Trying To Decide Between Cable TV and Satellite TV

What is better, Satellite TV or Cable TV?

Which is more cost effective? In short which provider offers the best deals and services? In order to make the best choice take a moment to evaluate all the different factors that will determine what the ideal set up is for your situation. Keep in mind pricing, available options, equipment, and quality:


Dish Network offers programming packages starting at $31.99/month while the average price of cable is $69.99/month and is increasing at an average of 8.2% a year. DirecTV programming starts at $29.99/month. With Dish Network there is no charge for additional TVs while DirecTV and cable charge $4.99 per television.


Satellite TV offers HDTV though its HD Pak programming package where cable has limited availability for high definition television. Satellite Service also offer sports programming including MLB extra innings, NBA league pass and local sports channels compared to cable that does not offer these additional viewing options. Foreign language programming is available from satellite but not available from most cable providers. Satellite offer over 80 channels of Pay-per-view movies and events while cable is limited to approximately 40 channels of PPV.


Cable TV systems require a cable to be installed from the network to your house and may not be available in all areas. Besides the cable you need a receiver and with digital services you need an additional box. Satellite TV requires a satellite dish, a receiver and a cable from the dish to your TV and offers FREE professional installation. Dish Network and Direct TV give you the satellite equipment FREE of charge as well.

Cable TV usually has analog channels, which produce a fuzzy picture, although digital service upgrades may be available. Satellite TV is completely all-digital, which gives all the advantages of digital systems and makes it ready-made for ultimate HDTV. Reception quality is much better with Satellite TV. Cable’s outages are between three and five % while Dish Network and DirecTV only experience outages 1% of the time.

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