Satellite or Cable? Find Out Which Option is the Best One for You

Posted on November 19th, 2010 by Paulina Aguilera

One of the biggest benefits of your relocation has to be the incredible TV deals you receive as a customer in a new address, for both cable and satellite TV. Service providers practically give away their hardware, even if you’re already a customer, simply because of that brand spankin’ new address that you’re moving to.

While the first six months to a year of service will no doubt be low priced, the rate you pay will increase after the first year is over. Don’t be lured by the low prices of either service, because sooner or later the deal will come to an end. Instead, try to decide which kind of service you wouldn’t mind paying the higher rate for when the low rate expires. Here are a few pros and cons for satellite TV versus cable TV:

Pros of Satellite Service

• A satellite dish gives you entertainment to watch from all over the world. The satellite revolving around the earth offers wide coverage that provides signals from cities broadcasting in every country on the planet.
• You can get packaged deals that are exclusive only for satellite customers, like premiere football or baseball season access.
• The signal coming from a satellite feed is completely free of distortion, resulting in a clear program.
• Satellite is available nationwide from any city, town, or borough in the country, a particularly handy feature if you’re moving to a town that doesn’t have a cable service provider.

Cons of Satellite Service

• A major drawback with satellite is the amount of installation needed to set up your service. Even though the receiver and the dish might be free, you’re likely going to pay for a service technician to help you with installation.
• Doing it yourself requires skill with interpreting technical writing and programming.
• Setting up a dish requires an unobstructed view of the horizon to the south, where the satellite is orbiting.
• You may have to prune trees regularly to keep the signal clear or chop them down altogether.
• You will have to ask for approval to install if you’re moving to a rented property, especially in an apartment building.

Pros of Cable Service

• In most cases, cable is the best option for those that enjoy TV entertainment, but don’t spend too much time in front of the TV.
• There are tiered packages available that suit just about any preference.
• Set up is far less “invasive” than having a satellite technician on your roof and in your house, programming each receiver.
• Bundling your cable service with high-speed internet and a phone can save you from having to pay a premium rate for all three individually.

Cons of Cable Service

• Cable isn’t as far-reaching as satellite. You could be moving to a rural town that doesn’t offer cable TV service, which may be the cheapest option for your budget.
• While satellite includes HD service, you will have to rent the hardware to receive HD signals with cable service.
• The nature of the cable industry allows the service providers to maintain a stronghold in most areas, giving you no other option to turn to for a competitive price from another cable company.

Related Articles:

1. Is Cable Costing You Too Much? Start Saving Money with These 5 Tips!
2. Setting Up Service for Your New Home
3. Satin, Semi-Gloss, & High-Gloss: Which Option Is Best for Your Furniture

Tags: cable vs satellite, choosing, pricing

This entry was posted on Friday, November 19th, 2010 at 10:23 am and is filed under Learning Center. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.