Thinking about getting cable or satellite?

Many companies are offering big deals to compete for East Texas viewers

February 16, 2009 - 11:49pm

TYLER - President Obama has signed the bill allowing TV stations time to delay the switch to digital television until June 12th.

It gives stations like KETK-TV and KFXK-TV to switch on the original date or wait. Our station has decided to hold-off and continue broadcasting in both analog and digital until further notice. NBC56 and FOX 51 promises to give our viewers ample time to prepare if we decide to go straight to digital before June 12th.

The main reason we decided to continue broadcasting in both analog and digital is because the backlog is still large for TV converter box coupons.

For those of you considering getting cable or satellite, it's worth noting many companies are offering big deals to compete for East Texas viewers.

The first option you have is cable.

Suddenlink is the major provider in our area.

According to Suddenlink spokesman Skip Ogle, a basic cable package is currently available for $14.95 a month.

If you're looking to bundle cable, high speed Internet and top-dollar phone service - it'll cost you about $99 a month.

They'll also set it up and install it for free.

"It's very affordable for anybody wanting basic cable or some of our premier packages out there" said Ogle.

Mr. Ogle says cable service is locally-oriented. He says Suddenlink has an upper-hand in East Texas because their national call center is located here.

Another option for East Texans is satellite-provider DISH Network.

With headquarters in Colorado, they gave us their best offer by phone this afternoon.

"Right now we're offering a deal for $9.99 a month for the first six months," said spokesman Parker McConachie. "Along with that includes free high-definition, free DVR and free installation."

In addition - McConachie says DISH offers up to 122 national channels.

"If they're not going to be able to receive that terrestrial signal anymore," said McConachie, "We want folks to know dish has very affordable options."

DIRECTV, Inc., is another satellite provider available in our area.

They're offering a 45-channel package for about $30 a month.