Satellite TV and Cable TV are the two biggest competitors in the field of TV entertainment service.
Satellite and Cable TV services are very similar in nature. Each has its own strengths and weakness that contribute to the overall impression of the consumer. Though these television services built-in similar, are technologically very different. The following is a short review of how Cable TV and Satellite TV stack against each other considering important criteria like features, programming, prices and viewer convenience.
1.Technology
Satellite TV, is the transmission of television signals by the means of TV Communication Satellites, the signals from these TV satellites are received by dish antennas on the roof top of viewers. Satellite TV service provides a wide range of channels and services which cannot be given by cable providers. Cable TV is the transmission of TV programs into homes and offices via Coaxial cables. The technology behind cable TV is old and has several disadvantages.
Winner: Satellite TV
2.Availability
Cable TV is generally limited to towns and cities and they generally do not offer service to rural or remote areas. This is because, in order for a subscriber to get cable TV, there has to be physical cabling available till his home. There are some areas of even large metros where cable is not available because of cabling constraints. On the other hand, satellite TV, is universal and it is not limited to only large cities and towns. It has no physical cable limitations. Its availability is great in rural areas. It is available everywhere because the only requirement is a dish which has to face the open sky.
Winner: Satellite TV
3.Programming options
Programs offered by cable vary from one place to another whereas Satellite TV offers programs that are same everywhere. There are lots of programs that one can watch on satellite TV which can never be accessible through cable.
Winner: Satellite TV
4.Cost
Cable TV offers access to around 40 channels for about $30 – $50 per month. But you will be surprised that Satellite TV offers over 200 channels that covers all areas of human interest movies,music, news, sports and religion for the least package.
Winner: Satellite TV
5.Equipment
Cable TV does not require any additional equipment to install, only TV set is required. On the other hand Satellite TV need a dish and set top box that must be placed outside to have a clear view of the sky.
Winner: Cable TV
6.Picture Quality
Satellite TV provides crystal clear picture quality. Cable TV offers both analog and digital channels. Analog signals are less strong and are generally of a lower quality than digital. All satellite channels are 100% digital quality and provide better response across the channel than Cable TV.
Winner: Satellite TV
7.Signal
The best thing about the Satellite is uninterrupted signal. The signal received from the satellite is rarely affected by bad weather. Even in cable TV, signal is not affected.
Winner: Satellite TV & Cable TV
8.Obligation
Some satellite companies will require you to sign a contract and execute to a period of minimum subscription for at least one year while very few cable companies ask you to sign a contract.
Winner: Cable TV
9.Interactive Controls
Cable TV offers an electronic program guide, video on demand and subscription services on demand. Satellite TV also offers electronic program guide, pay per view, DVR functionality which includes the ability to record programs and rewind, fast forward and pause them during viewing.
Winner: Satellite TV
10.Hardware Capability
The Satellite TV offers interactive shopping and digital hard drives in the receiver that allow you to record programs without videotape which is unavailable with Cable TV.
Winner: Satellite TV
11.Packages
Cable companies offer basic and digital packages however satellite services offer packages that contains Educational, Sports channels just for your family which can be easily customized as per the requirements.
Winner: Satellite TV
12.Free Installation
Satellite TV offers free installation along with the equipments. As far as Cable TV is concerned, the customer have to pay extra charges for installation and other equipments.
Winner: Satellite TV
13.HDTV
HDTV is available through cable but it is not very efficient. But satellite TV through careful planning and superior transmission technology is able to offer excellent HDTV services.
Winner: Satellite TV
14.Customer service
Cable TV is reducing the average of 3% to 5% per year in customer satisfaction. Satellite TV offers 24 hour customer service lines and online services including the resolution of service problems, billing problems payment and higher in customer satisfaction than any of the cable companies for the last five years.
Winner: Satellite TV
Historically, however cable is the most popular household video entertainment medium in the United States. More than 59.1% of U.S households have cable service. Satellite TV growth is occurring rapidly and 25% of U.S homes have Satellite TV. Although numbers indicate, that cable is more popular, the growth in satellite TV clearly shows, that cable TV is loosing the battle in the war “satellite TV VS Cable TV”.
Also in the survey of overall customer satisfaction satellite TV companies, Dish Network and DirecTV rank one and two, way ahead of all the Cable TV companies. Also, as reviewed here, in most of the critical apects, Satellite TV is a clear winner, denoting that, really there is no comparison. Satellite TV service providers simply give you the best TV enternainment service along with the best value for money across the country. Its time to switch to Satellite TV!!!