Satellite Tv Vs. Cable: Looking At The Facts

y premium channels on the television, consumerssatellite companies now offer free equipment
still have only two primary services from which toincluding receivers for HDTV. Obviously with
choose. Consumers are faced with the decision assatellite television a dish is also required. Some
to whether digital cable or satellite television is thesatellite television providers such as Dish Network
right choice for them. The decision is a personaloffer the dish at no cost and it is relatively
one and can easily be made by answering justcompact.
five questions.Which service offers the best customer service?
Which service offers the most attractiveCable companies generally have stores in the local
programming and pricing packages?area allowing consumers to have face-to-face
Hundreds of channels of programming areinteraction with the provider of their service. On
available through both cable and satellite. Boththe other hand, local companies install dish
offer a wide range of packages that at the lowersystems and are available for one-to-one
end should be affordable for most budgets. Ininteraction for any related issues or questions.
general, satellite prices are approximately $5 lessSatellite companies tend to have availability via the
per month when comparable programming isinternet and phone 24 hours a day. It is important
considered. If local channels are important,to consider that satellite television services have
consumers need to be sure packages are pricedconsistently ranked higher than cable services in
with local channels included. Cable and satellitecustomer satisfaction over the past 5 years as
television services both offer local channels inreported by JD Power & Associates.
most areas. For those wanting HD programmingHow do the two services compare related to
however, DISH Network satellite televisionpicture quality?
currently offers the most HD programmingCompared to analog cable, satellite television
options on the market. For those wanting gamesoffers superior picture quality.digital cable and
and the largest selection of music channels, DISHsatellite on the other hand are comparable. Like
also has a tremendous selection.digital cable, satellite television provides DVD
Which service offers the greatest availability?quality picture and sound. Both signals are capable
Satellite television services generally offer theof providing state of the art image quality.
greatest availability. Cable is not in place in someWith the services available today, consumers
remote and rural areas while in others only anhave good viewing options for hundreds of
analog service is present. Satellite television canpremium television channels with both cable and
even be installed in mobile homes and tractorsatellite television. Cable television offers the
trailers. Satellite television is also now available inadvantage of living satellite dish free. On the other
personal vehicles as Dish Network now offers ahand, satellite television appears to offer more HD
more streamlined satellite antenna which canprogramming options, greater availability in vehicles
attach to the roof rack on larger vehicles such asand in more remote areas, a slight price
SUVs and vans.advantage, and in general, has demonstrated a
How much equipment will I need and how muchhistory of better customer satisfaction.
will it cost?Consumers can make the choice between cable
To receive digital signals more equipment isand satellite by determining which benefits are of
needed. Cable user generally need to add amost value to them.
converter box. Receivers are also needed; many