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Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)
Confirmed via network classification
Quick Answer
Acorn TV is classified under MCC 4899 (Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)). The best card for Acorn TV purchases is the Business Gold ($375/yr annual fee), earning 4x on cable and other pay television (previously cable services) — an effective return of 8.00%.
Acorn TV falls under the Cable and other pay television category, making it a perfect fit for credit cards that offer generous rewards on streaming services like the Blue Cash Preferred.
Pro Tip
To maximize your rewards, consider setting up automatic payments for your Acorn TV subscription through the Blue Cash Preferred or similar high-reward cards.
Spending Math
If you spend $200 a month on Acorn TV with a card offering 6x points here, like the Blue Cash Preferred, you'd earn $144 annually compared to just $24 from a standard 1% cashback card.
When you pay at Acorn TV in the app or online, your card issuer sees MCC 4899 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a cable and other pay television (previously cable services) merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "cable and other pay television (previously cable services)" purchases, Acorn TV transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Acorn TV specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Acorn TV transaction by checking your card's mobile app or statement. Some issuers display the merchant category alongside the transaction details. For the most accurate information, contact your card issuer's customer service and ask whether MCC 4899 qualifies for bonus rewards.
About MCC 4899: Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)
Merchant Category Code 4899 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services) industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 4899, all qualifying card programs that include cable and other pay television (previously cable services) as a bonus category will apply the elevated earn rate.
The Utilities industry group encompasses several related MCCs. Not all merchants in a similar business will share the same MCC — for example, a grocery store inside a warehouse club may code as wholesale ({"5300"}) rather than grocery ({"5411"}). Always verify with your issuer if you're unsure whether a specific merchant qualifies for bonus rewards on your card.
Other Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services) Merchants (MCC 4899)
Spending $200/month at Acorn TV with the Business Gold (4x on cable and other pay television (previously cable services)) earns approximately $96/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. After the $375 annual fee, that is $-279 more per year.
Prefer no annual fee? The Autograph earns 3x at Acorn TV merchants, earning $72/year with no annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What MCC code does Acorn TV use?
Acorn TV uses MCC 4899 (Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)). Our top pick for this MCC is the Business Gold, which earns 4x (8.00% effective return) on cable and other pay television (previously cable services) purchases.
How much can I earn at Acorn TV with the right credit card?
Spending $200/month ($2400/year) at Acorn TV with the Business Gold ($375/yr annual fee) earns approximately $96/year at 4x. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending — that is $72 more per year with the right card.
Is Acorn TV classified as cable and other pay television (previously cable services) for credit card rewards?
Yes. Acorn TV is classified under MCC 4899 (Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)) by Visa and Mastercard. Cards that list 'cable and other pay television (previously cable services)' as a bonus category — such as the Business Gold — will apply the elevated earn rate at Acorn TV.
Does my credit card earn bonus rewards at Acorn TV?
If your card includes cable and other pay television (previously cable services) in its bonus categories, then yes — Acorn TV's MCC 4899 typically qualifies. The Business Gold earns 4x here. Check your card's app or call your issuer to confirm your specific card's category mapping.
What other stores are in the same category as Acorn TV (MCC 4899)?
MCC 4899 (Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)) is shared by many similar businesses. Other stores in this category include: Amazon Prime Video, AMC+, Apple TV+, AT&T. The same credit card bonus rate applies at all of these merchants.
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Full disclosure
MCC data based on card network classification standards.
Rankings verified monthly from official card issuer terms.
Last verified: April 26, 2026.
Full methodology: www.pointspick.com/methodology.
