What is the Cheapest way to have Cable TV?
The cheapest option possible to afford cable television
Due to the increasing costs of cable TV packages, most customers are interested in finding ways of paying less for cable TV yet they would still wish to have decent channel packages. Fortunately, there are multiple choices nowadays that enable you to save even more money compared with the usual cable offers. The focus of this article will be to provide the reader with information on the cheapest ways through which one can acquire cable TV in 2023.
If You’re Choosing Based on Price Then Go With a Budget Streaming Service
The availability of live TV streaming services makes it possible to enjoy cable-like services at a significantly lower cost using services such as Sling TV, Philo, and DirectTV Stream. These services include cable programming at a price range of $20-25 or even cheaper depending on where one lives. For instance, the Orange & Blue package of Sling TV gives access to more than 50 channels such as ESPN, CNN, Disney, AMC, and many others with a monthly subscription fee of $50. This may make it drastically different from the $100+ average traditional cable packages, allowing you to save 50% or more.
The challenge that accompanies these inexpensive streaming services is that you will not receive as many options as those provided to you by cable. Major networks that are affiliated with local stations may require an HD antenna to be received properly. It is also important to note that there are no regional sports networks. But if you can manage to do without some of the channels, then, streaming cable alternatives are one of the most affordable options available in the market.
Try An HD Antenna
One can also add an HD antenna for the streaming TV service so that one can get free signals from the major broadcast networks in the locality. HD indoor and outdoor antennas provide reception of popular channels such as ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and other local channels with clear picture quality.
HD antennas have evolved especially the amplified ones which are capable of picking signals that are more than 50 miles away are possible in the best condition. When used together with a streaming service, you can build a package of channels that will suffice your needs for a far lower price than that of cable television. Just note that program reception is predicated on the distance between you and the broadcast towers. Lovers of stations may have a hard time getting some of the stations, especially if they are far from the metro areas.
Downgrade Your Cable Package
If you wish to continue staying with the big cable providers, the next best option is to switch to a basic package which is also much cheaper. Cable operators today provide mostly basic TV packages with little or no features, and certainly no hundreds of channels usually tagged with names of things you’ll probably never see. For $25-$30 every month, both Comcast Xfinity and Spectrum have TV packages that only contain 10-20 channels that are highly demanded.
It certainly eliminates many of the more specialized or targeted avenues you would have if you took this approach. However, if all you are watching is sports, news, entertainment, and other essentials, a minimal number of channels is adequate and will be much cheaper. That is all; you will always have cable reps pressuring you to agree on upgrading your cable during the bargaining process. Hold your ground and agree to the cheaper package as this will help you get the lower introductory price.
Threaten To Cancel
So, let me share something with you that cable providers don’t want you to know and that is they dread losing clients. Most of the providers will approach you asking you to explain why you want to cancel and if you tell them, you wanted to cancel because of costs, will offer you special discounted offers in a bid to retain your business. This is particularly effective if you are in a position to negotiate and you have been with the company for years.
Turn to the customer retention department and inform them that you have been forced to reduce services because your cable bill has gone up. In most cases, they will give you other incentives such as a free upgrade of their services or negotiated long-term cheaper rates than cancellation fees. Just this call can make you shave off between 20-40% or more of your monthly utility bills. Yes, never negotiate with them if you are not ready to leave when they refuse to move on the price.
The Bottom Line
Cable TV these days is expensive, but there are many ways to watch your favorite programs without paying much. The main level of budget and flexibility to create a custom channel bundle for streaming services is characterized by the following. However, using an antenna, possessing the most minimal cable package, or bargaining for discounts offer other cheap solutions according to the users’ requirements. It is therefore important and possible to be an intelligent consumer to cut on expenses in a way that does not deny access to these vital channels and programs.
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