Saving money on cable-satellite television

The Sopranos. Weeds. Sex and the City. These shows could only be seen by subscribers to premium cable or satellite television. In recent years, premium cable channels have produced shows that have led families to purchase cable and satellite services just to be able to watch their favorite shows. But often when families are facing financial difficulty, cable television or the satellite service is usually one of the "luxuries" that is cut to save money. Yet many parents cannot fathom life without the "Disney Channel" or the "Cartoon Network" and many men feel it is a necessity to watch their favorite sports teams. And how will they keep up with the series they have grown to love over the years. So if families want to keep their premium programming, can they do it and save money? The "new" cable industry
Thirty years ago, most cities and towns has only one cable provider. Like it is today, cable rates were regulated by the local franchising authority, which is usually a city or county governing body. This does keep cable rates steady, but the influx of competition and satellite services have given consumers more choices.

ATT and Windstream, once only providers of phone service, now provide satellite television through other providers such as the DISH Network and DirecTV. Some local utility companies are also getting into the cable business. Consumers can purchase "package deals" that include telephone, Internet and cable or satellite services. If you need all three of the services, you can save money by purchasing a package deal.

The satellite television industry is very competitive. Many companies have special offers in local coupon books. These include free installation or a free surge protector. Make sure you check out the companies. The Better Business Bureau will be able to give you information about the company.

Will cable or satellite save you money?

Choosing cable or satellite services is a matter of preference and budget. You will pay between $30 up to over $100 a month, depending on the provider and the package you choose. Here are some important questions you should ask yourself before deciding.

Do you really need 250 channels? That satellite dish with the large number of channels may sound like a good deal at around $69 per month, but how many of those channels will you really watch? Both cable and satellite services offer a wide variety of packages-some for less than $30. If you are trying to save money, is it wise to buy the largest package? Will it be cheaper to rent movies weekly or order a premium package that includes movie channels such as HBO or Showtime?

What are the equipment costs? You can't have satellite television service without a dish. However, some companies will give you the equipment free if you agree to a lengthy contract. Some digital cable services require you to rent a "box." Add these costs in when deciding how much to pay for your cable or satellite service.

Is one of the package deals right for you and your family. If you need Internet service because you have school children at home who need to use it for homework and you need great channel to keep everyone happy, a package deal could be right for you.

You have to consider reliability. Satellite services will often go out during a severe storm. Do you have another way of getting pertinent information in case of an emergency? If you begin having problems with your system, is a repairman close or will one have to come from another city? What kind of customer service will you receive if you have a problem with your service or bill. Cheap cable or satellite services are not truly cheap if the service is bad.

Going back to the "old days"

If you don't want a monthly bill to be able to watch television, you can consider an antenna. Thirty years ago, outdoor antennas were everywhere. Inside antennas, affectionately known as "rabbit ears," allowed consumers to receive local channels. Some preferred to purchase an outside antenna, which was usually placed on the roof of a home.

Antennas are still available but you may want to consider the cost. You can purchase an indoor antenna at a local discount retailer for as low as $30. Other antennas and outside antennas can cost several hundred dollars.