How To Lower Your Cable Bill While Increasing Your TV Channels

Currently, there are about 86.5 million American households with cable TV. Many of the nation's largest cable providers raised their fees in the first part of 2020. Customers saw their monthly cable bills increase by up to 30 bucks, and some switched to streaming services after these rate hikes. Others still prefer cable TV due to its reliable reception! Sports fans often need cable TV to watch live sporting events like the Super Bowl and the Olympics. Many cable providers offer special programming that is unavailable with streaming services.

The money-saving tips below could help you get cheaper cable and a better cable package with the best cable providers in your area. Use these tips and get ready to search online for the best cable deals today!

Negotiate With Salespeople

You could save 15 bucks or more on your monthly fees by calling your cable provider. Before you call, get information about competitor's rates and channels. Ask to speak with your provider's cancellation department and tell them you're considering canceling your service because of the cost. Ask them if they can get you a better package or price before you cancel. Be sure to let them know how long you have been a customer, and mention you can get a cheaper rate or better package with more channels at a specific competitor.

Write down information about the packages at other providers, and keep it with you during the call. You may not want to accept the first offer the salesperson gives you. Continuing to negotiate could help you get a better deal! Ask open-ended questions instead of yes or no questions during a negotiation. Keep the conversation friendly at all times.

Bundle With Other Bills

You're more likely to get a cheaper cable rate if you bundle with other bills. Many cable providers also offer internet and phone services, and you can choose to bundle two or three services! Some companies also allow customers to bundle cable with cellphone service and home security features. By bundling services, you could save an average of 10 to 35 bucks each month. Your cable provider might even give you more TV channels if you opt for a bundle!

Free installation and bonus programming may be provided for new bundle customers. Bundling makes it easier to move or upgrade services. You'll also have an easier time if you need to contact customer service. All of your services are on one bill, so you can easily see rate increases or potential bill errors. If you already bundle your cable with another service, you might be able to save even more by adding another service to your bundle.

Research The Competition

Make a list of local companies, and check their rates and packages online. Consider both large and small companies, and read reviews about each one. After comparing channels and rates, look at the provider's reliability and contract options. Do they have frequent service outages? Have customers complained about billing errors? How long does a contract last? Do they charge for terminating the contract?

If you can't find enough information online, call the customer service departments at several companies. Ask each of them about rates and channel options for new customers and get them to confirm information about contracts and billing. Ask family and friends if they're satisfied with their cable providers! You can check with them about channel options, recent rate hikes, and any service outages. Researching the competition helps you know if it's worth switching providers. You can also learn about the best time to switch. This will allow you to take advantage of existing promotions!

Take Advantage Of Promotions

You can often take advantage of promotions to save on cable at your current company! Promotions can also help you make the choice to switch to a new cable provider. Most companies offer promotions throughout the year. Special deals may be available during the summer and winter holidays! If you're an existing customer, you might be offered a free upgrade to a premium sports channel or a package with more channels! Your company could give you a discount on cable equipment or a modem too! Some providers will give you 6 months of a particular channel for free. Others may provide a discount on your total bill. New customers can take advantage of these and other promotions!

Many companies offer free installation for new customers. You may even get the first month of certain channels for free! Some companies will provide a second cable box at a discount if you buy it during installation. Promotions can change frequently, so check online regularly for updates. Some promotions aren't listed online, but customer service reps will offer them if you call. Always ask them about their latest promotions. Some may allow you to combine promotions for added savings. Be sure to check the expiration dates for promotions!

Know What You Want

To get the best cable price and package, it's important to know what you want! Before you start comparing plans, think about your TV habits. Which channels do you watch most often? How many TVs do you have? Do you need children's channels, or are sports more important? Are you willing to cut channels for a cheaper price? Spend some time answering these questions, and ask your household to answer them too!

Make a list of your top priorities for your cable package. Do you want a better bundle? Are you looking to add a new channel? Knowing what's important will help make comparison shopping easier. You'll be able to negotiate more effectively. You'll understand what promotions might be most helpful for you. Comparing bundles will be simpler too! Since your priorities might change, think about your TV habits each time you're considering a cable update.