Just moved into a new place and are about to make the most important decision of your life? Of course, we are talking about what cable TV package to try out your luck with. Now, this might sound easy, but it actually can get quite tedious, especially with so many options out there.
Before choosing a cable TV plan, make sure to find out its availability in your area. The safest option to go about is subscribing to Spectrum packages since they are widely accessible throughout around 44 states.
You do not only have to check for availability in your region but also look for different plans they might offer. This means all cable TV providers come with a variety of features, perks, prices, and more.
In other words, you need to do your RESEARCH first. Luckily, this time we have done that for you.
We have compiled a list of things that you cannot afford to miss when selecting the most operational and suitable cable TV package in your area.
Sounds relieving? We thought so!
Time to put on the explorer hat and get started with the steps to find the perfect cable TV package.
Explore Your Options
This is the most crucial step we often tend to skip. What is the point of spending hours doing research and later finding out that most of the options you have narrowed down are not even available in your area? Sounds silly and we do not want you to do that.
Know that many websites and cable TV providers offer packages and plans by address. So, do a little digging and once you have 2-3 feasible options, it would be easier for you to go with the most convenient one.
Let’s say you have selected XYZ as per your requirements and demands, the next thing is to ask around neighbors and friends about their experience using that package or plan. Is it actually worth the money? Does the service go out sometimes? If yes, how often and how long does it take to restore?
You can also view the ratings of this particular package on their websites and social media handles to help fasten the decision process. That gives a pretty clear picture. If you are still confused, check for telecommunication rating reports for different countries and regions on the internet.
Make a List of Must-have Channels
Yes, you would literally have to take a notebook and start listing down all the channels you and your family members would like to watch. Why is it important? According to a 2016 report by Neilson, more than 50 percent of American adults get 200-215 channels but end up watching only 20 of them. What does this imply? That we might also pay for channels we are never going to watch. Do you want that? Of course, not!
So, be wise, save your money, and do not be one of those people.
Have you made your list of channels to watch? If yes, let’s proceed, and if you are still thinking of skipping this step, we would want you to give it a second thought. After all, you would not want to spend more than a hundred dollars annually on a channel whose name you have not even come across.
Those of you who have decided on the channels, start searching for providers and packages that include them. Many people after this step realize that they do not even need a cable provider because they can stream their favorite shows on Hulu or Netflix. And, if you have also come to this realization, great, you have saved a great deal of money.
Check for the Pricing
Majority of cable TV providers offer different plans and packages fitting your budget perfectly. If you ask about the cheapest plans, they can start from 25-30$ for a month and go up to 100$. Obviously, the cheaper ones will not have all your favorites and most of them would be local channels but if you are on a tight budget and can only afford those, then great to have something instead of nothing.
Premium packages that cost more than 100$ usually have the most-watched channels like Stars, HBO, ABC, and more.
Note: Many cable packages come with a hidden fee.
They typically add an average of 24 percent to the yearly bill. According to a Consumer Reports study from 2019, if the annual TV cable package of a provider is advertised as 1200$, it is actually 1645$.
How to avoid this?
Honestly, there is no way out. It is called a hidden fee for a reason and the only way to avoid is by cutting your TV cable or going with a streaming service instead. Hence, all the emphasis is on choosing your cable TV provider wisely.
Never Ignore Reviews
You must be wondering at this point why there is a separate subhead for “reviews” when we already mentioned in a one-liner above about why they matter. Basically, reviews are imperative in these digitally advanced times: they are everything. There is a digital check and balance for everything brands and websites do. If you have a bad service or product at hand, there is no way you can get away with it. It will hardly take a few seconds before the whole world finds that out.
So, the last and most important thing you need to do is take a deep breath, take as much time as you need, and read comments and reviews for firstly the provider you are opting for, and then the package that best fits your needs.
Checking for reviews does not only give you an idea of the issues a certain provider or package has, it also tells a lot about how the provider is catering to those issues. You will not regret this investment of time and energy and you can take our word for it.
Final Verdict
Choosing a cable package is as important as choosing a cable TV provider. You need to make effort by finding out everything you can on the internet and from friends. However, by following the above-mentioned tips and tricks, you can certainly ensure amazing channels at affordable rates.
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