The variety of channels available through cable television is seemingly endless. Choice and options are at the touch of a button. This wide selection of channels and programming ensures that every household with a cable subscription has access to diverse programming to meet their information needs and entertainment desires. The negative side of this is the way cable companies lump the channels together. Families are often required to get channels they do not desire in order to have the channels they want to watch. These package offerings can be costly and bring programming into the home that is undesired for many reasons. It may be as simple as the family not caring for the programming, or the package may have channels that have inappropriate content for family members.
When compared to antenna television reception and satellite television, cable is considered to be a much more reliable option for reception. Cable service that is a direct feed into your home and television set has fewer outages and fewer instances of static or loss of picture due to weather conditions. However, some cable services may still experience outages or faulty equipment. These instances are becoming fewer and fewer as technology continues to improve.
While some basic cable does not require you to have any more than a coaxial cable to be connected to the service, many companies require cable boxes and specific remote controls. These boxes provide access to more channels, High Definition capabilities, DVR, and Video on Demand. With a new contract, often this equipment is free, but after the introductory period you may be charged a fee to continue to use this equipment to access the services you have chosen.
Cable is a contracted service. Many cities have access to multiple service providers, creating a competitive market for the consumer to get the best deal. Introductory prices offer great savings and deals for the consumer, but make sure you read the fine print. These prices often go up dramatically six to 12 months after the beginning of service. Premium channels cost extra. Keep your paperwork that outlines your contract, to ensure you are billed correctly. At the end of your introductory period, it may be wise to call the company's customer service to see if you can renegotiate in a competitive market. While they may not lower your cost, they may offer you additional service or channels.