Two of the big players in the cable television landscape today are Charter cable and Direct TV satellite television.  If these big media companies are on options for you when it comes to selecting a satellite or cable company, you may be confused about what they claim to offer, and how much it costs. The smart thing to do is sit down and make a chart of what each company offers, and of course price out the services including everything they offer.  Lets consider a couple of points to consider when comparing Charter cable vs Direct TV.

Hi Definition - While both cable and satellite now offer hi def content, Dish beats Charter cable quite handily as far as the HD channel count goes. Direct TV claims over 130 hi definition networks, but on close examination that number is inflated.  They in reality have about 90 when you remove the PPV channels. Charter TV maxes out at 60 in the best case, and many areas have far fewer HD channels depending on the network.

Sports channels - You will be able to find plenty of sports with either company, as both carry all of the local networks and ESPN. But if you want out of market sports content, DirecTV satellite is the best choice over Dish and Charter. They have the rights to the NFL Sunday Ticket bundle, but it doesn’t end there. Other packages found on satellite but missing from Charter include the NBA League Pass and the NFL Sunday Ticket.

Bundled options - One drawback of satellite television service is that they do not have the ability to compete with Charter TV when it comes to the triple play package. Charter can offer bundled services which also add internet access and long distance calling through your home phone. Combining these services with your cable television company is convenient as far as customer service issues.

So which service is the right one for your situation? Of course only you can make the final decision.  While hi def channels and premium sports programming may be high on the list for many, they aren’t important to others. Reviewing both options and the prices involved will insure that you make the correct choice for your family.

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