What is the Average Cable TV Bill?
TL;DR Summary: Americans are paying more than ever for cable TV, with an average monthly bill of $108 in 2025 for TV alone. When bundled with internet, costs soar to an average of $188 per month. Despite this, a visualization shows that most subscribers only watch 15 out of around 200 channels they pay for. Explore the rising costs and channel bloat in the full article.
Most cable TV subscribers are paying somewhere in the $100–$150 per month range for TV alone, and well over $180–$200/month when bundled with internet.
Here is some information based on our research and present in the infographic below:
- The headline average ($108/month for TV alone or $1,296/year)
- Bundle costs and the JD Power data ($188/month)
- Spending distribution across survey respondents
- The channel bloat visualization — 200 blocks showing how only 15 of ~200 channels get watched
- The price trend line showing the 52% surge since 2019
- A cost comparison against streaming alternatives
Average Cable and Internet Bill Infographic
Average Cable TV Bill in the US 2025-2026
2025–2026 Data Report
The TrueCost of Cable
Americans are paying more than ever for cable TV — and watching less of what they pay for than you might think.
in 2025 (TV only)
actually watched
paid for but ignored
Cable bills have surged 52% in recent years — roughly 3× the rate of general inflation. (CordCutting.com)
What Do You Think?
Is this on track with what you're paying? Leave some comments below.
Sources:
- https://cordcuttersnews.com/cable-tv-costs-soar-average-customer-pays-over-100-a-month-many-pay-over-150-a-month-just-for-tv-in-2025/
- https://cordcuttersnews.com/average-cost-of-cable-tv-climbs-to-over-over-147-a-month-over-1700-a-year-as-cord-cutting-grows/
- https://www.jdpower.com/business/resources/average-tv-and-wired-internet-bills-rise-q1-unbundled-wireless-internet-costs
- https://www.cabletv.com/news/channel-bloat-report
- https://research.mountain.com/insights/cable-tv-less-valuable/
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