Optimum’s channel lineup isn’t one fixed list — it depends on which package tier you choose and which market you’re in. As of July 2026, Optimum runs two different package structures depending on your area: an older tier structure (Basic, Core, Select, Premier TV) used in most legacy Cablevision markets, and a newer streaming-first structure (Entertainment TV, Extra TV, Everything TV) rolling out in other markets. Below is what’s typically included in each so you know roughly what you’re getting before you sign up — for the exact lineup and channel numbers at your address, check with Telemedia Solutions directly, since Optimum’s own channel guide varies by ZIP code.

What Channels Are in Each Optimum TV Package?

Optimum’s Two Channel Package Structures

Standard Tier Structure (Basic, Core, Select, Premier)

Standard published rates for this structure run roughly $53/mo (Basic) to $190/mo (Premier) before any promotional bundle discount — see our Optimum TV Plans guide for current bundle pricing.

Newer Streaming-First Structure (Entertainment, Extra, Everything TV)

In markets where Optimum has rolled out its newer video model, you’ll instead see these three packages, delivered through the Optimum Stream app rather than a traditional set-top box:

Popular Channel Categories Across Optimum Tiers

Regardless of which structure serves your address, most Optimum TV packages sort their channels into a few recognizable categories once you get past the entry-level tier:

Sports Channels

National sports networks — ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, and NFL Network among them — typically show up starting at Core TV or Extra TV. Regional sports networks (covering local NBA, NHL, MLB, and NFL teams) are usually concentrated in Select TV, Premier TV, or Everything TV, so sports fans following a specific home team should double-check regional coverage before assuming it’s included.

News and Information

Local news affiliates and major cable news networks (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC) are widely available starting at the lower-middle tiers. Financial and international news channels tend to appear higher up the lineup, closer to Premier or Everything TV.

Kids and Family Programming

Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, and Nickelodeon-style family programming generally enter the lineup at Core TV/Extra TV and expand at each tier above that, making the mid-tiers a common landing spot for households with kids.

Premium Movie and Entertainment Channels

HBO Max, STARZ, CINEMAX, and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME are bundled into the top tiers (Premier TV, Everything TV) but are also purchasable as standalone add-ons on lower tiers — useful if you want one premium channel without paying for the full top-tier bundle.

How to Know Which Structure Applies to You

Which of the two structures — and which exact channels — you’ll see depends entirely on your address. Optimum’s own online channel guide (organized by ZIP code) is the only fully reliable source, because even within the same state, one town can be on the legacy tier names and a neighboring town can be on the newer streaming packages.

Related Optimum Guides

Channels are just one piece of the picture. See our Optimum Internet Plans guide for speed tiers and pricing, our Optimum Mobile Plans guide for bundle savings, our fees and contracts guide for installation and equipment costs, and our availability guide to confirm Optimum reaches your address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all Optimum packages include local channels?

Basic TV and the legacy tiers built on it do. Entertainment TV, in the newer streaming structure, does not include local broadcast stations by default.

Can I get premium channels without the top tier?

Premium channels like HBO Max, STARZ, and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME are also available as standalone add-ons on lower tiers in most markets, rather than only bundled into Premier TV.

Do channel lineups change over time?

Yes — networks are occasionally added, dropped, or moved between tiers, so it’s worth reconfirming your lineup periodically, especially after a plan change.

The Bottom Line

The channel count on paper matters less than which structure — legacy or streaming-first — actually serves your address, since that determines whether local broadcast channels, premium add-ons, and app-only access work the way you expect. Two neighbors on the same street can be quoted completely different lineups. Call Telemedia Solutions at (888) 524-0037 and we’ll pull the exact channel guide for your ZIP code before you choose a tier.