Tune in to cable, satellite plans
Local providers can enhance TV viewing with DIRECTV, digital cable

By Tim Eaton, Caller-Times

   If Corpus Christi residents are looking for television beyond ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and PBS, they have several cable and digital options.
   Sales representatives from Grande Communications (formerly ClearSource), Time Warner Cable or Heartland are available to help new or long-time Corpus Christi residents expand their TV options.
   Heartland
   Customers looking for satellite programming from DIRECTV can check out Heartland. The service offers more than 200 channels and 30 premium movie channels.
   The basic DIRECTV plan costs $31.99 for 115 channels. Any movie channel network, such as HBO, Showtime or The Movie Channel, is $12 a month.
   DirecTV requires a 1-year contract and cannot pick up local stations. Installation is $49. For DirecTV, call Heartland at 800-880-0292.
   Grande Communications
   Grande Communications customers can pick from more than 275 channels and more than 30 premium movie channels when they subscribe to the service. The company offers digital and analog service.
   Grande Communications sells a basic package with about 80 channels and local stations for $29.99 a month, plus installation fee. Two HBO channels can be added for $11.99.
   Grande also offers digital cable with more than 100 channels for $35.99 a month. Customers can add movie channel networks for $11.99 a month. Grande Communications also offers phone and Internet services. For Grande Communications installation, call 361-334-3000.
   Time Warner Cable
   Time Warner Cable is another option. The service can cost as low as $32.95 a month for basic analog service with about 80 channels. Movie channels can be added for $9.95 a month each.
   Time Warner also offers digital programming. The simplest package, the Bronze Package, comes with about 200 channels and no movie channels for $38.95 a month.
   The Silver Package includes the 200 channels and 13 HBO channels for $48.90. The Gold Package adds more movies for $57.85. Additional movie channel packages cost $9.95 per network, per month.
   With Time Warner, there is a one-time installation charge of $22.50, but with periodic specials, installation often costs less. Time Warner also offers Internet service. For installation of Time Warner Cable, call 361-698-6200.
   Certain sections of town do not offer all the companies' programming.
   Representatives from each of the companies will know in which areas they offer service.
   On the Net
   Create your own customized TV listings or search for programming by ZIP_code at caller.com, keyword TV.