Satellite TV vs. Cable TV: Which is the Best Choice?

The Shift from Cable to Satellite TV

In recent years, millions of Americans have made the switch from cable TV to satellite TV. But why is this happening? When comparing satellite TV to cable TV, the primary factors influencing this decision are cost, picture quality, program variety, and customer satisfaction.

Cost Comparison: Cable vs. Satellite TV

Cable TV Fees

• Average Monthly Cost: $39.99
• Local Example: $37.30 per month for 64 channels, plus $10.95 for digital channels.
• Installation Fees: $39.95 for one room, plus $9.95 for each additional room.

Satellite TV Fees

• Dish Network: $31.99 per month for 60 channels.
• DirecTV: $41.99 per month for 115 channels.
• Installation: Both providers offer free equipment and installation in up to four rooms.

Programming: Cable vs. Satellite TV

Cable TV Programming

• Channel Availability: Comparable to satellite TV in most areas.
• Broadcast Format: Analog (over-the-air). Digital picture and sound require an additional fee of $10 to $15 per month.

Satellite TV Programming

• Channel Availability: Over 250 channels.
• HDTV Programming: More extensive than cable TV.
• Broadcast Format: All channels are broadcast in digital format, ensuring the highest quality picture and sound.

Equipment: Cable vs. Satellite TV

Cable TV Equipment

• Required Equipment: Cable boxes that connect the incoming cable line to your TVs.
• Cost: Usually no charge for cable boxes, but digital video recorders (DVRs) incur an extra fee.

Satellite TV Equipment

• Required Equipment: Satellite TV dish and TV receivers.
• Cost: Both Dish Network and DirecTV provide free equipment and installation. Dish Network offers a free DVR or HDTV receiver, while DirecTV charges $49.99 for DVR receivers and $299 for HDTV receivers.

Reliability and Customer Satisfaction

Cable TV

• Outage Rate: 3% to 5% per year.
• Customer Satisfaction: Ranked from good to poor by J.D. Power and Associates.

Satellite TV

• Outage Rate: Approximately 1%.
• Customer Satisfaction: Dish Network and DirecTV have been ranked higher in customer satisfaction than any cable TV companies for the past five years by J.D. Power and Associates.

The Bottom Line

If you only watch a few shows a week and live in an area where over-the-air TV is unavailable and cable TV costs less than $20 per month, cable might be your best option. However, if you desire a wide variety of shows, movies, sports, and news for the least amount of money, prefer digital video and sound, and want the option of HD format and DVR recording, satellite TV is the way to go.

For more information on satellite TV systems and services, visit DISH Network or DIRECTV.

Interesting Stats

• Market Share: As of 2021, satellite TV providers like Dish Network and DirecTV hold about 30% of the pay-TV market in the U.S. (Statista).
• Customer Satisfaction: According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), satellite TV providers consistently score higher in customer satisfaction compared to cable TV providers (ACSI).

By understanding these differences, you can make an informed decision about which TV service best suits your needs.