How to Choose Between Cable and Satellite

Cable or Satellite? In these days of high-performance televisions that is a question on many consumers' minds, and there are pros and cons on either side. The four main areas of concern for most subscribers are price, package, performance and promotions. Lets begin with the first one:

Price: The price of cable or satellite TV varies widely, and is largely tied into the package and promotions you chose. Before you get seduced by promises of three months of premium programing, first make a budget to see how much you can afford to spend on your monthly TV viewing. This is a good time to make an all-around budget, balancing TV programing with the utility bill, groceries, gas, etc. All too often consumers think they are doing well with a three-month introductory price, only to have it rise out of their budget after that promotional time period. When you are comparison shopping between different cable and satellite providers, it is important to read the fine print - are rates subject to change without notice? Is the low price you pay now an introductory offer, and how long will it last? Also, are you locked into a contract for one year? Two years?

The second aspect of price, besides the cost of programing, is equipment. Some companies charge fees to install their equipment, which many times is rented at the expense of the consumer. Consider whether you want a High-Definition receiver, and how much you are willing to pay for it. Directv for example, charges per receiver, but several times a year offers a promotion where the receiver is free. Depending on your timing, you can save hundreds of dollars. And don't forget that for each satellite receiver or cable box, you may have to pay a few dollars extra a month.

The next area of concern is package: cable and satellite companies offer a variety of channel packages to chose from, ranging from the basic and local channels, to a subscription to movie channels, plus sports packages that allow fans to view games they wouldn't see anywhere else. The aspect of package is related directly to price, in that the more channels you receive, the more you pay. When considering which package to buy, think first of your television; if you do not have a high-definition TV, buying HD channels will be a waste of time. Supposing you simply must part from standard-definition, the cost of your programing might include the purchase price of a new HD-capable TV. Think carefully about the channels you really need; many of the more expensive packages offer a few interesting channels you might not get otherwise, but do you really need five home shopping networks?

When deciding what type of programming to chose, performance of the equipment is another aspect to consider. Satellite customers often become frustrated when rain, clouds, and high winds interfere with the satellite signal (and this seems to happen right at the bottom of the ninth inning, or during the climax of a movie). Cable customers can lose programming as well during a severe thunderstorm or power outage. However, advances in technology make these problems far less frequent, and satellite equipment especially has come a long way in terms of reliability.

Lastly, there are promotions. Most cable and satellite providers draw you in with an introductory price, then raise the rates after a few months. One friend of mine started with a bill of $39.99 in March, and by December was paying over $90 for service! It is possible to take advantage of promotions, however. My husband and I were planning on switching to a different satellite provider when we saw that their competitor offered a lower rate. We called customer service and explained that we wanted to cancel our programing and change to a different company. Not wanted to lose to the competition, our provider gave us a free receiver upgrade, as well as lowered our monthly bill by $10 dollars. Don't assume that the price listed on the internet or a flier is the lowest one you can get; most cable and satellite companies will match a competitor's price, or give you free or premium program as an incentive to chose their services.

So although there are advantages and disadvantages to each, with a few calls to different providers, you can often customize your price, package, and promotions to fit your family's needs.