How can I Reduce my TV Cost per Month?
Looking at the increasing costs of cable and satellite TV subscriptions and packages, people are in search of how to reduce the costs of TV subscriptions. You are in luck since many strategies can be used to lower your TV bill while still being able to watch your favorite shows and channels. There are some good tips for you here.
Cut The Cord
Subscribing to traditional pay-TV services could be too expensive and one of the most extreme, yet efficient ways is to cancel it. Well, this may sound like a task in the realm of the impossible, however, with the improved streaming technology, cord-cutters have never had it easier. Google fiber can be substituted with cable and satellite but you have to do it in bits of streaming services that offer almost all the shows and movies you binge-watch.
Some of the most important services which can be mentioned are Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, discovery+, and others, that can be ordered on-demand. You can switch between a few of those depending on what shows you wish to stream per month. Also, other live TV streaming such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and DirecTV stream various popular news and entertainment channels without contract via the internet. As for the live TV replacements, though they are not as affordable as standalone streamers, they are still significantly cheaper than traditional TV packages and can cost between $35 and $85 per month.
The important thing is trying to determine the specific blend of streaming sites that gives you all the necessary channels and programs that are crucial for your existence. Meaning that it has this feeling of never having cut the cord in the first place. By using the replacement streaming TV bundle, having an over-the-air (OTA) antenna to get local broadcast stations, and some form of streaming service switch, you could potentially budget 50 bucks to well over 100 bucks per month.
Call To Negotiate
If you are not ready for the ‘no cable’ approach, another trick that you can try is to call your cable TV company and haggle. Most of the large cable and satellite providers are more than happy to give their existing customers who are willing to commit for the long term, a discount. This is one huge advantage of being a subscriber in that retention agents will go to any length to ensure that you do not let go.
First, when you are making the call, try to be polite but insistent in your demand for a cheaper monthly rate. It is important to understand that it is perfectly fine if the agent cannot agree with you at the beginning. Inform them that you have observed that other companies in the same industry offer better prices than them and you plan on cutting your business with them. However, they should also try to add other services such as home phone connections or home internet or even cell phone connection which at times can attract better discounts. This places pressure on the provider with a warning sign that the risk of losing the customer is imminent if the provider does not move closer to the target price that you set.
When it comes to bargaining, you can get up to $30 per month or 30% off depending on the store’s policies. Some other benefits are that one can access premium channels for some time with no charge, other charges such as equipment rental/upgrade fees, and many more. Maximize any leverage points that you may have as a long customer with the bill cut down or additional facilities to be provided.
Trim Channels And Packages
Another simple solution for lowering the price of TV is to get fewer channels than you currently have. Cable and satellite TV may appear to be extremely appealing because you have many options of channels and additional services available. However, the evidence does indicate that most customers pay regular attention only to a few preferred channels. Those added-on channels force service prices upwards.
Spend considerable time tabulating specifically which of the channels and networks that you and your household are avid viewers of. Be honest with yourself. Then call up your provider to switch to a more affordable package that will include the basic services such as local channel news, and sports but exclude the unwanted fluff. Eliminating additional channels could save more than $15 every month.
Likewise, if you no longer watch any special movie channels added to your plan, cancel those as well. Additional channels such as HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz can cost $15 or more per month which is not feasible if you are already paying for Netflix or other streaming services which you have a long list. Review any extra commissions and premiums that you previously included because of experience but are no longer a good idea.
Promotion Should Be Incorporated To Reach New Customers As The Existing Customer
Another useful money-saving secret that cable and satellite providers do not own up to, especially to the new customer is that you can use new customer promo rates as a current customer. Here’s how to pull this trick off:
Sometimes, you just happen to be at the right place at the right time, where you discover that your provider or a competitor has provided a jaw-dropping new customer offer, such as 50% off for the first 12 months. The best thing to do is to call and tell them you want to cancel the service call and switch to that competitor’s new customer rate. But make sure to let them know that you have been with the company for X years and wish to continue doing business with you if the retention agent can meet that outside offer.
In most cases, the providers will offer you a deal or an offer slightly lower than the promo price as they’d prefer to continue serving you at a concession rather than lose you. You go on using it and these are done at a cheaper price than the normal retail rates, in essence, you are a new client to the competition and not subject to early termination fees. This cancel-and-rebill trick is most effective if you’ve been a longtime subscriber to the same TV package less any promotions you’ve been receiving lately. Do it at the right time as you mark the end of a promotion to be able to get continuous discounted prices of 30+ dollars on your monthly bill based on the normal rates.
Consider Paying Yearly
To achieve the greatest levels of savings, find out if your cable TV provider provides better rates for subscribers who want to pay every year. Most will cut another 10-15% for prepayment yearly – a deeper discount that would be offered compared to the rate of a month-to-month or quarterly basis. Furthermore, common satellite dish services like the DIRECTV or the DISH Network can translate to a discount that is over 200+ dollars annually (16+ dollars every month).
Just make sure that you have budgeted the lump sum before preparing the budget plan. Also, establish if you would receive a partial refund if you canceled service mid-year, or if the company operated on an annual basis. Consult the policies of the organization before trying out this reduction route. However, such a decision to pay for a one-year membership may reduce your overall cost per month of usage significantly.
Share An Account
Last but not least, a very basic yet effective approach to reducing television expenses and yet not being deprived of the programs that you love most is account sharing. It is probable that at least someone in your close circle also uses cable/satellite or streaming services. Hold a genuine offer to share accounts and divide the expenses.
When it comes to the classical TV packages you probably will not be using the same connection at all. Just ensure that the home area is close enough to receive the regional sports and local channels as the house area. Regarding multiple-profile streaming and consistent streaming at once, it is possible to create multiple profiles and stream simultaneously. Platforms like Hulu + Live TV allow streaming on two devices, one at home, and the second with the ‘guest’ profile, which means that you can share an account with someone who doesn’t live with you.
Discussing the possible dangers and the conditions of account sharing, select a person with whom you want to become a partner. Subscribing and equipment fees are separated, which is how you are slicing your TV bill in two. Because monthly pay-TV bills are between one hundred and two hundred dollars on average for most American homes, that’s at least fifty dollars and more through cooperation.
The Bottom Line
All in all, it can be seen that cutting down one’s TV bill may not be such a Herculean task as it is made out to be, and, more importantly, it is beneficial in the long run. Experiment with your actual viewership patterns, look at competitor rates, and bargain for lower prices. The above-mentioned ways of saving money on Satellite or cable packages If after applying the above Saving tips, Satellite or cable packages still appear expensive, then ditching traditional TV for cheaper streaming options could be the magic bullet to huge savings. Apply the strategies here and ensure that you save more of your hard-earned money while still being able to watch your must-watch shows.
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