In a recent post I complained about Charter’s customer service record. Here is some more proof.

PCWorld ranked Charter’s cable Internet service as worst among 14 major Internet service providers. The criticisms in this post and the ones below have led consumers to believe that Charter Communications offers the worst combination of price for channel availability of any major cable provider in the United States.

…and more

Charter High-Speed Internet is the next to the last rated cable ISP on dslreports.com and Consumer Reports indicated in their February 2008 issue that Charter’s television/Internet/telephone bundle collectively is the worst of all major national carriers.

Popularity: 22% [?]

As you’ve probably seen from TV commercials and the offers piling into your mailbox, the cable and satellite guys are pushing services that promise a big selection of programming plus enhanced picture and sound quality. So even if you don’t need a new TV set, you may be thinking of getting a new service provider.

There are currently three ways to get television signals into your home: an off-air antenna, cable, and satellite. Most homes currently subscribe to cable, but satellite continues to gain ground. Antennas, the least common choice, are often used to supplement satellite or cable.

An antenna offers limited programming, with none of the premium channels you can get from cable or satellite. Don’t expect top-quality reception unless you have close, unobstructed access to the TV stations’ transmitters.

Analog cable usually has better, and more consistent, quality than you’ll get with an antenna, but quality still varies by station. Analog cable also has a nice variety of programming, including premium channels such as HBO and Showtime.

Digital cable offers better picture and sound quality, along with up to 200 or so channels, with extensive movie and sports programming (much of it not available on analog cable at any price) and commercial-free music. To receive HD (or high definition) programming, you need a special HD-capable cable box and an HD-ready TV. Check with your cable company to see how much HD content it currently provides; in some areas, the cable provider doesn’t yet offer much.

Rising costs are a constant complaint from cable subscribers. Unfortunately, most folks can’t switch to another cable provider. In most areas, there’s only one company offering service. Where there is competition between cable companies, prices tend to be lower.

With satellite television you have a choice of providers: DirecTV and Echostar’s Dish Network both operate nationwide. Like digital cable, satellite gives you picture and sound quality that’s comparable to DVD plus up to 200 channels of programming, including commercial-free CD-quality music channels. Movie and sports programming is strong, with a wide range of choices. Local channels, excluding community programming, are available at extra cost in many but not all areas.

Satellite TV companies like DirecTV and Dish Network require a dish that’s mounted outdoors (usually on your roof) and a receiver that sits near your TV. The equipment will work with only one provider’s signals. To get HD broadcasts, you need a second or larger dish and an HD-capable satellite receiver. HD programming is largely limited to premium channels like HBO and Showtime. The major networks’ HD programming is generally not available via satellite, but you may be able to get it using a roof antenna.

Popularity: 27% [?]

Here is what the Better Business Bureau had to say about Charter Cable in a recent post.

clipped from en.wikipedia.org The Better Business Bureau has received numerous complaints regarding this cable, digital TV, and high speed internet access provider. Complainants primarily allege that the firm had improper billing practices, referred customer bills to collection agencies in error, provided poor customer service, used misleading advertising, provided defective internet or cable performance, used improper sales tactics or misrepresented the actual costs of installation and service, failed to properly install or maintain service, damaged customers’ property, and failed to honor service appointments.

Popularity: 23% [?]

Enough is enough. When I read in my local paper that my cable provider, Charter Cable, had been voted “Worst Customer Service” I knew it was time for a change, but which companies are the lesser of the evils when it comes to the ultimate television experience? Who do you choose in the “digital cable vs satellite” debate? Directv or the Dish Network? An open forum where everyone can share their experiences would be very beneficial to anyone needing answers to these questions.

Popularity: 28% [?]