The choices you have today when it comes to television service are enough to make your head spin. There are more options than ever before, and choosing a plan can be quite confusing if you aren’t familiar with all of the different platforms and plans. So just how do you know which is the best TV plan for your family? Allow us to walk you through the process so you can be sure you’re picking the right plan.

Here’s how to figure out which television package is right for you:

What is Available in Your Area?

First thing’s first, you have to work out what your choices are. Head to the television section on WhiteFence.com and enter your address for a list of providers and plans available at your address.

What is Your Budget?

With all of the options out there, you can spend as little as $30 a month, or as much as $150. Pick what you want to pay and keep that in mind as you explore your options to eliminate those that are out of your budget.

Cable, Satellite or Fiber?

These days, you have three choices when it comes to premium TV service: cable, satellite and fiber-optic. Luckily for simplicity’s sake, there are less differences between the three platforms than you may think and all televisions will support all platforms. Cable and fiber availability differs throughout the country, but satellite is available nationwide. All platforms offer digital service, with analog fast becoming a thing of the past. To get satellite, you’ll need to have a clear view of the southern sky and have a dish mounted on your house. Inclement weather can sometimes interfere with satellite service, so if you live somewhere with lots of storms, that may be worth considering.

Do You Need HD?

High definition television has become such a popular option because of the higher resolution quality it offers. Offering two million pixels per frame, it will provide a clearer, higher quality image than the others. However, if you don’t have an HD television, it won’t make a lick of difference. Do you have HD-ready TVs? Are you fussed about a super-sharp picture? If the answer to both of these questions is yes, make sure you pick a plan with HD support. It is usually free or a low-cost option.

What Are Your Favorite Channels?

Everyone has their favorite channels, what are yours? Make a list of the channels you can’t live without and make sure the packages you are looking at meet your needs. Most providers offer a basic plan with your local channels and a set of basic channels, but you may need to upgrade to one of the more expensive packages to get your favorite sports, movie, kids, premium, music and other channels. WhiteFence lets you see the channel lineups for most packages.

Do You Need a DVR?

The days of recording shows on video tapes are over, thanks to digital video recorders. Most TV providers these days offer DVR service for a small monthly fee that lets you easily set up subscriptions for your favorite shows, so you can watch TV on your own schedule (and even skip commercials). If this sounds like something you want, make sure you pick a package that lets you add DVR service.

How Many TVs Need Service?

Do you want service for just one television, or for multiple TVs throughout the house? Any plan you go with will support multiple rooms, but be aware with some providers you will have to rent an additional box for additional rooms for a small monthly fee. Check the plan details to see if there is a fee.

Do You Need On-Demand Service?

On-demand service gives you the ability to access and stream movies and shows when you are ready to watch them without having to record the program in advance. Generally, providers offer both free and pay on-demand content. The free content includes shows and movies available on the channels you pay for, while the pay content includes movies just released on DVD, meaning you can rent movies without having to leave the house!

Is There a Contract or Introductory Rate?

Determine if there are any agreements that are necessary to order service. Some providers require a commitment via a service contract. This could be mandatory or just a way to lock in a lower rate or waive the installation cost. Also, check to see if the quoted price is only good for a few months before the price raises. This information will be in the fine print.

Are There Installation or Equipment Fees?

Many times, there are extra fees for installation or equipment rental. Check the plan details to make sure you don’t get a surprise once you’ve ordered.

Are There Promotions Available?

Many providers offer special promotions to help lure in customers. These include free upgrades, gift cards, and price reductions for a period of time. These can add up to big savings, so make sure you take these promotions into account.

Do You Want to Bundle?

Many providers offer the option of bundling your television service with home phone and/or broadband service. Not only does this save time setting up your services and paying your monthly bills, you also stand to save big as providers offer deep discounts when you order multiple services

Watching television used to be simple and clear cut. You simply plugged the TV in and flipped through the small number of channels. While things have gotten a bit more complicated today, hopefully now you’re ready to pick a new TV plan. Head to the television section on WhiteFence.com to get started now!