Choosing a Satellite or Cable Company

With the variety available, choosing the right TV provider can be confusing. With a little research, you can get what you want for the right price. Just don't let it overwhelm you and don't go with the cheapest company you find. They may be the lowest priced, but that doesn't mean you'll get what you want.

What channels do you want? A lot of companies will advertise low cost packages, but these don't always include channels you want. These low cost packages are just used to pull you in.

What's available in your area? Look at all of your options. There are still areas where cable television isn't an option. And if you have a heavily wooded lot, you may have to do some trimming before installing a satellite dish.

What are you willing to spend? Some of the larger packages can run over $100. You need to consider what you can afford to pay every month.

What have you heard about the companies? Ask around, see what friends and family have to say. This can give you a feel for what the service is like. If the cable in your area is always out, word of mouth is the best way to find out.

When comparing the companies, write out a side by side list. This will make it much easier to compare them. Include channels, package prices, opinions you've gotten and any specials the companies may be running.

Four years ago, I got sick of watching regular TV. I spent 2 weeks comparing our 3 local cable companies as well as 3 satellite providers. I was almost overwhelmed by the different choices and how to decided. So I did just as this article says. It was easy, worked really well for me and I got what I think is a really great service.

In the end, I decided to go with DirecTv. We have 433 channels and pay about $75 a month. Yes, I could have gone with a cheaper package, but this one has every channel I want. And, they came out and set up everything for us when we moved, at no charge.

Just make sure you do your research and get what you want. The companies are there to serve you, take advantage of it.