You may have recently moved or you just want to lower your monthly bills while still watching your favorite shows. This is great, except that finding the best TV cable provider in your area isn’t easy.
With all the internet and streaming TV options available today, determining the best provider that meets your needs and budget can be overwhelming. That’s considering that you also have to choose from one of their many plans. The plans come with different channels, features, prices, and a lot more.
Sure, that new cable service provider offering you an all-inclusive TV package might look great. But what if they raise the cost after you’ve signed up? And what if their customer service is poor? Choosing an internet and TV service provider shouldn’t be difficult, but it is.
That’s especially since provider websites can get complicated and their services are bundled and bundled again. Also, some of the promotional prices expire without warning. This is enough to make you bury your head in the couch cushions. But don’t do that.
Choosing the Best Cable TV Provider
Choosing the best cable TV provider should be done when you know what your needs are. You should also know what your budget is and how long you’ll stick with the same cable services.
In the past, it was easy to get information on cable packages and bundles on company websites. Today, however, it’s quite difficult to get the exact knowledge and decide the best options. That’s because websites are getting complicated and it can be frustrating if you’re not getting what you’re looking for.
But to worry though, because we’re here to help you choose the best cable service provider. We’ll also tell you what to check while selecting a cable service for your home.
1. Research Your Options
The first step to selecting a cable provider is to find out the ones that are available in your area. To do this, you can visit the ZIP.code search tool.
Alternatively, you can go to websites like Allconnect and Digital Landing to narrow down your options on the best cable providers. Once you know the available options in your area, it’s recommended that you do a little research. Ask your neighbors and acquaintances in the area about their cable television providers and what their experiences are.
Does their service go out, for instance, and how often? How quickly is it restored and how can they rate the provider’s customer service? If you’re in the United States, the telecommunications report will help you know how certain TV and internet service providers fared in the American customer satisfaction index.
The annual survey rates some of the largest cable television providers based on the happiness of their clients.
2. Consider The Must-Have Channels and Any Additional Services
While getting cable service, it’s important that you know what you’re looking for. You either want to go with a contract or not.
After narrowing your options on the best cable providers, it’s time you choose the channels that are a must-have. Then check how many television sets in your house need cable service. Be sure to also find out whether you’ll need a cable box for every TV set. How about checking whether you’ll need a home phone and internet access?
The best place to begin will be by looking at the packages on the websites of various providers. Then make use of each website’s comparison tool. The good news is that the sites make it easy as there are detailed channel lists. So go through them and make a decision.
Thoroughly explore the provider’s bundle options if you need phone and internet services as well. You will realize that the lowest-priced bundles provide the slowest internet speeds. Top bundles, however, come with features such as
- 4k video
- Unlimited phone services
- Fastest broadband internet.
3. Do the Math on Cable and Internet Bundles
If you’re one of those people who don’t use the internet, you can skip this stage. But if you’re not, stick around for more details.
Bundling is a smart option. That’s because it results in getting more services at close to the same price as getting an individual service. A good internet and television bundle can save you money in the long term. This is, however, dependent on where you live and what your streaming needs are.
You’ll also have to determine the internet speed that you need and the type of broadband service that you’d prefer. Is it DSL, cable, or fiber optic? This will help to narrow your options in cases where you need cable internet but one of the providers on your list only has DSL.
Keep in mind that not all bundles are good bundles. Thus, you must separately check the prices of the cable and internet service providers and then do a comparison.
4. Make Sure to Get a Plan That Fits Your Budget
Once you have information on providers and the package that interests you, it’s time that you pick the best service. This must, however, depend on your budget.
No doubt that the high-end package may look awesome. But, you may need to settle for a low-end or mid-tier option if you’re tight on funds.
You must also note that the prices that you see on the cable TV provider’s sites are in most cases for a one-year contract. That means that you’ll need to pay more when the one-year lapses. But, you wouldn’t want to choose a package that you won’t be able to afford after one year, would you?
Again, you must remember to keep bundling in mind. The cash that you save from combining your TV and internet service can go to splurging for a premium channel.
Feel free to take a hybrid approach with a traditional pay-tv service and digital streaming. You probably made a list of all the channels that you want and realized that all except a few fall into the basic or mid-level cable or satellite package. Look at the specific shows and movies that you want.
Some of the premium channels run their streaming services such as HBO NOW and Starz. It could also be that you know your favorite show will end up on Netflix when the season ends and you have no problem waiting. Get all the information that you’ll need to help you choose a plan that will serve you best.
5. Ask About Deals and Feel Free to Negotiate
Cable providers usually run deals for new clients, such as free access to movie channels for a set amount of time. As such, you must ensure that you ask customer service representatives about the available deals.
Find out if the company offers any unadvertised deals to new clients. And this is where it pays off to personally call the TV cable provider.
When it comes to negotiating, you may not feel like you have the stomach for haggling. But, you shouldn’t be afraid of asking for what you want when partnering with TV and internet service providers. In any case, you’ve done the research and you know what you could get elsewhere. So show that and provide exactly what you know.
6. You Can Finally Get Connected
Getting a cable provider is a big decision, which is why you must research and do everything to get the best services.
Now you’ve made it through the most difficult process and you have your preferred provider. Go ahead and sign up online. Alternatively, you can also give the company a call to arrange the installation. Once you contact them, you’ll be set up in a little while and ready to enjoy your new cable TV service.
Conclusion
There are many TV service options and providers and making a choice can be overwhelming. That’s, especially, if you’ve just moved. Chances are that you made so many decisions when moving that you don’t feel like making one more.
But, taking a look at cable TV providers and analyzing your watch habits is important. That’s because it will help you to make a decision that best suits your family in your new home. Now, how about a family movie night?