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To relate to modern culture, there’s no doubt about it that you need to invest in a great TV. With the simple click of a remote button, you could instantly tune in to a stream of the most current entertainment, news, weather, sports, shows, and movies.
Because of how fast-paced our world is becoming, there’s no better way to consume all the many forms of entertainment than on the big screen. Whenever our lives may get too boring, there’s nothing like sitting back on the couch, relaxing with some snacks, and having a movie experience like that of the movie theaters. Especially where most cinemas may be closed due to the pandemic, a TV will always be there as your one-stop-shop for all things information and education.
Plus, a TV is a perfect way to spend your free time and overcome the crippling feeling of boredom or loneliness. As everyone suddenly is more accustomed to spending time indoors without seeing others, a TV provides the perfect way to not stay isolated from the rest of the world. Sure, you could use a phone or a laptop instead — but the small screens could arguably never compare to the high-definition quality that only a TV could provide.
In 2019 alone, over 200 million smart TVs were sold. What’s more, is that the average American watches more than four hours of television a day. In other words, that’s almost over two months of nonstop TV use per year. When you think about it, the TV is a huge influence on the way we perceive different cultures, public views, social values, and more. To become a more knowledgeable person in general, it’s high time you purchase a new screen to complete your living space.
Don’t worry — it doesn’t have to be as costly as you might think. There are plenty of ways to make it much more affordable to help you save hundreds of dollars. Without further ado, let’s look at 7 practical ways that can help you save big money on TV.
First, Get a Decent Screen
You might like a big screen for a cinematic viewing experience or a small screen to get the bigger picture. Or you might be deciding if you’d want a flat-screen TV over a smart TV set for more powerful capabilities.
No matter what you want, it’s important that you find the right TV for your individual needs. That’s why you’ve got to set your own expectations and budget so that your search can instantly be narrowed down. The good news is that in general, TVs and other home entertainment gadgets are not as expensive as they used to be.
In fact, because the market is so big and competitive, there are tons of websites where you can order dirt-cheap electronics. With all the ongoing deals and discounts, you could save much more than you might have expected. Be sure to take advantage of the Internet to compare TVs, features, and prices across different sellers. That way, you can find the perfect deal and enjoy a superb television experience.
Understand How the Market Looks Like
Every year, it seems like technology is only increasingly growing at an exponential speed. Because so much has changed in the last decade alone, there are far more ways than one to view live television and on-demand video content.
The primary ways to access live TV are through cable TV companies like Xfinity or Spectrum and through satellite TV providers like DIRECTV and DISH. So, what’s the difference? Well, cable TV involves a cable that is directly plugged into your TV, which means it’s more reliable than satellite. However, it’ll commonly be more expensive. On the other hand, satellite depends on channeling TV signals through a dish that’s installed on your roof. It’s usually cheaper but less convenient to use in bad weather.
It’s hard to mention TV without talking about the growth in digital streaming. You could access your favorite shows and movies instantly with services like Netflix and Hulu if you’re willing to pay a subscription price. Plus, with the rise of fiber-optic TVs that use thin cables to send info to you at rapid paces, it’s important to get a great understanding of what the market looks like to decide what you want to spend on.
Assess Your Needs
To choose a TV provider that fulfills all your needs, don’t forget to map out your habits. You can start by compiling a list of your must-have channels and consider which aspects of live TV are most appealing to you. Do you have to have cable news? Sports? Entertainment? Local stations? Great DVR capabilities? Or, how about all the above?
If you live with a family, it’s important to take their viewing preferences into account as well. That way, you all can comprehensively find the packages that best align with your interests
Check Current Offers from the Traditional Players
As media continues to rapidly develop, traditional players are trying to keep themselves relevant by constantly broadcasting promotional offers, attractive new-subscriber benefits, special deals, bundles, and more.
By doing a quick search and comparison on websites like CableTV or AllConnect to understand what the offerings look like in your area, you could save yourself a ton of time and money
Consider “Cord-Cutting”
You could forgo the cord entirely and find much cheaper alternatives in the form of digital streaming. Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime are some of the most popular streaming services out there from popular internet-based providers that are huge drivers of modern pop culture.
To find if they’re worth the investment, take advantage of all the free trials that these services offer. That way, you can test out the waters and see if they fit your needs before forking over the money.
Negotiate
Believe it or not, but the labeled price you see doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pay that much! The reality is that you could potentially purchase a monthly or yearly subscription for far less. Don’t forget that the market is so highly competitive that a simple call and negotiation with a customer service representative could land you a much better deal.
Companies might be happy to toss in plenty of perks, from a free month or two to free channels, reduced rates, or other money-saving benefits to win you over as a new customer
Read the Contract
As always when it comes to big investments, you should read the contract carefully, including the fine print, to be fully aware of all your costs and agreements. You don’t want to sign a contract only to later find out with dismay that you have to deal with rate increases, extra costs when it comes to installations and activations, or other potential unforeseen costs that might be buried deep within the text. Don’t let yourself be taken advantage of!
