Competition to Offer Television Heats Up Central Arkansas

There`s a whole new way to watch KARK 4 News--a way some satellite viewers are catching on to. Starting, Thursday, June 10, DirecTV offers local channels, something Comcast and the Dish Satellite already offer. "It`s a competition thing," said Joey Adams, Broadway Satellites, which offers DirecTV. It`s no surprise that with hundreds of channels available, the t.v. business is a game of catch up. "We`ve been competing with satellite companies for years, from days of large dishes until today," said Mike Wilson, at Comcast. When Missy Price turns her television on, she can enjoy local channels without the hassle. "So, I don`t have to keep turning my satellite off and go straight to my locals with my remote," said Price. It`s an offer that keeps satellite companies in stiff competition with cable. "Cable has held that over our heads, they`ve been able to provide people with local channels, woe couldn`t provide them," said Adams. "There`s more competition in the market than ever before and obviously that`s very good for the consumer," said Wilson. So far, there`s no telling what effect the competition will have on you bill. The Dish and DirecTV customers receive 120 digital channels for $39.99 a month. Comcast Cable offers 195 channels for $59.85, but they say that`s not all they have. "We offer a wide variety of choices, our limited basic package of 19 channels for just around $11," said Wilson. But rates aren`t the only way the game is played. "It`s a complete digital picture, cable provides what they call digital service. It`s another competition thing to keep up with satellite is why they provided service," said Adams. The game could get tighter for companies to attract more viewers. If you`re a DirecTV customer and are not getting the local channels, you probably need a new multi-satellite dish. The local channnels are being offered for free for three months, after that there will be a $3 charge. You can find KARK right where it should be, on Channel 4.