Switch TV Providers Is it time to break up with your current TV provider? Whether you want to switch because your current TV provider is no longer broadcasting your favorite channel, you’ve received another bill increase, or you’re moving into a new home; choosing the right TV provider for you shouldn’t be a project, but it often is. Provider offerings can be complicated, services are advertised as bundles, channel lists are long and add-on options go on for days. To make switching TV providers easier, we’ve put together this to-do list to guide you through the process. Let’s dig in!
1. Do Your Research First
First item on your to-do list is to research what TV providers are available in your area and will service your address. This is easy to do and won’t take up too much of your time. Once you’ve identified which TV providers are available to you, find out all the details; how much they cost, what you get for it, customer reviews and how reliable they are. Doing the extra leg work researching each potential new TV provider will ensure you’ll have all the information you need and won’t regret your decision later.
2. Decide What Channels Are Most Important
TV providers offer on average 100 to 300+ channels in their TV channel packages. Be realistic about your options, are you really going to watch every single channel in your prospective package? Probably not. No one really watches all their channels even when there’s “nothing on.” Do yourself and wallet a favor and choose a channel package with the channels you can’t live without and go from there before overpaying for TV service.
To narrow down what channel package would best suit your family, the second item on your to-do list should be to write down your most watched channels over the course of a week. You’ll really get a feel for how many channels you’re actually watching in a given billing cycle. Next make a list of your favorite shows and what channels they typically broadcast on to ensure you won’t be leaving any channels out just in case your favorite show isn’t airing this season.
3. Figure Out Your Monthly Budget
The third item on your to-do list should be coming up with a comfortable family TV budget. There’s no need to stretch money farther than your wallet is comfortable with to get good TV service. TV service plans will cost you on average $50 a month to $150 a month depending on where you live, what channel package you choose, and any add-on services you subscribe to.
Bundling your services together is usually a smart buying decision. You might get a better deal on TV and internet service if you buy them together rather than separately depending on where you live. You can pay less for both services together, get faster internet speeds and be eligible for more new customer promotions when you say yes to bundling your TV and internet. Just keep in mind not every bundle your new potential TV provider offers will be a good choice for your family. Don’t buy services you don’t need or use for the sake of saving money or you might not save any money at all.
4. Find Out What New Customer Deals They’re Offering
TV Providers give the best deals out to new customers who qualify for their service. This is the next item on your to-do list; ask your potential TV provider if they have any new customer deals they’re offering today. You might be pleasantly surprised at what they’ll offer to get you to commit to their service. Some of the things you can expect to be offered if you qualify are a discounted monthly rate, free premium channels for a set amount of time, upgraded equipment, access to special on-demand content, free voice remotes, prepaid gift cards and other awesome stuff.
5. Call Your Current TV Provider To Resolve Your Issues
If you don’t really want to switch TV providers, but are considering it because you’re unhappy, call customer service! Whatever your issue is, it might be easily resolved if you just ask for help. That’s what their customer service team gets paid to do and your current TV provider doesn’t want to lose you as a customer. You might not get exactly what you want, but you might not hang up empty handed.
6. Sign Up For Your New TV Service
If you’ve decided on a new TV provider, the next step on this to-do list is to sign up for service! While you’re on the phone, be sure to get an installation date that fits with your schedule and ask any remaining questions you might have.
7 . Cancel Your Existing TV Service
The last item on your to-do list is to cancel your previous TV service. Only cancel service after your new TV service is installed, working and you’re completely satisfied with it. Just note that after cancellation you will have to return any leased equipment. You also may incur early termination fees if you were in a contract. If your new TV provider has a contract buyout program you’re taking advantage of, make sure to submit whatever they need as soon as you can to avoid any hassles from either provider.
