by Sharon Jones
Both cable TV and internet services in America are overly charged. Being said that, some big companies offer some budget-friendly packages - bundled with TV services. For example, Mediacom Cable TV or super-fast Spectrum internet still comes at quite a reasonable price. But generally cable TV prices are high these days. But why? Let's dig deeper into it. In this article, we are going to shed some light on how can you save on basic cable TV and basic internet connection.
The basic cable package (bundled with the internet) is slightly different from the standard package. The basic package usually has those 23 channels at the start that people don't even watch much of, whereas standard packages offer around 30 channels. This is a trick played by internet service providers as most of the people are going to purchase a standard package. It can be very tricky when looking for cable in my area.
The basic package offers DVR, almost a hundred TV channels, a few channels along with some more stuff. However, it doesn't allow users to use premium channels like HBO, also it doesn't provide on-demand free TV channels.
I figured out that Dish TV is quite a lot less expensive than others - to see Dish TV Packages click here, and you can compare for yourself. Then there is also DirecTV, which has great customer service a pretty good UI as well.
Comcast is also one of the main players here with its foot mark in more than 40 states – which is pretty impressive. Nevertheless, they offer the basic cable TV plus internet package for $90. Also, a VOIP landline can be bundled with it - if needed.
Some tips to save money and reduce internet's bill:
i. Trim down your internet plan to lower speed
One way to reduce the bill is by lowering down the internet's package to the minimal required speed and cable package based on the number of channels. Get a package with this speed that is required by you and your household. If you can manage it at a bit slower speed relatively and lesser channels, get your package lowered down. This way you can save a lot of money. We usually don’t watch all the channels on our TV. Do your research and make the decision accordingly.
ii. Change the providers
If you are not satisfied with the package your provider is giving you, you can always look for other providers as well – for better options. With a bit of research to evaluate which provider offers the best services as per your budget, perhaps you might find a provider with a more budget-friendly package.
iii. Buy your equipment to avoid rental fees
You can buy your equipment which may be required whether to run an internet connection or anything that can be covered with cable TV. This way you won't have to pay monthly rental fees that will come on top of your bill. You will have to invest a bit in the start but it will save you money every month in terms of rental fees.
iv. Keep an eye on data usage
If you have subscribed to a package that charges according to data usage. Keep an eye on data usage. The same is the case with cable TV channels and premium services if you have subscribed to any. It helps to avoid over consumption of data caps. Also, it can help with saving money as well.
v. Negotiate a bit
Play your best bet and talk to your provider. For doing this, you need to have some market knowledge - what other providers are offering. You can negotiate with your provider by providing those data from other providers. This might turn out to be fruitful. But it is not a sure bet that this something that will work out for everyone.
Final Thoughts:
Now we have tried to explain the basic internet and basic cable plans in the aforementioned write up and how you can reduce your overall monthly bill by doing some smart things. However, we still haven’t given you any number. So, the question was how much a basic cable TV may cost? The answer to this is: Basic cable TV packages go somewhere between $25 to $40 a month. If you want to get affordable basic cable TV deals, you might need to check with the customer service rep about this.