Fed up with the transition to digital television enough to chuck it all and order cable or satellite? Here are the best deals the top three are offering during the transition:
Comcast
Contact: 800-266-2278 or
• Free basic cable, including local channels, for a year with subscription to other service such as high-speed Internet or telephone.
• Basic cable, $10/month for a year, includes local channels and 20 to 30 others. After a year it’s about $15/month.
• Want the local television subchannels? You’ll need to subscribe to more-expensive digital cable.
Dish Network
Contact: 888-825-2557
• Basic service includes local channels and 20 others, $14.99/month; $9.99/month without the locals. You’ll pay for the equipment and installation too, for $149.
• Classic Bronze 100 plan, $14.99/month for six months — $39.99/month after that — and includes local channels and free equipment with installation.
• Want local subchannels? You’ll need an antenna to switch from dish to over-the-air reception.
DirecTV
Contact: 800-347-3288
• Family Pack plan, 50 channels plus locals, $29.99/month.
• Choice package, 150 channels plus locals, $34.99/month for a year, then $55.99/month.
Hottest deals
• No converter-box coupon? No sweat. Best Buy will redeem the coupon after you’ve already purchased the box. Simply bring the coupon, the store receipt and the converter box to the store and they’ll get you the credit.
• On Friday, redeem the government’s $40 coupon at the American Red Cross, 444 Sherman St. in Denver, for Dish Network’s DTV PalPlus converter box, which normally costs $69.99. That’s it. No cash, just the coupon.
