How to Choose the Right Cable Company in Your Area
Home entertainment can come a long way in transforming your house. In fact, it can make or break your experience of watching TV. Spectrum Cable TV shouldn’t be hard but the availability of so many providers with luring TV plans can make things overwhelming, especially for first-time buyers.
No worries, we are here to help. Take a deep breath and follow along as we help you choose the right company and plan:
1: Look for Options in Your Area
Start by narrowing down the cable providers in your area. Don’t just look for the big fish in the sea, sometimes, even the local companies have deals that might just be right for you. Their plans and services need to be available in your area.
Once you have listed down the providers, do your research more about them. Ask among your friends and neighbors about their experience with the provider. You can also look for customer ratings online.
2: Talk to Your Neighbor
You can also ask your neighbor about the cable TV plan they have subscribed to. See what your neighbors have to say about the cable company they have signed up for. Finding out what the locals think about their TV service can teach you a lot. Their opinion or experience can save you from a bad purchase. In other words, they will give you a more realistic view of the cable provider, which most online reviews won’t reveal.
3: Decide What Channels Do You Want
Now, it’s time to decide what channels you want, because obviously, you can’t watch everything. According to a Nielsen estimate from September 2016, Americans receive roughly 205 channels but only view about 20 of them. This means they’re paying for networks they’ll never watch. Don’t be one of those individuals.
A simple approach is to list down the channels you absolutely want. After this, create a list of nice-to-have channels and then a list of bonus channels. To see the channel lineups for each provider, some websites will ask you to enter your zip code or address. You may not be able to see which channels are available if you do not live inside the provider’s service region.
4: Go For a Plan That Fits Your Budget
Most cable companies provide a variety of plans to suit the needs of cable lovers. Usually, the basic subscription starts at roughly $25 per month, however, they usually only include a small number of channels. Premium subscriptions can cost more than $100 per month and include hundreds of cable channels even the premium ones like HBO, and Cinemax.
It’s also worth noting that many cable plans include hidden costs, which add an average of 24% to your annual bill.
5: Bundle It Up To Save More
Bundling is the process of receiving more services for the same price as getting one item separately.
Depending on where you live and what you need, a good internet and TV package can save you more than $1,000 over the course of two years. Most providers have advertised bundled deals combing TV, Internet, and phone services.
You’ll need to determine what internet speed you need and what type of internet service you want i.e. DSL, cable, or fiber optic. If you want cable internet but one of the providers on your list only offers DSL in your location, this could limit your options, though.
Not all bundles are created equal. Check the cost of each service independently and compare it to the cost of the bundle. Make a decision from there.
6: See If They Have Any Deals
The first year, most companies offer a discount of $20 or more on the monthly fee. This is known as the introductory period and once it’s over, the standard price kicks in. Apart from this offer, ask the company if they have any other deals.
Don’t be a slacker; always read the small print to be sure you are not being charged with extras. One thing to keep in mind is the promotion’s expiration date. Make a note of that day on your calendar so that you are not caught off guard by a higher-than-expected bill, and use it as a reminder to rethink your cable bundle.
Once you have found the right company and the right cable bundle based on your interest, you are now ready to sign up.
