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3 Things to Know about the Peak TV Era

The Era of Peak TV is still going strong. Take full advantage of the deluge of prime entertainment with this knowledge and a hidden tip!

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3 Things to Know about the Peak TV Era
The Era of Peak TV is still going strong. First, it was broadcast channels, and it was not enough. Then came cable television, and it was better, but not still not enough. Now we have streaming networks, internet TV, and more ways to get new and scripted shows. In 2015, the head of FX, John Landgraf, dubbed this the Era of “Peak TV.” Not just TV, but the abundance of scripted shows. And Landgraf warned that if there were more than 500 that would be “the peak.” After that, there would be too many scripted TV shows to go around. Too many options of what to watch. As a result, the bubble would burst and we’d see a sharp decline in scripted television. By some counts, there are more than 500 scripted shows on television right now. We’ve passed Landgraf’s limit. So…what happens now? While some networks, like Freeform and MTV, have switched from scripted programs to reality, the trend hasn’t quite caught on. Networks and streaming services, the most obvious being Netflix, are still churning out new shows. And while viewers can take advantage of this with Spectrum internet bundle deals to make the most of cable and internet, the bubble still appears intact. With no end in sight, the Era of Peak TV marches on. But what does that really mean?

The Good

As stated previously, there is an abundance, a plethora, a deluge of scripted television to watch. Either broadcast, cable, or streaming, there is something that is bound to catch your attention and draw you in. Gone are the days when you had to wait for the show to air on it’s selected channel and night. And worse than that, if you couldn’t watch it, you had to set the timer on your VCR to record it and hope that a power outage wouldn’t screw that up. Now we are blessed with DVR, on-demand, and best of all, streaming. Thanks to these services, creators have produced more shows to fill the demand. Or was it the other way around? Whichever came first, the point is that the ability to watch a show when you want necessitates an excess of television. To meet that need, big names like Judd Apatow and Shonda Rhimes have been wooed to subscriber-based television to produce shows that a dedicated audience will pay for. If they watch everyone single one of them or not at all, it doesn’t matter. These services have provided a better outlet for producers and writers to create the shows they want to create.

The Bad

The downside of this abundance is the quality of the shows being produced. With any group, no matter how big or small, there will be top performers and bottom performers. When there were few shows, the bad ones were easily weeded out and replaced with ones that might do better. Now, with the 500+ shows available, that means there will be a lot of bad ones out there. Since those shows are already paid for, you might end up wasting your money on them. Another facet of this is that the scriptwriters are the ones who are apparently suffering. Since more shows are being created, they tend to come in smaller packages. The old 22-episode seasons of a sitcom or drama is not the typical format you’d find these days. Instead, we’re seeing eight, ten, thirteen-episode seasons. A writer will usually be paid by the show or for a set number of episodes. If there are fewer episodes, that means a smaller paycheck. The simple answer would be to just write for more shows, but that will lead to burn out and a decrease in quality. This ties back to the previous item of bad shows being produced. One last thing- option overload. With so many shows available it’s hard to decide on which show to watch. Some nights you might find yourself debating which show to watch and end up not watching anything.

When Will It End?

We may have passed Landgraf’s omen of 500 shows, but there’s no telling how long it will last. 500 shows this year could mean little. Next year there might be 550, and the year after that 600. Maybe then we’ll find out if the bubble will pop. Another possibility is that we may hover around 500 for a few years and then see the bubble pop. There’s no way of telling. Having access to nearly 500 shows isn’t a bad thing. We get to see a wealth of stories and expand our creativity more. Another downside is the price that all this entails: To get access to this wealth of engaging stories means having to pay for more than one subscription. This is on top of already paying for cable and internet. So then why not pay less for both? Save yourself some money while you download the latest episode by checking out internet bundle deals. Switch your provider or plan, and you’ll be in the best spot to enjoy all the Era of Peak TV has to offer.

Should You Change Internet Providers When You Move?

Moving is a great time to go through your stuff and purge what you don't need. Most people think that just applies to books and clothing, but it can apply to your internet provider as well. That being said, internet providers like Xfinity, Comcast, CenturyLink, Frontier, Spectrum, Suddenlink and AT&T

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Should You Change Internet Providers When You Move?

Should you switch to a new internet provider when you move?

Updated 02/17/2020

02/17/2020

The answer depends on a lot of factors. Check it out. Moving is a great time to go through your stuff and purge what you don't need. Most people think that just applies to books and clothing, but it can apply to your internet provider as well.  That being said, providers like Xfinity Comcast, CenturyLink, Frontier, Spectrum, Suddenlink and AT&T do not offer TV and Internet service in 100% of the country so you are probably going to have to start searching for a new internet option for your home.  

Does Your Internet Provider Offer Service in Your New Area?

Internet providers vary from area to area. Your current provider may not offer service in your new area. Call your provider and see if moving the services is even an option. If not, it's time to start looking at new companies. Try to do this early. That gives you time to shop around.  The good news is companies like AT&T, Xfinity ( Comcast) and Spectrum are available in a majority of the big cities and throughout the country so odds are you may be able to transfer your service. 

How Much Does It Cost to Move Your Internet?

Unfortunately, a lot of internet providers charge a fee for moving your service. The fee is usually only around $50, but it can be more. It covers the cost of sending out a tech or whatever else needs to be done. Check out the fee before agreeing to move your service. In some cases, you may be able to get the fee waived if you talk with the loyalty department. In other cases, you may be able to get the fee waived if you upgrade to a more expensive plan.  Many times the offers companies like AT&T, CenturyLink, Spectrum and Xfinity (Comcast) promote are for new customers and existing customers are often stuck paying the higher price.  Sometimes even though your service is able to be transferred, you may be better off canceling your existing service and setting up as a new customer at your new home or location.  This way you can take advantage of the new customer discounts these companies have to offer.  Internet and TV providers like AT&T, CenturyLink, Xfinity and Spectrum often have options for free standard installation, a reduced rate on your bill for your first year or even gift cards for signing up for new service at your home.  All of the internet service providers mentioned above also offer discounts when bundling your new high speed broadband internet service with TV, phone, internet and home security/ home automation for your new home.  To see what offers are available to you all you have to do is head over to Konecteaze handy zip code look up tool, type in your zip code and compare the offers in your area.  Sometimes seeing all of internet providers available as well as the best plans can be a little bit overwhelming so we are here to guide you through the madness.  Just give one of our friendly, US based reps a call and we will walk you through all the internet, TV and phone options for your new home or existing residence. 

Does Your Internet Provider Offer the Same Services in Your New Area?

It's also important to see if your internet provider offers the same service in your new area. Infrastructure varies from area to area. One place may have fiber optic cables, while another place may be running the internet over 30-year old phone lines. As a result, the available speeds may vary. To explain, imagine you live in a city right now, and you have super fast internet. However, you plan to move to the country. Your internet provider offers service in the country, but it can't give you the same high speed you're used to. In cases, like this, you may want to look into other options. For instance, you may want to consider switching to satellite internet.

Can You Get a Better Internet Deal?

Even if your company offers service at your new address, you may want to look at alternatives. Internet companies tend to offer the best deals to brand new customers. When you're moving to a new home, that's the best time to get a great deal. Plus, if you plan to get phone service or cable, you can get an even better deal. Most companies offer deals for bundles. A bundle is when you get TV, cable or internet from the same company or from companies who are willing to work together. Then, you receive a discount. In a lot of cases, bundled services are cheaper than standalone services. For instance, a lot of CenturyLink plans combine phone and internet service. If you got the internet on its own, it ends up costing more than both services together. Similarly, AT&T offers bundles deals for cell phone and internet service. Almost all internet providers offer some way to save through bundling. Moving deals can be the best internet deals. Don't just pack up your old internet service and take it to your new home. Consider looking around to see what else is available. Getting ready to move? Should you take your internet with you or switch to something new? Check out our newest post for what you need to consider.

RESOURCES;  Some internet providers offer help when it comes to moving like SPECTRUM, Xfinity, AT&T and CenturyLink

Top 3 Reasons to Bundle Internet, Beyond the Savings

Most people who are considering to bundle internet service and television are interested in the potential for cost savings. While saving money is definitely an advantage of television and internet bundles, it is not the only benefit.

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Top 3 Reasons to Bundle Internet, Beyond the Savings
Most people who are considering to bundle internet service and television are interested in the potential for cost savings. While saving money is definitely an advantage of television and internet bundles, it is not the only benefit.

Here are the top 3 reasons to bundle internet, beyond saving money.

 

1. Convenient, Consistent Billing

When you bundle your internet, television, and phone, you only need to worry about one bill for all three services. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, keeping track of multiple monthly due dates and payment schedules can be a hassle. Bundling services allow you to simplify your monthly bills by combining them. Additionally, if you do ever have any questions or concerns, there is only one provider for you to contact.

2. Ability to Customize

Bundling gives you the opportunity to select only the services that you want. Generally speaking, you can bundle television, internet service, landline phone service, and cellular phone service. Due to the convenience of cell phones, many households no longer see the need for a landline phone. Thanks to the ability to customize, you can create a bundle that includes only the services you need. A lot of service providers let you customize the specifics of your bundles as well. For example, if you watch most of your favorite shows on streaming services, you may want to get the highest internet speed available but only the basic television package. On the other hand, someone who watches their favorite shows live but only goes online to check email and social media may opt for a television package with more channels and a slower internet speed. When you bundle your services you’re able to customize your bundle to your needs.

3. Extra Services and Perks

Companies appreciate customers who bundle. But they also know that these same customers often have the option to bundle elsewhere. As a result, many service providers offers bonus perks or extra services for their bundling customers at no additional cost. For example, bundling your home phone with internet and television may earn you free long-distance service or access to services such as on-screen TV Caller ID. While these perks and bonuses vary across providers, one thing that’s certain is that companies want to make sure their bundling customers feel valued. Ready to simplify your bills, customize your service plan, earn bonuses and perks, and save money? Then it’s time to bundle your internet, television, and phone services.  

What Is DSL internet? What are my internet options?

DSL internet is a digital subscriber line,and it allows you to access the internet over your phone lines. Along with cable,satellite,and ... Read More

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What Is DSL internet? What are my internet options?

Update February 10, 2020   02/10/2020:  

Since we published this article several years ago not much has changed.  DSL internet is still available and unfortunately the only option for many Americans who are simply looking for high speed internet for their homes. Companies like AT&T, CenturyLink and Earthlink still offer DSL service.  Many customers are stranded looking for options to be able to stream their favorite shows from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon amongst other sources.  Since the latest speed test done across the country show that DSL only has the ability to operate at a speed of 1Mbps or less, DSL is simply not an option for today's internet user.  

There is good news for folks who are either moving to a new area looking to set up service and find DSL is one of the only options or existing DSL customer from AT&T, CenturyLink and Earthlink who are simply not getting the speed, and service they are looking for.  Viasat Satellite internet service and HughesNet satellite internet service offer speeds almost 25x higher and give many customers a truly high speed internet option.  Check out to see if you have better options in your area by using our zip code lookup tool here Zip Code Lookup Tool



DSL internet is a digital subscriber line, and it allows you to access the internet over your phone lines. Along with cable, satellite, and fiber optics, DSL is one of the four main types of connections used by internet service providers.

How Does DSL Internet Work?

Traditional phones lines are made of copper wires that carry analog signals. When you talk on a landline phone, the acoustics of your conversation are converted into analog signals that run along the phone wires. Similarly, these wires can also carry analog signals from computer to computer. However, you need a modem to convert the analog signals into digital signals. Finally, subscriber line simply refers to the fact that you subscribe or pay a monthly fee to access the line.

Can You Use the Phone With DSL?

In the early days of internet popularity, dial-up service also used phone lines to carry the internet into your home. With these old systems, however, you could not use the phone at the same time as the internet. With DSL, that has changed. The signal is split coming into your home, allowing you to access the internet and use your landline at the same time.

How Fast Is DSL Internet?

The telephone companies that offer DLS internet use digital subscriber line access multiplexers -- imagine a small building full of constantly buzzing equipment and servers. These multiplexers connect to a network to access data, and from there, the data is forwarded to individual subscribers. In most cases, to get DSL internet, you must be within a certain distance of the multiplexer, and generally, the closer you are the faster your internet service is. DSL speeds range from 128 kbps to 12 Mbps. However, in some cases, you can get DSL speeds up to 20 Mbps or even 40 Mbps — those speeds are typically only available in areas where the existing phone lines have been reinforced or bolstered with fiber optics.

Can You Bundle DSL Internet?

Generally, phone companies offer DSL. For example, AT&T, CenturyLink, Verizon, and Frontier Communications all offer DSL internet as well as phone service. In most cases, if you want to have DSL and a landline, you have to get both services from the same company. However, discounts for booking multiple services is standard practice in the industry. Some DSL providers also pair with television, cell phone companies, and others to offer bundling discounts.

Where Is DSL Available?

DSL service is available around the county. However, it is not strictly available everywhere that has phone lines. As indicated above, the service can only work in areas where the phone company has invested in digital subscriber line access multiplexers and upgrading the phone lines as necessary. If DSL is offered in your area, you may want to consider it. Compare the price with other options, and then, make sure the potential internet speeds are up to your needs. For more on internet speeds, check out our post "What Internet Speed Do You Need?".

Cable Internet Versus HughesNet and Viasat Satellite internet: Which Option Is Best for You?

Two of the most popular internet options are satellite internet like HughesNet and Viasat or cable internet like Comcast Xfinity, Wow, Frontier, Spectrum and CenturyLink. We dig deep to find out which Internet Service Provider is best

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Cable Internet Versus HughesNet and Viasat Satellite internet: Which Option Is Best for You?

Updated: February 11, 2020

02/11/2020

We still get this question often and we wanted to update this article with the questions, myths and facts people still have or hear about cable vs satellite internet service.  For the purposes of this article we will be discussing the two major providers of satellite internet, HughesNet and Viasat as well as various cable providers which include but are not limited to companies like Spectrum, Comcast, Frontier, WOW cable, Time Warner Cable, CenturyLink and WIndstream.  There are over 2700 internet service providers across the US all offering various speed, packages, prices, bundles and incentives.  We will try to help you determine which service is right for you.  


Two of the most popular internet options are satellite and cable internet. Both satellite and cable bring the internet into your home, but they complete this function in vastly different ways. Here's a look at the basics to help you decide which option is right for your needs.  

Cable Internet Versus Satellite: The Basics

Cable internet comes to your home through the same cables that you use to watch cable TV. In most cases, you can use the same provider for both cable TV and cable internet like Comcast, CenturyLink, spectrum, Wow cable, frontier and many others.  , You typically receive a discount for bundling both your new cable and tv services. Satellite internet providers like HughesNet and Viasat, in contrast, starts with a land-based internet connection. That sends signals to a satellite orbiting Earth, which in turn sends signals to your personal satellite dish. Finally, your personal satellite dish is connected to your home modem.  Satellite internet like the service HughesNet and Viasat provide give you the exact same product as far as internet is concerned.  The differences really boil down to speed price and availability.  If you are moving to a new home and looking for a new internet provider, the availability of a cable service like Spectrum, Comcast or CenturyLink really depends if they have put the high speed broadband internet infrastructure in your area to be able to offer you service.  

The Installation Process

Both satellite and cable internet require professional installation and a modem. The cable internet installer simply splices your existing cable and routes it to your modem.  Many times providers like Comcast ( their high speed broadband internet service is actually called Xfinity) and Spectrum (formerly known as Charter) offer self install in which there companies just send the modem to your home and you plug it in.  For the self install feature Comcast and Spectrum need to have been installed in the home previously.  The satellite internet installer has to put in a satellite dish, just as they do with satellite TV.  With both satellite and cable internet, you pay a monthly fee, and if you bundle the service with your TV service, you can often receive a discount.  With Satellite internet service like Viasat and HughesNet, they do not have a standalone TV service but partner with DirecTV and often offer incentives like $10 off of your HughesNet or Viasat bill for signing up for both services.   In both cases, you may be required to buy or rent a modem. However, with satellite internet, you may also have to foot the cost of buying or leasing the satellite dish.  Much of this depends on the offer at the time and your credit worthiness.  Many providers offer free standard installation when you qualify for their offer.  Typically standard instillation of TV, Phone and Internet Service can run as high as $99.  To check and see the current offers or to see if you qualify you can always call Konecteaze.com or call Call 888-376-0753


Reliability

Cable internet runs along cables and tends to be relatively reliable. However, if you live in an area where the cable TV goes in and out, you can expect similar performance issues with your internet. Additionally, if your neighbors receive their internet through the same cable, speed and reliability may be reduced when multiple people are on the internet at the same time. With satellite internet, in contrast, you don't share the signal with your neighbors. That keeps the signal strong during peak usage times. However, storms and sunspots can disrupt the transmission signal and lead to downtime.

Availability

Cable internet is only available in areas with cable TV. Satellite internet is available almost anywhere. In many areas, you can choose between these two options, but in rural areas, without cable, satellite may be the only option.  The best way to find out which internet service providers are available in your area as well as offers and speeds, use our handy zip look up tool on our home page Konecteaze.com and type in your zip code to see the latest offers.  

Speeds

Speeds can vary depending on the type of cables in your area. However, cable internet typically offers speeds ranging from 20 Mbps to over 1000 Mbps. Satellite internet is a bit slower with speeds ranging from 5 to 100 Mbps(. If both options are available in your area, your decision boils down to speed and cost. Check out a few companies in your area to see which options and packages are available. Don't forget however that in addition to these options, you should also check out DSL. This modern take on dial-up will be covered in an upcoming blog.