Comparison of Satellite TV and Cable

Pricing for television services varies depending on what area of the country you're in, but cable generally costs slightly more per month than satellite for what is considered a basic package of between 50 and 100 channels. You should also take into account that most cable companies don't require you to commit to a contract, while most satellite providers do. Satellite contracts come with a penalty if you cancel before the contract expires. In addition to on-going monthly charges, cable companies charge a service call for installation at the beginning of service while installation of satellite services is typically free of charge.

It used to be that you would have to lease a cable box from the cable company in order to be able to view their programming on your television. TV's come cable ready now, able to receive upwards of 300 channels. Unless you have an old television or have purchased a cable package that includes digital channels higher than your television can handle, you likely don't need equipment when you buy cable service. With satellite, you need a satellite dish and a receiver for each TV that you have. Typically, customers lease this equipment from the satellite company, which is another cost to consider when comparing the two services. Satellite companies sometimes include a free DVR as part of their service/equipment package. DVR's available from cable companies typically come with a monthly lease fee.

Cable television boasts support for over 300 channels and satellite isn't that far behind with 250. Consider that the total number of channels cable offers will include local channels that some satellite services cannot provide. Some satellite companies do provide access to local channels. If local channels are an important factor to you, contact satellite providers for a list of the local channels available with their service.

Most television service providers are now digital, as opposed to the lower-quality analog that was the only option years ago.Digital signals provide the same quality for cable and satellite, but it is important to note that satellite reception can be subject to weather. Severe storms can affect both services, but cable withstands more in terms of high winds and substantial rain. If your TV viewing relies on a satellite dish, you will need to keep the dish clear of snow and other possible debris to maintain a clear, constant signal. Further, if you need customer service, cable companies typically have a local office that you can call or visit if necessary.

In a study done by BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates, cable and satellite providers were compared in all regions of the country. Overall, customers consistently rated various satellite providers higher than cable providers. It should be noted that cable was typically rated at least "average". When deciding which type of service to choose, all issues should be considered.