| Provider | Channels | User Rating | Pricing | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Up to 590 Channels | | $14.99 - $165 | (855) 650-4217 |
 | Up to 160 Channels | | $45 - $105 | (855) 650-4212 |
 | Up to 290 Channels | | $10 - $109.98 | (205) 946-1154 |
 | Up to 330 Channels | | $35 - $110 | (855) 652-1629 |
 | Up to 260 Channels | | $24.95 - $119.98 | (855) 650-4214 |
Considering how many tv providers there are, selecting the right provider in Athens, AL may seem like a difficult task. For anyone moving to a new home, or just wanting to change their home television service, service providers have made it easier to find a new fiber optic televisions, satellite, or cable service. By entering the zip code, users get to enjoy money-saving deals on cable and satellite plans. Also, this tool will show how TV plans that are combined with internet and telephone service give users even more savings.
We've taken the confusion out of trying to select the broadband service provider, satellite, or cable companies that best suits your needs in Athens, AL. All you need to do is look at the comparison of services offered in your area and make your decision. Upgrades, such as High Definition (HDTV) will be visible to you when you compare plans using our comparison tool. We also provide other resources, such topics about current television trends.
With cable TV service, the provider delivers TV through its network of trunk or fiber-optic cables. The provider's broadcasting stations send encrypted TV signals through the cables to the receivers in its customers' houses. Satellite TV service is far different, since TV signals are getting beamed from a satellite to satellite dishes.
For a consumer to get cable TV in their Athens, AL home, a receiver is required. This receiver connects to both the TV and an outlet, and the outlet has a series of cables and wires to transmit those aforementioned TV signals. To entice new customers, cable providers will often run discounts on equipment, which means it's smart for consumers to see what deals they can find when signing up for new service. Discount or no discount, it's normal for there to be a monthly fee for the use of the equipment. Cable TV is great in terms of reliability. Since it has a physical connection through the cables and the wires, it is unlikely to falter during adverse weather, giving it an edge over satellite TV in that regard.
It's simple enough to hook up cable TV, but it's not necessarily a quick process. Cable TV providers in Athens, AL can usually send out technicians to get everything installed properly for customers. The downside is these installation appointments can be expensive and time-consuming. Installation appointment costs can vary dramatically depending on the provider, with some getting up to $200. Consumers typically choose an available day and time period to set up their service appointment, and the technician gets there at some point within the time period chosen. There needs to be someone available to let the technician in during this entire time period, since there's no guarantee on the exact time that the technician will get there.
With some cable providers in Athens, AL, there are also self-installation kits available. This can help the consumer avoid waiting around for an appointment and save whatever money they would have spent on said appointment, but this method only saves time if the consumer has the technical ability to install the equipment themselves. Despite cable's many benefits, it does have one significant drawback in that it isn't available in some locations. This is particularly true in more rural places and difficult to reach areas. There must be a cable broadcast station near enough to hook up service at the home.
The broadcasting process for satellite TV in Athens, AL is much different than that of cable. It starts with the satellite TV company sending the TV signals out from its broadcast center, except instead of doing so via cable, it's sending the signal up to a satellite. The satellite then sends those signals down to satellite dishes setup to receive the TV signals. The way this technology works gets rid of the big flaw of cable TV – the physical connection between customer and TV company. As there's no connection required, a customer could get satellite TV despite being out in the middle of nowhere.
One drawback of satellite TV service is that the setup usually costs more than the setup with cable. It's often expensive to get a satellite dish in Athens, AL, and installation isn't cheap, either. Many of the top satellite providers do the installation and provide the dish with their plans, helping customers save money, but it's important to look over all the fine print in the contract to be sure. Satellites disadvantage compared to cable is that it's affected much more by poor weather conditions. Because of the position of the satellite dish, it could easily get knocked out of position or damage by bad weather, at which point the customer won't have service.
Another common freebie with satellite TV service plans is a DVR, and some providers even go with an HD DVR. The customer can use their DVR to watch content from anywhere in their home, pull up the latest On Demand shows and movies, put parental blocks on and record shows. Now, there are also quite a few cable providers offering free DVRs, which means this benefit isn't exclusive to satellite TV service providers. No matter which one the consumer chooses, there's still usually a monthly fee to have the DVR, and the typical cost is about $10 per month.
Fiber optic technology often gets associated with internet service, and to its credit, it's the most impressive internet option available for residential and business customers in Athens, AL. The internet service goes from the provider to the customer on ultra-fast and reliable fiber optic cables. While there are still tons of consumers on DSL or cable plans, fiber optic is the superior choice and is rapidly gaining in popularity. It can deliver much faster upload and download speeds than other internet options, without any drawbacks.
TV is also seeing its latest advancements come with fiber optic cables. The fiber optic providers now have TV, phone and internet available over their state-of-the-art fiber optic networks. As far as how the services work, they are the same over fiber optic cables as they are over standard cable service. The difference is entirely in how the types of cables perform, as fiber optic cables are unmatched by standard cable service.
