ESPN, ESPN2
  • Fox Sports 1, FS2
  • Golf Channel
  • NBC Sports Network
  • Tennis Channel

If you’re a huge sports fanatic, then, of course, you need more sports channels. So, consider getting the Digital Value Pack. The $16 per month add-on includes the following:

  • ACCN
  • Big Ten Network
  • CBS Sports Network
  • ESPNews
  • ESPNU
  • SEC Network
  • Stadium Sports Atlantic
  • Stadium Sports Central
  • Stadium Sports Pacific
  • NFL Network
  • Olympic Channel

How much is Sparklight’s DVR?

Get Sparklight’s HD DVR for $10.50 per month, or pay nothing if you already have one.

For most other cable TV services, you have to pay an average of $10–$15 per month for the DVR service. Well, Sparklight isn’t any different.

For $10.50 per month, you’ll get Sparklight’s HD DVR, allowing you to record up to 200 hours. So, go ahead and record over 60 movies or 200 TV show episodes.

If you’d like to save some cash, another option is using the DVR you already have at home (or take a look at our top favorite DVRs). You’ll just have to rent Sparklight’s CableCARD for $2.95 per month.

Recap: Is Sparklight TV worth it?

Sparklight is more expensive than most cable TV providers, but it’s a reliable option.

If Spectrum TV, Verizon Fios TV, or Optimum TV aren’t available in your area, Sparklight is a solid option.

Sparklight has an excellent channel lineup and a decent number of channels to keep you entertained, but its dollar-to-channel ratio is a bit steep compared to other TV providers. So, just budget accordingly.

It’s perfect for those who want to be informed about the local, national, and international news. Sparklight also has a TV package for families who’d like a wide range of channels so there’s something to watch while you’re winding down on a weeknight or for Saturday movie night.

If Sparklight isn’t available in your area or doesn’t have the channel lineup you need, check out our top cable TV providers for other options.

In addition to their TV options, Sparklight also provides internet services.

How much is Sparklight TV?
Plan
Price
TV channel count
Details
Economy Sparklight TV Plus$54/mo.*27+
Standard Sparklight TV Plus$131.75/mo.*Up to 100
* Taxes, fees and surcharges extra. Services may not be available in all areas and programming is subject to change. Rates subject to change. A $10.50/mo Sparklight TV Modem lease is required to get Sparklight TV if you do not have an active subscription to Sparklight Internet Service.
Chantel Buchi
Written by
Chantel is all about finding the best tv or streaming service to watch as many football games as possible to keep her Fantasy Football team in check. A former TV and Streaming Tech Reporter for Reviews.org, she has also worked for NFL Network and The Alliance of American Football. Before that, she received a B.A. of Communication at the University of Utah and an M.S. in Sports Journalism at USC. Go Utes and Fight On.

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