What is the Difference Between Cox Contour TV Preferred and Ultimate?
Cox Contour TV: The Preferred Package may contain more than one color option or even two different designs, while the Ultimate Package may contain a single color option or design without even that.
Cox Communications has two main TV packages for its Contour service; Preferred and Ultimate with many options. These two offer a more comprehensive channel lineup and some features through the Contour platform; however, there are some differences in the channel list and tariffs. Here, I discuss what each package provides so you see which one will suit you best.
Preferred Overview
The Cox Contour TV Preferred is one of the cable packages offered by Cox Communication, positioned as a midtier package, which means it is positioned beneath the Cox Contour TV Ultimate but above the Cox Contour TV Essential package. In essence, it offers a vast majority of the most watched channels without the prohibitively expensive costs of the Ultimate tier.
Here’s a quick rundown of key Preferred details:
- Price: Ranges from $90$120+ per month depending on the location of the store and whether any special offers are being advertised.
- Channels: 140+ channels
- This comprises locals, Cable TV giants such as ESPN, FX, USA, and other well-known Cable networks, regional, and various news channels.
- Notable exclusions: There are no HBO or Showtimetype movie channels that require an additional cost on top of the basic cable package.
- Equipment: Contour Voice Remote and some features of Contour such as Voice Command, Restart, powering live television programs to the initial part, Television Applications.
In other words, the Preferred package lies midway between basic cable and the wider selection offered by the Plus package but is not exhaustive. The channel lineup is geared towards featuring national cable networks and regional sports in a bid to capture the largest market.
Ultimate Overview
The Cox Contour TV Ultimate is the highest tier of Cox cable packages offering the largest number of channels and the possibility to incorporate extras like premium channels. Here are the key Ultimate details:
- Price: Their rental prices range from $120$150+ per month depending on the zone it is located in.
- Channels: 235+ channels
- Adds all the channels in the category Preferred and also includes FX Movie Channel, Nat Geo Wild, BBC America, more sports Channels, and many more.
- Some of the extra features to have access to the channel package such as HBO, Showtime, Starz, and Cinemax.
- Equipment: Contour Voice Remote and ability to navigate through Contour content
All in all, Ultimate does justice to its moniker by providing the best Cox Cable channel lineup and additionally, premium movie choices. It is for the viewer who would like to get a chance to have a look at all the channels available.
Comparing Channels & Content
All right, now it is time to take a closer look at some of the differences between the channel lineups and programming options offered in the Preferred and Ultimate packages.
Sports Channels
Ultimate package has additional regional sports networks from the rest of the country, and other channels including, MLB Network, MLB Strike Zone, Outdoor Channel, and Olympics Channel among others. Thus, if a sports fan, wants to get as much information about national and regional competitions, as possible, is important, Ultimate offers more value.
Kids & Family Channels
Families who have children or who have young ones may find it useful to have added kids channels in the Ultimate package such as Baby TV, Boomerang, Duck TV, and Nickelodeon Toons. There are also many family-oriented channels in the Ultimate list including the Cooking Channel, Discovery Family, UPtv, and many others.
International Channels
There is also a higher number of international programming interest in Ultimate with features such as Africa channel, Asia TV, Filipino TV, Italian Cultural channel, Russian Television, etc. Some of the channels are as follows: Channels representing some parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and others.
Premium Channels
HBO, Showtime, Starz, Cinemax, and Epix are some of the additional packages from Ultimate that are offered to users. Each premium network offers the most popular shows and movies and cable and broadcast shows with limited commercials. Preferred subscribers can add these premiums on but they must incur additional charges over the base package fee.
Contour Guide Features
It also comes with the Contour program guide system and voice-activated remote control for both packages. This system makes finding, recording, and accessing these programs very easy. Unique features include:
- Some of the features include voice commands to switch to the desired channel, search for shows, and receive suggestions.
- My resume shows progress from the start.
- Cloud DVR storage and recording possibilities
- Having permission to access the Contour Flex app to view remotely
- Ability to connect and work with other popular streaming apps such as Netflix, YouTube, or Pandora.
So when it comes to channel selection, Contour offers an excellent and unique way of watching your shows, regardless of which TV package you are subscribed to.
Preferred vs Ultimate: The Catalyst for DecisionMaking
Lastly, with an understanding of the basic dissimilarities in place, how does one decide which package is best for a household? Here are a few key questions to ask as you evaluate Contour Preferred vs Ultimate:
1. Do the premium channels that are being offered here fall under your list of programs that you regularly watch and appreciate? If dramas, movies, and original series from HBO, Showtime, and other networks are relevant, then Ultimate makes the most sense.
2. Do you support more than one regional sports team? Ultimate has the largest number of regional sports channels and thus broadcasts more sporting events than its rivals.
3. Did you watch channels of the different international countries of your choice in your home? Ultimate is another case of international programming, where the choice appears to be simply superb.
4. Would you like the strongest set of channels for your family in terms of the novel network interests? Something can be said for targeting as many people as possible and Ultimate has a lineup that is almost overwhelming in its variety.
If your answer is in the affirmative to some or all of these questions, then the ultimate package though expensive compared to other packages is useful for you. This is because you might come across short-term promotions which see the normal price of the product being slashed.
However for most households, Preferred is still a good enough cable system with enough programming to satisfy its customers at a cheaper per-month cost. This means that if you watch some of the channels mentioned above, then you should consider checking the other channels that have been left out. If not, it should at least meet the expectations with around 140+ favorite channels including sports, news, lifestyle, kids shows, and many others.
The Bottom Line
All those living in the Cox Communications service area need to take their time to consider the Contour TV platform. Specific additions like Restart, voice command, cloud DVR, and more make the top of the next-gen features on top of the channel packages.
While deciding on going with Preferred or Ultimate, one should take into account the premium channels, amount and types of sports and regionals, world programs, and the possibility of adding something extra. Preferred: As some people may agree, this company has a fine selection with reasonable prices to match. However, the cord-cutters and price-conscious consumers will not find much value in Ultimate’s channel selection. That being said, sports fanatics, movie lovers, and anyone who wants as many channels as possible will get their money’s worth with Ultimate. Regardless of the tier you choose, it will be quite simple to watch and explore even more of what you enjoy with Contour.
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