The three biggest pay television companies are continuing to battle it out for the attention of customers. All of them claim to offer the most HD televisions, the best prices, and the most technologically advanced options. But they all can’t be the best, so what should you consider when sorting out the competing claims?
Dish TV packages, offered by the main providers DIRECTV and Dish Network continue to be the lower priced option. While you can usually get a low introductory price on Comcast bundles, the deal only lasts for a year. Most Comcast offers start with the $99 triple play option, which offer basic TV, high speed internet, and unlimited home phone calling. After the year is up most report the regular prices are 50% higher meaning around $150 a month total.
Dish offers also give you a lower price during the first 12 months of service as a new subscriber. This can range anywhere from a $15 to $30 discount depending on the provider and the offer. There is a two year commit time though for satellite service, so you will have to pay more for at least the second year of service. Most cable companies do not force new customers into a contract, though some have begun offering lower prices for those that will commit to a contract agreement.
Now the big difference between dish TV and cable companies is the amount of HD channel content. Both Dish Network and DIRECTV have been battling in the media lately, claiming they have the most HD channels. While this is still a neck and neck race, the one thing you can count on is your satellite provider having more HD shows than almost all cable companies. Only in a few areas will you cable TV company have as much high definition as satellite, though they usually do have plenty of on-demand HD.
