FiOS TV vs. Comcast Costs

Though new customer discounts are frequently available, regular pricing for Comcast Xfinity TV's three packages starts around $45 per month at the time of publication and can go as high as $105 per month, depending on the package you select. These plans include between 80 and 200 digital channels and an extensive On Demand library. Verizon FiOS TV also offers three plans that range in price from $65 to $90 per month, although various promotions may apply. These packages begin with 195 channels and can include as many as 350, with between 50 and 95 channels in HD.

Verizon customers can add premium movie channels to their FiOS TV package for an extra monthly charge, which may be discounted for the first six or 12 months of service. Regular pricing for HBO is $16.99 and Showtime, Starz and Cinemax are all $11.99 each. Sports packages vary in price from $9.99 for ESPN 3D to $199 for one season of MLB Extra Innings. Comcast Xfinity customers may receive HBO free for several months following sign-up, but regular pricing for premium movie channels ranges from $16.95 to $19 per month. Customers may add individual sports channels for a monthly fee or subscribe to the Sports Entertainment Package for an additional $5 to $8 per month.

Verizon often offers its new customers free premium installation services and, if the order is placed online, the $49.99 activation fee may be waived. For customers who do not order online or who do not receive a promotion, installation is usually around $19.99 per TV. Early termination fees do not apply except in the case of bundles, where a $10 fee may be charged per month of service remaining on the contract. New Comcast customers are responsible for paying between $60 and $90 for installation and activation of new services, though one or both of these fees may be waived during certain promotions. Early termination fees upward of $75 may apply to Comcast Triple Play customers who cancel their package after the first three months.

Both Comcast and Verizon offer their customers the opportunity to save money on their monthly bills by bundling two or three services together into one plan. Both companies offer a basic triple play bundle, including TV, phone and Internet, for less than $100 for the first 12 months. After the first year, however, both services may go up in price as much as $45. The cost of each bundle varies depending on each package selected.