One major concern for many people when they go for a "free" offer is what it is really going to cost them. It's time to take a look at what you have to pay when you decide to go with one of these free offers.
The first thing you need to be aware of is the length of the contract. Typically, you must accept a one-year contract, and there are penalties if you cancel your satellite television service early. If you have a cell phone, you've probably dealt with similar contracts before.
Next you need to know whether or not you will need to make any deposits or prepay for the service. This can depend on your credit rating. You might also have to pay an activation fee, although this is typically credited towards your bill, so while you have to pay it up front, the activation fee isn't costing you anything more than the programming would have to begin with.
Then, of course, there are the programming fees. At present, there are only two big satellite TV providers out there.
Dish Network
Services may start as low as $19.99 (subject to change, depending on current offers), and goes up depending on the particular packages you order. However, the $19.99/month is a special offer, and after the deal is over, your rates will increase to about 31.99/month.
The basic service includes about 60 channels, but the actual number may vary by your location. If you throw in channels such as Starz, Showtime, Sports or other premium channels, the cost goes up to about $86. HDTV also costs extra, as does a subscription to a DVR or TiVO service.
Dish Network does offer more channels overall than its competition, DirecTV.
DirecTV
Packages from DirecTV may start as low as $29.99/month for the basic 60-ish channels. As with Dish Network, you can add programming packages to total more than $90/month if you go for the whole deal. Once, again HDTV or DVR services are extra.
So what's free??
The basic equipment and installation are free, that's what you're getting with the free satellite TV deals. You can get service installed in multiple rooms for free, so that you can watch different shows on different televisions.
There are also often offers for a free HDTV reciever or free DVR or TiVO.
If you're wanting satellite television service, these free installation and equipment deals are excellent for you, provided you won't be moving during the contract time. You would typically have to pay for a new installation if you moved, or else pay the penalty on your contract!
When you're deciding which company to go with, compare the actual channels you want. Even though Dish Network offers more channels in general, DirecTV does offer some selections you cannot get from Dish Network.
