Who Has the Most TV Channels Per Dollar?

When it comes to ordering TV packages, many people base their decision on the number of channels that come with each plan. That got me thinking, which package out there has the most plans for the money? I decided to look through all of the different TV packages (not including bundles) available here on WhiteFence to find which package has the most channels per dollar (each month).

After checking each provider and plan—and man there's a lot of them—I found a winner: TVMAX with their XDtv Digital Ultra plan weighing in at a whopping 6.1 channels per dollar. Other great deals out there include DIRECTV's CHOICE XTRA^™ Package at over 5.7 channels per dollar and DISH Network's America's Top 200 at over 5.2 channels per dollar. Prices do vary by location, so let me know if you find an even better deal out there.

Of course, this doesn’t take into account upgrades like premium channels, HDTV service, DVR service and more, nor does it take into account the savings you get with a bundle, but it’s still cool to see.

How many channels do you get to the dollar? Let us know in the comments.

WhiteFence Provider Highlight: AT&T;

Recently, we started a new series of articles on this blog that highlight different providers on our site, to help you find out more information that you might not have known before. As consumers, it's always in our best interest to be more informed about our choices because you never know, you might come across something that tips the scales.

For the newest edition of our provider highlights, we're going to be focusing on AT&T.; Here are some cool features you may or may not know about the communications provider, particularly its U-verse offerings.

• U-verse remote DVR access - While many people may have heard of U-verse, AT&T;'s great TV service, they may not know about the way you can interface with the DVR in places other than the home. Not only can you look at your DVR selections through your Web browser, you can also view it on the go with your iPhone. Anybody else that is a TV nut knows the pain of being out and suddenly realizing that a favorite show is about to come on. With the U-verse app, you no longer have that worry.


• Total Home DVR - The great thing about this feature is that it allows you to watch a DVR recording from any other connected TV in your home. That way, different people in your household can all watch what they want, when they want. Hopefully it doesn't end up in an old west showdown.


• NFL Redzone - What's better than going to a sports bar to see all the football games you want at once? Being able to do it from your own home. NFL Redzone is a great channel for football fans, because it lets you see the best parts of any game as it's happening. The channel switches between games that are in their most exciting field positions, so you can see the touchdowns as they happen. I'm going to be honest, I kind of fell in love with this one during the season.

These promotions are running as of the date of this blog, but could be removed at any time. To find out more about AT&T; in your area, be sure to visit WhiteFence. More provider highlights are coming in the future. If you've got any you would like to know more about, let us know!

Decoding Bundled Services

I have always been a big fan of puzzles. Not the lame kind where you put together a picture of a fruit basket at your Aunt Betty's house because she doesn't have a color TV, but the kind of brain teasers that get you thinking or guessing. Except for Rubik's Cubes. I have always been bad at those, probably because I am not a super smart Rubik's Cube solving robot. But can't a man dream?

Even though many of us enjoy giving our minds a work out, I'm sure that like me, you don't appreciate it when ordering home services feels like a brain teaser. Knowing what you want and what you can afford isn't exactly easy to figure out, given the myriad of options available. What makes this even harder is that providers are often promoting bundles of high-speed Internet, TV or phone for one monthly price, but it's not always apparent if this is a good deal or not. Many providers advertise bundles as a way of saving money on your bills, but is that how it often works?

Fortunately, the answer is "yes".

What to Watch for When Choosing a TV Plan

I've said it before, and I'll continue to say it as long as I'm alive or before I'm cryogenically frozen for the future — TV is great. When I say TV, I mean both the actual physical box and the service that it provides. I'm sure there is a very official definition of it somewhere, but I can't be bothered by the ten seconds it takes to Google things when I am in a writing frenzy. Instead, I'll come up with my own definition. Ahem...

TV - noun. A box from which magical visual goodness flows, illuminating all in its bright and bathing glow.

I didn't mean for that to rhyme, but it's all good. Anyway, I spend a great deal of time (more than I'd care to admit) watching TV, and for TV watchers like me, it's important to consider the right kind of service when choosing what to have in your home. Here are some things to consider when choosing a TV plan.

AT&T; Reaches 1 Million Home Phone Users with U-verse

AT&T; recently announced that it now serves 1 million AT&T; U-verse^SM Voice digital home phone lines. The milestone comes two years after AT&T; introduced the VoIP service. More than 67 percent of new U-verse TV customers bundle U-verse Voice service.

The company said it reached the milestone by adding 248,000 U-verse TV subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2009, with a total of 2.1 million U-verse TV subscribers nationwide and added1 million U-verse TV customers in the last year alone.

"We knew we had the opportunity to revolutionize our consumer business with U-verse and our IP platform, and the growth of our U-verse TV, Voice and broadband services shows we’re on the right track," said Anthony Tuggle, AT&T; vice president of wireline voice products. "Customers are choosing U-verse Voice for its reliability, advanced features and unmatched value as part of an integrated AT&T; bundle. U-verse Voice will only get better as we continue to launch more calling apps and features."

AT&T; offers multiple combinations of U-verse TV, U-verse Voice, U-verse High Speed Internet and AT&T; wireless plans that offer savings for customers that bundle their services. As of the end of 2009, more than 90 percent of U-verse TV customers bundle High Speed Internet, and more than 75 percent of U-verse TV customers have a triple- or quad-play.

See if AT&T; U-verse is available in your area.

Which HDTV is Right for You?

If you’re in the market for a new HDTV the sheer volume of choice on the market can be a little overwhelming. Many people simply don’t take the time to learn enough about their options and end up with a TV that doesn’t suit their needs.

Instead of just wandering around your local big box store like a kid in a very expensive candy store and relying on the high-school students/sales assistants for advice, go in prepared like a pro and you’ll be sure to find the right TV. Here are the decisions you should make before heading to the store to buy:

• Screen Size – This comes down to two main concerns: money and space. It’s no fun to come home with a new TV that won’t fit in your room, so measure where you’re planning on setting up the TV to set your maximum screen size. And while everyone wants a huge screen, you may have to compromise to fit your budget—work out the minimum screen size that will make you happy. Now you have a range of screen sizes that will work for your needs.

How Do You Watch TV?

Technology is a funny thing. Ten years ago, if someone had asked me how I prefer to watch TV, I would have given them my best "what are you talking about" look and continued on about my day. There used to be one way to watch TV: live. Well, unless you were that crazy guy who actually hooked up a VCR, but let's get real, hardly anybody did that. I was an uber-nerd and I still thought that guy was kind of lame. My apologies to those of you who did that. I'm sure you're pretty cool.

Anyway, TV watching has changed. Some would say for the better, and others (primarily networks) would argue that it's for the worse. With more people constantly moving to online viewing of their favorite shows as well as watching via DVR, it's getting harder for TV networks to make the big bucks they used to off of ad revenue. While everybody is still trying to figure out what the ad revenue model is for the Internet and TV executives want to figure out how to eradicate DVR, we are still happily watching American Idol, The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien (for one more night anyway) and 30 Rock.

My TV habits are totally different now than they used to be as a result. I even watch sports almost exclusively with DVR, so I can get past the commercial breaks, timeouts, etc. Knowing this, I thought I'd make a poll to find out how our readers watch the tube as well. Feel free to vote and tell us how you watch your favorite shows in the comments!

Cable vs. Satellite

There are more options for television service out there than ever before. While this is good news for consumers, all the choices can be a little daunting when it comes time to order a television package. One of the first things most people have to figure out is whether they are going to go with a cable provider or a satellite provider.

In order to make that first big decision just a little easier, I’ve come up with this handy list of things to consider when comparing cable and satellite.

• Similarities – Cable and satellite have a lot in common. All of these are features available on both platforms: HDTV service, local channels, pay-per-view programming, on-demand options, DVR service and premium channels (such as HBO, Showtime and Starz).
• Availability – Unfortunately, not every area is served by a cable provider. In areas like this, satellite is usually the only choice for non-broadcast television. If you’re unsure on what your options are, enter your address at WhiteFence to find a list of providers that serve your area.
• Digital vs. Analog – All satellite channels are 100 percent digital, but with cable some channels may be analog. Analog is quickly becoming a thing of the past though, so it’s possible to have a totally digital cable package.
• Equipment – Satellite service requires more equipment than cable, the biggest addition being a satellite dish that has to be mounted on your house for reception. Depending on the provider or contract you sign up for, this equipment may come at a price. Also, while both satellite and digital cable require a box for each television, basic cable content does not require a box.
• Bundling – In general, cable companies provide a little more choice when it comes to bundling telephone and Internet service with your television package.
• Programming – While most channels are available on both platforms, some things can be exclusive to one provider. For example, NFL Sunday Ticket is only available on DIRECTV.
• Weather – In bad weather, satellite reception quality can suffer. If you live somewhere with lots of extreme weather, this may be something to consider.
• View – For satellite television to function, you’ll need to have a clear view of the southern sky. This is not a problem for most people, but something to keep in mind if you live in dense forest.

Whichever option you end up choosing, WhiteFence has you covered. Start comparing your options now at our television service page!

TV and the 3D Question

The tech-minded among the WhiteFence blog readers are no doubt aware that a major event is happening in Las Vegas this week and throughout the weekend. Well, at least major to geeks like me. CES, the Consumer Electronics Show, happens every year around this time and it's pretty much the summit for techies and gadget-o-holics.

Like last year, this year's focus seems to be on bringing 3D to the home TV center, allowing viewers to wear dorky glasses and become immersed in movies and shows in a new way. No, it's not really that new. Yes, it's just like what happened in the 50's and the 70's, only in your house and all the time.

My question is this: given that HDTVs are just now starting to hit a 50 percent adoption rate among US households, is 3D TV really the way to go? Now that people are just starting to get warmed up to the idea of buying new TV sets, are we going to really want to drop the money on even newer sets?

It's not just the TV manufacturers pushing this, either. There are already 3D TV channels being talked about. Last night, the Texas/Bama game was being watched in theaters in 3D at several places across the country (I watched it in a theater myself, though in boring old regular 2D).

The message from the entertainment industry is clear: 3D is coming, whether we want it or not. So how do you feel about it? Are you excited about viewing 3D content in your home, or are you OK with where things are right now? Tell us in the poll and in the comments!

Time Warner Cable Reaches Agreement with FOX

Time Warner Cable customers and FOX fans can rest easier these days, as the cable giant and network have finally come to an agreement!

Fans of FOX shows has reason to be worried, as the situation got so tense that Time Warner Cable created RollOverGetTough.com, a website dedicated to, "getting tough on unfair programming price increases with a new series of advertising and website enhancements designed to educate consumers about the outrageous demands made by some television networks." However, after the news was released that the companies had reached a deal, this letter was posted to the site:

Dear Time Warner Cable Customers,

We have good news to share. After prolonged negotiations, we have reached an agreement with FOX – which means you can continue to enjoy your favorite FOX shows on Time Warner Cable.

No one ever likes to see prices go up. We don’t. And we know you don’t. That’s why we work hard to keep the cost of cable affordable for our customers – especially in these difficult economic times.

And, your support has made a big difference as we’ve worked to sign a reasonable agreement with Fox and prevent any disruption of programming.

From all of us at Time Warner Cable to everyone in your home, thanks again for your support.

We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Best wishes for a safe, healthy and Happy New Year.

Sincerely,

Glenn A. Britt
Chief Executive Officer
Time Warner Cable Inc.

According to CNNMoney.com, if the companies had not come to an agreement, all of the FOX networks and some of its cable channels would have disappeared for most of Time Warner Cable's 13 million subscribers. This would have affected customers in major metro areas including New York, Los Angeles and Dallas. In addition, Bright House Networks subscribers in 5 states would have been affected.

For more info on the dispute and the new agreement, check out Fox, Time Warner Cable reach agreement.