Which Television Package Is Right For You?

Today’s household has more media options than ever before. In fact, the landscape has gotten so diverse that terms usually used to refer to an entire broadcast medium, like radio, have come to be shorthand for a certain kind of service no matter how it’s delivered. Not only do you have the choice between cable and dish providers with multiple plans, but you also have the option to forego television on someone else’s schedule entirely if you want to manage an ecosystem of apps [2] and permissions to make sure you’re getting your entertainment your way.

There’s also the frequent price increases [3] from multiple providers to navigate. Is there a best fit option, though? Many people wind up perplexed because they want features like live television alongside streaming and on-demand options, and it can be difficult to figure out how to get the right balance without overpaying for redundant services.

Get the Most Channels and Online Options

Most networks have apps that work with your cable or satellite provider to confirm permissions now, and the ones that don’t often work with the on-demand system your content provider already has in place. That means you don’t have to worry about that access to on-demand and streaming programming, because networks like NBC will allow you to watch on their apps once they authenticate your service. You also have the chance to navigate an entire constellation of on-demand content through your television, and when you choose the right provider, you can even bundle in DVR to record the shows you don’t want to miss in case they aren’t available on demand later. DISH network packages [4] are one example of a service that regularly fulfills these needs at every price tier with the right add-on services.

OK, So Cable or Satellite?

If you’re convinced not to pull the plug on television service yet because of the support for streaming and on-demand services, you’re going to need to decide whether you’re going with a cable provider or a satellite service. In some places, this will be decided for you. There are just some areas without cable access and others where putting a dish out is almost impossible because of sight lines. That’s okay. Work with what you have. Out of the options that are available at your home, you might wind up with a couple of choices of dish and one or two cable providers. When deciding between the two, there are a couple of different kinds of factors to consider. Let’s talk about programming first.

• Is there a single provider who has more available channels you like at a lower price tier than the others?
• Are there any advantages to purchasing sports channels or premium channels in one company’s package over the others?
• Are there any providers that simply carry channels you want that the others fail to cover?
• Have you checked to make sure you have DVR support, on demand, and other programming supports that meet the channel selection?

If you get through all those questions and there still isn’t a clear leader out of your choices, then it’s time to consider the other practical matters. One criticism of satellite television is the way weather can interact with a dish. Many fans of cable attempt to make it seem like any bit of snow or overcast weather will cause issues, but the fact is most of the problems that derail satellite service also knock out cable relay stations and pull down wires. Inclement weather is just that. The difference with satellite service is that if you place it in an accessible spot, you can adjust your calibration to get back on track if winds knock you off, and you don’t need a service call. That tends to put satellite ahead for many people.