Because TV and internet stuff is important to us, we take our methodologies seriously (please disregard our frivolous use of the word “stuff”). We base our reviews and ratings on a unique blend of hard data and qualitative analysis.
Read on to see how exactly we rate and test (i.e. have fun with) the services and products featured on our site.
Customer satisfaction surveys
Every year, we send out comprehensive customer satisfaction surveys that rate TV, streaming, and internet providers.
We do this because we want to know what actual customers think (what a concept) about everything from their bill to their channel lineup.
Editor’s Choice awards
Every Editor’s Choice award is determined by crunching data and debating what the numbers mean as a team of experts.
We like to think that this is where our TV and internet geekiness really shines. Below, we break down what we take into account for each service we review on the site.
Editorial star ratings
You may have noticed that we provide editorial star ratings for every service and product that we review on our site.
What you probably don’t know is that we use a method called attributive star ratings because it gives us a mad-scientist kind of air (“What a filthy job”).
All our Young Frankenstein love aside, attributive star ratings are quite easy to understand.
Hands-on testing
In addition to awards and ratings, we test many of the services and products featured on our site in order to collect qualitative data.*
This helps us flesh out what to expect from a service or product by evaluating everything from user interfaces to signal strength in real-time.
*Our goal is to test every service and product, but sometimes it’s hard to get our hands on certain services because of price, availability, or location.
Editorial oversight
Even though we like to have a little fun and get a little sassy (Sophia Petrillo from The Golden Girls would be proud), we feel it is our duty to be fair and ethical.
That’s why our team of writers, editors, and compliance specialists ensure that all pricing, contract information, specs and features, and any other relevant information is up to date.
We also fact-check claims and gut-check editorial insights, so that our readers get a more complete understanding of the services and products on our site.
Mike Strayer, PhD, has written and edited TV, internet, and tech content across the interwebs for over eight years. As Managing Editor of CableTV.com, he nerds out dissecting labyrinthian channel lineups and sifting through massive on-demand libraries. Off the clock, catch him on his couch deep in The Twilight Zone or wandering Westworld.
