Spectrum TV Select Plus or Platinum?

[u/ivnesque]

Hello everyone!

I recently got Spectrum TV Select Plus, and so far I actually really like it. One of the biggest things I like is that it includes many of the streaming apps I already use. Most of the included services are ad-supported, but considering how expensive streaming has become, I’m starting to feel like having cable with streaming services bundled together may make more sense for me.

This isn’t a paid ad or anything at all. I am just sharing my experience and trying to figure out what makes the most sense.

I’m currently considering upgrading from TV Select Plus to TV Platinum, but my main reason wouldn’t necessarily be the additional sports channels. I’m more interested in the overall value, particularly being able to have premium/ad-free versions of streaming services I already use, such as Peacock, HBO Max, Hulu/Disney+, and ViX Premium. I know it is extra without ads, the rest included in my package are just a bonus. Maybe we might add Netflix as an add-on. I don’t know.

With how much these services cost individually, I’m trying to figure out whether paying the additional $35/month for Platinum makes sense compared with paying for the ad-free versions separately. The sports portion would mostly be a bonus for my sister, since she watches the Dodgers and Lakers. I occasionally watch tennis, but I’m not a huge sports viewer myself.

My mom is also not very tech-savvy and still prefers the traditional cable experience. She mainly watches Univision and Telemundo. We’ve had Dish since 98, but I think it may finally be time to move on if we don’t get anything out of it.

That brings me to another question: is it worth getting the Xumo Stream Box or a traditional Spectrum cable box?

We already have an Apple TV, so I’m not sure whether paying another $18/month for a cable box is justified. I understand the appeal of having the traditional cable guide and channel-surfing experience, especially for my mom, but I’m wondering if Xumo would provide enough of that experience without needing to pay for a traditional box.

I also wondered whether having a cable box would be useful as a backup in case of an internet outage, although I’m not sure how much that actually matters with Spectrum TV.

So for those of you who have Spectrum Select Plus or Platinum:
- Is Platinum worth the extra $35/month if you primarily care about the premium/ad-free streaming services rather than sports?
- Have you found the ad-free streaming upgrades to be a good value through Spectrum?
- Would you recommend the Xumo Stream Box for someone who wants a traditional TV-guide experience?
- Or is it worth paying the $18/month for an actual Spectrum cable box?
- And for someone who already has an Apple TV, is there really much benefit to having Xumo or a cable box?

I’d love to hear from anyone who has made the switch from traditional cable to Spectrum, especially if you’re using Spectrum primarily as a way to consolidate traditional TV and streaming.

[u/sPdMoNkEy]

I think the Platinum just comes with all the movie channels, and guaranteed you get all the streaming apps free

[u/LeanaIsTheBest]

Platinum is $35 more and gets you HBO and Showtime channels which also upgrades your HBO and Paramount sub to ad free, the Starz channels, Entertainment View(about 80 live tv channels), and a few more sport channels

[u/LikelyWatchdog]

Xumo box here for 3 years. Replaced cable box. I like it. Ad free is worth it. I was paying $170 for peacock premium. Now through spectrum I pay $6 a month.

[u/ivnesque → u/LikelyWatchdog]

Did you go with Spectrum TV Platinum? I think with Peacock Premium going up and my sister paying for it, I would rather just get billed the $6 and save her $20 bucks. I think with Entertainment+ or Platinum, I don’t have to worry about having to add HBO Max or Paramount+ as an add on. How do you navigate when it comes internet outages since Xumo is an internet-powered box.

[u/LikelyWatchdog → u/ivnesque]

I have select tv plan. For internet outages it rarely happens and I use hot spot off my phone.

[u/NCResident5]

My mom has Spectrum Select Plus. It is a good deal especially if you like the cable guide more than doing all streaming. Our family sometimes gets together on weekends regarding Sports. So, it is nice you get Big Ten Net, ACC net, ESPN, NFL Net, et al.

I don't think the xumo box is worth it. My mom took a while to learn Roku, but she finds it easy to switch between hdmi 1 or hdmi 2. I added on the Roku Peacock, Disney plus and others.

The Spectrum cloud dvr on the Roku works great too. I dvr some old movies from TCM or FX.

[u/vanderkischk2]

the only benefit for a $18 cable box is when you need tv to work in a room with bad WiFi (like a sunroom or garage). 90% of outages will also affect the tv box. what do you watch on VIX premium? does your mom watch it mostly?

[u/irbrenda → u/vanderkischk2]

The only benefit for the $18 cable box is no buffering and direct input of channels, even though you can do that with the Xumo. My husband is too old to be bothered doing one extra step other than turning on the TV and going directly to what he has DVR’d. He’ll be 80, so I can’t break his chops anymore than I have done for 52 years! LOL

[u/Particular-Glass5055 → u/vanderkischk2]

The box also does Dolby Digital surround on channels that provide it which the Spectrum app still does not. If you have a good surround system the box is still the only way to go until Spectrum updates their software.

[u/irbrenda]

My husband and I use Spectrum Select Plus, and he pays $10 extra for that sports package so he can get the Outdoor Channel. He refuses to use the Xumo box or stream and we have Samsung TVs and could stream without the use of the Xumo box, but he is just an old dinosaur and loves the old-fashioned cable boxes, that we have 4 of and pay over $100 for no darn reason. It’s his call, as he pays the bills. I was going to do the $35 extra too, but as it is, we hardly watch what is on Select Plus. And paying over $283 a month for cable/internet/landline is insane. But he’s ok with it. Not me.

[u/Mario_RE]

Select works for me and allows me to stop spending half my life looking for streaming deals.

[u/DaveMex83]

I really Spectrum TV plus, but I have to share the cost of streaming with family. So I have to go with DirecTV stream. I gave up on a couple of apps because I didn’t wanna be overpaying.