Find the Best Cable Companies and Satellite TV Providers in Green Bay, WI

Choosing a cable company or satellite TV provider in Green Bay

When deciding which Green Bay television provider to go with, you need to look at your specific situation. Some questions to ask yourself are:

• Are there specific channels I want, such as ESPN, HBO or other specialty channels? Each service decides what channels it offers, so be sure to compare channel packages to make sure you’re getting the programs you want to watch.
• Are there services that I can bundle with TV programming? Many cable and satellite TV providers also offer phone or internet service. By bundling these with cable, you usually receive a discount.
• Am I willing to sign a contract, possibly for one or two years? Some companies offer month-to-month subscriptions, but others require one- or two-year contracts that you must pay a fee to cancel.

Types of cable and satellite TV

Each cable TV and satellite TV provider in Green Bay offers a variety of packages from which to choose. A company’s basic package is the least expensive but has the fewest channels and programming options. The Federal Communications Commission requires companies to offer pay-per-view services on basic cable plans. More expensive packages provide more channels and may include an on-demand library of shows and movies you can watch at any time.

Some packages offer features like the ability to start watching a movie on one device and then continue where you left off on another device, and some companies may provide apps that let you watch TV on the go with your smartphone or tablet.

Some services, such as YouTube TV and DIRECTVNOW, provide television programming streamed via the internet. These companies generally offer month-to-month subscriptions and do not require long-term contracts. Other services, such as Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, offer video-on-demand services that can complement a cable or satellite TV subscription.

Cable vs. satellite TV

Satellite TV is more susceptible to outages caused by bad weather, which could be an issue during snowy Green Bay winters. Satellite television services also require a dish to be mounted to your roof or the side of your home, which may not be allowed if you rent. It may also not be worth your time if you are a college student at UW-Green Bay and plan on moving within a year.

Satellite services transmit a wireless signal, which gives them a larger area of service. For people living in rural areas outside of Green Bay, satellite TV may be the only option. Satellite TV also typically costs less per channel than cable and often has better HD quality.

Cable TV is generally easier to install and only requires small pieces of equipment that are easily hidden in cabinets. Cable TV tends to be a little more expensive, but it doesn’t face the same issues with weather outages because it uses a physical cable.

How much does cable and satellite TV cost in Green Bay?

Cable TV and satellite TV customers pay an average of $85 to $100 a month for service, but the number of options available results in a wide range of costs. Basic packages start at $30 to $50 a month, with additional costs for more channels or features.

Pay attention to the fine print on your contract — companies often offer two-year contracts with lower prices in the first year that increase in the second year. Ask your service provider about the full cost over the life of the contract.

You may also pay more because of equipment fees for satellite dishes or cable boxes, and contracts often contain cancellation fees, which make them less desirable if you aren’t sure you’ll use the service for a full one or two years.