| Choosing between cable and satellite TV services can | | | | Equipment Setup |
| be a challenging affair. Many TV viewers around the | | | | This is where we can find a clear winner among cable |
| world in particular, US, Canada and UK residents are | | | | and satellite TV services. Cable has an edge over |
| often vexed over this matter. Not that it has any | | | | satellite TV as they do not require any equipment at |
| major international impact or affects the environment | | | | all. The typical satellite TV setup includes the dish, |
| or their livelihood. But watching TV has become an | | | | mount, remote, converter and other peripherals. |
| integral part of their lives and a huge chunk of time is | | | | Accessibility of Service |
| spent before the TV. So this question of which cable | | | | While cable and satellite TV can compete in many |
| and satellite TV service to use carries some weight | | | | ways, this aspect is quite self-limiting for both |
| and do matter to most TV viewers. We will look at | | | | services. Many a times, it is not entirely within the |
| whether there is a good answer for this. | | | | control of the service providers. Cables cannot run |
| Consumers are kings and queens. All cable and | | | | everywhere and are governed by state rules and |
| satellite TV services are trying their best to entice | | | | regulation. Satellite TV cannot be deployed in areas |
| TV viewers to sign up for their TV packages. This is | | | | where obstruction of open skies is extensive and |
| advantageous to us as we can then shop around for | | | | widespread such as in city areas with tall buildings. |
| the best deal from cable and satellite TV services. | | | | Likewise, if you are renting a place, your landlord |
| But an uninformed consumer is an easy bait, so be | | | | might not like the idea of having satellite dish sticking |
| sure to watch out for these things. | | | | out from the house. |
| Cost of Subscription | | | | Minimum Length of Subscription |
| The cost of subscription is a key factor for most TV | | | | This can be a bit sticky and is a deterrent for some |
| viewers when deciding between cable and satellite | | | | to choose satellite TV service from the pool of |
| TV services. Cable tends to charge higher than | | | | available cable and satellite TV services. So far, users |
| satellite TV providers. The reason behind this is very | | | | do encounter satellite TV services which carry a |
| simple. Running a cable service requires greater | | | | minimum obligatory subscription period more often |
| infrastructural and maintenance costs. Imagine having | | | | than they do with cable TV services. That said, I am |
| to run miles of cables underground as compared to | | | | aware that satellite TV services are cutting back and |
| fixing a satellite dish to cover the same amount of | | | | shortening the time so that it becomes more |
| space. Which should be cheaper? Satellite TV | | | | attractive for viewers. |
| services can offer you the same number of TV | | | | Customer Service Standards |
| programs that cable TV offers at less than half the | | | | This applies to both cable and satellite TV services. It |
| price in many cases. But the catch up from cable is | | | | does not matter whether you are going for cable TV |
| swift as they do major tie-ups with different TV | | | | or satellite TV. You should be able to find great and |
| stations. | | | | helpful customer service at both kinds of services. |
| Number and Type of Programs | | | | This is just one more condition you should be mindful |
| Cable and satellite TV service providers do have their | | | | of wanting deciding which to subscribe. |
| speciality in the coverage. Cable does a good job in | | | | Knowing more about the selection criteria for cable |
| offering programs in local TV stations, while satellite | | | | and satellite TV services would make you a |
| TV offers wide coverage of programs from both | | | | better-informed consumer. In recent months, there is |
| east and west coasts of States. They are major | | | | a new entrant, PC satellite TV that promises hours |
| providers of sports channels and other TV | | | | of satellite TV entertainment from thousands of |
| entertainment programs. Another cutting edge | | | | worldwide channels for a one-off lifetime licence that |
| advantage they have is in providing more TV | | | | costs no more than $50. Expect to discover more |
| channels from overseas around the world. This has | | | | about this new technology and cable and satellite TV |
| its unique appeal to TV viewers who are interested | | | | services when you sign up for my free satellite TV |
| in foreign TV programs. | | | | mini-series. |