Find the Best Cable Companies and Satellite TV Providers in Baltimore, MD

Choosing a cable company or satellite TV provider in Baltimore

Dealing with cable TV or satellite providers with poor customer service can be frustrating. When shopping for a service in Baltimore, it’s essential to find one that provides the channels you want and has excellent customer service to help with installation and outages.

Baltimore residents have three main options when it comes to TV service: cable, satellite or internet/streaming services. It’s crucial to look at the pros, cons and costs of each so you can binge-watch your favorite shows knowing you opted for the best service for you. Some of the factors to consider when shopping include:

• Channel availability: Each provider in Baltimore decides which channels it offers, so compare available packages carefully to make sure the ones you most want are included.
• Reliability of service: Losing your signal during your favorite show or while keeping an eye on severe weather alerts is a problem. Check customer reviews to ensure the company’s service is as reliable as possible.
• Length of contract: Some companies in Baltimore only offer long-term deals or charge high rates for month-to-month or short-term contracts. See what’s required before committing.
• Extra features: Cable companies and satellite TV providers offer many different features, including DVR recording and apps that let you watch television on your smartphone, tablet or laptop.
• Customer service: Television outages are even more frustrating when you’re unable to get help to fix the problem. Choose a company known for providing quality customer service to its subscribers.
• Service bundling: Some Baltimore companies offer discounts by bundling your cable or satellite package with phone or internet service. See what each company has available to help you save money on your monthly bills.
• Speed of internet (if included): If you are bundling services, check the speed and quality of the internet. Internet quality is especially important if you’re complementing your cable or satellite package with internet movie services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.

Types of cable and satellite TV in Baltimore

Most cable companies and satellite TV providers in Baltimore offer different tiers of packages. The three most common channel packages are:

• Basic channel packages include the main networks governed by the FCC, such as ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and the CW. These are usually the same channels you would receive by using an antenna.
• Extended basic channel packages add on some of the most popular pay channels, such as ESPN, Comedy Central and the Cartoon Network.
• Premium channel packages include the most channel options as well as movie channels such as HBO and SHOWTIME.

What is internet cable?

Some companies are now offering television services accessible through the internet. Despite the commonly used name of internet cable, these services do not require cable and are accessible through an app installed on compatible smart devices. Services such as YouTube TV, Hulu and DIRECTV’s DIRECTVNOW offer television service through an internet connection.

Many of these companies offer channel packages similar to cable companies and satellite TV providers, with tiers available at different price points. Other companies, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, do not offer live programming but provide a library of on-demand television shows and movies.

In addition, paid apps for networks such as CBS and the BBC are also available for streaming online and on TV streaming devices like Roku and Amazon Fire TV.

Cable vs. satellite TV

If you know you want a traditional TV provider, your options narrow to cable or satellite. Which is better may depend on whether you value fewer outages or lower monthly bills — cable TV companies generally charge more per channel than satellite TV services, but cable is less likely to be affected by inclement weather.

Cable providers have smaller service areas, meaning those who live in rural areas outside Baltimore may not be able to receive cable service. Satellite providers provide service wirelessly, which means they can cover wide geographic areas. In Baltimore, opting for satellite TV generally gives you a larger pool of providers and more competitive rates, but installing the required dish may not be practical for everyone.

Locally, satellite providers are known for offering a better picture quality, but cable may have an advantage if you’re opting to bundle your television service with internet — satellite internet generally requires a second dish.

How much does cable and satellite TV cost in Baltimore?

The cost of TV service varies by the type of service, provider, package size, add-ons and whether you’re bundling it with extra services, but the typical customer pays between $85 and $100 a month for cable or satellite TV.

In Baltimore, cable prices start at around $30 per month for basic cable packages that include 10 channels. The cost does not include installation or any extra features such as DVR.

Satellite TV ranges by provider too, but Baltimore’s major providers, DIRECTV and DISH, offer prices starting around $35 per month for a minimal package. HD packages with more channels range between $65 and $115 a month. Check the small print on the contract, however — some companies offer two-year contracts that include dramatic price increases in the second year.

The cost of satellite dish installation ranges from $60 to $250, depending on the number of TVs in your home and where the satellite must be installed. Both cable and satellite TV providers may charge additional equipment fees, which range anywhere from $10 to $18 per month per device for the duration of the time you are using their equipment.