| Despite the onslaught of new technologies and | | | | needed; many satellite companies now offer free |
| services in recent years, there are still only two | | | | equipment including receivers for HDTV. Obviously |
| primary means of obtaining premium television | | | | with satellite television a dish is required. Some |
| channels in the home. Consumers are faced with | | | | satellite television providers offer the dish at no |
| the decision as to whether digital cable or satellite | | | | cost and it is relatively compact. |
| television is the right choice for them. Most | | | | What Kind of Customer Service is available? |
| consumers ask five questions when making their | | | | Cable companies generally have stores in the local |
| choice. | | | | area allowing consumers to have face-to-face |
| How Does the Programming and Pricing Compare? | | | | interaction with the provider of their service. On |
| Both cable and satellite television services can | | | | the other hand, local companies install dish |
| offer hundreds of channels of programming. Both | | | | systems and are available for one-to-one |
| offer a wide range of packages that at the lower | | | | interaction for any related issues or questions. |
| end should be affordable for most budgets. In | | | | Satellite companies tend to have availability via the |
| general, satellite prices are approximately $5 less | | | | internet and phone 24 hours a day. It is important |
| per month when comparable programming is | | | | to consider that satellite television services have |
| considered. If local channels are important, | | | | consistently ranked higher than cable services in |
| consumers need to be sure packages are priced | | | | customer satisfaction over the past 5 years as |
| with local channels included. Cable and satellite | | | | reported by JD Power & Associates. |
| television services both offer local channels in | | | | How Does the Picture Quality Compare? |
| most areas. For those wanting HD programming | | | | Satellite television offers better picture quality |
| however, DISH Network satellite television | | | | than analog cable. However digital cable and |
| currently offers the most HD programming | | | | satellite are comparable. Like digital cable, satellite |
| options on the market. For those wanting games | | | | television provides DVD quality picture and sound. |
| and the largest selection of music channels, DISH | | | | Both signals are capable of providing state of the |
| also has a tremendous selection. | | | | art image quality. |
| What is Availability Like? | | | | Obviously, consumers have good viewing options |
| Availability is greatest with satellite services. Cable | | | | for hundreds of premium television channels with |
| is not in place in some remote and rural areas. | | | | both cable and satellite television. Cable television |
| Satellite television can even be installed in mobile | | | | offers the advantage of living satellite dish free. |
| homes and tractor trailers. Satellite television is | | | | On the other hand, satellite television appears to |
| also now available in personal vehicles via a more | | | | offer more HD programming options, greater |
| streamlined satellite antenna which can attach to | | | | availability in vehicles and in more remote areas, a |
| the roof rack on larger vehicles such as SUVs and | | | | slight price advantage, and in general, has |
| vans. | | | | demonstrated a history of better customer |
| What Equipment is Needed? | | | | satisfaction. Consumers can make the choice |
| As the world goes digital, more equipment is | | | | between cable and satellite by determining which |
| often necessary. For instance, a cable user might | | | | benefits are of most value to them. |
| need to add a converter box. Receivers are also | | | | |