The move is on. Last year millions of Americans switched
from cable TV to satellite TV.
Why? When you compare satellite TV to cable TV you'll
discover the main reasons are cost, picture quality, program
choices, and customer satisfaction.
Let's check out the differences ...
Cable vs. Satellite TV Fees
Cable TV fees across the country average $39.99 per
month. In our area the cost for cable TV is $37.30 a month
for 64 channels, plus $10.95 a month to add digital
channels. Installation in one room is $39.95, plus $9.95 for
each additional room.
Satellite TV fees from Dish Network are $31.99 per month
for 60 channels, while DirecTV charges $41.99 per month for
115 channels. Both satellite TV providers currently offer
free satellite TV equipment and free installation in up to
four rooms.
Cable vs. Satellite TV Programming
Cable TV in most areas offers almost as many channels as
satellite TV, and is broadcast in analog (over-the-air)
format. If you want to have digital picture and sound you'll
have to pay an additional fee, usually $10 to $15 a month.
Satellite TV offers more channels than cable TV (more
than 250 channels), and more HDTV (high definition TV)
programming. All satellite TV channels are broadcast in
digital format for the highest quality picture and sound.
Cable vs. Satellite TV Equipment
With cable you only need cable boxes that connect the
incoming cable line to your televisions. There is usually no
charge or rental fees for cable boxes, however, If you want
a digital video recorder, you'll have to pay an extra fee.
With satellite TV you need a satellite TV dish and TV
receivers. Both Dish Network and DirecTV offer that
equipment, plus installation, for free. Dish Network will
give you a DVR (digital video recording) receiver or an HDTV
receiver at no charge, while DirecTV charges $49.99 for DVR
receivers and $299 for HDTV receivers.
Cable and Satellite TV Reliability and Customer
Satisfaction
Cable TV outages average 3% to 5% per year. J.D. Powers
and Associates ranks cable companies as good to poor in
customer satisfaction.
Satellite TV outages average about 1%. J.D. Power and
Associates has ranked the two satellite TV providers -- Dish
Network and DirecTV -- higher in customer satisfaction than
any of the cable TV companies for the last five years
The Bottom Line
If you only watch a couple of shows a week, and you live
in an area where you can't get over-the-air TV and cable TV
costs less than $20 per month, then cable may be your best
option.
If, on the other hand, you want the biggest variety of
shows, movies, sports, and news for the least amount of
money ... you want to watch your all your shows in digital
video and sound ... and you want the option of watching them
in HD format and recording them on a DVR receiver, then
satellite TV is what you're looking for.
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About The Author
Brian Stevens is a professional freelance writer
and webmaster who has written extensively on free
satellite TV systems. For more information on free
satellite TV systems go to: http://www.thesatellitetvguide.com
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This article was posted on August 14, 2005
