Match a Live TV Service to Your Channels: AI Prompt

Find the cheapest way to get the channels I actually watch.

My must-have channels: {must_have}
Nice-to-have channels: {nice_to_have}
My ZIP code (for local channels): {zip}

Here are the current lineups and prices I copied from each service's own website:
{lineups}

Using ONLY the lineups and prices above:
1. Make a table: must-have channels down the side, services across the top, ✓ or ✗ in each cell.
2. Name the cheapest single service that covers every must-have, if one exists.
3. If none does, find the cheapest combination, including free options like an antenna for local channels.
4. List which nice-to-haves each option adds.
If a channel's availability depends on my ZIP code, flag it rather than assume.

◆ Tested on Claude Opus 5.5 · October 5, 2026. The example below is that model's actual output for the sample details shown. AI answers vary between runs, so check anything important.

Example input

The service names and lineups below are made up for this example. Real lineups change often, so always paste the current ones from each service’s site.

• must_have: ESPN, CNN, HGTV, local NBC
• nice_to_have: Food Network, FX
• zip: 30301
• lineups:
  • Service A, $82.99/mo: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX (local), ESPN, CNN, FX, Food Network, HGTV
  • Service B, $40/mo: CNN, HGTV, Food Network, FX (no sports, no locals)
  • Service C, $45/mo: ESPN, FX (sports-focused)
  • ESPN direct, $29.99/mo: ESPN

Example output

Must-have	A ($82.99)	B ($40)	C ($45)	ESPN direct ($29.99)
ESPN	✓	✗	✓	✓
CNN	✓	✓	✗	✗
HGTV	✓	✓	✗	✗
Local NBC	✓*	✗	✗	✗

*Service A lists NBC as “local”, so check it’s carried in ZIP 30301.

Cheapest single service: Service A at $82.99. It’s the only one with all four, and it adds both nice-to-haves.

Cheapest combination: Service B ($40) + ESPN direct ($29.99) + an antenna for NBC (one-off cost, no monthly fee) = $69.99/month, which is $13/month less than Service A. You keep Food Network and FX through Service B.

Catch: the combination depends on getting NBC with an antenna. If you’re far from the transmitter, Service A is the safe choice. Check your address on the FCC’s DTV reception map before deciding.

Tips

• The key line in this prompt is “using ONLY the lineups and prices above”. AI models often have out-of-date channel lineups, so give it the current ones.
• Perplexity can collect the lineups for you with sources, but check them against each service’s own channel-lookup page.
• Sports fans: see ESPN Select vs Unlimited before choosing ESPN direct.