| If there was one television topic that was all the | | | | longer do they need to channel surf to find |
| rage last year, it was the big switch from the | | | | something to watch; with interactive guides and |
| analog to the digital signal. The analog signal, | | | | an enormous selection of both premium and |
| what had brought television programs to the | | | | movie channels, there is always something on. |
| homes of millions of Americans on a day-to-day | | | | Besides, when looking at the specific features |
| basis, was soon to depart; those big television | | | | offered, there is something available for every |
| towers blasting analog frequencies would no longer | | | | demographic. For the diehard sports lover, a |
| need to be used. | | | | wide selection of channels as well as subscription |
| Before the switch, television stations were littered | | | | packages are available to choose from, allowing a |
| with commercials educating consumers on how to | | | | fan to really keep up with their home team’s |
| switch, where to get converter boxes and why | | | | progress. Plus, with a majority of these channels |
| people need to upgrade. Of course, many | | | | available in HD, it will feel as if the fan is right on |
| people believed that the only reason for the high | | | | the sidelines, watching the game and experiencing |
| concentration of digital signal propaganda was to | | | | the intensity. |
| keep people centered around the tube and thus | | | | Additionally, program packages are available that |
| maintain advertising revenues, but that is another | | | | cater to international channels, cooking programs |
| story all together. | | | | or even educational options for children. There is |
| Yet, as many people started investing in | | | | actually a channel directed at infants and toddlers, |
| converters or even new televisions, people still | | | | aiding in their brain development by teaching them |
| hung on to their basic cable service. They did | | | | such important skills as counting and identifying |
| not see any reason to upgrade to a cable or | | | | colors. For the rerun lover, there is a slew of |
| satellite TV subscription. | | | | channels available that recycle old programming, |
| On the surface, there really is no reason to spend | | | | some that date back all the way to the 1960s. |
| more money on a television service; TV is TV, | | | | Likewise, “On Demand” features are also |
| there is no getting around that. But for actual | | | | offered, which enable viewers to not only select |
| fans of television, people who dedicate a good | | | | previously recorded and saved programming, but |
| two to three hours a day watching, there is really | | | | also to choose and record their favorite |
| no comparison between the two. Granted, basic | | | | programs. Therefore, a subscriber can easily |
| cable does offers great channels and a good, solid | | | | record a favorite show that they have to miss |
| selection of programming, but when it is placed | | | | due to a personal or work related issue and |
| next to satellite TV, the difference is completely | | | | watch it whenever they want. |
| clear. | | | | So, when put up side by side, the differences |
| These days, with all the new technological | | | | between the two are very clear. Sure, both |
| advancements in television, watching TV has | | | | offer a way to watch television, but basic cable |
| transformed from a habit or hobby into an actual | | | | falls short on its selection and variety. Satellite TV |
| experience. For all subscribers of digital cable and | | | | offers a way to experience television and to |
| satellite TV services, the remote is their gateway | | | | utilize it to fit any schedule. |
| into another dimension of programming. No | | | | |