| Two of the big players in the cable TV market | | | | of market sports programming, Direct TV satellite |
| today are Charter cable and Direct TV satellite | | | | is the way to go. They have exclusive rights to |
| service. If these two companies are on your | | | | the NFL Sunday Ticket package, but it doesn't |
| radar when it comes to choosing a satellite or | | | | stop there. Other packages found on satellite but |
| cable provider, you may be confused about what | | | | missing from Charter include the NBA League |
| they offer, and how much it costs. The smart | | | | Pass and the NASCAR Hotpass series. Charter |
| thing to do is sit down and make a chart of what | | | | does have the NHL Center Ice package, and the |
| each company offers, and of course price out the | | | | MLB Extra Innings package if those are priorities |
| services including everything they offer. Here are | | | | for you. |
| a few point to consider when comparing Charter | | | | Bundled service - One downfall of satellite |
| vs Direct TV. | | | | television service is that they do not have the |
| High Definition - While both companies now offer | | | | ability to compete with cable service when it |
| HD content, one beats the other hands down as | | | | comes to the triple play. Charter can offer |
| far as the actual number of channels. Direct TV | | | | bundled services which add high speed internet |
| claims over 130 HD channels, though that number | | | | and local and long distance calling through your |
| is a bit inflated. They actually have about 90 when | | | | home phone. Combining these services with your |
| you take out the pay per view channels. Charter | | | | cable TV service makes it convenient as far as |
| cable tops out at 60 in the best case, and many | | | | billing and customer service issues. |
| areas have far fewer depending on the network | | | | So which service is right for you? Of course only |
| upgrades. While satellite TV can deliver high | | | | you can make the final determination. While HD |
| definition channels nationally without restriction, | | | | content and out of market sports programming |
| cable companies must upgrade areas one at a | | | | may be top priorities for some, they aren't |
| time in order to have enough capacity. | | | | important to others. Evaluating both services and |
| Sports content - You will be able to find plenty of | | | | the overall costs will insure that you make the |
| sports with either provider, as both carry all of | | | | right choice for your family. |
| the local networks and ESPN. But if you want out | | | | |