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Cable and Satellite TV

Are you trying to decide between cable and a satellite dish? Consider the pros and cons of each.

You have two choices for television programming -- either cable TV or satellite TV. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Getting Started

To get cable installed, you need to have your house wired, if it's not already. If your house is already wired, it is often just a case of notifying your cable company and having them activate service.
To get satellite TV, you need to buy and install a satellite dish. Usually, your provider will do the installation for a fee.
Take Into Consideration:

• Cable TV offers access to around 40 channels for about $30-$50/month. Satellite TV offers over 200 stations, as well as pay channels, for about $30-$80/month.
• Cable TV delivers local channels. In the past, satellite TV did not. However, with a new ruling by the FCC, satellite TV providers are now able to deliver this service as well.
• It is possible to receive a "Broadcast Basic" service from cable providers - helpful for people who live in large apartment buildings where regular rabbit ear antennas cannot pick up clear reception. Broadcast Basic is affordable at around $10 a month for about 12 channels.
• When something goes wrong with your satellite dish, whom do you call? The company? The installer? You need to determine a point of contact for customer service.
• Satellite TV requires equipment for the top of each TV set. Cable means no extra equipment beyond the initial cable box installation and bringing fiber optic lines into your residence. Additional TV's with satellite service may be free or may only require you to pay a nominal monthly fee.
• You need a direct line of transmission from your satellite dish to the satellite. People who live in apartment buildings may be ineligible.
• If you like sports, satellite TV offers you the best coverage!
• Satellite TV is great in rural areas where it is difficult and expensive to lay fiber optic lines.

Did you know….

• You can purchase a satellite TV self-installation kit and save money on satellite installation fees.
• It is possible to rent equipment from some satellite companies. For example, Bell Atlantic rents Direct TV satellite equipment for $5.99/month.
• Many cable companies also provide cable-access Internet and/or local phone service. Often you can purchase one or both of these services in addition to your cable service at a discounted rate in what is called a bundled offer.
• When ordering additional channels for cable, it is often cheaper to purchase a more expensive package rather than purchase a package and one additional channel.