Millions of Americans have shifted from cable tv to Dish Network over the past few years. The main reasons why were (listed in order): Cost, Picture Quality, Program Choices, Customer Satisfaction. Below are the main differences between Cable TV and Dish Network
What are the cost differences?
The average subscription fee for cable tv in the year 2007 is $42.76 per month. In some other areas, the cost is more or less but it usually averages at $42.76 a month. For digital channels, you have to pay an additional fee of $10-$20 a month. For addition HD, you have to pay about $15-$40 a month. Installation cost may vary by cable company. Initially you have to settle a payment of $49.99 and $10 payment for each additional room installed with cable tv.
In contrast to this, Dish Network offers satellite tv for $19.99 for the basic package which includes 60 channels. The average package that people choose to avail is about $29.99 per month plus a $5 payment for local channels. With this, you get free equipment and free installation too and this includes all digital programming. You can also upgrade your package to HD and DVR with no extra payment at all!
What are the differences in programming?
Cable TV offers most channels that satellite tv does. However, cable tv broadcast over the air. If you want to upgrade to digital sound and picture, you need to pay an additional service fee and equipment which cost about $10-$20 a month. On the other hand, satellite tv offers over 250 channels with most channels in High Definition. The company also offers every channel in digital format. You do not need to upgrade and pay exrta per month for digital television.
What equipment do I have for each?
With cable tv, you do not need anything. Of if there is you will need cable boxes. These cable boxes are usually given out at no additional cost but this depends on the company you subscribed from. However, if you want a DVR, you need to pay a fee of $10 a month. With satellite tv, you only need a satellite dish and receivers for your television. Dish Network offers these equipments for free and these are installed for free too! Dish Network will also give you the DVR or HDTV receiver at no additional charge.
How reliable is cable and satellite?
J.D. Powers and Associates make ratings for cable companies based on customer satisfaction. Cable TV blackouts average 3% to 5% a year. J.D. Power and Associates has ranked Dish Network higher in customer satisfaction than any cable TV companies in the last five years. Satellite blackouts only average about 1% per year. Satellite signal are mostly lost during extremely heavy rainfall. If cable blacks out, you can expect an outage as long as hours or even weeks! If you are not getting any satellite tv, then the solution to it is that you to repoint your satellite dish.
If you live in an area where you cannot pick up local television channels, you can choose satellite or cable for their minimum package of $20 - $25 a month.
Looking for the best TV offers? Should you go for Dish Network or cable TV deals? Learn everything you need to know about cable and satellite TV shopping at: Satellite TV Issue.
