Four Elements to Look At
Despite the rise of the Internet, television still plays a major role in the everyday life of most people. The TV set is still the center of the household, even though that may change in the not-too-distant future. Consequently, picking a TV provider is a very important decision that can significantly impact your quality of life.
For that reason, it is not something you want to do on a whim. Now, choosing the provider which is best for you depends on your particular needs and availability. Regardless of those details, there are certain features which are universally important. In other words, there are things you should always look at when you find yourself in a situation such as this.
This article will highlight those aspects and explain their relevance. The goal, of course, is to get the best service possible for the least amount of money. By keeping the following questions in mind, you should be on your way to achieving this.
1. Selection of Channels
Of course, everything starts with making sure the TV provider actually has the channels you want to watch on offer. While there is a lot of overlap between different providers, you will not find the same channels everywhere.
In this regard, it is very important to look for quality over quantity. It really does not matter if you can get 50 extra channels overall when you’re missing the one you really need. To put this in concrete terms, a 2016 report by Nielsen states that the average American adult receives over 200 television channels but only actually watches around 20 of them.
This means that the best approach is to make a list of those 20 or so channels that you really need and see how different providers measure up. You should also keep an eye out if those channels are available as part of the basic plan or if you need to pay extra. This holds particularly true for specialty channels, such as sports, movie, or music.
2. Packages & Prices
Naturally, nobody wants a big bill at the end of the month. Therefore, it’s a no-brainer that you should look for the lowest price, but it’s actually a fair bit more complicated than that.
On the one hand, unless you’re satisfied with the basic offer, you’ll need to look at channel packages. And this is where you actually can see a noticeable difference between providers. For example, one company may give you several premium channels at no extra cost. Another provider may have a great deal on sports packages but charge a lot for something like HBO. Once again, you need to go back to the previously mentioned list of must-have channels and see how much it will cost you to get a package that includes all of them.
On the other hand, bundles go beyond mere channels. They even go beyond just TV. Nowadays, most providers also offer internet. It is not uncommon for those packages to also cover phones – both landline and mobile.
You thus need to look at the big picture. Bundle deals are, without fail, the most affordable way to fulfill your telecommunication needs. Even if you need to pay a little extra for some channels, it can be more than worth it in the long run if that provider can give you a nice deal on everything else.
3. Special Offers
The simple truth about this industry is that there is a lot of competition. That’s why it’s so difficult to settle on one TV provider – the offer can be overwhelming. But this can also work to your advantage. There are a lot of companies vying for the same market, so attracting customers is key – and that means special deals.
If you are a new client, TV providers will frequently offer much lower prices during the initial period. That’s why getting informed about these promotions and comparing them is a very good use of your time. Ultimately, you can end up saving hundreds of dollars on a yearly basis. Just make sure you remember when this deal expires so you don’t get surprised by a higher bill.
4. Customer Service Reputation
TV providers are rather infamous for their customer service. As a result, their customer support, or lack thereof, has been the butt of many a joke. However, there is absolutely nothing funny about your TV service acting up just before a big game or when a new episode of your favorite show is on.
That is why it is important to research how quickly a TV provider usually addresses these issues. This also applies to those situations when something’s wrong with your bill.
In order to do this, you can check sources such as the ACSI (American Customer Satisfaction Index). You can also simply talk to the people you know – consult with friends and ask around your neighborhood.
This is something that can easily slip your mind while you’re focused on the channels and prices but can be a source of endless frustration. Good customer support is essential for long-term satisfaction and it pays to do your research.
Conclusion
As mentioned, every user has specific needs so there is no one answer as to the best TV provider. Still, these four elements are bound to make a huge difference when it comes to making the right choice.
It is thus a good idea to investigate these areas before you make any commitments. Gather the data which is relevant to you and set your priorities. By doing that, you’ll be on the right track to finding the right TV provider.