Whether you're moving and are considering a switch from cable television services to a satellite provider or are simply intrigued by the offers of a satellite television service, there are things you'll want to consider before making the big decision. Both options come with their own distinct advantages and disadvantages, which means you'll need to weigh them carefully in order to ensure that you're making the choice that best suits the individual needs of your household. Among the many things you'll want to consider, these are among the most pressing.
The Relative Costs of Equipment
Most satellite service providers will require you to either buy their equipment outright or will offer it for free in exchange for a subscription commitment of at least one year. Cable companies, on the other hand, will not require you to purchase their equipment but will rent it to you for a small monthly fee. Over time, you may find that opting for a free equipment agreement with a satellite provider is less expensive, depending upon your subscription costs. However, the equipment does need to be replaced about every five to seven years, so you may be just realizing the savings when time to spring for an upgrade rolls around. In addition to the receivers that will be placed at each television in your house that are required by both cable and satellite providers, you'll also need at least one exterior dish that has clear access to the southern sky in order to receive a satellite signal.
The Availability of Local Programming
More satellite providers are offering subscription plans that include access to local programming, but it's not always guaranteed. If you're interested in keeping up with regional news or watching local weather forecasts from meteorologists in your area, you'll need to make sure that local programming is available through your satellite provider or stick with cable.
Reception Quality
There was a time when satellite programming packages were more extensive than that of their competition in the cable sector, but the signal reliability and reception quality was much lower. Advances in satellite technology have allowed satellite providers to improve the reliability of their signal and to increase reception quality so that all programming is offered in high definition, but it's still reliant upon reasonably clear weather. Cable companies have beefed up their offerings in order to compete with satellite providers and most can offer steep competition in terms of available packages, but they're not reliant upon clear weather at all.
Package Pricing
The price difference between a satellite service provider subscription package and a comparable offering from a local cable company is entirely dependent upon the pricing structure adopted by the cable provider in your area. Most of the cable companies in the United States are regional service providers, meaning that they do not offer services to the entire country and their structure differs from one provider to the next. This has created something of a monopoly in many areas, with one cable provider servicing a particular region and satellite service being the only viable alternative. If you're truly set against continuing a service plan with your local cable provider, satellite service may be the only other option available to you.
High-Speed Internet Availability
Virtually all of the major cable service providers in the United States offer some sort of high-speed Internet service that can be bundled with the cost of your television package to save money. Satellite service providers, on the other hand, typically do not have any sort of high-speed Internet options available. Should you choose to go with a satellite service provider to fulfill your television programming needs, you'll almost certainly be required to secure Internet service from a separate providers.
Carefully considering your needs, the availability of your favorite programming and the relative savings of both cable and satellite television service is the most effective way to make a decision that works for your family. Don't be lured in by exciting promotions on either end only to find that you're stuck in a service contract that doesn't fulfill your needs.
Resources:
http://www.digitallanding.com/20-questions-cable-vs-satellite-tv/
http://www.moveutilities.com/cable_vs_satellite.html
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