Choosing between cable and satellite TV services can be a challenging affair. Many TV viewers around the world in particular, US, Canada and UK residents are often vexed over this matter. Not that it has any major international impact or affects the environment or their livelihood. But watching TV has become an integral part of their lives and a huge chunk of time is spent before the TV. So this question of which cable and satellite TV service to use carries some weight and do matter to most TV viewers. We will look at whether there is a good answer for this.



Consumers are kings and queens. All cable and satellite TV services are trying their best to entice TV viewers to sign up for their TV packages. This is advantageous to us as we can then shop around for the best deal from cable and satellite TV services. But an uninformed consumer is an easy bait, so be sure to watch out for these things.

Cost of Subscription

The cost of subscription is a key factor for most TV viewers when deciding between cable and satellite TV services. Cable tends to charge higher than satellite TV providers. The reason behind this is very simple. Running a cable service requires greater infrastructural and maintenance costs. Imagine having to run miles of cables underground as compared to fixing a satellite dish to cover the same amount of space. Which should be cheaper? Satellite TV services can offer you the same number of TV programs that cable TV offers at less than half the price in many cases. But the catch up from cable is swift as they do major tie-ups with different TV stations.

Number and Type of Programs

Cable and satellite TV service providers do have their speciality in the coverage. Cable does a good job in offering programs in local TV stations, while satellite TV offers wide coverage of programs from both east and west coasts of States. They are major providers of sports channels and other TV entertainment programs. Another cutting edge advantage they have is in providing more TV channels from overseas around the world. This has its unique appeal to TV viewers who are interested in foreign TV programs.

Equipment Setup

This is where we can find a clear winner among cable and satellite TV services. Cable has an edge over satellite TV as they do not require any equipment at all. The typical satellite TV setup includes the dish, mount, remote, converter and other peripherals.

Accessibility of Service

While cable and satellite TV can compete in many ways, this aspect is quite self-limiting for both services. Many a times, it is not entirely within the control of the service providers. Cables cannot run everywhere and are governed by state rules and regulation. Satellite TV cannot be deployed in areas where obstruction of open skies is extensive and widespread such as in city areas with tall buildings. Likewise, if you are renting a place, your landlord might not like the idea of having satellite dish sticking out from the house.

Minimum Length of Subscription

This can be a bit sticky and is a deterrent for some to choose satellite TV service from the pool of available cable and satellite TV services. So far, users do encounter satellite TV services which carry a minimum obligatory subscription period more often than they do with cable TV services. That said, I am aware that satellite TV services are cutting back and shortening the time so that it becomes more attractive for viewers.

Customer Service Standards

This applies to both cable and satellite TV services. It does not matter whether you are going for cable TV or satellite TV. You should be able to find great and helpful customer service at both kinds of services. This is just one more condition you should be mindful of wanting deciding which to subscribe.

Knowing more about the selection criteria for cable and satellite TV services would make you a better-informed consumer. In recent months, there is a new entrant, PC satellite TV that promises hours of satellite TV entertainment from thousands of worldwide channels for a one-off lifetime licence that costs no more than $50. Expect to discover more about this new technology and cable and satellite TV services when you sign up for my free satellite TV mini-series.