With the 2011 NFL season just weeks away, guys (and gals) around the country are trying to figure out if they will be able to watch their favorite team play week in and week out.  Many are avid fantasy football players, and want to keep and eye on all of the scoring action from around the league.  Others are displaced fans, and are looking to watch their hometown team play though they don’t live in their local market anymore.  So what options should you consider?  Ordering one of the two different Red Zone channels might be the solution.  But pricing can vary quite a bit depending on the route you select.

First off, lets review why and how there are two different Red Zone channels.  The first has been offered by DIRECTV as part of the NFL Sunday Ticket package for years.  This one is considered the original, the downside being you cannot order it on its own – you have to get the Sunday Ticket package through DIRECTV and this channel is added at no extra charge as part of the deal.  Prior to 2010, you had to get the Superfan package, which was $99 extra to get the Red Zone channel.

The new option available to most fans that do not have DIRECTV is called the RedZone channel (no space between the words) and came into existence in just weeks before the 2009 season.  This channels is completely separate than the DIRECTV version, and is produced and distributed by the NFL.   Major providers carrying this channel included DISH Network, Xfinity TV, Cox Cable, Charter communications, and Verizon FiOS.

So now that we know what options are available, what exactly will you see on each Red Zone channel?  Both are staffed on Sundays only, with the production staff keeping an eye on games going on around the league.  As teams approach and enter the “Red Zone” (generally inside the opposing teams 20-yard line) the network will cut to that game.  Additionally, each channel will quickly cut to scoring plays that happen as soon as possible when teams strike from outside the red zone area.  Most field goal attempts are captured live as well.

So which Red Zone channel is right for you?  There is definitely big money on the line in the pay television world, and each subscriber is valuable to the company providing service – often to the tune of $1,000 in revenue each year.  DISH Network and cable providers have decried the NFL Sunday Ticket-DIRECTV arrangement for years, realizing that many switch and stay with DIRECTV for the football package alone.  The new RedZone channel evens the playing field a bit.

Customers subscribing to the NFL version of the RedZone channel pay much less than those who get the DIRECTV version.  That is because those on the DIRECTV side of the fence must still buy the full Sunday Ticket package, priced at around $320 for the 2011 season.  Most will stop by the Red Zone channel only when their favorite team is not playing.  The NFL version is offered at much lower price on many carriers.  For example, Cox cable offered the channel for $39.99 for the 2010 season, and Verizon offered it for $49.99 last year, with FiOS Ultimate TV subscribers getting the channel free in their package.  Note that new DIRECTV customers can get the Sunday Ticket package free, along with the Red Zone channel but you must be willing to sign a two year contract when you start new satellite TV service.

Other providers like DISH Network offer the RedZone channel on sports tiers, the multi-sport package being one such example for $7.00 a month.  Customers can disconnect the package during the off-season, though you may have a change fee to do so.

Overall, the second Red Zone channel option offered by the NFL gives fans a chance to see at least some live action each Sunday.  As mentioned, you will be able to view most scoring live, and if it is missed by the Red Zone channel production team it will quickly be replayed for fans across the country.

Satellite TV service has become a mainstream product over the past twenty years despite its limitations.  With the size of the dish shrinking to just three feet across, many homeowners don’t mind having the unit on the side or back of their home.  In addition, satellite is generally cheaper than cable, but it still has many limitations.  One problem is that satellite providers DISH Network and DIRECTV do not offer their own internet or telephone product because of the nature of the technology used.  Another is the reliability factor- whether real or perceived, that satellite TV goes out frequently.  So if you are looking for three possible alternatives to satellite TV, here are a few options to consider.

1.  Cable Television – Of course many who go to satellite are trying to escape from the high rates charged by the local cable TV company.  But over the past few years, cable TV companies like Time Warner and Cox communications have made network improvements which have enhanced the cable experience.  One product cable offers that satellite doesn’t is video on demand, bringing thousands of TV shows into the home at a moments notice.  The key to dealing with cable companies is knowing the deal offered inside and out before committing to an agreement.  Most offers last for a year before going up to the normal price, meaning you can lock in savings for at least 12 months.  Additionally, bundles that include cable internet service and a phone line are often discounted deeply, meaning you can save if you drop your phone company service and just use cable.

2.  A second alternative to satellite TV is the new telco options offered by AT&T U-verse and Verizon FiOS service.  Both of these are comparable to the typical cable company in that you can pick from up to three different home communication services (voice, video, and internet).  The deals offered by these companies are also tremendous, with up front cash rebate cards being offered at times with U-verse promotions and discounted FiOS package deals that last as long as 24 months.  Of course, like satellite TV deals once the promotion runs out you are stuck with the regular prices unless you are again willing to switch providers.  The downside here is availability, as some don’t have AT&T or Verizon as their local phone company and in other cases they have not yet deployed the service to all neighborhoods.

3. Streaming – Many bloggers have been predicting a massive shift away from pay television services like cable and satellite to streaming services like Netflix and Hulu.  While the saving can be significant if you make a move like this, hardcore TV watchers will not be considering this kind of drastic action.  Many love watching their first run series episodes live, especially those who are fans of reality shows like American Idol.  Another group that will be tied to live satellite or cable television TV is the sports fan.  NFL fans pay more than $300 a season to watch out of market games on Sunday Ticket, and other sporting events are live must watch events for a big segment of the population.  But if you don’t fall into these catagories, then a switch to streaming services only might be a good alternative to satellite TV.

If you are looking to increase savings in your monthly budget, these satellite TV alternatives may do the trick.  Be sure to carefully research offers from other providers, especially the fine print before jumping into a contract.

Americans continue to look for ways to save money, and cable and satellite TV deals continue to be one way to accomplish that goal. If you are willing to switch providers, you can usually save at least a few hundred dollars over the course of a year by taking advantage of the deals out there for new customers. In this article, we will look at some of the satellite TV deals that can save you some money when you drop your cable company.

The first thing to factor in when looking at a deal on satellite TV is whether you can commit to a contract. Both DISH Network and DIRECTV require a two year contract, so if this is going to be a problem then it is probably better to hold off until you are in position to sign a contract. As part of the deal, you will get free installation in up to four different rooms, free leased equipment like the Dish DuoDVR or the DIRECTV Whole Home model, and a discount on your satellite television subscription for the first year.

The discount offered to new customers is the enticing part of the satellite TV deal. For example, the DIRECTV Choice Xtra package is normally priced at $63.99 a month for regular customers. But as a new customer you can get a discount of $29 a month, meaning you will only pay $34.99 a month during the first year of service. Overall, this means a savings of around $350 dollars during the first year on a DIRECTV package.

Satellite TV deals from DISH Network are similar, though the discount is smaller. Current DISH Network specials give you a $15 break on programming costs each month so you will realize $180 in savings during the first year of your contract. This brings pricing on something like the America’s Top 200 package down to $39.99 a month from the normal rate of $54.99. As you can see, taking advantage of satellite television deals means a significant savings versus what you might be paying otherwise.

In addition, by switching to satellite TV you might also get a few months of a commercial free movie network like HBO or Starz. Usually these deals include free programming for three months, after which you will be billed the going rate for the premium network. DIRECTV deals offer you even more each summer, with five months free of all premium channels when you sign up for Sunday Ticket.

So is a satellite TV package right for you? The best thing to do is closely evaluate what you are paying for your digital cable service right now. Check into whether the cable company will reduce your bill if you threaten to disconnect and go with a satellite TV deal. They may just be willing to bargain with you and offer you a lower rate if they think you are going to switch providers.

Most people sign up for satellite TV service because they either want the wider channel selection, or they are looking to save some money. Cable television prices continue to rise year after year, making satellite TV the best choice for those who want the lowest price. But before you jump in with both feet, it is a good idea to review what all is involved, specifically what satellite TV contracts are all about.

So why do DISH Network and DIRECTV require contracts for new customers? It is mainly to insure a return on their initial investment. Cable TV companies usually make their investment all at one time by deploying their coaxial cable network to neighborhoods as they are built. Satellite TV technology though is different. There is no physical network so when a customer signs up for service, the equipment is brought to your home and set up, which is a significant investment by the satellite TV provider.

While estimates on how much it costs to set a new satellite TV customer up with service vary, it is easily around $500 or more. A satellite dish must be mounted, advanced receivers like HD DVRs are given to the customer to use, and several hours of labor are required before you can watch your first program over satellite TV. All if this before you pay a single bill to DISH Network or DIRECTV, so thus the satellite TV contract is an important part of the overall deal.

Current contracts for both DISH Network and DIRECTV run 24 months from the date of installation. DISH Network used to only require a commitment of 18 months, but this was changed to a full two years in 2009.

Both companies give you discounts on service for the first year of the contract, but then you are expected to pay full price for the second year of service. DIRECTV offers a slightly different deal each summer in conjunction with their NFL Sunday Ticket package. With that particular DIRECTV deal you get five months free of the Premier package when you pay for Sunday Ticket, thereafter you pay the full price for whatever DIRECTV package you decide to keep.

All of this leads to the question that many ask down the road – can I get out of a satellite TV contract? For whatever reason whether it be price or dissatisfaction with the programming options, both DISH Network and DIRECTV are known to hold their customers to the original agreement. So it is certainly important to consider this up front, especially if you might be moving at some point during your satellite television contract. Generally you are not let out of a satellite TV contract just because you move into an apartment or a home where satellite service is not available.

So what alternatives do you have if you want out of your satellite TV contract? Generally cable TV companies do not buy you out of your contract, but they may offer fairly good deals to you as a new customer. The best thing to do is contact DISH Network or DIRECTV to get an idea of what it is going to cost to break your contract. Then evaluate exactly how much the cable company in your area is going to give you in savings to make the switch. This might make the pain of breaking your satellite TV contract a little bit less when you weight it against potential savings from your new provider.

With the US economy struggling to recover, millions of Americans continue to tighten their budgets. Entertainment spending is usually one of the first areas people cut, so if you are in this situation you may have already reduced the amount you spend on going out to eat or seeing new release movies. But what about your cable or satellite TV service? This is probably one service you don’t want to eliminate, as it provides you plenty of entertainment value at a low cost per day. But if you do have cable, you might want to investigate whether cheap satellite TV is a better option.

The cheap satellite television options today of course are DISH Network and DIRECTV. While they market their high priced satellite TV packages in hopes of making more money, there are some cheap satellite television options available that will certainly save you some money when compared to cable.  With DISH Network, the DISH Family and the America’s Top 120 packages are probably the ones most will be looking at if they want a cheap satellite TV option.  Unfortunately, the DISH Family option which was only about $20 a month was recently eliminated for new customer sign ups, though if you already have it you can continue with the package for as long as you wish.

That leaves the America’s Top 120 as the cheapest satellite option from DISH Network.  For a new subscriber, you can get this bundle for just $24.99 a month, and also add in Free HD channels if you agree to the terms and conditions.  The regular rate on this package is $39.99 a month.  This bundle did not experience a price hike in 2010 compared to the 2009 pricing structure, so I would be surprised if it stays at this price during 2011.  While high definition channel content is  included, you will have an extra monthly charge if you opt for DVR service.

The low priced satellite TV option from DIRECTV includes the Family Package and the Choice package.  The DIRECTV Family package is really the only cheap satellite TV option regularly priced at $30 for new customers.  You won’t find a ton of channel content here, only about 50 stations in all, but you do get local programming along with some fairly popular networks for the kids like the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon.   There aren’t any discounts on this cheap DIRECTV package as a new customer, but the price remains level rather than going up like the Choice package.

With the DIRECTV Choice package, you get an introductory price of $29.99 a month for one year, but this reflects a hefty new customer discount.  The price drop is $29 a month, so your cheap satellite television package goes away starting in month 13 as you will be paying $58.99 thereafter.  Neither the Family or Choice packages include DVR service, so like DISH Network you will pay a bit more if you want this option.

With cable prices continuing to rise year after year, cheap satellite TV service may be the solution.  A little comparison shopping before you commit though is the wise thing to do.

The latest promotional offer to come from the big satellite players is Free HD for Life.  Introduced first by Dish Network, and followed by DIRECTV within a day, are these promotions worth it if you are currently a cable television customer?  How much HD will you really get?  Why are satellite television companies now foregoing the $10 HD fees they collected each month for years?

Both satellite TV deals are designed of course to get people to dump their cable company (or the other satellite television company) and sign up as a new customer.  For the past few years, both Dish Network and DIRECTV have charged a $10 a month fee for access to HD channels.  Both have advertised that they offer more than 100 HD channels for some time now, so you might think that $10 for that many high definition channels is a good deal.  The reality is quite different however.

The number of HD channels is dependent on the package you subscribe to.  For example, the Dish Network America’s Top 120 package only has thirty full time HD channels.  Their current website offer claims 105 HD channels, but you only get to that number by adding in 60 Dish Network ON DEMAND channels and 15 additional pay per view networks.  Watching either of these will almost always incur an additional viewing charge.  DIRECTV isn’t much different, as their Choice package which advertises 150 channels only contains 35 full time HD networks.

Even if you subscribe to the top packages with satellite TV, the America’s Everything from Dish TV or the Premier package from DIRECTV, you will still be under 100 full time high definition channels.  When you look at it from this perspective, you can see that Free HD for Life isn’t really that big of a deal.  In fact, both satellite providers have certainly made out like bandits over the past couple of years by charging for HD channel content.

Now of course not everyone has a fancy new plasma screen so many millions have never even paid extra for HD content.  But with flat screen TVs dropping down to the $500 range, more Americans are buying HDTVs and of course they want high definition content.  The reality now for satellite TV companies is that the monthly subscription fees they collect are more important than the $10 HD fees they were charging.  If the average subscriber has a $70 a month bill once the promotional offers end, that is $840 a year going to either Dish Network or DIRECTV.

If you are currently with a cable TV company, you might already be getting HD at no extra charge.  Time Warner cable has offered HD with their digital cable packages for some time, but on the other hand they are known for having some of the highest cable TV prices in the industry.  In the end, it seems to balance out whether you are with cable or satellite TV, and oftentimes its best to just select the company that has the content you are most interested in.

Both Free HD for Life offers come with terms and conditions.  The Dish Network Free HD offer requires you enroll in autopay and paperless billing, and they have also begun to collect the first months payment up front.  The DIRECTV Free HD deal also requires auto bill pay, though you can still get a regular hard copy of your bill in the mail.  Dish Network also offers a Free HD program for existing customers if you agree to renew your two year contract.   Free HD for existing DIRECTV customers isn’t being advertised publicly, though some users on satellite television message boards have reported that they have been offered $10 monthly credits for a period of two years when they inquire about getting free HD.

Today in the United States there are two dominant satellite TV providers – Dish Network and DIRECTV. While the growth of satellite television services has been incredible over the past 20 years, every new technology has a saturation point. Are satellite TV companies beginning to suffer as the market matures? What factors should you consider if you are considering signing up with one of the satellite companies?  What should you know if you are going to compare satellite TV providers?

While both DIRECTV and Dish Network use similar technology, they certainly run their businesses differently. Dish Network continues to focus on price, with the lowest package costs overall. Most advertisements from Dish Network hit on their America’s Top 120 offer, which you can get for an entry level price point of $24.99 a month for one year. Of course this is a bare bones offering, with just a basic receiver. As soon as you add DVR service or need multiple boxes you will be paying more, not to mention this offer is discounted by $15 a month. A more realistic price for Dish Network’s service is probably between $50 and $60 a month once you factor in everything else.

Dish Network continues to be the provider willing to stand up and fight content providers tooth and nail. This probably comes from the fact that their founder and CEO Charlie Ergen is always willing to fight for a good deal when it comes to buying content for Dish Network. While some may call him “cheap” he won’t sign off on contracts he considers unfair. This is probably why some baseball related content like the YES Network, MLB Extra Innings, and the MLB Channel are not yet carried by this satellite television provider.

The other satellite provider, DIRECTV, focuses on the sports fan in much of their marketing. They continue to be the home of the NFL Sunday Ticket, which brings in millions of hard core football fans every season. While this package is a loss leader, costing DIRECTV around a billion dollars a year, it does a great job in insuring football fans both sign up and stay with DIRECTV year after year. DIRECTV is also the home of the NASCAR Hotpass package as well as the Mega March Madness bundle offered each spring. While your DIRECTV package price is probably going to cost you a bit more than a comparable Dish Network package, you will find all of your sports content here.

Both satellite TV providers have had to adopt to added competition in the market over the past few years.  This has come in the form of telecom companies beginning to offer their own cable TV packages. Verizon has rolled out FiOS to millions of customers, and the same is true of AT&T and their U-verse packages. These companies also have the advantage of being able to offer triple play bundles which make it easy for the customer to get high speed internet access and digital home phone services through one provider. How have satellite TV companies adapted to this challenge?

DIRECTV has adopted a “keep your enemies” close policy, by signing resale agreements with both AT&T and Verizon. If the technology is not available to the customer for either FiOS or U-verse, they can bundle DIRECTV service along with their home phone and high speed internet. DIRECTV also partners with Qwest in the Western United States, but has more success there as Qwest does not offer their own video product.

Dish Network currently navigates the pay television market on their own, relying on low prices and heavy advertising to battle the competition. Both companies have relied on their HD content offerings to bring in millions of customers.   Will the two big satellite TV providers merge at some point? It has been rumored that Dish and DIRECTV will get together at some point, but regulators in the United States government would have a hard time swallowing a deal like this. Many rural areas do not have any other choice when it comes to their pay television provider, so competition between Dish Network and DIRECTV remains a good thing for these individuals.

One of the reasons many people choose satellite TV is the low pricing structure.  While cable rates continue to rise year after year, satellite TV packages are both flexible and affordable.  Whether you are just looking for a basic programming package, all the way up to all inclusive options, you will generally find that satellite pricing is anywhere from 10 to 20% lower than a comparable cable TV package.  In this article we will briefly review the packages offered with satellite TV and what you should consider if you are looking to subscribe.

The two many players are of course DISH Network and DIRECTV.  Either option will provide you with free installation and hundreds of channels at a competitive rate.  While there might not be a big difference in the providers for many, others should closely compare DISH Network vs DIRECTV before jumping into a contract.  This is especially true for the sports fan who would be much happier with DIRECTV rather than DISH Network.

DISH Network packages start as low as $24.99 a month for the DISH Family and the America’s Top 120 bundle.  Its pretty easy to see how many channels you get with these satellite TV packages, as they are labeled America’s Top 200, America’s Top 250, and of course the Top 120.   The all inclusive option is the America’s Everything package which has nearly 300 channel choices including plenty of movie content.  Over 30 channels from premium providers like HBO, Starz, and Cinemax are offered here.  With current Dish package promotions you can save $180 during the first year when compared to regular pricing.  Add to that DISH Network’s low pricing structure overall and you won’t find a lower priced option in America today.

DIRECTV packages are similar to Dish in that there are several options to pick from, and as you move up the ladder you end up with the top level bundle called the Premier package.  This option includes everything just like DISH Network, and runs about $115 a month normally.  The lower tier packages from DIRECTV come under the “Choice” umbrella, as the Choice Package, the Choice Xtra, and the Choice Ultimate match up fairly well against the America’s Top series from Dish TV.   DIRECTV does offer more content in the Choice package, with 150 channel choices compared to the 120 or so offered in the Dish option.  Discounts on these satellite packages are better though, as there is a $29 a month reduction in price during the first 12 months before regular pricing kicks in.  Different offers on DIRECTV packages come out in the summer, as that is when the Sunday Ticket promotion kicks off and you can get a great deal if you are an NFL fan.

Additional factors to consider when building your satellite television package include high definition access and the digital video recorder.  Neither company offers these as part of the package, so you will be paying an extra $10 a month for HD, and around $6 to $7 a month per DVR.  Most subscribers just have on DVR, but you will also have to consider the receiver fees as well if you are looking to hook up multiple TV sets in your home.

One of the disadvantages with satellite TV  packages is that you can’t bundle multiple services together like cable TV.  DIRECTV does have agreements with some of the major telecoms like AT&T and Verizon that allow you to bundle with their services, but satellite technology doesn’t allow for home phone service.

For quite some time, cable television companies held a monopoly on the pay television market in the United States.  Sure you could get a dish TV system installed if you had a huge backyard with space for a six foot wide satellite.   For obvious reasons these were not very popular in cities or the suburbs, though if you lived in a rural area it was pretty much the only way to receive cable television channels.  When the size of the dish shrunk, the popularity of these TV systems took off and customers quickly accepted this new technology.

Today satellite TV remains an extremely popular option for both city dwellers and rural customers alike.  But how exactly do dish TV systems work?  What factors come into play for the homeowner or the apartment dweller when looking at this option as an alternative to cable service?  Lets consider what is involved in getting dish TV installed in your home or apartment, and what equipment is needed to make your system bring those channels into the home.

When looking at a dish system, it all starts with the satellite unit that is mounted outside of your home.  These small satellite dish units are really what powered the growth of satellite service in the 1990′s.  No longer did the customer have to pour a concrete pad in their backyard and have a massive satellite dish placed out there to receive signal, instead small units were deployed by Dish Network, DIRECTV, and PrimeStar.  Eventually Primestar was sold and became a part of DIRECTV.

Because of the location of the satellites in space, your satellite dish has to be placed facing south or southwest depending on your location.  This of course can present problems for some homeowners with large trees or those who have buildings that may interfere with your line of sight.  Those in apartments may also be locked out of the satellite game if they face north.  But if your home allows installation of a dish TV system, the next step is routing that signal into the home in to the viewing areas.

Traditional coaxial cables that are used by cable television now take over.  Depending on what is already in place, the dish system installer may run additional cable to areas where it is needed.  Most satellite TV packages include setup to one television in the home, but there are generally charges for additional receivers each month for your other TV sets.  Most today opt to have one of the new HD DVR receivers on their primary television, allowing them to record and playback content at their convenience rathter that always being locked into live TV broadcasts.  Dish Network has had an advantage over the past few years in that their DuoDVR series allows two different feeds with independent remote controls.  DIRECTV is though bringing out their own multi-room DVR in 2010.

Most dish television systems can be customized fairly closely to your needs.  While free installation in up to four rooms is generally included, if you have a special situation and need more rooms connected, either company will help you out.  Just be aware that a custom dish system like this will in all likelihood have up front installation charges and may also require a second satellite dish.

One of the most widely advertised products in America today has to be satellite TV.  It seems like you can’t escape the constant onslaught of satellite TV offers – whether they come in the mail, through TV advertisements, or online advertisements promoting Dish Network and DIRECTV.  It certainly illustrates the competitive nature of the business, and that the fight for consumers money will continue for quite a while.  But if you are one of the consumers being targeted, what should you consider when evaluating the satellite television offers that are available to you?

One of the prime factors you should keep in mind when reviewing these specials is that there is a contract involved.  Both Dish Network satellite and DIRECTV require a two year commitment on your part when you sign up for one of their offers.  This insures that they will at least make some money off of you during the second year, after the first year promotional price expires.   Because they are discounting their packages quite a bit during the first twelve months, as well as installing the service at no charge and providing you advanced equipment like high definition DVRs, they need you to stay for at least two years.

Of course they hope you stay much longer than that, but the initial satellite offer is extended to get you interested in their service.  Cable TV companies are in the same boat, as they offer great prices on their triple play packages for one year, in hopes you will stay for a much longer period of time.

While the advertising and claims made by Dish Network and DIRECTV can be a bit confusing, here is a brief summary of what each can provide with their satellite offer.   DIRECTV generally offers free installation and a free movie channels for three months.  The premium movie channels can vary depending on the promotion, but right now they are offering multiple Starz and Showtime channels as part of their offer.  DIRECTV also offers a $29 discount off of all programming packages with the exception of the DIRECTV Family package.  The exception to this offer is the Sunday Ticket deal which usually kicks off mid summer and runs for a few months.  The Sunday Ticket offer generally provides the subscriber with access to the Premier package for several months at no charge when they buy the Sunday Ticket package.

The Dish Network offer is similar to DIRECTV in that they offer free installation and three months free of HBO and Showtime currently.  The discount on the programming packages totals $15 a month for one year, and includes all packages with the exception of the Dish Family bundle.  Dish Network does beat DIRECTV in one way in that their satellite TV offer includes up to three HD upgrades, while DIRECTV only offers two HD compatible devices at no charge.  This is good for those who have bought three HDTV’s and want to be able to enjoy high definition channel content on all of their sets.

Satellite television offers of course change a few times a year.  Dish Network has been fairly consistent in offering the same promotion for some time now, and as mentioned the main Sunday Ticket offer is the biggest change for DIRECTV.  Either way, you will certainly enjoy satellite TV service from either company if you do a little research beforehand and know exactly what to expect.