Cable Vs. Satellite Questions
Selecting a television service provider can be a bit daunting. Every cable and satellite company claims to have the sharpest picture, the best overall service and the most channels for your money. Both share a number of similarities when it comes to the channels and features that are offered, but there are also differences between the two to consider when choosing a TV provider.
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Price
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The first question many people have is which one costs less. This will depend on the programming package you select. With both cable and satellite TV, the more channels subscribed to, the higher the bill. Satellite provider Dish Network has introductory packages starting at $24.99 a month while competitor DirecTV starts at $29.99, though these are only for the initial period. Comcast and Charter Cable both have introductory rates of $44.99 for basic cable; other cable companies may have similar rates depending on the location. Cable companies are also subject to local taxes that make for a higher bill, while satellite TV services are not. Before you decide based on which is the least expensive initially, find out what the rates will be after the introductory period.
Local Channels
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Another question you have is whether your favorite channels are available. Cable and satellite will offer nearly all, if not all of the national cable networks, including the major ones but cable providers are a bit more likely to feature the most local channels in that area. In some locations satellite customers may still need an antenna to pick up some local channels or to get those channels in HD. And in some areas satellite companies may designate a different viewing market area than cable, choosing different local affiliates from nearby cities or towns over larger affiliates from a different city in the area.
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Programming Packages
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Satellite providers can generally offer a greater number of overall channels in HD than cable, due to cable's bandwidth limitations. And satellite customers have the option of getting a wider range of sports networks, particularly from other geographic areas. DirecTV even has one channel devoted to original programming and has optional sports packages for NFL, NBA and MLB games, among others.
Quality
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You may also want to be assured of having quality video and audio, especially with HDTV, and of not having your service interrupted during your favorite shows. Both digital cable and satellite will deliver a sharp picture and sound, depending on the quality of the TV being viewed, though satellite may be slightly better because of the compression involved with cable signals. But satellite reception is dependent on the location of the satellite dish and can be disrupted by obstructions or inclement weather and storms.
Service
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Cable TV is a two-way system, meaning signals and data can be sent back from the TV and cable receiver as well, making it easier to take advantage of pay-per-view and on-demand programming. One more thing to consider is that satellite companies require a commitment of a year or more, while cable companies are less likely to unless with the exception of special deals such as the TV service being bundled with telephone and/or high-speed Internet service.
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